By ALANA MITCHELSON
Guy Sebastian will return to Geelong on his You… Me… Us tour of regional Australia with a new sound in the works and an album on the way.
His latest single, Black & Blue, has become his 20th top-20 single since he rose to fame in 2003 after winning the first Australian Idol competition.
Sebastian took to the world stage as Australia’s first representative at the Eurovision Song Contest last year, placing fifth in the competitive singing contest with his catchy tune Tonight Again.
Sebastian said Eurovision was the most work he had ever put in for a three-minute performance.
“There were so many rehearsals to run through and you’re always reminded of the fact that 200 million people will be watching,” he told the Indy.
“It opened a lot of doors in Europe. I toured there last year and I’m planning another European tour for later this year.”
But for now Sebastian said he was simply focussed on “keeping the momentum going with new music”.
“I’ve been writing a lot on the road, using my alone time to get creative and map out my new sound for my new album.”
Sebastian has developed an interest in photography over the past few years and documented his travels while on tour.
“I bought my first DSLR about three or four years ago. It wasn’t too long before I started to get more creative with my shots, experimenting with different angles, light and equipment.
“The first time you take a picture through a proper camera with a great lens, I think you sort of see the world in a different way.
“Soon my hobby became a habit. Now I travel everywhere with my camera gear.
“When you’re touring, you get the opportunity to go to so many beautiful places. It takes my mind off the show and music for a little while.”
Sebastian also revealed a passion for interior design which has seen him involved in the design of his family home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs over the past two years.
“Our home’s been a long time coming. I’ve been working closely with the architect Joe Snell who’s a judge from the TV show House Rules.
“Having a home studio, I’m lucky in that I can work at home among my kids. I can get back to the studio after bath time or throwing the kids around in the pool.
“I’m fortunate that my family tends to join me every couple of weeks during Australian tours. The kids have an awesome time and it recharges me.
“My kids are three and one now and they’re just really, really cute. My limit for being away from them’s about three weeks, otherwise I’d lose my mind.”
The opening song of the new tour begins with Sebastian taking “guitar-looping a step further to a new level”.
A stripped-back acoustic section follows as Sebastian shares life experiences including his time at Eurovision.
Sebastian plays Costa Hall on Saturday with brother Chris as support act.
