Tag: Natalie Gauci

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Natalie Gauci

Natalie Gauci took out the Australian Idol competition way back in 2007, burning brightly during the competition but seemingly fading from view almost as quickly. With a new EP under her belt and an upcoming tour Natalie’s ready to emerge from the shadows and win over Australia all over again. I caught up with Natalie recently to chat about her time on the talent quest, her new music, and the Aussie shows to come.

Most music fans would remember you from Australian Idol in 2007. A lot of time has passed since then and now. Why’s it taken so long for us to hear your original material?
Yes I have been under the radar for a few years and I’m now ready to pop out my shell.  I’ve been working hard on writing and recording my music and also finding the right home for it and that takes time. After Idol I had to find my true identity. Idol gave me the platform to now achieve what I’ve always wanted to achieve which is to record and write my own music and travel with it all over the world. It also gave the confidence to be who I am today.

How do you look back on your time with the show?
I look back and cry because I get so emotional. I forget how amazing it was, how many people were so supportive of me and my performances and how I gave it my all, I gave it everything I had. It reminds me of where I came from and what is important to me, not just with music but with my family and friends and my fans.

You got a lot of criticism when your Idol single and album were released because they didn’t match the chart success of the winners that came before. How did you deal with that?
It doesn’t bother me at all. Times change and record sales were just getting worse overall. Critics can say what they like really but it doesn’t affect me. I just make sure I do the best I can with what I’ve got.

Part of your prize was a record deal with Sony, yet you left them before releasing anything other than the prerequisite Winner’s Journey album. Why did you feel the label wasn’t the right fit for you?
I had been wanting to release “Best of Me” ever since I won Idol. I wrote it after the Winner’s Journey tour and always dreamed of recorded it with my soul band. The direction I was heading in didn’t feel right. My instinct was telling me to do what was in my heart and “Best of Me” was in my heart at that time.

Continue reading “Q & A with Natalie Gauci” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Natalie Gauci Tours New Single

I’d all but assumed we’d heard the last of 2007 Australian Idol winner Natalie Gauci, but it seems she’s still kicking around. She released her EP I’m Ready last year, and in case you missed it she’s preparing to release a new single from it, “Best of Me.”

Whether it really delivers the best of Natalie, I’m not sure. But it’s got some powerful vocals and strong lyrics, so we’re certainly more than halfway there. It should generate a bit of buzz as it’ll feature in the new Aussie rom-com Big Mamma’s Boy. Natalie also makes a cameo in the flick, so keep your eyes peeled!

Natalie will hit the road next month to promote the single at the following shows.

23 June 2011 – Brisbane Jazz Club, Brisbane
24 June 2011 – El Rocco, Kings Cross
25 June 2011 – Coogee Diggers, Coogee
26 June 2011 – The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
30 June 2011 – The Promethean, Adelaide
3 July 2011 – Bennett’s Lane, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

I’ll Be Back, Says Natalie Gauci

Natalie Gauci has launched off suggestions she’s a failed Idol, insisting she’s working hard to produce an album she’s happy with before she unleashes it on the public.

“I don’t want to release something just for the sake of it. Idol did change my life but you’ve got to take perspective. My album is going to be ready when it’s ready. I am just taking one step at a time,” she told The Sunday Telegraph.

She’s also been taking some much needed time off following her whirlwind Australian Idol journey, holidaying in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia with a new beau. But it’s back to the grindstone now, with Nat preparing to jet off to the UK to continue work on her debut disc.

Natalie expects to release it in 2009, but I’m happy to wait as long as it takes. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather this than the old method of releasing an album a week after winning Idol!

Image source: Sunrise.seven @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Natalie Gauci Heads to Malta

Natalie Gauci is one busy bee. As soon as the Australian Idol completes her Winner’s Journey tour, she’ll be on a plane to Malta.

Natalie, who is of Maltese descent, has been invited to perform on the final night of the Malta Song for Europe Festival. This festival decides which song will represent Malta at the Eurovision Song contest held in May.

Natalie is thrilled at the opportunity to visit her father’s homeland for the first time.

“This is such fantastic news,” she told Times of Malta. “I can’t wait to be there.”

The festival is a massive deal in Malta, so plenty of people will watch our Nat perform. Hopefully this will pave the way for Natalie receiving the international attention she deserves.

Image source: Violetion @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nat Says Idol Rules

Australian Idol competition. We expect this sort of behavior from so-called “credible” artists, but recently even past winner Guy Sebastian and judge Ian “Dicko” Dickson had something to say. Guy called the current crop “boring” and Dicko said the contestants “lacked personality.” It seems the only person standing up for the franchise is this year’s winner, Natalie Gauci.

“I am sick of people bagging Idol, especially contestants from the show who have been on it and are successful because of it,” she told The Sunday Telegraph.

“People need to see the positive side. They need to appreciate what the contestants go through.”

Good on her. While many might suggest Natalie’s had a free ticket to fame, it’s worth remembering that she got her start on Triple J’s Unearthed competition. This is the same comp that Missy Higgins won, and no one dares to suggest she hasn’t done the hard yards!

“I have been doing this for a long time and Idol has just prepared me for what is to come now,” she added.

Image source: Violetion @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Natalie Gauci Hits Highpoint

Our newest Australian Idol, Natalie Gauci, will warm up for her first national tour with an instore appearance in her hometown of Melbourne this weekend.

