News Items for Australian Idol

The Idols

Chrislyn Hamilton

It’d probably come as no surprise to hear Chrislyn Hamilton’s idol is Aretha Franklin. “Hands down,” states the singer. “She’s gotten so far and she’s still considered one of the most respected people in the music industry.” Chrislyn may not be the Queen of Soul just yet, but we think she’s well on her way.

Growing up in the close-knit community of Mount Isa, QLD, Chrislyn moved to Redcliffe, QLD, when she was 13 with her Mum, Evelyn. Chrislyn describes her Filipino mother as beautiful, and extremely supportive of her ambitions to be a singer. Chrislyn started school at Redcliffe State High School from Year 8, and now the 17-year-old still enjoys being a student and having an array of friends that’s as diverse as her vocal range. “My friends describe me as a fruit loop!” she laughs, “But I listen to people – I have a big heart”.

And a big voice, which has been developed with regular tuition from the Conservatory of Music in Brisbane, where Chrislyn traveled once a week for just over a year, for half hour lessons.

Chrislyn is inspired by one of her old singing teachers, Tracy, who encouraged the fledging singer to focus on becoming an entertainer - not just a singer - and to really perform the song when she’s up onstage. As one of the first contestants through to Final 12, there’s no doubt Chrislyn has mastered these foundations, and her expressive performance skills are mostly self-taught from watching other artists perform live on television. “I love the audience,” she says. “And I do go a bit crazy, but there’s so many different sides to how I perform – I like capturing an audience”.

A single gal, Chrislyn reckons she’s a bit young to be looking for love, but describes her ideal partner as someone who cares about themselves and others, and takes pride in themselves. “I’m not a looks kinda person,” she says. “As long as they’re beautiful on the inside, that’s all the matters.”

West Carr

At 25 years of age, the easily confident Wes brings a huge 10 years experience to the Final 12 – that’s right, this talented singer/ songwriter started gigging in Sydney when he was just 15. “Dad used to come with me, as my legal guardian,” Wes recalls. “I could play, as long as I didn’t drink, of course.”

Growing up in the small country town of Gawler, near the Barossa Valley in South Australia, Wes spent a lot of his childhood in his own head, a self-described loner with a big imagination who had trouble focusing at school; “Music was all I ever wanted to do.”

He took classes five nights a week at the Johnny Young Talent School, but eventually left Adelaide to live with his Dad in Sydney. Here Wes began his DIY education of the music industry, swapping time at school for time on the bar stool, performing and meeting other musicians. His first big gig was supporting acclaimed indie band Leonardo’s Bride, for their last ever gig at the famous jazz venue The Basement. His collaborations with well-known artists didn’t end there. “I played with Missy before she was Missy and Lior before he was Lior,” he says, also listing Paul Mac, Andrew Farris (INXS) and Don Walker (Cold Chisel).

At the end of 2005 he finished touring with Tambalane, a collaboration with Silverchair’s drummer Ben Gilles, and spent time in LA, working with the musical director for Joe Cocker, before returning to Australia to continue writing and performing. Now living in Bondi with his actress girlfriend, Charlotte Gregg (“my idol”), Wes continues to perfect his emotionally resonant folk/ rock repertoire, gigging three nights a week around town.

Describing himself as eccentric, lovable and playful, his two favourite performers sum up the mix of his unique personality: Michael Jackson and John Lennon.

Wes sees 2008 as a personal turning point, where his commitment to honesty in himself and as a performer has opened more doors for him than ever before. “My motto is truth, integrity and honour,” he states. “It’s working out well.”

Tom Williams

“I guess I can be a bit cheeky,” grins 16-year-old Tom, recalling an incident at school when, while talking on his phone to one of the Idol producers, a teacher asked him to hand over his phone. “I looked at him and was like, ‘Nah,’ and kept talking. The teacher started getting really mad, and was like, ‘Give me your phone, and stop acting like a bloody idiot!’ I didn’t – and then he got in trouble for calling me a bloody idiot!’”

