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The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
What made Charlie O'Derry cry as he sang his way into our hearts on The Voice
"When I saw the first chair turn around, I started to burst into tears. My tears just kept dropping out of my eyes." Tears streamed down Charlie O'Derry's face before he could even finish his blind auditions performance on Sunday night's opening episode of The Voice Australia. The talented folk singer delivered a performance so raw and heartfelt, it brought the room to a standstill and had four seasoned pop stars - the show's coaches - wiping their eyes. Recalling the moment before it went to air on Seven, the 17-year-old from Port Macquarie on the NSW Mid North Coast said his performance was not his strongest work as a vocalist. But the moment carried a lot of emotional weight as he realised, in real time, that his dream was becoming a reality. "I have definitely sung my song better," he said, "but it was just all the emotions rushing through when I saw that I had actually made it. "I couldn't hold it together." Charlie earned a prized four-chair turn from the coaches on the popular talent quest's 14th season: Spice Girl Melanie C, Richard Marx, Kate Miller-Heidke and Ronan Keating. Overwhelmed by the experience, Charlie said the emotions took over the moment he saw the first coach turn around "When I saw the first chair turn around, I started to burst into tears. My tears just kept dropping out of my eyes - it was crazy. I wasn't really expecting to get any chair turns, to be honest. To see one turn around, I was bawling my eyes out." As the chairs continued to turn, the emotions only intensified. "To see all four [coaches turn around], I started to wipe my eyes, and I could barely talk. And then to look over at my family - it was a very emotional moment for all of us." In the blind auditions, coaches build their team of hopefuls based solely on their voice, without seeing the contestants. If a voice captures their attention, they hit the button and spin their chair to see the performer and signal their interest. When more than one chair turns, the artist gets to decide which coach to team up with. But if no chairs turn, the journey ends there. Charlie performed a haunting, slowed-down, and at times tear-filled rendition of Djo's 2022 hit End of Beginning. Soulfully delivered, Charlie's version of the synth-pop track struck a chord far beyond the music itself. Coach and Grammy Award winner Richard Marx turned his chair within seconds of Charlie starting his performance, with Australian singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke spinning around soon after. Spice Girl Melanie C and Boyzone lead vocalist Ronan Keating turned their chairs just as Charlie finished singing. Keating, who teared up along with the rest of the coaches, walked up on stage to embrace the 17-year-old after his emotionally-charged performance. "I felt all of that," he said as he hugged Charlie. "That was beautiful." Marx described Charlie's rendition as "heartbreakingly beautiful", while Miller-Heidke labelled the teen's performance as "something pure and from the heart". "You just made me feel something that I've never felt in this chair before," she said. After he completed his goosebump-inducing performance, Miller-Heidke asked what led to such a powerful moment on stage. Charlie then shared his heartbreaking story about his dad, a former pastor and prison chaplain, who was left in a wheelchair after suffering a severe brain injury in a workplace accident. "Music is something me and Dad can do together...," he said. "My dad had an accident at work, pretty much half his brain is gone forever, and he suffered from really bad seizures everyday for a long time. "He [had] brain surgery last year, and the seizures have stopped. I gave music my hardest crack and it's really emotional to see it's paying off." The teenager, who gave up a promising footy path to follow his heart, said it was humbling to receive such praise from the coaches. "To have people who are that solidified in the music scene, with all the accomplishments each and every one of them has made, to see that I made them feel like that - and that they reacted like that to my voice and the way I changed that song - made me very content with where I am in my journey. "It has given me a lot of confidence." In the end, Charlie chose to be on Miller-Heidke's team. He said it was by no means an easy choice between four "amazing coaches", but in the end, the decision came down to his roots. "What they said to me after they turned around, I was still undecided," he said. "But it all came down to: I love folk music, I write folk music, and that's the career I want to have. "Kate had folk roots when she first started out, and I just felt like, with her performing at Eurovision, and with