Natalie will appear on the Level 1 Stage at Highpoint Shopping Centre at 1 pm this Sunday, December 9.

Natalie will perform two songs, including her debut single “Here I Am,” and sign copies of the Winner’s Journey CD/DVD pack afterwards.

Natalie fans who don’t live in Melbourne needn’t worry. They can see Nat when her massive Winner’s Journey tour travels around Australia in the New Year.

Image source: Violetion @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kylie’s Got the "X" Factor

Kylie Minogue has burst back onto the albums charts this week with a number-one debut. Her tenth studio album X is sitting pretty at the top of the ARIA charts in a big week for Aussie artists.

Her single “2 Hearts” has slipped to number nine this week, just behind The Veronicas’ “Hook Me Up” at eight.

Kylie’s album outperformed another Aussie legend, Jimmy Barnes, who debuted at number three with Out of the Blue.

These massive albums have pushed Human Nature’s Motown tribute, Get Ready, to number five this week. They sit just ahead of Delta Goodrem’s Delta at number six.

Aussies have also claimed the last three spots in the top ten. Guy Sebastian’s The Memphis Album is at number eight, ahead of Keith Urban’s greatest hits record 18 Kids at nine, and the revamped Young Divas’ outfit at number 10 with New Attitude.

But the real surprise this week was the performance of Australian Idol Natalie Gauci’s debut single “Here I Am.” A number two debut isn’t a disaster by any means, but it’s the first time an Aussie Idol has failed to claim the top spot in its first week.

Here’s this week’s complete Aussie top 10.

Australian singles chart

  1. “Apologize” – Timbaland feat. OneRepublic
  2. “Here I Am” – Natalie Gauci
  3. “Clumsy” – Fergie
  4. “The Way I Are” – Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson
  5. “Into The Night” – Santana feat. Chad Kroeger
  6. “No One” – Alicia Keys
  7. “Hey There Delilah” – Plain White T’s
  8. “Hook Me Up” – The Veronicas
  9. “2 Hearts” – Kylie Minogue
  10. “How Far We’ve Come” – Matchbox Twenty

Australian albums chart

  1. X – Kylie Minogue
  2. Long Road Out Of Eden – Eagles
  3. Out In The Blue – Jimmy Barnes
  4. Timbaland Presents: Shock Value – Timbaland
  5. Get Ready – Human Nature
  6. Delta – Delta Goodrem
  7. Greatest Hits – Spice
  8. The Memphis Album – Guy Sebastian
  9. Greatest Hits: 18 Kids – Keith Urban
  10. New Attitude – Young Divas

Image source: Georges Biard @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Natalie Gauci Wins Australian Idol

After a seemingly endless telecast, last night Natalie Gauci was crowned this year’s Australian Idol. She faced stiff competition from season golden boy Matt Corby, and no one seemed more surprised with the result than Natalie herself.

“Are you sure?” she asked host James Mathison after her name was called. “I don’t believe this is happening.

“It just feels like it … like it never ends and it just keeps going and the buzz is always there and it makes me so grateful to know people have voted for me around Australia. It’s really exciting.”

Tickets to her Winner’s Journey tour are released today, and her debut single “Here I Am” is on sale on Wednesday.

“I’m going to put on a really good show and I hope everyone comes to watch me,” Gauci told the crowd.

I know there are a lot of big Matt fans in here, but honestly, I don’t think they need to worry about him. He’s shown what he can do, and I’m sure the record companies are going to snatch him up. I also think he’ll be better for it. Just look how far previous runners-up like Shannon Noll and Anthony Callea have gone!

Image source: Violetion @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Natalie vs. Matt: Australian Idol Showdown

Last night our Australian Idol hopefuls Natalie Gauci and Matt Corby had one last chance to impress the public. But did they pull it off? Who deserves the winner’s crown? Here’s my verdict on the final showdown.

Matt Corby kicked off the night with his rendition of the winner’s single, “Here I Am.” Newspaper reports earlier in the week suggested Matt hated the song, and while he denied these claims his performance told a different story. I thought he looked really uncomfortable, particularly during the verses.

He looked a lot more at home performing Radiohead’s “High and Dry.” I’m sure Radiohead fans probably hated his loungy treatment of the song, but I’m not a Radiohead fan. I really liked it, but I think his falsetto needs some work.

I was less enthusiastic about his closing song, “Mind’s Eye” by Wolfmother. This should have rocked. The band did, but Matt’s performance felt laboured and tired.

Natalie Gauci seems to be the master of turning hideous pop songs into gold. Just as she did weeks ago with “Umbrella,” Nat did a great version of Timbaland’s “Apologise.”

She followed it up with a breathtaking version of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill.” Considering how she struggled with the high notes in “Ray of Light,” I was a little nervous about this, but she pulled it off for a commanding performance. For me, this was the performance of the night.

She closed the show with the winner’s single “Here I Am.” This is the way this song needs to be sung, no question. Her performance had vulnerability and strength all at the same time. Wow.

Reading my comments, I guess you know which way I’m hoping the verdict goes. I’m backing Natalie for the exciting performances she’s delivered in recent weeks. Matt started the competition really strong, but lately he’s been a bit lacklustre. Natalie, on the other hand, has gone from strength to strength. I also really don’t want to hear Matt’s version of “Here I Am” saturating radio waves. It’s going to be a really close call, but Natalie has my vote.