From farm life to idol life in just a few months - Australian Idol has meant a lot of changes for show runner-up Shannon Noll.
This father of two (he has two boys – Cody and Blake) from a farm in the New South Wales town of Condobolin, debuted at number one in the Aussie charts with his album “That’s What I’m Talking About”, and his single “What About Me” is flying out the door.
He admitted to nzgirl editor Kate he doesn’t feel like he’s living in reality at the moment…
Where were you when you found out your album and single had gone number one?
“I was out celebrating with a few of the guys from BMG and some mates over the past few nights and it’s all a bit hazy at the moment. I was at home when the BMG marketing manager rang and told me. I was shocked, that’s for sure. We knew the numbers were looking good and we knew it would go alright, but we didn’t think it would go as well as it did.”
In just a few months you’ve gone from working on a farm to being one of Australia’s most recognisable faces, have you had time for it to sink in yet?
““No, not really. I had four days off straight after the show and went back to Condo. Instead of being a rest like I thought it was going to be it was just as hectic as Sydney. I’m definitely looking forward to having a few days off in the future, that’s for sure. I’m just rolling with it all at the moment. I’ve heard about reality TV people getting post-reality syndrome, so I think as long as you keep it real and understand that everything can change in a matter of seconds, it keeps you working harder.”
How are you dealing with being a pinup?
(Laughs nervously) “Yeah, I dunno…that’s a different one! Whatever goes with that one I think…I don’t think of myself like that.”
There’s one song on the album, “The Way That I Feel” that was co-written by you – when did you write it?
“My brother wrote the first verse and chorus about 10 years ago. About 2 years ago I’d had a few beers and sat down and decided to finish it for him because he was never going to do it. We put a bridge in it and then they said it was good enough to put on the album.”
What was the biggest thing you struggled with during Australian Idol?
“The whole process was really hectic and flat out, but we all signed up for it so there wasn’t anything we could whinge about really. The amount of filming they needed to do for the uncut shows when they got down to three contestants was pretty full on. When there were 12 we could easily fill a show, but when there were three of us they needed so much more fill their requirements. We’d have to get in and out of cars 3 or 4 times; so that was just second nature after a while.”
How are you dealing with all the media attention?
“I’m a bit of a chatter anyway. I’m just trying to have some fun with it and trying to make it all not too serious. Most of the time when you’re doing interviews people want a bit of humour in there, so they don’t mind if you have a bit of fun.”
What’s the most tragic item in your wardrobe?
“Probably my black boots. I’ve got some black Johnny Rebs (Johnny Rebels) boots with a silver buckle on the side that the girls at BMG bought for me for one of the songs on the tour. They were second hand and they fit me so well that I wear them everywhere now.”
NZ Idol has just started here, what advice would you give the finalists?
“Just do the best you can and don’t take anything for granted. Be committed to the show, because one lapse in concentration can cost you everything. If you don’t learn the words then it could be all over. You can’t go in there and expect anything, so just take it as it comes and do your best. If you do your best and you don’t win at least you can say you did you best; but if you go out one time and get drunk and ruin it then you’ll never forgive yourself.”
Have you had any embarrassing stage moments yet?
“Not on this tour, but I’ve had one before. I played in a band at home for four and a half years and I was singing a song by the Foo Fighters at a pub one night. There’s a part when they double-tape it and the singer doesn’t take a breath in between. I thought, “I’ll do all this in one breath”. I took a couple of breaths, and you know how you get dizzy when you blow up a balloon? Well I did that and just passed out onto the back of the drums. I woke up and thought, “Why have they stopped playing?”
Did you get back up again?
“Yeah – we were only at the beginning of the second bracket and still had two and a half hours to go.”
Guy’s here this week, when will we get to see you in NZ?
“I think I’m heading over there in April, but I’m not sure of the exact schedule. I haven’t been there before so I’m looking forward to coming over and having a look.”
What’s the best thing about women?
“I’ll have to generalise quite a bit here! I like to be able to have fun with someone whose company I enjoy. I like women who enjoy life and live life to the fullest. There are always the physical ones after that if it goes that way…”
You’re cooking up a storm…what’s on the menu?
“I made a lobster mornay the other night and it was beautiful, so I’d probably cook that. I did a fair bit of cooking before I moved down to Sydney but I haven’t really had time to cook lately with work.”
What can’t you leave home without?
“I’m lost without my toiletry bag! It’s got all my aftershave and toothbrush and things.”
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
“I’ve been given the same piece of advice by most people and that’s to grab whatever I can and grab it with both hands!”
What sort of stuff have you been grabbing?
“Honda gave me a motorbike so I was stoked with that. I took it home to Condo and had a good ride around, but there aren’t many unpopulated roads in Sydney unfortunately.”
What’s the best present you’ve ever been given?
“I got a guitar when I was 14 and I’ve still got it today. I’ve had to get it fixed a few times because the neck was lifting away from the body, but it’s such a beautiful guitar.”
You’ve been compared to Jimmy Barnes, how do you want to stamp your own style on your music?
“I just want to do the best that I can every time I sing and to put a lot of passion into performing. It’s early days being solo – I’m used to being in a band – so I think it’s about giving it my all when I do it.”
Shannon Noll’s debut album, “That’s What I’m Talking About” is out now…
From farm life to idol life in just a few months - Australian Idol has meant a lot of changes for show runner-up Shannon Noll. 
What’s the most tragic item in your wardrobe?