her experience as an opera singer, a pop singer, a folk singer - doing all these different genres of music and having incredible achievements in every field - I thought she would help me become more of a well-rounded artist." "When I saw the first chair turn around, I started to burst into tears. My tears just kept dropping out of my eyes." Tears streamed down Charlie O'Derry's face before he could even finish his blind auditions performance on Sunday night's opening episode of The Voice Australia. The talented folk singer delivered a performance so raw and heartfelt, it brought the room to a standstill and had four seasoned pop stars - the show's coaches - wiping their eyes. Recalling the moment before it went to air on Seven, the 17-year-old from Port Macquarie on the NSW Mid North Coast said his performance was not his strongest work as a vocalist. But the moment carried a lot of emotional weight as he realised, in real time, that his dream was becoming a reality. "I have definitely sung my song better," he said, "but it was just all the emotions rushing through when I saw that I had actually made it. "I couldn't hold it together." Charlie earned a prized four-chair turn from the coaches on the popular talent quest's 14th season: Spice Girl Melanie C, Richard Marx, Kate Miller-Heidke and Ronan Keating. Overwhelmed by the experience, Charlie said the emotions took over the moment he saw the first coach turn around "When I saw the first chair turn around, I started to burst into tears. My tears just kept dropping out of my eyes - it was crazy. I wasn't really expecting to get any chair turns, to be honest. To see one turn around, I was bawling my eyes out." As the chairs continued to turn, the emotions only intensified. "To see all four [coaches turn around], I started to wipe my eyes, and I could barely talk. And then to look over at my family - it was a very emotional moment for all of us." In the blind auditions, coaches build their team of hopefuls based solely on their voice, without seeing the contestants. If a voice captures their attention, they hit the button and spin their chair to see the performer and signal their interest. When more than one chair turns, the artist gets to decide which coach to team up with. But if no chairs turn, the journey ends there. Charlie performed a haunting, slowed-down, and at times tear-filled rendition of Djo's 2022 hit End of Beginning. Soulfully delivered, Charlie's version of the synth-pop track struck a chord far beyond the music itself. Coach and Grammy Award winner Richard Marx turned his chair within seconds of Charlie starting his performance, with Australian singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke spinning around soon after. Spice Girl Melanie C and Boyzone lead vocalist Ronan Keating turned their chairs just as Charlie finished singing. Keating, who teared up along with the rest of the coaches, walked up on stage to embrace the 17-year-old after his emotionally-charged performance. "I felt all of that," he said as he hugged Charlie. "That was beautiful." Marx described Charlie's rendition as "heartbreakingly beautiful", while Miller-Heidke labelled the teen's performance as "something pure and from the heart". "You just made me feel something that I've never felt in this chair before," she said. After he completed his goosebump-inducing performance, Miller-Heidke asked what led to such a powerful moment on stage. Charlie then shared his heartbreaking story about his dad, a former pastor and prison chaplain, who was left in a wheelchair after suffering a severe brain injury in a workplace accident. "Music is something me and Dad can do together...," he said. "My dad had an accident at work, pretty much half his brain is gone forever, and he suffered from really bad seizures everyday for a long time. "He [had] brain surgery last year, and the seizures have stopped. I gave music my hardest crack and it's really emotional to see it's paying off." The teenager, who gave up a promising footy path to follow his heart, said it was humbling to receive such praise from the coaches. "To have people who are that solidified in the music scene, with all the accomplishments each and every one of them has made, to see that I made them feel like that - and that they reacted like that to my voice and the way I changed that song - made me very content with where I am in my journey. "It has given me a lot of confidence." In the end, Charlie chose to be on Miller-Heidke's team. He said it was by no means an easy choice between four "amazing coaches", but in the end, the decision came down to his roots. "What they said to me after they turned around, I was still undecided," he said. "But it all came down to: I love folk music, I write folk music, and that's the career I want to have. "Kate had folk roots when she first started out, and I just felt like, with