JULIAN SIMONSZ

1. Congratulations on getting into The Voice Australia Julian! Now, it takes a lot of guts to audition not only in front of the likes of Kylie, Joel, Will.I.Am and Ricky, but the rest of Australia-  what was that like?:

Thank you! To be honest I was pretty nervous, but the fact that the coaches were facing away from me made it that little bit less nerve wracking. Once I started to sing I just tried to ignore the cameras, feel comfortable and enjoy myself - and then it all just started to happen from there. 

2.  How did you feel in that moment when all four chairs turned around for your audition?:

The moment all four chairs turned I honestly was screaming at the top of my lungs inside! It was so hard not to stop singing but I knew I had to get through the song and keep pushing until the end. It was the best feeling, something you always dream of and never even imagine that it will actually happen so when it does it’s pretty surreal. 

3. You chose team Will.I.Am, tell us about working with him:

I chose Will.I.Am because out of all them he is a producer and an entrepreneur as well and that really inspired me. He is a pretty amazing guy, also very fun to be around and very technology savvy. He was probably most helpful with the performance side of things and gave me tips on how I could enhance my performance to make it interesting for an audience. 

4. What is one of the biggest things you learnt in your time on The Voice Australia?

Probably the biggest thing I learnt is that it’s not just the way a song is sung, but the actual delivery of a performance that can make it or break it. It also taught me a lot about interaction with the audience and camera, and learning how to keep everyone engaged. Singing the song is only half of it! 

5. There were some pretty crazy talented people in this competition and you each brought something really different, how did you stay confident and focus on what you bring as an artist?:

The competition definitely had talented people and I met some of the most amazing artists.  But I tried to not think of them as competition, I knew that if I worried too much about who was in the competition and who I would be up against that it would just upset my mentality and throw me off my singing. The thing that worked most for me was to just focus on what I needed to deliver myself as an artist and do the best with my ability. 

6. Who has been your biggest support?

The biggest support would definitely have to be my wife. She’s had faith in me to pursue my singing from the moment she knew I could sing many many years ago. So she's been very encouraging and supportive from the start. And recently with everything taking off she’s stepped in to a manager role and has been helping me with a lot of the behind the scenes work which has been a massive support for me.

7. We are LOVING your new single 'I do it for you'- very cool! What is the inspiration behind it?

So glad you’re loving my new single! I wanted to write a song that was personal to me but also a song that everyone could relate to. I had the idea of wanting to appreciate my partner but also women in general, whether it be a partner, a mother, the mother of your child, I wanted to show that recognition of women. But above all I really wanted people to listen and to be able to celebrate someone important in their lives and make them feel like doing something back for them as a nice gesture of love and appreciation. Hence the song title "I Do It For You”!

8. Tell us about what is coming up for you:

Not only am I excited about the release of my debut single, but I will be releasing my EP on November 21st. I’m really looking forward to launching at The Northcote Social Club on November 23rd, where I will be performing the full EP, and some other originals in the making, live with a band for the first time. 

9. Lastly, do you have any advice for someone else looking to step out and do what they love?

If you're going to do what you love make sure you are always happy about what you are doing and always go above and beyond to make it the best you possibly can. Give it your all. One thing I have learnt for sure with everything that is happening is that I don't want to look back and wish that I had done something differently, or put in a bit more effort somewhere along the way. I want to be satisfied that I gave it everything I had and be proud with what I had achieved. 

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer these Julian. All the best with the release of your ep!!

Thanks soo much for chatting with me!

LILI KENDALL

Lili Kendall is 17 years old and just won first place in the teen category of NY's Unsigned Only songwriting comp. After several weeks writing, recording and gigging in LA, in her 'spare time', she is also finishing Year 12! 

1. Tell us a little about the competition and how it felt to win the teen category:

The competition had over 8000 entries with different categories, and I took out first place in the teen category! It is really amazing to win a well known songwriting competition with thousands of other incredible artists. I think the main factor that makes it feel really special is that the judges are highly respected musicians and they chose my song to win, its a great feeling.

2. How would you describe your sound?

My sound is definitely synth pop but it has an R&B undertone to it sometimes. Cameron Jaymes, my mentor and producer is obsessed with heavy hitting drums and pop melodies so that is always going to be a must in one of our songs.

3. You've recently released your single, Run, which is getting a lot of attention, tell us about that and how you enjoyed creating the music video for that:

It was directed by Donna Yeatman and Mohini Herse from Oh Yeah Wow, we filmed it on the top of a car park and it was the coldest day Melbourne had in 10 years... it was ridiculous. We filmed from 9am till early evening, I was so cold but I felt worse for the dancers because they were all in mesh or sheer clothing. It turned out so amazing though and the whole team was incredible to work with. 

