Older Media you've never seen re Guy Sebastian

[Prinia]

Personality: This Guy sings like an angel
Faridul Anwar Farinordin

Mar 6:
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Look beyond Australian Guy Sebastian's big Afro-style hair and
cherubic face and you'll find a swell singer with soul. FARIDUL ANWAR
FARINORDIN writes.

WHEN Australian singer Guy Sebastian, 23, walked into a room full of
reporters during a Press conference in Singapore recently, the one
thing that commanded everybody's instant attention was his hair. Big,
voluminous, Afro-styled hair.

The crowd was also drawn to his cherubic face and that oh-so-adorable
smile exuding innocence and warmth. So it was only natural to find
out if he � the winner of the first Australian Idol reality TV talent
contest � had the voice of an angel.

And so he sang... and almost immediately the audience gasped in
wonder. His voice, rich and resonant, carried so much soul that it
pierced even the hearts of the most cynical journalists. Right smack
in the middle of his performance, a reporter from one Malaysian
magazine was so enchanted with it that he inevitably sighed out aloud!

Apparently, Sebastian's voice is known to have a certain kind of
effect on listeners.

At 14, his performance of One Sweet Day (popularised by Mariah Carey
and Boyz II Men) in school reduced his listeners to tears.

"I was looking at my shoes the whole time during the performance
because I was so nervous. When I finished the song and looked up,
everybody was crying. That's when I thought that I should pursue
singing. The performance was a turning point in my life," he said in
an interview with Life & Times prior to the Press conference.

However, Sebastian explained, his first-ever performance before a big
audience was a disaster.

"When I was 10, I totally freaked out while singing Everything I Do I
Do It For You at my cousin's wedding. I was so bad that no words came
out of my mouth. People were just laughing and they told me not to
sing again. It took a few years for me to build up the courage to
sing again," he recalled.

Following his win in Australian Idol, Sebastian released his debut
single Angels Brought Me Here which sold more than 128,000 copies in
just one week. It became the highest-selling single ever and debuted
at No. 1 on Australia's ARIA charts.

Following the massive success, his debut album Just As I Am was
released. It comprises soul, funk and R&B tunes, and features
Sebastian's song-writing collaboration on numbers including All I
Need Is You, Something Don't Feel Right and I 4 U.

"The album is basically who I really am. In fact, I had creative
freedom which allowed me to reject some songs which I didn't think
suit my personality. In the process, I really stressed some people
out. You know, some of the songs were about sex and stuff and that is
not what I'm about. I needed to be me," he explained.

Also included in the album are cover versions of Prince's When Doves
Cry and Louis Armstrong's What A Wonderful World � performed in a
unique vocal styling that is unmistakably Sebastian's.

"Both songs are very important to me because they helped me get into
the final rounds of the (Australian Idol) competition � you know,
getting from being in the top 40 to the top 10. Another song that
means a lot to me was Climb Ev'ry Mountain from The Sound of Music
musical, which I released in my latest single All I Need Is You."

He grew up listening to old-school R&B by artistes such as Stevie
Wonder and Donnie Hathaway, and plays the guitar, drums and
piano. "My next album is going to be more soul. I am currently
writing some songs and I really hope to collaborate with Brian
McKnight."

On his exotic good looks, Sebastian said: "My father Ivan, of Sri
Lankan-Portuguese descent, was born and raised in Malaysia and my mum
Nellie was born in India with an English-Portuguese background.
Actually, my mum is very fair with blue eyes and my dad is really
dark. As far as the culture goes, I got the Indian side from my
mother and the Malaysian from my dad."

Sebastian was born in Klang, but his family moved to Melbourne,
Australia when he was seven. After graduating from high school,
Sebastian pursued his studies in medical radiation with a major in
radiotherapy when opportunity knocked.

"My best friend told me to give it a go. I had no idea what
Australian Idol was about, so I was really hesitant at first. I
didn't want to be in a show that is a `beauty' contest more than
anything else. I wanted to be judged based on my musical credibility.

"I later realised that contestants had to sing to a live audience and
that the competition was based on musical talent," he said, adding
that he was actually sick on the day of the audition.

