interviews

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[glow=purple,2,300]From the MTV Asia site... Thanks to Celine for the heads up... (I'm sorry if this was already posted) [/glow]


It was said that when you sung for your teacher and classmates for the first time, they started crying! So what song did you sing?

I sung "One Sweet Day" by Boyz II Men and Mariah Carey. When I was 10, I sung at my cousin's wedding. And I was so ultra nervous! I was singing and nothing came out! Everyone was kinda teasing me about it like "You shouldn't be singing" and blah blah blah. I finally built the courage to sing again when I was 14. It was at that school. And at assembly, I sung that song. I was so nervous so I just looked at my shoes the whole time -- I couldn't look at anybody. But I sung it and really gave it my all. When I looked up, everyone started crying.

Were you shocked by their reaction?

I was pretty shocked, yeah. I was like "What happened when I was singing? Did someone die?" [laughs] Nah, just kidding. It actually told me that music can be quite powerful. It can really connect the emotions.

Now that you are fully in the music business. Has it lived up to your expectations to what it should be like?

Absolutely. I am still a bit of a newbie. Still pretty new to it all. But it has superceded anything that I've expected. The success of the album and the singles was just more than I ever thought it would be. And the way I've been received back home and now starting to be received here and in Malaysia, it's incredible. And I'm just extremely blessed and extremely lucky.

Are there plans to go international?

I don't know about that. For now, I'm just going to direct my current album towards Asia and New Zealand. I don't know. I'll just go wherever my album takes me.

What are your musical influences mainly?

I love Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight, Prince and Boyz II Men -- more of the urban/soul music.

Are they the ones you look up to in the industry as well?

Yeah, but kinda more vocally, that I look up to.

How about as an artist?

Probably someone like Brian McKnight who writes, produces and plays instruments. He's just really talented and he's more than just a singer who needs everybody's help to make music. He's a musician himself, very talented, and that's what I aspire to be.

How do you feel when the song you wrote "All I Need Is You" is a single for the album?

Yeah, that's my next single! The video for it was really cool. I really enjoyed that one!

Kissing girls?

No! I don't kiss girls (in the video). I don't know where that came from. I was in an interview and they said "So are there any passionate scenes? Any kisses?" And I said "Oh yeah! I gave this girl a big sloppy kiss at the end!" But that was a joke! I said, "No, not really. I'm just kidding. No kisses!" But because I said it, they probably put it in there eventually.

Speaking of passion, I've read that Scorpios are very passionate people. How true is that for you?

Yeah! I'm very passionate! Especially about music! Everything I do, I try to do my best. And yeah, apparently (Scorpios) are very passionate and very disorganized! So that kinda sums me up!

Do you still find time for your bike, which is one of your biggest passion too?

[laughs] No, I haven't for a while. But I'm getting a Harley soon! So when I go back to Sydney, I'm going for a spin on my own!

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Guy's NZ Radio Interview can now finally be downloaded... www.theedge.co.nz/news2.aspx?SectionID=52&ArticleID=438

Here's the direct link : www.theedge.co.nz/download/guy%20iv.mp3

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You can download one of Guy's interviews with Kyle and Jackie O here 202.58.43.1/live-feed/spreader/spreader.php?station=2&mediaID=140 ... It's the interview of when he just returned from Malaysia... kinda old but I thought I'd post it anyway.

[AfroDitee]

Levi Kereama & Lethbridge
Interview by Ant-1



Levi Kereama & Lethbridge

As season 1 of Australian Idol fades into our distant memory and Guy Sebastian and Shannon Noll plod on their merry old way, we may look back and wonder what happened to some of the other more popular contestants on the show. One of those was R&B heart-throb, Levi Kereama. With the recent release of a video clip with his group, Lethbridge, and his upcoming Melbourne shows with Lethbridge and fellow Idol finalist Rebekah LeVauney, things seem to be moving for Levi.



So how does it feel to have your first single out?

It’s just a relief. We’ve been working on it for so long and now finally it’s out it feels pretty good.



Did you really see all this coming when you first when for your Australian Idol audition?

Not really, I didn’t think I would make it as far as I did. Especially with the first auditions because there’s 3 auditions before you make it in front of the TV and I didn’t even think I was going to make it that far. They were the toughest, so no I didn’t see any of this happening at all.



Do you think you’re better off not having won?

I’ve actually always thought the prize is in coming second. You’re not under the strict contract and you have a lot more freedom to do what you want, and a lot more time to put out an album that is more you instead of what you’re being told to do. I think what Shannon got was the best deal. I think that was the prize, man .



How long have you been singing with your brothers for?