4. What are you up to at the moment? 

I just got back from LA yesterday after spending the last couple of weeks there working on my debut album. I am crazy busy at the moment with finishing the last 2 months of school and constantly traveling for music, but for now my sights are set on finishing my album and releasing a body of work I am really proud of! 

5. With your career starting to take off, was it a hard decision, committing to your final exams and finishing year 12?

Yeah it was definitely something I have thought about, but at the end of the day, I have done 12 years of schooling so I'm not going to give up in the last 6 months. I go to Music Industry College in the Fortitude Valley and I can honestly say that I would not have gotten this far into the year or got good marks without them, they help me in every way possible. I still struggle with certain things, it was my first day back today and I had to leave half way through for interviews and what not so I am just trying to achieve as much as I possibly can and not letting it stress me.

6. How do you juggle it all and who is your biggest support?

For sure my Mumma. She is right by my side for everything, she is my rock. My mum is a really motivated person and without her I wouldn’t be where I am today. She still reminds me to do things throughout the day that I would totally forget to do and I know she is always going to be there for me whether I need her or not. I love her.

7. What advice do you have for other singer/songwriters looking to get their start?

Do it because you love it, because you are going to work really hard if you want to make it a career. I know a lot of people say that, but in the last 6 months I have truly learnt that and it is time consuming and a lot of work but it is worth it if it’s what you are passionate about.

8. Where to next?

I am working really hard on finishing my debut album due to be released in February, it’s almost done but there are few small things here and there to finish off. When I finish school I want to get on the road and do a National Australian Tour!

See Lili's new video, Run, below and keep up to date with all the places she will go!
 

KAT WILSON

We are BIG fans of people doing what they love, ESPECIALLY when they sound as darn good as Kat Wilson. This is our chat with the band on how they got their stuff together to record and release their ep!!

1.Tell us about your band: 

Us four have been together for close to 7 months now. We’re a pretty new outfit but have just thrown ourselves into the industry. Ginger Katie is Lead vocals and acoustic, Dan is lead guitar and vocals, Tame is the bass soul man and Ben plays the sticks.

2. How would you describe your sound?:

It's like if coastal chilled vibes were running towards the blues and smashed together in the middle -that's us.

3. Who are your greatest musical influences?: 

Some strong influences would be Warpaint, Gary Clark Jr. and the Tallest Man On Earth. But we also love old school cats like the Eagles, Bruce Stringsteen and Fleetwood mac.

4. You've just released your debut ep, tell us about it!: 

It was a crazy awesome night. There is so much work and prep that went into it so just to get up and dance around and sing and perform to a sell out crowd was pretty awesome. The EP Sea Legs also dropped to iTunes and within a day, hit #1 on the blues iTunes charts so we just couldn’t believe it. Blown away by all the love and support. We’re just super excited to tour this month now!

5. What do you love about performing?:

The feeling of performing can only really be described as being completely free. Like time doesn’t exist, struggles don’t exist or anything but the love of art on stage.

6. Do you ever get nervous before you perform and if so, what do you do to shake those nerves?:

We all get nervous in different ways and at different times, but all know how each other tick so when someone goes white or starts to pace around its time to get around and charge each other up. Or even make an awkward joke, that always seems to work.

7. Tips for songwriting: 

When you want to start songwriting, don’t put yourself in a box or make yourself sit down and smash out a song with verses and a chorus and all that structure. Just start writing.

Write about people you see, things you love doing, write about that one time you did something so cringe worthy you wanted to run away, write about what you study and write about life and the crazy adventure it is. Trust us, beautiful things happen when you step away from limiting your imagination and just document what’s in you and around you.

Kat Wilson // A four-piece coastal blues band. Oceans // Studio Music Video A massive thanks to Luke Summers for creating this

FOX CAT RABBIT

1. How would you describe your sound?:
We like to describe our sound as whimsical cinnamon bicycle man .... (Whatever that means!)

2. Tell us about how you got the name Fox Cat Rabbit:
We picked our three favourite animals and ordered them in descending height. 

3. Where did you meet?:
We met at church and played our first gig together on the 15th of September 2012. We became inseparable, and have been inseparable since!

4. What do you love about working with each other?: 
We love playing music! We love being dorks on stage. We can bounce ideas off each other really well and we're both very different people so we come up with all kinds of crazy musical concoctions.

5. Your greatest influences?: 
Of Monsters and Men, Mumford and sons, Matt Corby, and both of our mums. Not falling over...

