Tag: Guy Sebastian

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian Spreads Good Vibes With “Only Thing Missing”

Guy Sebastian delivers another pop masterclass with the release of his latest single “Only Thing Missing.” Lifted from last year’s number one album T.R.U.T.H., it’s an effortlessly cool blend of pop and R’n’B, with a laidback funky groove and upbeat vibes. Just try listening to this one without a smile on your face.

“I wrote ‘Only Thing Missing’ on a songwriting camp in the thick of lockdown. It was one of the first virtual songwriting camps I had been a part of so it was a new way to write, which was actually exciting,” Guy explained. “For this session, I was in my home studio in Sydney and streaming online with Trevor and Zaire of The Orphanage, who were in LA. We started by building the track which was really fun, and we were loving the vibe and verses, but the chorus was taking time to come.”

Add the track to your Spotify or Apple Music library and you could win a signed Guy Sebastian puzzle. Guy will tour his T.R.U.T.H. album later this year. Tickets are on sale now for the following shows:

4 November 2021 – Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle
5 November 2021 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
6 November 2021 – Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast
10 November 2021 – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
12 November 2021 – Aware Super Theatre @ ICC Sydney, Sydney
13 November 2021 – Aware Super Theatre @ ICC Sydney, Sydney
14 November 2021 – Aware Super Theatre @ ICC Sydney, Sydney
17 November 2021 – Bendigo Stadium, Bendigo
19 November 2021 – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne
20 November 2021 – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne
21 November 2021 – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne
22 November 2021 – Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart
24 November 2021 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
26 November 2021 – RAC Arena, Perth
30 November 2021 – Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns
1 December 2020 – Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre, Townsville

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The ARIA Awards Wrap

Pub trivia took precedence over the ARIA Awards last night so I’m only just catching up on all the goings on (thanks 9Now!). Honestly, I think it was one of the better award ceremonies. It was so exciting to see such a diverse range of talent honoured with the sharp pointy things. Guy Sebastian was such a superb host with the right mix of warmth and humour. I was thrilled to see him take out the Song of the Year title for “Choir.” What a top track that is.

I found myself getting unexpectedly emotional at Human Nature’s Hall of Fame induction. They were my boy band of choice in my teenage years, although I swore black and blue that they were a “vocal group” instead. I went to countless RSL gigs, shopping centre appearances, and the like. I lost track of them somewhere along the way, but watching them bust out those old hits before their induction took me right back. 30 years together is a massive achievement. Congratulations to them.

While Human Nature stirred my nostalgia, The Teskey Brothers delivered the performance of the night for me with “Rain.” I’ve long championed these guys and I can only hope the ARIA Awards puts them on the radar of people who might have been unaware of their talents. I was stoked to see them take home awards for best group and best blues and roots album for Run Home Slow.

I’m not going to run through every performance and accolade, because it’s so late on a Thursday that all that information has already been widely publicised. But it’d be remiss of me not to mention Tones and I. She’s smashed chart records and earned global fame this year, but four ARIA awards is such a fitting cherry on top. Hats off to her.

What did you think of the 2019 ARIAs? Who were you excited to see honoured and was there anyone you were disappointed to see missing out? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian Pays Tribute to a Life Cut Short With “Choir”

Guy Sebastian seems to always have a smile on his face in his new role as mentor on The Voice, but he’s had a hard year. In 2018 he lost his good friend and bandmate Luke Liang. But never one to dwell in the darkness, he’s created one of the most positive tributes you’re ever going to hear, his new single “Choir.”

“Luke made my life better and made life more fun. When I first sat down I was grieving and started writing a ballad and it was slow and it was just not Luke Liang, so I ripped it up and started again,” Guy explained. “I wanted to write something that was more joyful and that made people want to think of his life and celebrate it rather than feel grief, because I know he wouldn’t want that.” Sebastian laughs fondly. “So that’s where ‘Choir’ was born, which is poignant but fun and uptempo.”

This song is such a fitting tribute to a man who brought laughter and light to those around him. I always appreciate Guy’s work, but I think this track is one of the best he’s released in a couple of years. He’ll play it, all the songs you know and love, and new music ahead of its release later this year on his upcoming Ridin’ With You tour. Tickets go on sale on June 14 for the following shows.