"We had our own version of Simon Cowell. He was not an awful guy
actually, but he had a role to play that could be ruthless because he
was not afraid to voice out his opinions. In fact, he told me (after
my performance) `you have a good voice, but you look like crap'."

It was probably the hair, which has, since then, been in vogue Down
Under.

"Back home, people are now sticking up posters that say `go the
Afro!' People also have turned up at my show in Afro wigs. But I
won't be having this for long. I used to shave my head bald when I
was in school and I think I will shave it again next year or so,
maybe for charity," said the singer, who is currently involved in
several charitable organisations.

Opening act

GUY Sebastian's record label BMG Music has confirmed that the
Australian singer is scheduled to perform as the opening act for
British pop idol Gareth Gates' maiden concert in the country.

This double-bill show, to be held on April 8 at Bukit Kiara
Equestrian and Country Club Indoor Arena in Sri Hartamas, Kuala
Lumpur, is brought to you by Live Audience (M) Sdn Bhd.

Tickets, priced at RM68 and RM98, are available at Ticketcharge
(www.ticketcharge.com.my) or call 03-7726-2002.

[Prinia]

Guy shows his appeal

April 3, 2004

A QUIET night out at the theatre turned into a circus for Australian
Idol Guy Sebastian.

Sebastian took his girlfriend Julie Egan � a relationship which
Confidential revealed earlier this week � to the stage show.

He had bought his own tickets and turned up unexpectedly, according
to the show's promoters.

But within minutes, he was swamped by fans, keen to get a photo and
have a chat with him. It got so crazy that they held the curtains
until the madness died down and everyone was in their seats.

At interval, he was ushered into a private room away from the crowds
to finish watching the show and to have a quiet drink.

[Prinia]

that one above was so funny. Its happened at other times, I remember one where his management couldn't find him in the big entertainment centre,, until one of the record managers said 'just look for a knot of people' and sure enough, there it was, a thick group, trying to slowly move to the front- where his seats were.

Noone in Australia, least of all his management and the record company, were prepared for the extent of his popularity.

[Prinia]

An Aussie idol visits Manila
By Cris O. Ramos Jr .

ITS hard to believe that just six months ago, Guy Sebastian was an unknown, church-going 22-year-old from the suburbs of Adelaide who has been through a lot of jobs.

“I sang in church, I went through two bands—one pop and the other gospel,” relates Guy. “I left both bands to start my own thing. Then I started working at warehouses, you know, using forklifts and that kind of stuff. Then I started working in a studio as a recording engineer and a vocal teacher at the same time before the opportunity to join Australian Idol came up.”

Today, the Australian Idol winner of Sri Lankan/English/Portuguese descent is a genuine cultural phenomenon, a pop idol whose mesmerising voice, disarming charisma and gravity-defying afro hairdo has not only captivated Australia, but has also set the record books reeling. His debut single “Angels Brought Me Here” debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA charts and went on to be the highest selling Australian single ever!

“I reckon that the song became such a hit because it really summed up what I felt as far as the competition goes. It’s a very overwhelming process to go through that at some points you really do feel that there’s something else that got you there,” says Guy. “Especially with how I didn’t feel confident before and then something just clicked and I could look people in the eyes and really try to deliver a song. It’s a great, inspirational song that sums up how any of the winners would have felt had they won.”

But destiny was on Guy Sebastian’s side on Australian Idol. “My edge? That would probably be the fact that I took a risk singing unpredictable fare such as ‘What a Wonderful World’ by Louis Armstrong, ‘When Doves Cry’ by Prince and ‘Climb Every Mountain’ from The Sound of Music,” concludes Guy. “I knew that at the same time these risks could fall flat on my face so I worked hard off-cam to give it my own spin and practiced them over and over. I enjoyed every moment I performed those songs so the audience probably enjoyed them in return.”

Like his winning secret, the making of Guy’s debut album Just As I Am is a genuine revelation, a musically assured slice of funk-tinged urban pop and soul that belies the extreme circumstances under which it was recorded. It is testament to Guy’s unswerving commitment and self-discipline that he was able to finish recording the album in an intense five-and-a-half-day schedule.