Tom’s parents are divorced, so he lives with his mum and pet budgie in Morphettville, South Australia, with dad and step-mum living just two minutes away. He describes his childhood as “pretty normal – except for the arthritis.” Tom was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at 15 months and as a result has undergone years of painful medical procedures – but you’d hardly know it when you meet the bubbly teenager. The Year Ten student began losing interest in school a few years ago – “writing songs in math's, that kind of stuff”. His best subject is music and PE, and he plays tennis, table tennis and basketball.

Tom started performing and singing around his house from a young age, “Mum gave me a CD player at age 2 or 3, and I started recording myself,” he says. “And Dad sang a lot.” A few years ago Tom became interested in acting, taking classes at Actors Inc. in Adelaide and working with a manager. “It helps a lot with singing – but I’m not going to pursue that now,” explains Tom. Nevertheless, he’s played parts in school productions, and is in a group outside school called Creative Souls Theatre, which saw him take on roles in musicals such as Grease, Magic Faraway Tree and High School Musical.

But music is Tom’s focus now, and the talkative, easy-going singer is planning to learn guitar, adding to his repertoire of piano and drums, which he’s been playing for 2.5 years and 3 years respectively.

“I’m going to bring individuality to this competition,” he says. We can’t wait!

Thanh Bui

If there’s one thing Thanh Bui understands about the secret to success in the music biz, it’s a work ethic. The talented teacher/song-writer/performer has been working 12 hours a day, seven days a week to make his dreams come true… “Oh, sometimes I have half a day off on Tuesday!”. Well, that’s just plain slack Thanh!

Thanh’s family moved from Adelaide to Melbourne in 1990 for work in the textiles industry, settling in Richmond. They still live there today, with mum, dad, a younger brother, Thanh and his wife all living under the same roof.

Growing up, Thanh attended no less than five schools, spending his senior years at the exclusive St Kevin’s, then selective public school Melbourne High. “I was a total geek at school!” he laughs. Best subjects? “Math’s, science, chemistry, French, Japanese and English. And I loved playing tennis.”

In fact Thanh’s dream to become a professional tennis player overtook his musical aspirations until he was about 17. “I sang ‘I’ll Make Love To You’ by Boyz 2 Men at a karaoke bar and something just clicked,” he recalls. The thrill of performing kicked off more gigging, including an appearance on The Footy Show, until all roads led North – a four-piece boy band. North released two albums overseas, and it was while on tour Thanh met his future wife, promotions executive Siriamon. “It was love at first second for both of us,” says Thanh.

A soul-pop performer, Thanh lists his favourite artists as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Maroon 5 and Coldplay – music with soul. "I bring soul and emotion to my performances."

These days Thanh works 35 – 40 hours a week, in two jobs. 10am – 4pm is spent with songwriting Production Company Yin Yang Productions, writing songs for artists around the world, then 5pm – 10pm is spent at the International Artist Academy teaching and mentoring young artists. "I take life seriously," says Thanh. "I don’t want to waste a second of a day; I want to be the best that I can be."

Mark Spano

“I’m ready for the entertainment bug. I’ve been waiting and waiting for a long time.” He surely has. Mark Spano is one man whose patience for his dream has surely been tested. But we’ll get to that later.

Describing it as “a bubble – where everyone knows everyone”, Mark grew up in Brighton, Victoria, with Mum, Dad, older brother David and younger sister Deanna. With all four grandparents and both parents Italian, Mark’s got the heritage to call himself as such, but doesn’t speak the language – “I’m more Australian than I am Italian.”

With a good group of mates by his side at Brighton Grammar, he excelled at sport, playing first grade rugby during Year 11 and 12, picking up Best and Fairest in his last year. Favourite academic subject? “I was least bad at English,” he grins, “Although you wouldn’t know it to hear me talk!”

School saw the birthplace for his first band, Aisle Five, described jokingly as “wannabe rock”. Performing mainly covers from the likes of Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana, Aisle Five broke up, Mark graduated, which lead to a brief stint studying hospitality management at TAFE – but after a few months, music once again called. Hooking up with a new guitarist, drummer and bass player, The Need, were formed, and Mark spent the next six years gigging their hard American rock sound around Melbourne. But when he developed a polyp in his throat two years ago, the hiatus turned into a permanent split, and Mark worked as a labourer to make ends meet. “I like it,” he says in his typically easy-going manner. “Like getting my hands dirty.” But now once again music has called this rocker back onstage…

A big fan of '90s grunge, Mark also loves The Simpsons (“all animation, actually”), PlayStation, and working on his 76 HJ panel van. Currently single, the cheeky, charming Mark names “eyes” as the first thing he’s attracted to in a girl, and while he’s not actively looking for a relationship, “if one comes along and it’s right, I will fall into it – that’s what usually happens!”.