6. Tell us about your favourite thing about being in Fox Cat Rabbit with each other?: 
Making up words to our own songs on the spot?!
But no seriously we love hearing the crowd simmer down just before we get on stage, because at that point we realise we can just be ourselves and share what we have made... and also there's no turning back then.

7. What do you love about performing?:
We love the performance! We also love meeting new people after the show. We always head straight to the merch desk after the show and meet as many people as we can.

8. Tips for songwriting: 
Don't be scared and never give up. Don't be upset if it's not 100% perfect. It takes a long time to develop a sound you like and the only way to get there is if you keep trying.
 

Have a look at the fun new video for their single Are You Happy Now. We promise you will be happy afterwards!

Filmed and Directed by A.J. Coultier

ANNA O

Anna O's debut ep launches March 22nd and is starting to take Perth by storm...

Tell us about your sound:

Big beats, big melodies and lots of vocal layers

What made you decide to pursue singing and songwriting?

I have been singing for as long as I can remember and it's always been my number one dream career! After spending some time in LA last year working on my songwriting and management skills, I came home to Australia and set out to make it happen.

Who are some of your influences?

Jessie Ware, Kimbra, Lorde, James Blake.

What do you love about performing? I get to do what I love! I've always just wanted to sing, so it's really fulfilling, but also it pushes me so far out of my comfort zone because I have to be vulnerable and connect with my audience.

Do you get nervous before a gig? If so, what do you do to conquer those nerves?

I get super nervous and over-think things! My band always reminds me that I'm as prepared as I can be, and to just get up on stage confidently because in the moment I will know what to do. They haven't been wrong yet, so that's what I keep telling myself! 

Tips for songwriting:

Whenever you get an idea, no matter how small, always record it! Write it down or make a voice memo. That way you'll always have a library of inspiration when you make time to sit down and write.

www.annao.co

ZOLA

Dan and Chris from upcoming band ZOLA recently sat down with us to chat 'behind the scenes' on their recent EP launch. 

Who is in the band? Dan Chan- Keys, Chris Burke - Guitar and Vocals, Pat Burke - Drums, Julian Dilizia - Bass, Tamon Nishikawa - Guitar and Danielle O'Sullivan - Vox

Where does the name, Zola come from?

Chris: We kind of just thought the word was cool and then looked it up and it’s an African word that means tranquility/peace/from the Earth.

Dan: It’s also the name of a baby on Grey’s Anatomy?...But that's not why we chose it

Tell us about how ZOLA got together?

Chris: Julian, Jeremy and I and another guy named Richard were in another band named Bishi Bashi, we played together for about a year, and that was a lot of fun. We were obviously all very passionate about music, but we felt like we wanted to be helping people through what we were doing. We had done some events for kids in high schools and youth events and saw that the positive impact we could have on people was more significant than playing to drunk people. So we made a choice to just scrap Bishi Bashi and started writing about our experiences with God and what that meant to us. The goal was to keep our love for the music and our creative edge.

We probably spent about 6 months writing.

Dan: We took some good time just to gel, as any musos do, working out how we write and relate together. It was a really rewarding process.

Who are you influences?

Dan: Listening to a lot of the1975, they definitely influenced us, just kind of that vibe.

Chris: When writing, we are trying to lean towards the synth feel like M83, Naked and Famous and Chvrches. For guitars, I listen to Kings of Leon.

When did you decide that music was something you wanted to pursue?:

Dan: As soon as I came out of the womb? For me, it was since I was 4. It didn’t start out that I wanted to play music, ok, let’s be honest I was forced (laughs) but it’s something I enjoyed and that I felt I was good at. With anything it takes hard work and practice, so if it wasn’t for all of the lessons and the money my parents spent, I wouldn’t have gone on. From there opportunities opened up. 

Chris: For me, my parents weren’t musical, but my brother and I were and we did a little piano, but our parents didn’t force us so we kind of gave it up. But we had the same music teacher and he would do a band each year. I remember going to a big concert and felt it impressed upon me that it was something I was going to do. Then after leaving highschool I wanted to study music more, so I went to WAPA for a year and then after that it was just trying to figure it out, progressing through a couple of bands.

What are you listening to right now?:

Dan: Haim, Chvrches

Chris: The new Jungle Giants album, Earl Sweatshirt and Danny Brown

Tell us some tips for someone interested in recording and performing:

- Spend time talking to your producer and listening to their previous projects before deciding to work with them. Establish the relationship and define the roles of all involved in the recording otherwise it gets a bit messy.

- A lot of bands feel pressure to just get something out there and produce a really average recording, but we believe that your first release is reflective of who you will be, so we took the time to do that.

- Practice and hard work opens up opportunities. Stick with it!