Shannon Noll A Million Suns Tour Interview

Shannon Noll A Million Suns Tour Interview

One of Australia's best-loved musicians, Shannon Noll, returns to the road this February to take his new record 'A Million Suns' to fans all over Australia. Taking in thirty+ dates across six States and Territories, the 'A Million Suns' tour will showcase Nollsy at full-throttle; ripped, raw and ready to belt out a selection of brand new tunes and old favourites for adoring fans.

Kicking off at the Charles Hotel in Perth on Friday 24th February, the 'A Millions Suns' tour will see Shannon traverse the country from West to East in pumping full-band mode, a departure from the recent stripped-back shows that he performed 'in the raw' nation-wide.

"Really looking forward to getting back out on the road to play in front of my fans, it's been too long", Noll said. "I'm really happy with the new show, and I think my set is the strongest it's ever been. Bring on the first gig!"

Released in October last year, Noll's fourth studio album 'A Million Suns' exploded onto the ARIA Album Chart with a Top 10 debut. Featuring the hit single 'Switch Me On', co-written with Benji Madden of Good Charlotte and a staple on FM radio across the country, 'A Million Suns' is the highly anticipated result of Shannon's collaboration with Executive Producer Bryon Jones, who is responsible for Noll's first two records.

Shannon's brand new single 'Living In Stereo' will hit radio just in time for his first February shows. It's a cheeky upbeat summer tune with a massive lead guitar break from The Divinyls' Mark McEntee, which pays homage to some of his previous hits and is sure to have playlists ablaze this season!

With a brand new album under his belt, Shannon is ready and raring to share his impressive live show with music lovers across Australia. Don't miss your chance to see this one-of-a-kind performer in the flesh!

Tour Dates
Friday 24th of February: Charles Hotel, Perth WA
Saturday 25th of February: Endeavour Tavern, Lancelin WA
Sunday 26th of February: Ravenswood Hotel, Ravenswood WA
Saturday 17th of March: Hallam Hotel, Hallam VIC
Friday 23rd of March: Mingara Recreation Club, Central Coast NSW
Saturday 24th of March: Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill NSW
Friday 30th of March: Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill NSW
Saturday 31st of March: North Sydney Leagues Club, North Sydney NSW

Friday 13th of April: Mounties, Mt Prichard NSW
Friday 20th of April: Canberra Southern Cross Club Events Centre, Canberra ACT
Saturday 21st of April: The Cube at Campbelltown Catholic Club, Campbelltown NSW
Friday 27th of April: Dapto Leagues, Dapto NSW
Saturday 28 th of April: Penrith Panthers, Penrith NSW

Friday 4th of May: Urban Country Music Festival Opening Night, Queensland State Equestrian Centre, Caboolture QLD
Saturday 5th of May: Yamba Bowling Club, Yamba NSW
Wednesday 9th of May: Nautilus Theatre, Port Lincoln SA
Thursday 10th of May: Middleback Theatre, Whyalla SA
Friday 11th of May: Keith Mitchell Theatre, Port Pirie SA
Saturday 12th of May: The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide SA
Sunday 13th of May: Sir Robert Helpman Theatre, Mt Gambier SA
Saturday 19th of May: Wentworthville Leagues Club, Wentworthville NSW
Friday 25th of May: Taren Point Hotel, Taren Point NSW
Saturday 26th of May: Belmont 16FT Sailing Club, Belmont NSW

Saturday 9th of June: Bathurst Panthers, Bathhurst NSW
Sunday 10th of June: Dubbo RSL, Dubbo NSW
Friday 22th of June: Albury Entertainment Centre, Albury NSW
Saturday 23th of June: Wagga Wagga Civic Centre, Wagga Wagga NSW
Friday 29th of June: Fitzy's Loganholme, Logan QLD
Saturday 30th of June: Twin Towns Services Club, Gold Coast QLD
For ticketing and further information: www.shannonnoll.com.au

Interview with Shannon Noll

Question: What should audiences expect from the A Million Suns Tour?