Teale Jakubenko

As one of seven siblings, Teale Jakubenko's no stranger to wanting to stand out from the crowd – and the versatile range of this down-to-earth 22-year-old is certain to help him do that. Moving to a couple of acres in spacious Yatala, QLD, at the age of 10, Teale enjoyed a “lucky, fortunate” childhood with a lot of creative freedom. He attended Rivermount College from Grade Four to Year 12, and excelled at sports, as the captain of the rugby union team, the tennis team and his house team!

At the age of 15 his dad bribed him into joining a local harmony group, but it was six weeks before Teale opened his mouth to sing. “I made them all turn their backs,” he smiles. “I was really shy.” The group threw him in the deep end vocally, beginning a musical journey that helped him develop the higher ranges of his voice.

Teale released his first album while still at high school, Fly Away, an easy-listening pop-rock record, produced and distributed in a DIY fashion at gigs. But wait, there’s more. Second album, Under The Sun, was created at age 18, which he describes as “a lot more complex and in-depth”. Overall, Teale feels music has matured him, and is often described as the peace-making middle child, even though he falls to the younger end of his big family.

With no formal training, Teale taught himself the guitar and has always performed with it until coming to Idol. He names his favourite musician as Australian singer/songwriter Rick Price; “He’s part of the reason why I started singing,” explains Teale. “I like his soulfulness.” Also listing to John Farnham, John Mayer and bands Incubus and Thirsty Merc as inspirations, Teale describes his own sound as ‘Sprock’ – soul, pop, rock.

An avid golfer and a big Maroon Five fan, Teale has been in a relationship for three-and-a-half-years with Shanenne, who is studying to become a teacher.

“I don’t see Idol as a competition,” he says, “It’s more a chance to mix with my musical brothers and sisters”.

Brooke Addamo

"I’ve watched Idol every single year," says the talented teen singer, "And now I’m in it! It hasn’t sunk in yet – it's quite surreal."

Born in Perth, Brooke moved to Melbourne at the age of seven, where she lives with mum, dad, and two younger sisters. "And we’ve got a little dog called Diva and a cat called Tyson," says the singer. "I miss them heaps!"

Currently in Year 12 at Galvin Park Secondary College, Brooke mostly studies music and drama subjects, performing regularly as part of a music class. However, being part of the Final 12 has made Brooke realize how much school is not her calling right now, putting her studies on hold as soon as she made the Top 100. "'I'd much rather be here than in a classroom doing math's! When I was little I actually wanted to be a vet, but as soon as I started singing, I knew that was what I wanted to do."

School provided the opportunities to act in musicals, and Brooke has played lead roles in Grease (Sandy) and The Wiz (Dorothy). Brooke has been perfecting her craft outside of school for five years, through regular lessons at David Jaanz. She’s also begun performing with a piano player, David, who she’s been writing with for over a year. "I think of an idea," she explains, "We sit down, brainstorm it, and he writes the music. It works really well."

Listing respected artists such as Eva Cassidy, Norah Jones, Natasha Bedingfield and Coldplay as her inspirations, it’s important for Brooke to draw influences from a broad range of music to bring diversity into her own work. And while her own style is emotional ballads "with an edge", she’s looking forward to giving everything a go on the Idol journey – even difficult disco.

Describing herself as compassionate and affectionate, Brooke is currently single, explaining she’s too focused on what she wants to do at present to think about a boyfriend. "Everyone in the house keeps saying how mature I am," she smiles, "I just know what I want to do."

Madam Parker

“Whatever song I’m singing, I just want the audience to feel me,” says soul singer Madam Parker, “To come into the journey”.