For about 6 years. For a while… They’ve been singing for about 7 years now as a group and I joined around Grade 10 and I’ve been singing with them since then. Just doing gigs in nightclubs and regular gigs around town.



Did they think about auditioning as well?

Nah nah nah they thought it would be like Popstars so they didn’t really want to.



I also saw that you supported Boyz II Men? That must have been a great experience for you when you were so young.

Yeh that was when I was really young, that was awesome. They were our idols back then. It was at the time when they were massive so that was like a dream come true for us really.



Who are some of your influences?

Our main ones probably Stevie Wonder. Blackstreet, Jodeci, and now we have other ones like Jay-z from the new school.



Are you guys more on the R&B tip or are you putting a bit of hiphop in there as well?

Its half R&B half hiphop really. My older brother he’s a rapper so lots of stuff he puts in is hiphop so yeh, there’s a lot of hiphop influences through it all.



Are you doing any writing or do your brothers do the writing?

Well we all try to do a couple of songs each and share the writing around. We really want to do our own stuff and get our own thoughts and feelings into our songs so we’re all trying to share the load.



Has your life changed a lot since Australian Idol?

Its totally different now man. Stuff that you used to do before you can’t really do. You just have to watch what you do all the time now instead of just going out and being crazy. You always have to realise that someone is watching and its just different. Going shopping now, you get mobbed a bit, you can’t really have much time alone when you’re out in public.



What have you learnt from your experiences on Australian Idol?

How hard the music industry is to crack! I’ve seen a lot more of the fun side of music now. Trying to make it for 5 years before this, it’s been hard but now just reaping some of the benefits of it all, its finally starting to come. Just working hard… I’ve learnt if you work hard and stick through it, it’ll all come eventually.



So you’re going to be performing with Rebekah at Next Blue. What can people expect from your show?

I’m doing a couple of songs with her and with my brothers as well. With my brothers it will be more hiphop and R&B, but withher it’ll be more straight R&B. It’ll be something fresh, something new. We’ll do some covers too.



Levi, Lethbridge and Rebekah Lavauney will be performing at Next Blue on Friday 23rd April, Club Evolution on Friday 23rd April and Next Blue (underage gig 4pm-10pm) on Saturday 4 April.

www.grooveon.com.au/govjf/image/In_my_room_SCover.jpg

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[Ava]

Thankyou AfroD, that was great

[Sash]

Sorry if this interview has already been posted. This is from the MTV Asia website.
www.mtvasia.com/Feature/Interview/20040317000223/index.html

****

What was taking part in the World Idol like?

Being part of the World Idol was great! It was a great experience. Good to meet other people who have had the exact same experience I've been through.

Was it particularly tough, since you were competing with all the Idols around the world?

I don't know. I think everyone is so different. Everyone is so unique. I think everyone is obviously very talented, as they have been selected from other countries. I didn't see it as tough. I just see it as a good experience and a good thing to be part of. It was really fun. I guess the show wasn't entirely about singing in the end. It was just based on one performance and that's it.

Were there any egos? I read about Will Young who didn't quite relish the World Idol experience like you did, and refused to talk and shake hands with winner Kurt Nilsen.

You read about Will Young? [laughs] There you go! You already know about that one! I guess some people handle things differently than others.

Have you watched the current season of American Idol?

No, I've only watched one episode...

"She Bangs?"

[laughs] "She Bangs!" That's the one I saw! (William Hung) was hilarious! I love that guy! I wish he made it. He was so funny! He's such a cool guy! "I have no regrets!"

I read that you used to be a vocal teacher.

Well, I used to be. I just sort of got offered a teaching post. I wasn't qualified really. So I quickly studied it on the Internet. But then I really got into it, and did some different stuff that my students really enjoyed. That was good fun.

So what do you think? Is singing ability an inborn thing or can you train for it?

As a teacher, I must say that some people shouldn't sing as a career. [laughs] You can help, but if someone has no music abilities whatsoever and if they are tone-deaf, then it's pretty hard. I mean, you can teach someone who has no rhythm, like the drums. You can eventually teach them co-ordination and make them play the drums. But singing is an instrument, which is a natural thing -- you are using your body. It's a different kind of co-ordination. You are training an organ that is not really getting the information from your brain. It's much harder to teach someone who can't sing. There are probably some exceptions, but generally from my experience as a teacher, people who are tone-deaf, remain that way really. They can improve though.

[Ava]

hey this interview was wen guy was in nz (thanks to stephi from Yahoo group)

Life In Grooveland

He of the microphone hair flew into New Zealand recently to make a guest appearance on NZ pop idol and sign a few autographs for his Kiwi fans.