Shannon Noll: I have been playing a few shows already for the A Million Suns Tour and I am really pumped about playing the new songs off the new album, that we have added to the set. Of course we'll play all the big hit songs from the past albums too. The songs that we've added have been going really, really well. There are four or five new songs on the set list plus all the earlier songs.

A Million Suns has a little more tempo than the songs we have put in the set, in the past. I potentially added more tempo to the A Million Suns tour because it creates a vibe for the people watching the shows, especially because it's music they can dance too. A Million Suns tour will be more of a rockier show. There are a couple of slow tracks in the lineup, like Lonely, of course. The upbeat tempo is heaps of fun.


Question: What will be the next single off A Million Suns?

Shannon Noll: I have just released Living In Stereo from A Million Suns to radio and hopefully that goes well.


Question: How does it feel to have a crowd of people, singing along to all your songs?

Shannon Noll: It's great to have people singing along mate, it's terrific. It's great to have people recognise the music I've put out in the past; it's a great feeling especially when everybody gets into singing the songs. Shows are always heaps of fun but you have to be careful you don't forget the lyrics because they know them all so well.


Question: What has been your career highlight so far?

Shannon Noll: I think winning the three Best Male Artist awards at the MTV Music Awards was probably the biggest highlight I've had and 10 consecutive top 10's was a massive highlight too. I've been really lucky; I've had some great highlights along the way.


Question: You just worked with Benji Madden of Good Charlotte on Switch Me On - tell us how that came about?

Shannon Noll: Benji Madden and I are both published by EMI Australia and Benji Madden was in Australia doing a DJ set and had a couple of days off and wanted to do some work. I think Benji Madden was aware of my music in the past through Sophie Monk. It was a terrific opportunity and I'm really stoked with the song, Switch Me On that came from it.


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

Shannon Noll: That's a tough one mate, I think I'd like to do a duet with P!nk - I think that would be pretty cool and I think we both have a rock sound to our voice and I think they'd complement each other.


Question: Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?

Shannon Noll: Yes, I co-wrote 57 songs for the album, A Million Suns. I spent a lot of hours in the studio trying to finish off songs and write songs. I co-wrote the majority of A Millions Suns.

It's funny; I was driving into town yesterday and came up with an idea for a song so instead of listening to the radio I tried to work on the song, on the way into town, while I was driving.

The ideas come from anywhere, sometimes it might be something you hear someone say and then lyrics pop into your head and you think 'I could write a song about that' or you see something happen and use that example. The ideas can come from watching people and write itself.


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

Shannon Noll: I like Brian McFadden's new track, Wrap My Arms, that's a pretty cool song and I really like Guy Sebastian's new one too. I like the current music but I also listen to heavier music like AudioSlave too - I have a mixture of musical interests.


Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

Shannon Noll: No, not at all mate. I've been given this opportunity and been put on this path for a reason so I'm going to make sure that I see it through to the end and make the most of it while I can.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Shannon Noll: I'm a live performer, I really like getting out on stage and singing to crowds and that's what I did in the cover band before the show (Australian Idol) and it was always so much fun then and it's still so much fun, now.


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

Shannon Noll: It's always a challenge because you never know what people are going to like and I have been trying to please my fans, I want to keep people happy and keep playing what people are into and that they enjoy listening to. I really enjoy having an effect on people with my lyrics; it can be a challenge achieving that.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Shannon Noll: At the moment we are preparing for the tour. I know once I start the tour I'll be flat out and on the road a lot so at the moment I am trying to be creative and get a couple more songs in the bag for the next album and that type of thing. I am enjoying the peace and quiet while I've got the chance (laughing).


Question: How do you go about leaving your family for so long, when you're on tour?

Shannon Noll: It's a tough one, but at the end of the day there are Troops that go overseas to Afghanistan for months and months and months on end so if they can do it, I can do it for sure.


Interview by Brooke Hunter