“I wanted to give the people who believe in me something that they would be proud of,” says Guy. “Not just something that’s considered as good for a six-day album, but something which is a great album. Full stop.”

Not only has Guy proves himself to be a superb interpreter, Guy also proves in Just As I Am that he is an antithesis to the manufactured pop star. Three of Guy’s original compositions—“All I Need Is You,” Something Don’t Feel Right” and “I 4 U” are all included on Just As I Am. As early as now, Guy is already polishing several of his more than a hundred compositions for his upcoming sophomore effort.

“Credibility is what I have always strive for and I couldn’t imagine my first record not having any of my own songs on it. I tried to make songs that weren’t totally restricted to one genre like R&B. I don’t have that bling-bling, that whole ‘look at me’ arrogance. I think I’ve got a bit too much joy for that. That’s why I concentrate on bringing a pop flavor to all that R&B,” says Guy. “I want to bring ‘no attitude music.’ It’s all about the music. It’s not about being cooler than or being above everyone, but being on the same level as the people who are listening to it. You can look real good, you can be one hell of a dancer, but it will still take good songs to bring some impact. To touch people as a singer, all you need is to give yourself through the music.”

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2004/j...040714ent1.html

[Prinia]

Nice Guy and Nick click with the fans

April 1, 2004

NICK Giannopoulos and Guy Sebastian take a bow. You made two guests'
night at Sydney Confidential's Golden Slipper Soiree and made one
boy's day yesterday.

Janet Chapman attended the bash with her husband Ric, the editor-in-
chief of Australian Breeding and Racing Magazine, and was keen to get
a picture of Sebastian for their five-year-old son.

"Guy obliged but, you wouldn't want to know it, the camera's flash
didn't work," Janet wrote to tell us yesterday.

"Keep in mind hundreds and hundreds of people were crowding around
wanting their 10 seconds with Guy and here we were taking up time
with a cantankerous camera. We tried a second time and again, no
flash.

"At this moment, Nick Giannopoulos joined in: 'This is so
embarrassing, I know, and it happened to me one day in the States. I
met Frank Sinatra and my camera just would not go at that moment,
too.'

"That line, delivered in his manner with his big smile, really helped
the moment � but what followed was even better. Guy reached over and
asked to see the camera.

"Obviously he has had plenty of experience with photographers of late
and after five seconds of adjusting it, he handed it back.

"Presto, it worked perfectly. I got the pic with Guy and Nick in it
and I walked away overwhelmingly impressed with Guy's down-to-earth,
patient, caring nature."

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Actually, Guy's pretty good with cameras. ANd with the phone cameras too. He actually won an award in 2006 I think it was, for Celebrity Photographer of the year. :boldblue:

[Prinia]

Faithful flock to Idol
By Emma Chalmers
April 12, 2004


AUSTRALIAN Idol Guy Sebastian celebrated Easter yesterday with a
return to his gospel music roots for a rare solo concert in Toowoomba.

The 22-year-old, who was a choir singer before he became an idol, was
the drawcard for a record crowd at the Australian Gospel Music
Festival which peaked at more than 10,000 for his 4pm performance.

His six-song set was a coup for Idol fans and organisers, as the "bro
with the 'fro" flew in from promo duties in his home country of
Malaysia especially for the gig.

Festival co-ordinator Isaac Moody said fans had lined up outside the
venue from 8am and Sebastian's appearance had generated an electric
atmosphere.

"I don't think I've ever heard screaming as loud," he said. "He's
given our attendees a lot of excitement; there's a real buzz."

Sebastian had been scheduled to perform four songs but instead gave
the audience six, including the Sound of Music number that many
believe secured him the Idol crown last October, Climb Ev'ry
Mountain, as well as hits from his multi-platinum CD Just As I Am.

He also treated concert goers to a gospel song and an a capella
performance.

The gig had personal significance for Sebastian, who has not yet
toured solo, and has been laying low for the last few months.

