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A Little Closer to David Hobson
Editorial ReviewEditorial Review
David Hobson began his operatic career in 1987 in Victorian State Opera's la boheme and The Pirates of Penzance. He's become one of Australia's favourite opera singers and won hearts around the nation on the TV hit series Dancing with the Stars and It Takes Two. Hanging up his dancing shoes for now, he's returned to his first love of singing and composing, and recently released a new album of pop classics.
CS: You're known as Australia's most loved tenor - why do you think that is?
DH: Am I? Did my mother write that? That's nice. I don't think about it - I freak out about singing every time I go on stage.
CS: Your new album A Little Closer features popular songs like Under the Milky Way. How do you go about reinventing a song?
DH: I'm primarily a classical singer so that's what we do. The song has to resonate with you to begin with. I really love Under the Milky Way but it's a base song and I'm a tenor: it's going to have a different feel because I'm choosing to sing half an octave higher. We used a lot of subtle electronica and I tried to give it more of a soaring quality.
CS: You co-composed two songs on the album - It's only Rain and Empty Garden. Tell me about those.
DH: Empty Garden is more aligned with my classical roots and it has a big lyrical line to it. The lyrics of It's only Rain are by Phil Buckle, who's a great Australian writer. It's only Rain has more of a pop feel that harks back to my teenage days.
CS: This is an intimate album isn't it?
DH: The songs are intimate - as is the way I've approached them with the band. I'm used to singing over an orchestra and having that barrier between me and the audience. Whereas with this, the band sit around in a room rehearsing and getting a beer. I'm more intimate into the microphone too. I like that but it's more dangerous too!
CS: Is there a particular audience you are reaching out to?
DH: I garnered a new audience doing television and the record I did last year (The Promise) sold really well. I guess it's trying to establish that audience and give them what they were enjoying about the last record - in a more intimate way. It's that demographic of 35-plus having a red wine by the fire.
CS: So performing on TV has broadened your appeal?
DH: Yes, it was very unexpected.
CS: Were you not expecting to perform or not expecting to become so popular?
DH: The fact that I was asked to do it - and the fact that I even followed through with it!
CS: As a singer you've crossed many musical genres - opera, jazz, pop and rock - do you consider yourself to be a classical singer who sings pop?
DH: Probably but I really just consider myself a singer foremost. I've primarily been a classical singer for the last 20 years but it hasn't precluded me from doing these fantastic songs - and also a few of my own. I think it even enhances the songs .. giving them a more lyrical quality.
CS: Do you switch voices?
DH: You access a slightly different quality so when you have to fill a 2000 seat theatre there is a different kind of energy required. You really have to resonate every part of your body and also pull back to give a more subtle quality.
CS: Are you still dancing?
DH: (Laughs) I haven't danced in a while.
CS: You were pretty good.
DH: Some would argue otherwise! It was hard work finding the time to do it - it's like a full-time job but it was a lot of fun.
CS: Your previous album The Promise reached number one on the ARIA classical charts. Is A Little Closer headed for similar fame?
DH: I have no idea - I just hope people enjoy it. I really enjoyed making it. You put it up the flag pole and hope a few people salute it!
CS: So there will be no more dancing but what's next on David Hobson's calendar?
DH: A concert at the Opera House for starters, which I'll hopefully take around Australia next year. Some Christmas shows like Carols in the Domain.. another recording.. and then I'm taking a holiday!
Judith Hatton, Arts & Events Editor, Citysearch
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