6 September 2019 – Festival Theatre, Adelaide
7 September 2019 – Regal Theatre, Perth
12 September 2019 – Wrest Point Casino, Hobart
14 September 2019 – The Arts Centre, Melbourne
21 September 2019 – The Star, Gold Coast
22 September 2019 – QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane
3 October 2019 – The Star, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan Cribb Recruits Famous Friends For Pop-Punk Simpsons Tribute

The Worst Tribute Ever is the tribute album I didn’t know I needed: a pop-punk tribute to the music of The Simpsons. Conceived by Dan Cribb, the star-studded album sees WA’s punk prince working with a who’s who of Aussie artists including Guy Sebastian, Montaigne, Kram, and countless others.

“This project has evolved into more than I could have imagined,” Dan said. “Not only have I had the opportunity to work alongside some of my musical heroes, I’ve also made a stack of new friends and learnt a lot about songwriting, performance and collaboration. I can’t thank everyone involved enough, especially Troy Nababan, who played about half the record’s instrumentation and mixed and mastered each song to perfection.”

Honestly, The Worst Tribute Ever just needs to be heard to be believed. You can stream it here. It’s far from the worst tribute. In fact, the world is probably a better place simply because this exists.

Image used with permission from Write Timing

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian Drops Real New Single

I was so amused by Hamish and Andy’s latest stunt, where they wrote a song in 10 minutes and handed it over to Guy Sebastian to pass it off as his latest single. Most of the radio execs fell for the ruse hook, line, and sinker, despite the song’s woeful lyrics, because frankly Guy could sing the phonebook and it’d sell. Thankfully for us all though, his new single “Bloodstone” is a whole lot better than the phonebook or Hamish and Andy’s song.

“Bloodstone” is the latest cut from Guy’s album Conscious, set for release on November 3. It hooked me in with its piano introduction and didn’t let go. Its lyrics are emotionally charged, and it’s got a great soul-pop sensibility. Guy’s vocals are also on point, but that’s nothing new.

“It’s kind of a desperate song,” Guy explained. “You’re in a relationship where you feel like everything is coming to an end and you’re just pleading to your other half.”

With quality tracks like this, you can expect Conscious to do big things on its release next week!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian’s Going To Make You Dance With “High On Me”

Guy Sebastian is spreading plenty of good vibes with his latest single “High On Me,” the first cut from his 10th studio album Conscious.

After a few big ballads, it’s great to hear a party anthem from Guy. He can certainly tug at the heartstrings, but he’s always had a special knack for creating upbeat, feel-good numbers like this.

“I feel like I’ve had so many ah-ha moments this last year. One of the biggest is that every now and again everybody just needs a reason to let go, smile and dance,” Guy explained in the press release. “’High On Me’ poured out of me while I was in Bali on a writing trip, sitting back looking at the mountains, high on this life. I really wanted to create a soulful earworm that would make young and old want to get up out of their chair and enjoy the moment.”

Conscious hits stores on October 27, by which time this track should be absolutely everywhere. Guy is celebrating its release with shows around the country in November. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, September 8, for the following shows.
2 November 2017 – QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane
3 November 2017 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
4 November 2017 – Newcastle Civic Theatre, Newcastle
6 November 2017 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
10 November 2017 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
11 November 2017 – Astor Theatre, Perth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Conchita @ Sydney Opera House, Sydney – 3 March 2016

I fell fast for Conchita when she graced the Eurovision stage in Copenhagen in 2014. I had never seen anything like her. Looking beyond the beard, she performed with such poise and passion. I was entranced. When she gave her victory speech and uttered those immortal words, “We are unstoppable” I applauded loudly from my lounge room. Her victory seemed to stand for something bigger. While “Rise Like a Phoenix” was undoubtedly the song of the competition, her win went beyond the ballad, indicating an acceptance of diversity and difference so timely as the world fought for marriage equality.

Unlike so many Eurovision winners, Conchita has refused to fade away. She’s visited Australia several times since her big win, but last Thursday was her first full-length concert in Sydney. And didn’t she do it in style. Backed by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, on the stage of the Opera House’s concert hall, supported by some of the best talents in the land, this show was so deserving of the diva.

Conchita started the night paying tribute to one of her greatest inspirations, Dame Shirley Bassey. “Where Do I Begin?” was such a fitting introduction to the night, easing us into the performance before Trevor Ashley, appearing as Ms Bassey herself, joined Conchita for a stunning cover of “Diamonds are Forever.” Never one to hog the limelight, Conchita graciously stepped aside to give “Shirley” her moment on “Goldfinger.” Dame Shirley’s shoes are big ones to fill, but Trevor’s vocals and mannerisms were spot on.