her performing at Eurovision, and with her experience as an opera singer, a pop singer, a folk singer - doing all these different genres of music and having incredible achievements in every field - I thought she would help me become more of a well-rounded artist." "When I saw the first chair turn around, I started to burst into tears. My tears just kept dropping out of my eyes." Tears streamed down Charlie O'Derry's face before he could even finish his blind auditions performance on Sunday night's opening episode of The Voice Australia. The talented folk singer delivered a performance so raw and heartfelt, it brought the room to a standstill and had four seasoned pop stars - the show's coaches - wiping their eyes. Recalling the moment before it went to air on Seven, the 17-year-old from Port Macquarie on the NSW Mid North Coast said his performance was not his strongest work as a vocalist. But the moment carried a lot of emotional weight as he realised, in real time, that his dream was becoming a reality. "I have definitely sung my song better," he said, "but it was just all the emotions rushing through when I saw that I had actually made it. "I couldn't hold it together." Charlie earned a prized four-chair turn from the coaches on the popular talent quest's 14th season: Spice Girl Melanie C, Richard Marx, Kate Miller-Heidke and Ronan Keating. Overwhelmed by the experience, Charlie said the emotions took over the moment he saw the first coach turn around "When I saw the first chair turn around, I started to burst into tears. My tears just kept dropping out of my eyes - it was crazy. I wasn't really expecting to get any chair turns, to be honest. To see one turn around, I was bawling my eyes out." As the chairs continued to turn, the emotions only intensified. "To see all four [coaches turn around], I started to wipe my eyes, and I could barely talk. And then to look over at my family - it was a very emotional moment for all of us." In the blind auditions, coaches build their team of hopefuls based solely on their voice, without seeing the contestants. If a voice captures their attention, they hit the button and spin their chair to see the performer and signal their interest. When more than one chair turns, the artist gets to decide which coach to team up with. But if no chairs turn, the journey ends there. Charlie performed a haunting, slowed-down, and at times tear-filled rendition of Djo's 2022 hit End of Beginning. Soulfully delivered, Charlie's version of the synth-pop track struck a chord far beyond the music itself. Coach and Grammy Award winner Richard Marx turned his chair within seconds of Charlie starting his performance, with Australian singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke spinning around soon after. Spice Girl Melanie C and Boyzone lead vocalist Ronan Keating turned their chairs just as Charlie finished singing. Keating, who teared up along with the rest of the coaches, walked up on stage to embrace the 17-year-old after his emotionally-charged performance. "I felt all of that," he said as he hugged Charlie. "That was beautiful." Marx described Charlie's rendition as "heartbreakingly beautiful", while Miller-Heidke labelled the teen's performance as "something pure and from the heart". "You just made me feel something that I've never felt in this chair before," she said. After he completed his goosebump-inducing performance, Miller-Heidke asked what led to such a powerful moment on stage. Charlie then shared his heartbreaking story about his dad, a former pastor and prison chaplain, who was left in a wheelchair after suffering a severe brain injury in a workplace accident. "Music is something me and Dad can do together...," he said. "My dad had an accident at work, pretty much half his brain is gone forever, and he suffered from really bad seizures everyday for a long time. "He [had] brain surgery last year, and the seizures have stopped. I gave music my hardest crack and it's really emotional to see it's paying off." The teenager, who gave up a promising footy path to follow his heart, said it was humbling to receive such praise from the coaches. "To have people who are that solidified in the music scene, with all the accomplishments each and every one of them has made, to see that I made them feel like that - and that they reacted like that to my voice and the way I changed that song - made me very content with where I am in my journey. "It has given me a lot of confidence." In the end, Charlie chose to be on Miller-Heidke's team. He said it was by no means an easy choice between four "amazing coaches", but in the end, the decision came down to his roots. "What they said to me after they turned around, I was still undecided," he said. "But it all came down to: I love folk music, I write folk music, and that's the career I want to have. "Kate had folk roots when she first