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Madam grew up in the small town of Tuakau, a town she describes as “a simple, little town, very family orientated, where everyone knows everyone.” Attending the small school of Takua College until Year 11, her favourite subject was Science – “I was fascinated by the solar system and the universe and the stars.”

Dicko’s not the first to spot Madam’s extraordinary talent - she won the school talent quest in her final year there, performing a duo “Don’t Think I’m Not”. A year later, she began a full-time music course at the Ideal Success Academy in Manurewa, studying theory and performing in the workshops. A year after that, she was performing in a group, Top Shelf, with another guy and girl, singing to backing tracks and performing around town several nights a week. “We did little stints here and there, played some festivals,” Madam recalls. “Other students from the course would come sing – at one stage there was eight of us!”

Madam arrived in Sydney six months ago, to begin a life that would offer more opportunities for herself and her son, three-year-old Hayzell, who is still back in New Zealand with family. She describes him as “full of energy, very clever, cheeky, smooth and gorgeous.”

Madam was working in sales and sports marketing when the opportunity to audition for Idol came up, and after not turning up to work, to instead audition, she was fired. She similarly lost her bartending job for heading to Top 100 week instead of pouring beers!

Madam names her favourite performers as Beyonce, Neyo and Joss Stone, all singers with incredible range and an honest, emotional delivery. Described by her friends as both caring and outgoing, Madam, is still getting used to the idea of being a reality TV star. “I am a shy person,” she says, “But I warm up. Once I’m comfortable, I get cheeky.”

Roshani Priddis

“How do my friends describe me? Short and black,” quips the diminutive singer. They can also add, likes to laugh. The pocket-sized singer is rarely seen without a smile on her dial.

Born in Sri Lanka, Roshani was adopted into a white Aussie family at six weeks of age, growing up in the country music capital, Tamworth, and attending Tamworth High. “I was the naughty, disruptive kid,” she laughs.

She started singing in the high school choir, and was also involved in the Tamworth Drama Society and the Tamworth Musical Society. Music was in the air at home, with Roshani's dad playing drums in a bluegrass and country rock band.

Over her two senior years at school, Roshani travelled to Sydney once a month for workshops with the Talent Development Project (TDP), a non-profit program which auditions students from public schools, and sends the soloists onto be involved in the School Spectacular.

After finishing high school, Roshani moved to Ashfield, Sydney, landing a job with Macquarie Bank. “I had no idea about banking!” she grins. “I didn’t even do math's for my senior years”. Luckily music soon called, as Roshani left Australia for a three-month stint in China in October of 2007. “A guy called Sam McNeally found me through TDP,” she recalls, “He called me up and said, ‘I’ve got a three month gig in China – do you want to come?” Three hours of performances a night, six days a week followed, with Sam on piano and Roshani singing her own special brand of soul-funk. “Chinese people are awesome to work for as audiences,” she says. “They’re very warm, receptive and respectful.”

Returning to Australia in January, Roshani was once again leaving on a jet plane come March. This time it was destination NYC, as she landed a three-week scholarship ‘Bound for Broadway’, once again through TDP. The opportunity saw her sitting in on master classes with renowned Broadway composer Craig Carnelia and musical director Christopher Marlowe.

Roshani brings individuality and a whole lot of talent to this year’s Idol. “I just hope to be musical,” she says. “Honest and real”.

Luke Dickens

“I’ve always wanted to be a singer,” says rough diamond Luke Dickens, “But it was something I only ever dreamed about it.” Now for this salt-of-the-earth country boy, his dream is becoming a reality.

Growing up in Canberra with his mum and step-dad, Luke was bitten by the country bug at age 12. “I was in Year Seven, and not really sure what I wanted to do when I left school,” explains Luke. “So one holiday I went to a friend’s farm in Young.” After a few days of riding motorbikes, camping out under the night sky and spending some time in the shearing shed, Luke was hooked.

On his return to Canberra, his friend’s family contacted Luke’s mum, offering for Luke to come and stay with them whenever he liked. He took them up on the offer, heading back to life on the farm, and living with his friend’s family until he was 16. “Once I finished Year 10, my year advisor gave me my school certificate, and said, ‘You haven’t really earned this, but you’re a good bloke, and I know you just want to be a shearer, so get out there and do it,” Luke says, “They were real good teachers, but school didn’t much interest me.”