If Guy Sebastian gets nervous before a performance, he shuts his eyes and checks into his own personal "grooveland"

The Malaysian born winner of Australian Pop Idol conjured up "Grooveland" as a way of helping him focus and stop stressing out.

An avid songwriter, Guy records new compositions on a dictaphone he always carries with him and enjoys tinkering on piano, drums and guitar. He's also a huge cricket fan and plays as often as he can. And yes, six on the full in backyard cricket is out mate

How're you finding New Zealand?

Yeah,great.Its fantastic.

Have you been mobbed yet?

Not yet. Well, not totally. Ive done a few gigs at girls high schools so thats kinda been really full on. I wish id got the chance to go that crazy when i was at school.

Are there any questions you're tired of being asked?

(laughs)
I could probably name about 50 of them. Ive probably been asked every question about 350 times at least

Is fame what you expected it to be?

its a lot more than i expected it to be. i didnt expect it to be as full on.

everywhere i go, it doesnt stop. ill do a promo, ill do a singing. you get to the airport and you're signing on the plane. you wait for your luggage and you're signing while your waiting. then you hop into a cab and the driver and his auntys friend and his friends dogs previos owner all want an autograph, and you get home and theres kids whove found out where i live so they keep a lookout for taxis and stuff, and probably the last three times ive been home theyve been out the front.

.. its not until you get into your bedroom that you get any privacy. thats one thing i didnt think would be as full on. but i dont think you can prepare for anything like this at this point in the phone interview, there was a disturbance in the background. voices raised in alarm. "oh your jokin!" guy said severely. tearaway listened with baited breath. had guys taxi been overrun by screaming teens? were they now hammering at the windows desperate for an autograph?

No. Somebody had temprarily misplaced their ferry ticket.

So what direction do you want to take your music?

really beautiful, heartfelt ballads and then pumping songs that come on- like hey ya(by outkast)- at a club or party or something nad everybodys just like YEAH! i want to write those sorts of tunes. im on my way i think.

What inspires you?

Getting onstage inspires me. getting letters from people who have been touched by my music that inspires me. getting stuff (laughs), like cars and stuff, inspires me too! i guess when you work so hard and finnally get paid at the end of the day
you want to be albe to enjoy your money and get some nice things for yourself (and stephi hehehehe i jsut added that in )

Could you tell us about grooveland?

*laughs*
i used to be a really nervous person and would sort of freak out in front of people. id sing great in my bathroom, you know, then get on stage and freak out and sing like a dork.

i had to invent that place to escape to and just make it about me and the music. it really worked for me to get rid of those nerves and those feelings of self doubt and just go for it.

[SoCrazyInLoveWithGUY]

Thanks for posting this Ava. I'm going to remind people to check this on the AI board...

[ava unlogged]

not sure but someone wanted the vid of when cossie was on channel [v] and interviewed by Andrew G? something about tofu?!

neways, found the transcript! (thanks to christine)

Remember the interview that they did for Inside Idol after she pulled out? It was straight after that, and shown on Idol extra on foxtel twas so funny..and I didn't get it on tape I started taping after tho, when James is interviewing Cosima (not a real interview type..a silly one where she's descibing what kind of man she wants) and Andrew comes up, puts his arm round her and goes 'Im tall, funloving and love to dance.' And she pushes him away after he said he dumped her at big lunch

Cosima and Andrew are sitting on the red couch, Cosima has her arm around Andrew.

Cosima: So ex boyfriend...

Andrew: so...

Cosima: How are you?

Andrew: Were we ever going out?

Cosima: I don't know were we?

Andrew: I think there was that time between big lunch and little lunch when you were my girlfriend. Were you ever carrying my child?

Cosima: No

Andrew: No, Think this is the closest we have ever been? I've never had your arm around me be before. ( Cosima has her arm around Andrew her hand is resting on his boob)

Cosima: I think so

Andrew: Your feeling my boob
(Cosima feels it again and giggles taping his boob with her hand a few times )

Andrew: Aaa those message boards

Cosima: Yes the message boards the rumours.

Andrew: Do you reckon anyone saw us mouthing I love you?

Cosima: I don't know. It was so fun. I don't know.

Andrew: In the closing credits

Cosima: Do you think? (they saw us) ...it was quite fun

Andrew talking to the camera Now

There was a rumour on the message board that we were together and they were like.....it must be true cause i saw them mouthing I love you during the closing credits.

Cosima: Yeah I heard about that, they said if you slow it down

Andrew: Yeah

Cosima: Slow it down you can see it but ( Cosima shakes her head as to say no)

Andrew: So last night during the end of the show Cosima and I were like ( mouthing) I love Tofu

Cosima: I love your Hair

Andrew: I love your earing. And tonight we did it again this time we better say I love you.