started out, and I just felt like, with her performing at Eurovision, and with her experience as an opera singer, a pop singer, a folk singer - doing all these different genres of music and having incredible achievements in every field - I thought she would help me become more of a well-rounded artist." "When I saw the first chair turn around, I started to burst into tears. My tears just kept dropping out of my eyes." Tears streamed down Charlie O'Derry's face before he could even finish his blind auditions performance on Sunday night's opening episode of The Voice Australia. The talented folk singer delivered a performance so raw and heartfelt, it brought the room to a standstill and had four seasoned pop stars - the show's coaches - wiping their eyes. Recalling the moment before it went to air on Seven, the 17-year-old from Port Macquarie on the NSW Mid North Coast said his performance was not his strongest work as a vocalist. But the moment carried a lot of emotional weight as he realised, in real time, that his dream was becoming a reality. "I have definitely sung my song better," he said, "but it was just all the emotions rushing through when I saw that I had actually made it. "I couldn't hold it together." Charlie earned a prized four-chair turn from the coaches on the popular talent quest's 14th season: Spice Girl Melanie C, Richard Marx, Kate Miller-Heidke and Ronan Keating. Overwhelmed by the experience, Charlie said the emotions took over the moment he saw the first coach turn around "When I saw the first chair turn around, I started to burst into tears. My tears just kept dropping out of my eyes - it was crazy. I wasn't really expecting to get any chair turns, to be honest. To see one turn around, I was bawling my eyes out." As the chairs continued to turn, the emotions only intensified. "To see all four [coaches turn around], I started to wipe my eyes, and I could barely talk. And then to look over at my family - it was a very emotional moment for all of us." In the blind auditions, coaches build their team of hopefuls based solely on their voice, without seeing the contestants. If a voice captures their attention, they hit the button and spin their chair to see the performer and signal their interest. When more than one chair turns, the artist gets to decide which coach to team up with. But if no chairs turn, the journey ends there. Charlie performed a haunting, slowed-down, and at times tear-filled rendition of Djo's 2022 hit End of Beginning. Soulfully delivered, Charlie's version of the synth-pop track struck a chord far beyond the music itself. Coach and Grammy Award winner Richard Marx turned his chair within seconds of Charlie starting his performance, with Australian singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke spinning around soon after. Spice Girl Melanie C and Boyzone lead vocalist Ronan Keating turned their chairs just as Charlie finished singing. Keating, who teared up along with the rest of the coaches, walked up on stage to embrace the 17-year-old after his emotionally-charged performance. "I felt all of that," he said as he hugged Charlie. "That was beautiful." Marx described Charlie's rendition as "heartbreakingly beautiful", while Miller-Heidke labelled the teen's performance as "something pure and from the heart". "You just made me feel something that I've never felt in this chair before," she said. After he completed his goosebump-inducing performance, Miller-Heidke asked what led to such a powerful moment on stage. Charlie then shared his heartbreaking story about his dad, a former pastor and prison chaplain, who was left in a wheelchair after suffering a severe brain injury in a workplace accident. "Music is something me and Dad can do together...," he said. "My dad had an accident at work, pretty much half his brain is gone forever, and he suffered from really bad seizures everyday for a long time. "He [had] brain surgery last year, and the seizures have stopped. I gave music my hardest crack and it's really emotional to see it's paying off." The teenager, who gave up a promising footy path to follow his heart, said it was humbling to receive such praise from the coaches. "To have people who are that solidified in the music scene, with all the accomplishments each and every one of them has made, to see that I made them feel like that - and that they reacted like that to my voice and the way I changed that song - made me very content with where I am in my journey. "It has given me a lot of confidence." In the end, Charlie chose to be on Miller-Heidke's team. He said it was by no means an easy choice between four "amazing coaches", but in the end, the decision came down to his roots. "What they said to me after they turned around, I was still undecided," he said. "But it all came down to: I love folk music, I write folk music, and that's the career I want to have. "Kate had folk roots when she first started out, and I just felt like, with her performing at Eurovision, and with her experience as an opera singer, a pop singer, a folk singer - doing all these different genres of music and having incredible achievements in every field - I thought she would help me become more of a well-rounded artist."