He landed a job with a shearing contractor and moved into town to a friend’s pub, where after saving rent on a $50 a week room; he was able to buy his own home at age 18. He’s been living there ever since.

Three years ago he met a local lass, Brooke, who was living up north in QLD. After only a few drinks together, she had to head home, but the pair kept in regular contact. When a few months later she said she was moving back to Young, Luke offered his place as her home, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Describing himself as laidback and easy-going, Luke likes to have a big range of friends. “I respect everyone for whatever they’re difference's are,” says the singer. “Unless, they’re a real pain.”

Jonny Taylor

By day, rock singer Jonny works as a ceiling fixer – “they call me Gyprockin’ Jonny,” he grins.

Born and bred in the coastal Busselton, WA, Jonny attended McKillop College from Years 8 – 11, but worked out pretty quickly school was not the place he wanted to be, especially considering music was not even on the curriculum!

“I played in a band with the popular kids,” he recalls. “They discovered I could play guitar and all of a sudden I was popular.” The band was Random 35. “I wanted to do heavy rock but it was more like ¾ punk rock,” he says. “Mainly originals – stuff influenced by Blink 182, and whatever else was popular at the time.” When the other members moved to Europe, Jonny started another band, a three-piece called Margana, who gigged for a few months before Jonny moved to Perth in 2004. Here he started singing solo and in a few Prog-rock and heavy alternative grunge bands.

Jonny has been married for nine months to his wife Nicole, who he describes as “tall, blonde, beautiful and happy.” The pair were friends for years before becoming a couple.

Just under two years ago, Jonny survived a dangerous motorcycle accident, and was in hospital for eight days with a broken femur. It was something of a wake-up call for the musician, a sign to stay focused on what he was passionate about, because otherwise, he might never get the chance to follow his dreams. “After I got out of hospital, I took some time out to write music and find my own style,” he says. “My voice had changed a little, and I was learning to control my emotions onstage.”

Describing his CD collection as “hideously arrogant”, he doesn’t own anything released post-2000, the majority being 90s post-grunge bands like Soundgarden and Pearl Jam.

“Everyone thinks I’m angry or evil, but I’m not,” he says. “It just happens my ‘not smiling’ face looks like an angry face, and there’s nothing I can do about it.”

So rest assured Australia, this rock singer’s bark has nothing to do with a bite!

Sophie Paterson

We went halfway around the planet to find 23-year-old Sophie Paterson – and there’s no denying it was worth it!

Sophie was born and raised in Maryknoll, a small country town an hour outside Melbourne. The youngest of four siblings, Sophie attended Pakenham Secondary College, her best subjects being math's, and of course, music. Sophie was also taking singing classes outside of school from the age of 11.

At 15, she started singing in her older brother’s band, Pidd, playing gigs at the local pub – “My dad would take me,” recalls Sophie. “I’d sing my five songs then be escorted out.” During Year 11 and 12 she started her own band, a four-piece called Spam. “The name was extremely bad,” she laughs, “It was just the initials of all our names. We were always meaning to change it…” Playing a mixed bag of crowd-friendly covers and some original folk-rock tracks Sophie had written, Spam played school assemblies and local venues around town. She also regularly entered Kool Skool, a competition wherein schools submit a CD of original music to be judged in categories similar to the ARIAs. Pakenham Secondary College won the best overall award for their efforts in her last year of school.

At 19 Sophie left small town living for life in bustling London. Here she worked in various bars, singing in open mic nights and even starting a few herself, all while studying accounting. It was while living and working in London that the Idol team rolled into town, and Sophie’s life changed forever.

Her favourite performers are “Fiona Apple, Something for Kate. I liked Jewel when I was younger,” thinks the singer. “I really love Ani Difranco – the way she writes her songs is so inspiring and she’s an amazing guitarist. Her voice is colourful.”

Now back on home turf, Sophie is planning to stay after her Idol journey finishes. “Yeah, I’ll stick around, and do music fulltime,” smiles the singer/songwriter. “I want to record my own stuff, and put the accounting on hold - possibly forever.”

source: australianidol.com.au