He flew in from Malaysia after promoting his album and the first
instalment of Malaysian Idol with a concert last Thursday alongside
UK Pop Idol Gareth Gates in Kuala Lumpur.

He told journalists in the Malaysian capital that his second album
was under construction and he would soon travel to Los Angeles to
team up with producer/artist Brian McKnight, who has worked with
Justin Timberlake and Alicia Keys.

"I'm really looking forward to it," he said.

"I've actually written most of the songs, and I'm going to be working
with some great songwriters like Brian McKnight and Cathy Dennis."

Sebastian's performance yesterday afternoon wrapped up the sixth
Australian Gospel Music Festival, which also featured a performance
by fellow Idol Paulini Curuenavuli on Friday night and Grammy Award-
winner Rebecca St James on Saturday night.

Last year the three-day festival was attended by 31,000 people and
injected $6.1 million into the Toowoomba economy. This year ticket
sales were up 60 per cent.

The Courier-Mail

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there's some media on youtube from this. Guy was in Malaysia and had said he would appear before the Asian thing had been booked. So - he flew back from Asia (some 6-8 hr flight), drove the hour to the venue, did the gig, and reversed the process.

Much the same as he did last year, when he was down for Carols with the Salvation Army, and 3 other gigs too!!! for one weekend. As he didn't have to appear on TV until later on the Sunday, he flew back to Sydney, did all the gigs, and flew back again to Manilla for Asian (World) Idol!!

[Prinia]

comments that were made after The Winners Story was aired on the Sunday after Guy Sebastian had been declared the winner in 2003. So long ago now...


And 32 radio interviews in one day!

The poor boy
……………
Awww, Kayti that is awful! I totally agree with you, an album should come from the heart and take a long time to develop - not JUST six days!

I also place faith in Guy's professionalism and humour to get him through the next few hectic days.
…………..

Shots of him in the recording studio showed horrid black circles under his eyes. The man in exhausted. Ok, they did say it would be gruelling etc, but if they drive him to the point of exhaustion it will be in nobody's favour.

All this hurry up and get it done business is BS. Take 2 damn weeks extra and give the man a chance to feel what he's doing. I have complete faith in Guy's professionalism too, and in the beauty of his voice. Thing is, for all the bloody hollering everybody's been doing on the importance of voice etc, BMG aren't particularly respecting Guy's much given the way they're pushing him.

All in the name of capitalising on the hysteria of the moment that is sure to provoke impulse buying along side the true sales made by true fans. I don't think that the strain this can put on Guy's voice can ever be repaid with a few thousand more cd sales.

My catch cry towards the producers of this whole thing continues to be SHAME ON YOU for more reasons than one.

As far as tonight's program goes, it wasn't a bad effort in itself. It was inevitable that there would be a fair amount of footage shown at other times. It wouldn't be possible to put together such a theme show without it.

…………………………

he's been rushed and there is no time to take it all in, to actually feel some of the stuff he is singing, knowing Guy, he's someone who makes every song his own so he can deliver it from the heart, i don't see how 6 days can do that for him.

………………..
I loved the show especially the part about how close he is to his mum, being a mum myself I can relate to that. I am also of a similiar cultural background as Guy and family is very important to us, especially our mothers who we put on a pedestal. His mother is obviously a very loving person and thats where Guy has learned his kind and gentle ways, he will always have his family as his rock in times of trouble.

………………….

How money-faced can they be? Guy's turned into a 24/7 money-printing machine!!

Concerts, recording, World Idol competition, interviews, promos, all in the mighty space of 1 month.

It's a happy winner's story, because Guy won. But like everyone else, I feel sorry for Guy, and his fans. They are not going to get a perfect debut album from Guy, which will seriously compromise his career. It's a sad winner's story, because BMG etc are the true winners.
……………….

think they are pushing him too far and he will eventually burn out. Cosima was the first victim and next will be guy.

everyone rideculed cosima for being tired and worn out but the same is happening to him....

give him a break at least a couple of days
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How bout the camera thingy were he feel more stressed with camera following him around
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Does anyone know when Guys ALBUM comes out?
is it before chrissy?
and when is the exsct date its coming out? cool
thanks people!
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Guy Sebastian, 2003's Australian Idol, releases his debut album, "Just As I Am", December 7th
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the whole rush is for x,mas sales, i couldnt do what this man has done and with such equinamity. then to world idol. they MUST give him a break on completion of the album or there will be a riot, come on mrs sebastian, see to it....