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
How Charlie O'Derry made it to The Voice and why he's singing for his dad
He's the talented teenager from small-town regional Australia who's daring to dream big. And on Sunday night's return of The Voice Australia, singer Charlie O'Derry looks set to capture the nation's heart with a blind auditions performance that wows all four coaches on Seven's shiny talent quest show as it launches its 14th season. Chart-toppers Kate Miller-Heidke, Spice Girl Melanie C, Ronan Keating and Richard Marx all end up on their feet after Charlie's haunting, emotionally charged rendition of Djo's 2022 hit End of Beginning. And the humble 17-year-old, who tried out for the singing competition earlier this year, is relieved he can finally talk about the experience - and how he's balancing his Year 12 studies, work and passion for music. "It's been very difficult not being able to talk about it publicly," Charlie said. "It's all I've really wanted to do since recording the show." Born in Rockhampton, Charlie spent his early years living in places as far-flung as Madagascar and as familiar as the Central Coast, Old Bar and Grafton, before eventually settling in Port Macquarie on the NSW Mid North Coast in 2022. Although his parents were firm about daily piano practice during his primary school years, Charlie said it was something he "used to hate." "I grew up playing footy and that was my main focus up until the age of 15, but it wasn't until we moved up to Old Bar when I started Year 7, I found a new piano teacher and he kind of sparked this love for music in me," he said. While he once dreamed of a footy career - even earning a spot in the Gold Coast Titans Elite Academy Training Program while living in Grafton - a broken ankle and a new passion changed his path. "I quit footy for music, and I kind of taught myself guitar and singing and all the other musical instruments I play." Charlie's journey to the spotlight has been shaped by persistence through tough times. When he was just 10 years old, his dad Jeff - a former prison chaplain and pastor - sustained a serious brain injury in a workplace accident that left him in a wheelchair. Charlie said his family has "been on a whole new journey" since his dad's injury. "It was very unexpected... and difficult for us to navigate all the challenges that came with his injury." However, he said music brought him and his dad closer than ever. "Dad used to be one of my footy coaches down at the Central Coast, so we used to bond over that quite often," he said. "We went through a rough patch about three to four years ago where we struggled to find something that we could both participate in together, and music kind of gave us that chance again." He still remembers his first live performance - opening for indie/folk rock trio Nana's Pie at the Flow Bar, a café and bar in Old Bar known for its relaxed vibe and live music sessions. Since then, he's gone on to support well-known acts like Boo Seeka, known for his genre-blending electro-pop style, and Thelma Plum, the ARIA-nominated Gamilaraay artist behind the acclaimed album Better in Blak. He has also released his debut single Calendar this year. "Thelma Plum kind of popped it all off with playing larger shows," Charlie said. Charlie's proud parents, sister and girlfriend were all in the audience for his big audition for The Voice Australia, which features in the popular Seven show's August 10 return. "Just being there was a gift, and it was really special to share that moment with my family," he said. Charlie opted for a slowed-down, haunting rendition of Djo's 2022 hit End of Beginning - a performance that not only leaves the coaches stunned but also gets the crowd on their feet. One coach even steps up onto the stage to give him a hug. He said he wanted to present a version that would resonate with the audience and coaches. "I went into it hoping that I might stand out a bit," he said. "I was just hoping they would be able to see more into what I was trying to achieve with this song choice." With HSC trials under way, Charlie admits the timing of his audition hasn't been easy - but he's determined to chase his dream regardless. "The opportunity came up and I wasn't sure about it at the start... [but] I've always dreamed of what it would be like to go on The Voice," he said "To kind of experience what it would be like having that kind of exposure, being on TV and singing in front of four amazing coaches. "Juggling it all has been interesting to say