Ashleigh Toole and Nathan Brake Make Idol Top 12

The third semifinal in our big week of Australian Idol kicked off with the announcement of two new finalists. I’m feeling a bit cocky about my tipping skills at the moment! Just as I predicted, Ashleigh Toole and Nathan Brake earned places in the top 12.

Daniel Raso opened up the show with The Real Thing’s “You To Me Are Every Thing.” There’s something so likeable about Daniel, and this was a really fun performance. It didn’t really show off his vocal chops, but it did highlight his mad performing skills. I agree that it was a strange choice, and probably a little too old-fashioned for the voting public, but I still liked this a lot.

There should be a rule not to sing “I Will Always Love You.” Only two people in this world can do it justice: Whitney Houston and Dolly Parton. It was simply too big for Aliqua Mao. Her voice is a little too thin, and she really pitchy. I know how hard this song is to sing. It’s one that I love to belt out. It was a risky move, and I don’t think it paid off, despite Marcia’s praise.

I was disappointed when Nicole Banks missed out on the top 12 last time, so I really wanted her to succeed this year. But I think her version of Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” missed the mark. It started off really shaky, and definitely improved. But it simply wasn’t consistent. I’d think she was hitting her stride, and then it went off again. I admire her ambition and vision, but the execution fell short.

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Stan Walker and Kate Cook Make Australian Idol Finals

The second night of the Australian Idol semis opened with the announcement of our first two finalists. It looks like I was right. Australia fell in love with the soul stylings of Stan Walker and country girl Kate Cook.

Ashleigh Toole opened the show with Christina Aguilera’s “Hurt.” I’m not a fan of Christina, especially when done on the Idol stage. But wow. She made me forget about all the people who’ve performed this song in an overly emotional and cloying way. It was vulnerable and believable and lovely.

Adam Eckersley was up next with the big rock chick anthem, “All Fired Up.” It was a solid rendition, but it didn’t really take off beyond that for me. And at this point of the competition, I think you really need to break into the stratosphere to distinguish yourself. It needed a little more grit and passion. And perhaps a guitar would have helped. Security blanket or not, he seemed a little aimless up there without it.

Marijana Topalovic took on one of my favourite songs, “It Must Have Been Love” by Roxette. I’ve said many times that Idol needs more power ballads, but not like this. I’m not sure how she managed to suck all the power out of the power ballad, but she did it. Instead of being forceful and gutwrenching, it was simply pleasant. That also equates to boring. She hasn’t had a lot of screen time, so she really needed to pull something out tonight. And she didn’t.

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Australian Idol Alum Jacob Butler Releases "Coma"

Last night Australian Idol made its long-awaited return to television screens. Looking at the ratings, perhaps I was the only one hanging out for the reality TV show! While Marcia, Dicko, and co. are sorting out the wheat from the chaff, I thought it was a good time to look back at one of the past successes.

Jacob Butler appeared a couple of years ago, and has taken his time to produce his new single “Coma.” The title makes the song sound a little snoozeworthy, but it actually reminds me a lot of Crowded House. Jacob was so obsessed with Britpop on the show; I really like this change in direction. Hopefully there’s more to come!

 

Channel Ten Sacks Kyle Sandilands from "Australian Idol" Judging Panel

There’ll be one less regular judge on the Australian Idol panel this year, following the sacking of controversial shock jock Kyle Sandilands today.

Channel Ten dumped the radio star today, following the fallout from last week’s awkward lie-detector stunt with a rape victim.

Ten declared that Kyle did not fit with the program’s family-friendly image, and would no longer be a part of the reality TV program. Given that the new series starts on Sunday it’s obviously too late to find a replacement. Instead, they plan to employ celebrity guest judges.

Honestly, I think it’s a good move all round. This ridiculous stunt is just the latest in a long-line of tastelessness from the crew at 2DayFM. They may not have known their teen guest was a rape victim, but surely quizzing a minor about her sex life would raise red flags amongst most of us. Channel Ten has got some real momentum with families following Masterchef, and they’d be crazy to stuff that up.

So far as Idol goes, I’ve never been a massive fan of Kyle’s judging style which seems more about praising the pretty girls and mainstream popettes than finding any real industry movers and shakers. Something tells me we’re not going to feel his loss too greatly.

Australian Idol Auditions Start Soon!

Could you be the next Wes Carr? The team from Australian Idol is on the lookout for the next big thing!

Auditions for this year’s reality talent show kick off next Sunday in Darwin. It’ll then travel all around the country, including this year’s new cities of Mackay and Bathurst. I wonder what talent we’ll unearth there!

Just like last year, the 2009 victor will receive a $200,000 artist development fund to hone their craft. Check out all the dates below, and head to the Australian Idol website for the rest of the details!