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I just realised that BMG should thank their lucky stars that Guy is their Australian Idol. Since some of their work is so dodgy (ie. video clip, rushing out an album in 6 days etc etc), if they didn't have GUY (ie. someone with GREAT TALENT) …………., BMG would be the laughing stock of the entire country.

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If he can handle this great rush and stress, and I belive he will for I truly think angels are with him, then he will know that he can be up for any challenge the industry can present.

They MUST re do that video though.They simply cannot present that to the world. I remember they talked so much on the show about 'raising the bar' yet when it comes down to it BMG are the ones lowering it ...

They have all the ingredients whats with them ?
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both the single and the album broke all Australian records - in spite of the shocker of a video, and album and single artwork!!

[TaylorHicksRocks]

both the single and the album broke all Australian records - in spite of the shocker of a video, and album and single artwork!!

WOW!!!!! He does have an incredible voice....Who held the record before Guy????

[Prinia]

"Candle in the Wind" - for the death of Princess Diana, - Elton John

:)

the records sold sooooo fast!! The single's COUNT was exceeded the following year, but only because Sony only released a limited number, because of the album coming out almost immediately. They had to REPRESS 2 days after release LOLZ!

[TaylorHicksRocks]

"Candle in the Wind" - for the death of Princess Diana, - Elton John

:)

the records sold sooooo fast!! The single's COUNT was exceeded the following year, but only because Sony only released a limited number, because of the album coming out almost immediately. They had to REPRESS 2 days after release LOLZ!

Wow just goes to show how marketable guy is...I wonder when he will go on a world tour?

[Prinia]

I am so slack! My apologies, truly - but its either been so busy, or I'm having trouble (occasionally have an immune prob - no real biggie, caught what is called Ross River fever here some 12-15 years ago which sometimes causes problems. Just means I don't feel like doing ANYTHING :smilies3:).


So I'm back onto it.


2009 is supposed to be Guy's year to tour. Steve Cropper wants him over there, with the MGs, Guy wants to go, and here's hoping he hadn't signed up for any big thing (like the end of last year, the Army Band tour, for example). The trouble is, so many things are signed up 12-18 months in advance!


We have some small tours here, just end of March and beginning of April which is a strange time, so it looks like they're fitting something in, in between now and then. So far, 4 shows all crammed in.

I am so hoping we hear in good time, the overseas shows etc, to go with the global release of the NEW Memphis Album which should also have some John Mayer stuff on - so we believe (those he did last year, when John decided to not only sit in for one track but stayed for all, and did BVs as well as guitar).

Because I myself want to be there for one or two of the overseas shows. I just know he will be on fire, as never before and THAT will be something.

[Prinia]

Black swan came onto our forum and asked that Guy go for a jam session with his mental health group. WHich I'm sure Guy would be pleased to do, except I think his diary is pretty much chocka full.

But I remember this (his introduction)

Thanks for saving me and my girlfriend and my dog caesar a couple of years ago, sorry I didn't recognize you or believe it was you, guess as you get older you don't keep up with the times, also sorry I may have insulted you unintentionally, but you did scare off the other guy and his dog along with your company:-)

This episode came to our attention through someone who'd seen it or it got into the paper or something. Someone had been hassling them, and Guy did the big brother act.

He's not a big person, just an average size but he certainly has 'authority' and also knows how to speak to people. Remember somewhere (I'm sure I posted it), where last year someone yelled out to him something entirely inappropriate, and Guy went over to him and put his arm around him and told him that it wasn't a good idea going around saying that, because while he (Guy) wasn't going to get annoyed and take action, perhaps the next person would. Guy said the fella was shaking and quivering, and was terrified.

But he was right. The next person the fella might have insulted may have given him a sock on the jaw instead!