the least, but I've got an amazing family and friends, and partner, and an amazing school as well, they are all very supportive." He said he went into the audition with no expectations. "No matter what the outcome was going to be, I was just so blessed to be there because you're bound to get feedback, either from the crowd or the coaches. "To get feedback from people like Richard Marx, Kate [Miller-Heidke], Ronan Keating and Mel C - it's not something that's cheap." With more original music on the way and hopes that his audition might "solidify a path" in the industry, Charlie is ready for whatever comes next. "It will be great to see if people follow my social media and want to come to my future shows and to check out my original music," he said. "I am just grateful for whatever opportunity comes my way." He's the talented teenager from small-town regional Australia who's daring to dream big. And on Sunday night's return of The Voice Australia, singer Charlie O'Derry looks set to capture the nation's heart with a blind auditions performance that wows all four coaches on Seven's shiny talent quest show as it launches its 14th season. Chart-toppers Kate Miller-Heidke, Spice Girl Melanie C, Ronan Keating and Richard Marx all end up on their feet after Charlie's haunting, emotionally charged rendition of Djo's 2022 hit End of Beginning. And the humble 17-year-old, who tried out for the singing competition earlier this year, is relieved he can finally talk about the experience - and how he's balancing his Year 12 studies, work and passion for music. "It's been very difficult not being able to talk about it publicly," Charlie said. "It's all I've really wanted to do since recording the show." Born in Rockhampton, Charlie spent his early years living in places as far-flung as Madagascar and as familiar as the Central Coast, Old Bar and Grafton, before eventually settling in Port Macquarie on the NSW Mid North Coast in 2022. Although his parents were firm about daily piano practice during his primary school years, Charlie said it was something he "used to hate." "I grew up playing footy and that was my main focus up until the age of 15, but it wasn't until we moved up to Old Bar when I started Year 7, I found a new piano teacher and he kind of sparked this love for music in me," he said. While he once dreamed of a footy career - even earning a spot in the Gold Coast Titans Elite Academy Training Program while living in Grafton - a broken ankle and a new passion changed his path. "I quit footy for music, and I kind of taught myself guitar and singing and all the other musical instruments I play." Charlie's journey to the spotlight has been shaped by persistence through tough times. When he was just 10 years old, his dad Jeff - a former prison chaplain and pastor - sustained a serious brain injury in a workplace accident that left him in a wheelchair. Charlie said his family has "been on a whole new journey" since his dad's injury. "It was very unexpected... and difficult for us to navigate all the challenges that came with his injury." However, he said music brought him and his dad closer than ever. "Dad used to be one of my footy coaches down at the Central Coast, so we used to bond over that quite often," he said. "We went through a rough patch about three to four years ago where we struggled to find something that we could both participate in together, and music kind of gave us that chance again." He still remembers his first live performance - opening for indie/folk rock trio Nana's Pie at the Flow Bar, a café and bar in Old Bar known for its relaxed vibe and live music sessions. Since then, he's gone on to support well-known acts like Boo Seeka, known for his genre-blending electro-pop style, and Thelma Plum, the ARIA-nominated Gamilaraay artist behind the acclaimed album Better in Blak. He has also released his debut single Calendar this year. "Thelma Plum kind of popped it all off with playing larger shows," Charlie said. Charlie's proud parents, sister and girlfriend were all in the audience for his big audition for The Voice Australia, which features in the popular Seven show's August 10 return. "Just being there was a gift, and it was really special to share that moment with my family," he said. Charlie opted for a slowed-down, haunting rendition of Djo's 2022 hit End of Beginning - a performance that not only leaves the coaches stunned but also gets the crowd on their feet. One coach even steps up onto the stage to give him a hug. He said he wanted to present a version that would resonate with the audience and coaches. "I went into it hoping that I might stand out a bit," he said. "I was just hoping they would be able to see more into what I was trying to achieve with this song choice." With HSC trials under way, Charlie admits the timing of his audition hasn't been easy - but he's determined to chase his