22 March 2009 – Crowne Plaza, Darwin
24 March 2009 – Shangri-La Hotel, Cairns
26 March 2009 – CQ University, Mackay
29 March 2009 – Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre
1 April 2009 – Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre
5 April 2009 – Newcastle Jockey Club, Broadmeadow
8 April 2009 – University of Wollongong Conference and Functions Centre
19 April 2009 – Perth Convention Exhibition Centre
21 April 2009 – Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart
26 April 2009 – Adelaide Convention Centre
28 April 2009 – The Albury Convention Centre
1-3 May 2009 – Flemington Event Centre, Melbourne
9 & 10 May 2009 – Suncorp Piazza, Brisbane
16-18 May 2009 – Australian Technology Park, Sydney

Image source: Anne Tieppo/Wikimedia Commons

Q & A With Anne Robertson from Sultry Sally

Anne Robertson burst onto the music scene in 2005 when she made the finals of Australian Idol. These days she’s strutting her stuff as one quarter of new girl group Sultry Sally. I caught up with Anne today to chat about her latest musical endeavour, her big family, and what she really thinks of the Young Divas!

All the members of Sultry Sally are such talented singers and musicians in their own right. How did you girls come together?
We came together through an open audition process. Hundreds of girls applied but it ended up being myself, Nat, Nicky, and Sera.

Why did you decide to audition for a part in the group?
I have been singing non-stop since I left Idol. I’d been doing some gigs, and working part-time, and working with other bands and things like that. I just wanted another experience, working with another group of talented singers, especially a girl group. The one goal is my singing, and that’s my main passion, so I just wanted to do something different and work with other talented people.

What’s the best thing about being part of a girl group?
I think the best part is that we can all come together and use our creativity and also our writing skills and just make new music. I know we have covers – most of our songs are covers – but rewriting them and just really creating them in our own way, and in our own vibe, that’s the greatest thing I think. And plus we’re girls, so we like to hang out and shop!

You’ve just released a cover of the Crystal Waters song “Gypsy Woman.” Were you a fan of the original?
Yeah I was, I was a fan of the original. And that was the great thing about it. We chose four great dance songs that everyone would know [for the single], and we just changed them up and put our little bit into it and it turned out great.

I hear you sang at Warringah Mall last week. What was that like?
Oh it was good! It was just a lot of people passing by, but they were stopping by watching us and it was great. It was hot! The stage was outside, but it was good.

Are the girls planning to get out and do some full-length shows soon?
Oh, we would love to! Right now we’re doing a Westfields [shopping centre] tour, and you can catch up on what we’re doing on our website sultrysallymusic.com, but we would love to do shows. Our launch was great and we would love to do more stuff like that and just perform and get out there. That’s what we want to do.

You come from a big family of seven kids. What was it like growing up with all those brothers and sisters?
Oh crazy crazy crazy! But I have so many brothers and sisters so I have so many friends. Like they are my friends, they are my best friends. We’re so close, each and every one of us, and we do everything together. Wherever one person goes, we all go. So that’s what I love about a big family, and it helps as well because we all used to sing as a family. And it helps being in a group because we all did harmonies and things like that, and that’s the same thing I used to do with my family and brothers and sisters.

How important has your family been to your success?
Oh so important. They’ve been so supportive. I don’t think I’d be anywhere without my family and them helping me, pushing me along, and giving me the freedom to live my dreams and go for my goals, and supporting me and praying for me, which has been the best thing I need and the only thing I need.

Most Aussies probably remember you from the third season of Australian Idol. How did that experience prepare you for a career in music?
It prepared me so much, because I’d really only been singing in church since I was three. I didn’t really do anything else outside of church. So being on Idol was such a great experience, and it was really good because I got to sing in front of a live crowd and on TV. It prepared me because I was such a shy person. My personality wasn’t out there. It was only when I was with my family that I was myself and loud and funny. It did prepare me and I’m so happy and grateful that I got that opportunity. And then when I left Idol, I just had to keep living that dream and keep aiming higher and higher and making sure that the level of perfection I got from Idol was still up there. So I just kept doing gigs, even though I was working part-time I was still travelling and working around Sydney, so it was really good. It did prepare me so much emotionally and knowing that they don’t just place it at your feet. You’ve got to work hard and just keep going and striving for your goals.

A lot of people in the music industry and the media tend to criticise Idol. Why, as someone who’s been a part of it, do you think it’s still going strong after so many years?
I think the main reason why is that it gives young Australians an opportunity to actually showcase their talents, showcase what they have to offer. Everyone has their own opinion, but for me personally being on the show, it’s a great opportunity for young Australians, especially those that don’t have the opportunity to get signed. I think it’s a great thing for everyone because they get that experience, they get that exposure, and know what’s out there and know how to get in front of a group. I think it’s a great thing.