(Cosima is laughing)

Andrew pointing to camera saying Ha ha Got you all.

Cosima: Got you all (nodding her head and laughing)

Andrew: I don't like her at all.

Cosima: Nah hes too up himself



^^andrew's hand

Cute!!

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ANDREW G & JAMES - THE IDOL EXTRA INTERVIEW

With Australian Idol 2 (and its Extra counterpart) soon to get to the business end of the competition, we took time out with our own dynamic duo, G & James, for a candid chat. Under the blinding light of our interrogation room, we quizzed them about the lessons they learnt from Idol 1, how they're coping with Idol 2 and their plans for a long-awaited duet together.

What’s it been like being back at [V] hosting whatUwant? The calm before the storm…?
Andrew: “I love Channel [V] - it is my home, my roots, I love it."

James: “It’s been unreal to be back.”

Andrew: “Live TV is my favourite place to be. [V] is my living room. I love working here.”

James: “Getting to chat to music fans, having live bands on show and just pissfarting around in general, has to be the greatest job in the world.”

Having experienced the whirlwind of Idol 1, how has it prepared you going into Idol 2? What did you do different this time around?

James: “Last, year, because it was a totally new show, the experience was pretty scary for me at first. Eventually I got the hang of it and it was a total blast, so I guess this time around I’m feeling heaps more relaxed about the whole thing, and will be able to have a whole lot more fun along the way.”

Andrew: “I had a broken hand so it kind of limited me during the audition process, as I was pretty off my face on pain killers most of the first few weeks. It was weird. The thing that is the hardest to get used to is how much stuff we shoot in comparison to the few seconds of stuff that goes to air.”

What was the greatest lesson Idol 1 taught you?

James: “Soooo many lessons. I learnt that fireworks and small children don’t mix. That you can use toothpaste to clear up lingering acne. That Alicia Keys has a lot to answer for.”

Andrew: “Never travel away from home without a pair of speakers and an iPod. That and most places will make you vegan food if you ask for it.”

James: “And I also learnt that you can burn the candle at both ends.”

Were you surprised about how emotional the show got - both being in the middle of it and on a national level?

Andrew: “I knew it would be involved but I wasn’t expecting to be crying with joy up there on stage when these people were singing their songs. It’s heavy in there.”

James: “I was totally surprised. So many people come up to us and say, “I was crying during the finale” or “I never watch these sort of shows, but I just fell in love with Guy/Cosima/Shannon etc…”. It became totally addictive for soooo many people who just found the contestants completely compelling and loved following their journey.”<br>




How did you find the audition process this time around?

Andrew: “It was fairly gruelling, they were constantly long days, and it just took it out of me something fierce. Eight weeks away from your friends and mate while working, washing undies in the sink etc, was full on.”

James: “It was absolutely massive. We had like 50,000 people turn up at 9 different cities and towns, all wanting to be the next Aussie idol.”

Andrew: “The singing was interesting too. Just rivers of mediocrity. I’d say 80% of people were great singers. But that means you and the one thousand people around you are all great singers. Very few were really great. Less were brilliant. But that’s the show!”

James: “We saw an enormous range of freaks and weirdos along the way, as well as some truly special talent as well. It’ll go down as one of the more mental experiences of my life.”

Most memorable stories from the auditions?

Andrew: “An adventure in Darwin involving beer and a late night sandwich. Post pub snacks can get you into trouble sometimes!”

James: “Every town was different. From hand feeding crocodiles in Darwin, to getting to kick a footy at colonial stadium in Melbourne, to learning to crack a whip in tamworth, it was all pretty unreal.”

Any early predictions for a winner?

Andrew: “Yes. Dicko will win once again. Do you know how many albums Guy and Shannon sold? BMG records was and will once again be the winner on the day. That and Australian music. Idol got people who’ve never bought an album to buy an album. People who’d never seen a concert went to one. It’s a great thing for Australian music.”

James: “I can’t say I’m afraid. You’ll just have to wait and see. Although I expect big things from the ladies this year. I reckon its all about girl power.”

How long before we see a ‘James & Andrew’ duet is recorded and released? If you did do one, what’d it be like?

Andrew: "It will be all power ballads, all the time."

James: “Hopefully by the end of the year. I know Andrew wants us to team up and do a cover of ‘When I see you smile’ by Bad English, but I really have my heart on doing a remake of Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warne’s classic ‘Up where we belong.’ It’s gold!! Gold I tells ya!”

Catch G & James on Idol Extra (Saturdays & Sundays 4pm) and at the helm of your favourite request show, whatUwant (Mon - Fri 4pm, Sat 4:30pm).

www.channelv.com.au/page.asp?partID=1055