dream regardless. "The opportunity came up and I wasn't sure about it at the start... [but] I've always dreamed of what it would be like to go on The Voice," he said "To kind of experience what it would be like having that kind of exposure, being on TV and singing in front of four amazing coaches. "Juggling it all has been interesting to say the least, but I've got an amazing family and friends, and partner, and an amazing school as well, they are all very supportive." He said he went into the audition with no expectations. "No matter what the outcome was going to be, I was just so blessed to be there because you're bound to get feedback, either from the crowd or the coaches. "To get feedback from people like Richard Marx, Kate [Miller-Heidke], Ronan Keating and Mel C - it's not something that's cheap." With more original music on the way and hopes that his audition might "solidify a path" in the industry, Charlie is ready for whatever comes next. "It will be great to see if people follow my social media and want to come to my future shows and to check out my original music," he said. "I am just grateful for whatever opportunity comes my way." He's the talented teenager from small-town regional Australia who's daring to dream big. And on Sunday night's return of The Voice Australia, singer Charlie O'Derry looks set to capture the nation's heart with a blind auditions performance that wows all four coaches on Seven's shiny talent quest show as it launches its 14th season. Chart-toppers Kate Miller-Heidke, Spice Girl Melanie C, Ronan Keating and Richard Marx all end up on their feet after Charlie's haunting, emotionally charged rendition of Djo's 2022 hit End of Beginning. And the humble 17-year-old, who tried out for the singing competition earlier this year, is relieved he can finally talk about the experience - and how he's balancing his Year 12 studies, work and passion for music. "It's been very difficult not being able to talk about it publicly," Charlie said. "It's all I've really wanted to do since recording the show." Born in Rockhampton, Charlie spent his early years living in places as far-flung as Madagascar and as familiar as the Central Coast, Old Bar and Grafton, before eventually settling in Port Macquarie on the NSW Mid North Coast in 2022. Although his parents were firm about daily piano practice during his primary school years, Charlie said it was something he "used to hate." "I grew up playing footy and that was my main focus up until the age of 15, but it wasn't until we moved up to Old Bar when I started Year 7, I found a new piano teacher and he kind of sparked this love for music in me," he said. While he once dreamed of a footy career - even earning a spot in the Gold Coast Titans Elite Academy Training Program while living in Grafton - a broken ankle and a new passion changed his path. "I quit footy for music, and I kind of taught myself guitar and singing and all the other musical instruments I play." Charlie's journey to the spotlight has been shaped by persistence through tough times. When he was just 10 years old, his dad Jeff - a former prison chaplain and pastor - sustained a serious brain injury in a workplace accident that left him in a wheelchair. Charlie said his family has "been on a whole new journey" since his dad's injury. "It was very unexpected... and difficult for us to navigate all the challenges that came with his injury." However, he said music brought him and his dad closer than ever. "Dad used to be one of my footy coaches down at the Central Coast, so we used to bond over that quite often," he said. "We went through a rough patch about three to four years ago where we struggled to find something that we could both participate in together, and music kind of gave us that chance again." He still remembers his first live performance - opening for indie/folk rock trio Nana's Pie at the Flow Bar, a café and bar in Old Bar known for its relaxed vibe and live music sessions. Since then, he's gone on to support well-known acts like Boo Seeka, known for his genre-blending electro-pop style, and Thelma Plum, the ARIA-nominated Gamilaraay artist behind the acclaimed album Better in Blak. He has also released his debut single Calendar this year. "Thelma Plum kind of popped it all off with playing larger shows," Charlie said. Charlie's proud parents, sister and girlfriend were all in the audience for his big audition for The Voice Australia, which features in the popular Seven show's August 10 return. "Just being there was a gift, and it was really special to share that moment with my family," he said. Charlie opted for a slowed-down, haunting rendition of Djo's 2022 hit End of Beginning - a performance that not only leaves the coaches stunned but also gets the crowd on their feet. One coach even steps up onto the stage to give him a hug. He said he wanted to present a version