Now I have to ask, if Sultry Sally took on the Young Divas in a fight, who would win?
Oh my gosh, I would not know what to say to that! I love the Young Divas. I love all the girls that are there and I just think they are so talented. I mean, girl power! The more of us the better, you know? We could take over the world! I just think the more talented people in the Australian music industry the better. Bring it on!

Image used with permission from Mark Communications

Wes Carr Wins Australian Idol

Wes Carr has taken out this year’s season of Australian Idol, beating Luke Dickens in a thrilling season finale. Luke was clearly the underdog, but we all know that in Australia that means nothing as everyone loves to see the Aussie battler get up. But after standout performances every week, it’s exciting to see Wes come through with the goods.

It’s also a good thing that Wes’ first single “You” is fantastic, because we’re going to hear a lot more of it in the coming weeks! It’s at radio and available for digital download now, with the CD single to come on December 3.

The single will include some highlights of Wes’ Idol journey: new recordings of “Get Back,” “Desire,” and “If I Were a Carpenter.”

Sony Music chairman Denis Handlin says he’s “very excited” about working with the boy from Bondi.

“This year’s Idol series has uncovered an exceptional array of talent. The changes to the format this year have proven very successful and most importantly Australian Idol has discovered an outstanding winner in Wes,” he said.

“In keeping with the exciting changes of this year’s show and overwhelming public support for the finalists, we are very happy to announce that the winner’s single will be released now before he heads into the studio to work on his debut album.”

Wes’ album should be in stores in the New Year!

Congratulations Wes!

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Luke Dickens and Wes Carr Head to the Opera House

This is it Australia: our two Australian Idol finalists have been decided and they’re heading to the Opera House next Sunday! Mark Spano was eliminated, leaving Luke Dickens and Wes Carr to battle it out for the title.

The highlight of the show was the unveiling of the potential winner’s singles. That’s right, singles. For the first time ever, the singers have selected different songs to release should they become the next Australian Idol. It makes sense really: the contestants are always different so why have we forced them to sing the same song for so long? Best of all, neither song is the “I can’t believe I’m here and I won” anthem we’re used to. These are actually the kind of songs people might want to buy!

Luke Dickens’ is a song called “When We Hear Hallelujah,” a moving ballad with a tinge of country. I was drawn in but it kind of lost me towards the end. It’s a lot better than anything we’ve heard out of the Australian Idol competition, but it’s just not my kind of song.

Wes Carr’s single, “You,” was a completely different matter. What a fantastic song! This bluesy love song is the sort of thing I could happily listen to when it’s played to death on radio.

I love both Luke and Wes. They’re so talented, and I really have no clue who Australians are going to choose. But if the winner’s singles give us any indication of what sort of artist these guys will be, I hope Wes comes through in the end.

Australian Idol Competition Heats Up

With just three singers left in the Australian Idol competition, I expected big things from tonight’s show. Instead there were some standouts, but a few performances that were more miss that hit. So who smashed it and who sank? Here are my thoughts!

Luke Dickens opened the show with “Stuck in the Middle with You.” This is a good fun song, and Luke enjoyed himself. I loved the rasp of his voice on this song, but I don’t think it was outstanding. At this stage of the competition that’s what I’m looking for. Instead it was the standard I’d expect to see on a good night at the pub. But he was back in form with his take on the Elton John classic “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues.” Luke knows who he is, and he’s got a voice that is just so recognisable. At this point he’s going to have a great career regardless of what happens tomorrow night.

Mark Spano was next up with the Fuel song “Bad Day.” Like Dicko, I didn’t know this one but he was just so convincing that it didn’t matter. It’s risky to perform a song the audience doesn’t know, but when you do it so competently the gamble pays off. I was very impressed. However I was less so with Mark’s rendition of “Smooth.” Maybe I was too harsh on him because Rob Thomas is my favourite singer on earth. But to me this just seemed like a pale version of the original.

It was a similarly lopsided night from Wes Carr. He never does a bad job, but I felt his version of “Easy” was a bit average. I loved the harmonica, but the rest of it lacked energy. You can be taking it easy without making us fall asleep Wes! There were no problems with the energy of his second song though. I was nervous when I heard Wes was doing “Get Back” as this song tends to get a little shouty, but it was a standout. Well deserving of the TV throw and the touchdown Wes!

With just one week until the Sydney Opera House finale I have no idea who’s going. Wes has to be there at the end, but I’m not sure who his rival will be. Mark is so talented, but Luke’s the Aussie battler and my nation always loves an underdog. I adore all three boys so I don’t really care which way it goes!

Teale Jakubenko Leaves Aussie Idol

I called it. After so many nights in the bottom three, the axe fell on Australian Idol contestant Teale Jakubenko. The real surprise of the night though was that he shared his spot in the bottom two with Wes Carr!

Teale’s grown so much through this competition and I hope to see a lot more of him. Wes’ appearance in the bottom three really shows that this race is just too close to call. Bring on the final weeks!