Scott Newnham

Scott Newnham

Before Australian Idol, Scott Newnham was your typical bloke next door working as a tradie and had never sung in front of anyone. Now he is about to release his debut single, Really Me, that speaks candidly about finding he had a previously undiscovered talent and his burning desire to write and record his own music.

The first time Scott's family heard of this talent was when he told them he had good news. His dad thought he had finally found a career or a trade to pursue. The good news turned out to be a small card with "congratulations you have made it to the second round of Australian Idol auditions" printed on it.
Scott's dad's response was "I didn't know you could sing", his response was "neither did I".

Wanting to give his son every chance of success Scott's dad suggested they enlist the help of a singing teacher. Never having sung for anyone before, let alone being in a singing contest, Scott needed all the help he could get. To both of their surprise the teacher informed them, after listening to him once, 'I don't need to do anything with his voice and singing, but I can teach him how to perform'.
She offered to teach him stage craft and how to perform for an audience.

"Other people that have been on Idol have worked on their music and songs and practiced and perfected their stage craft for years. I was just trying to keep up with learning the basics," says Scott.
"Idol made me realise I could sing and has changed the course of my life, from drifting in and out of jobs, the real work has now begun. Getting my material ready for gigs, building on my limited stage craft, writing and releasing my first single, and finding my way in this industry," said Scott.

The 21-year-old firstly blew away the Idol judges, and then the Australian public, with his electrifying vocals and was dubbed the 'biggest surprise' for 2009 Idol. Despite being a favorite to win the series, Scott was shown firsthand how unpredictable Australian Idol in particular, and the music industry in general, can be when he was voted off mid-series in 8th place.

"People ask me and my family if I have gone back to brick laying, and want to know what I am doing now and have I continued with my singing, the news is I am continuing with my dream to pursue a career in music."

A novice in the music industry, Scott has only had six gigs in his whole life and when he left the show did not even have enough songs for a set. One of his fist gigs was singing at the opening of the club rooms for the local Aussie rules club he played for, and more recently he supported the Potbelleez.

"Right now is the best place I've been in my life. I'm really enjoying writing and recording the album and personally things have never been better!"

Scott has had a lot of good advice from the mentors on Australian Idol and a lot of people in the industry, like Michael Vice from Underbelly/Animal Kingdom," he told me to keep focused, and not get caught up in the hype and glamour of the industry."
"Shannon Noll and Stan Walker have been great to speak to as they have always being just a phone call away if I have needed to ask them anything," said Scott.
Really Me is "just a taste" of what the new album will deliver later in the year with some exciting collaborations to be announced closer to the album release

Review: When listening to Really Me it is unbelievable to think that Scott only recently discovered his passion for music. Really Me is an amazing pop/dance song where Scott channels those that inspired him to enter the music industry, Usher and Chris Brown. Australia will definitely be looking forward to Scott's debut album.
-Brooke Hunter

Interview with Scott Newnham

Question: Why did you originally audition for Australian Idol?

Scott Newnham: I wanted to do something different and I was at a mates house, on a Saturday night, and we found out that the next day, Sunday, was the last day of auditions. We went along, for a bit of fun and it all ended up working out.


Question: Describe Really Me:

Scott Newnham: The track Really Me is a club R'n'B dance track, it is a good fun song. Filming the film clip was a lot of fun, for two days I was on different locations for different scenes. I was dancing and trying to act, which I couldn't do very well, but it was fun and I had a blast making it.


Question: Do you still work as a tradie?

Scott Newnham: No, I am a full time muso now.


Question: How did it feel to hear your song played all over the airwaves?

Scott Newnham: It is different hearing it on my iPod or a CD but when you hear it on the radio it is a lot weirder.


Question: Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?

Scott Newnham: Not really, I just knew it would be a hard industry to break into.


Question: What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

Scott Newnham: I listen to a lot of Usher, Chris Brown, Mario and Michael Jackson.


Question: What's next for you? Tour/Album/Single?

Scott Newnham: I am hoping to do some gigs around Australia, pretty soon at nightclubs and many different venues, across Australia. I am looking forward to getting out on the road, performing and having some fun.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Scott Newnham: You can't beat a live show, you can feed off the crowd and it is such good fun.


Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Scott Newnham: I'm not really sure. I was really inspired by Usher, Chris Brown, Mario and Michael Jackson because they are great entertainers and that is what I want to do. It is really hard to zone in on that kind of an entertainer, I know it will be tough but I love what those musicians are about.


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Scott Newnham: Everything (laughing) everything has been a challenge from Idol and during Idol till now.


Question: What's a typical day like, for you now?

Scott Newnham: Get up, warm up my vocals, go through all of my songs, send emails and respond to emails whilst organising my life. The industry is not all glamorous, like most people thing, it is a lot of hard work.


Question: What has been your favorite part of becoming a music artist?

Scott Newnham: Probably hearing back my single, Really Me, for the first time.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Scott Newnham: Quite a few! Probably Usher, Jay-Z, Chris Brown and those guys.


Question: Do you have a website fans can visit?

Scott Newnham: www.scottnewhammusic.com.au


Question: Can you tell us 5 things required for a happy healthy & enjoyable life?

Scott Newnham: Music
Family
Friends
Television
Food