The night continued in much the same vein, with Conchita treating us to some of her favourite covers and tracks from her own album, interspersed with anecdotes about her journey and life after Eurovision. She was joined every now and again by our homegrown acts. Courtney Act seems like she’s only gotten stronger since Australian Idol. She joined Conchita for “River Deep, Mountain High” because going solo with an emotional performance of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.”

Paul Capsis showed why he’s one of Australia’s most acclaimed cabaret performers, joining Conchita for a breathtaking cover of “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down).” The enthusiasm with which he performed Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” was something to behold.

On paper Guy Sebastian might have seemed a little out of place, a fairly vanilla addition on such a fabulously colourful night. However, reprising his breakout Australian Idol performance of “Climb Every Mountain” with Conchita was sublime. “Tonight Again,” the song he sang at Eurovision, was the perfect solo song for this crowd.

And of course there was Dami Im, Australia’s newest Eurovision star announced on the night. Her incredible version of “Waterloo” should have left no doubt in the audience’s minds that she’s the right woman for the job.

There were so many stars, but none shone brighter than Conchita. She anchored the evening beautifully, performing with such elegance and style. She has so much charisma and one of the best voices I’ve heard. I was feeling a little fatigue after so many concerts close together, but as I rose to my feet and confetti rained down while Conchita waved goodbye, I was on cloud nine. What a way to end such a busy concert period.

Image source: Stephen Katulka

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian Fifth in Eurovision

I’m sitting here bleary eyed and bursting with pride following this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. I’m an unashamed Eurovision tragic, and I’ve been up at 4:55 am three times this week (just enough time to grab a piece of paper to take notes to remember who to vote for and a Coke to wake up). This was the big one though, Guy Sebastian’s appearance, the first time Australia has competed and voted in the competition’s 60 year history.

Other singers got pitchy as the nerves caught up with them, but not Guy. A consumate professional, he truly did Australia proud with “Tonight Again,” a song that had me grooving around the loungeroom. But of course, a great song and performance is no guarantee of Eurovision success. There was a part of me before the event that worried that there might be some backlash from people who thought Guy and Australia had no place in Europe’s contest. I feared we might end up getting no points at all. Instead we got 196, including two douze points (that’s the maximum of 12 for those playing at home). Thanks Sweden and Austria! That put us in fifth place, behind the winner Sweden, Russia, Italy, and Belgium.

Fifth is more than credible in a field of 27, especially considering some of my favourites Lithuania and Cyprus were number 18 and 22 respectively. It’s not enough to see us back next year, but more than enough for us to hold our heads high. Personally I’ve had so much fun voting and even getting up early for it. It was amazing to feel part of a contest that’s been one of my year’s highlights for more than two decades.

Thank you Austria for including us in the celebrations. And thank you Guy for doing this country proud.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian Strips Back “Linger”

I always think it’s a bit weird when I get press releases about songs without links to videos or at least the audio. What’s the point in telling me there’s a song unless I can experience it? I don’t really want to tell you about it if it’s terrible. So I tend to do my own research, which is what led me to this cool acoustic version of Guy Sebastian’s new single “Linger.”

Now I haven’t caught the song on radio, although I’m told it’s there, but I have a hunch this sounds dramatically different to the version Guy recorded with Lupe Fiasco. Anything with Lupe Fiasco probably doesn’t sound this mellow and cool. But I like it, so that’s what I’m going to post.

Guy will promote “Linger” and the album it comes from, Madness, when he tours all around the country next year. Tickets are on sale now.

12 February 2015 – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
14 February 2015 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
18 February 2015 – Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney
21 February 2015 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
25 February 2015 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
28 February 2015 – Perth Arena, Perth

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Taylor Henderson is at Number One

Taylor Henderson has done the unthinkable, knocking boy band of the moment One Direction off the top of the charts and claiming the number one spot with his self-titled debut. His single “Borrow My Heart” is also at number ten this week. I’m also pretty sure it’s the first time an X Factor runner-up has gone to number one on debut, so he deserves serious props!

His X Factor competitor Dami Im continues to sell truckloads with her self-titled debut. The platinum-selling album sits at number seven this week.

Billy Birmingham’s also doing big business with his latest effort. Willy Nilly – The 12th Man’s Biggest Hits climbs one position to land at number three this week.

Human Nature have also jumped one position. They sit at number five with their festive offering, The Christmas Album.

Guy Sebastian is the best of the Aussies on the singles chart this week. “Like a Drum” is holding steady at number six. Justice Crew also haven’t budged. “Everybody” sits at number nine.

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