that would resonate with the audience and coaches. "I went into it hoping that I might stand out a bit," he said. "I was just hoping they would be able to see more into what I was trying to achieve with this song choice." With HSC trials under way, Charlie admits the timing of his audition hasn't been easy - but he's determined to chase his dream regardless. "The opportunity came up and I wasn't sure about it at the start... [but] I've always dreamed of what it would be like to go on The Voice," he said "To kind of experience what it would be like having that kind of exposure, being on TV and singing in front of four amazing coaches. "Juggling it all has been interesting to say the least, but I've got an amazing family and friends, and partner, and an amazing school as well, they are all very supportive." He said he went into the audition with no expectations. "No matter what the outcome was going to be, I was just so blessed to be there because you're bound to get feedback, either from the crowd or the coaches. "To get feedback from people like Richard Marx, Kate [Miller-Heidke], Ronan Keating and Mel C - it's not something that's cheap." With more original music on the way and hopes that his audition might "solidify a path" in the industry, Charlie is ready for whatever comes next. "It will be great to see if people follow my social media and want to come to my future shows and to check out my original music," he said. "I am just grateful for whatever opportunity comes my way." He's the talented teenager from small-town regional Australia who's daring to dream big. And on Sunday night's return of The Voice Australia, singer Charlie O'Derry looks set to capture the nation's heart with a blind auditions performance that wows all four coaches on Seven's shiny talent quest show as it launches its 14th season. Chart-toppers Kate Miller-Heidke, Spice Girl Melanie C, Ronan Keating and Richard Marx all end up on their feet after Charlie's haunting, emotionally charged rendition of Djo's 2022 hit End of Beginning. And the humble 17-year-old, who tried out for the singing competition earlier this year, is relieved he can finally talk about the experience - and how he's balancing his Year 12 studies, work and passion for music. "It's been very difficult not being able to talk about it publicly," Charlie said. "It's all I've really wanted to do since recording the show." Born in Rockhampton, Charlie spent his early years living in places as far-flung as Madagascar and as familiar as the Central Coast, Old Bar and Grafton, before eventually settling in Port Macquarie on the NSW Mid North Coast in 2022. Although his parents were firm about daily piano practice during his primary school years, Charlie said it was something he "used to hate." "I grew up playing footy and that was my main focus up until the age of 15, but it wasn't until we moved up to Old Bar when I started Year 7, I found a new piano teacher and he kind of sparked this love for music in me," he said. While he once dreamed of a footy career - even earning a spot in the Gold Coast Titans Elite Academy Training Program while living in Grafton - a broken ankle and a new passion changed his path. "I quit footy for music, and I kind of taught myself guitar and singing and all the other musical instruments I play." Charlie's journey to the spotlight has been shaped by persistence through tough times. When he was just 10 years old, his dad Jeff - a former prison chaplain and pastor - sustained a serious brain injury in a workplace accident that left him in a wheelchair. Charlie said his family has "been on a whole new journey" since his dad's injury. "It was very unexpected... and difficult for us to navigate all the challenges that came with his injury." However, he said music brought him and his dad closer than ever. "Dad used to be one of my footy coaches down at the Central Coast, so we used to bond over that quite often," he said. "We went through a rough patch about three to four years ago where we struggled to find something that we could both participate in together, and music kind of gave us that chance again." He still remembers his first live performance - opening for indie/folk rock trio Nana's Pie at the Flow Bar, a café and bar in Old Bar known for its relaxed vibe and live music sessions. Since then, he's gone on to support well-known acts like Boo Seeka, known for his genre-blending electro-pop style, and Thelma Plum, the ARIA-nominated Gamilaraay artist behind the acclaimed album Better in Blak. He has also released his debut single Calendar this year. "Thelma Plum kind of popped it all off with playing larger shows," Charlie said. Charlie's proud parents, sister and girlfriend were all in the audience for his big audition for The Voice Australia, which features in the popular Seven show's August 10 return. "Just being there was a gift, and it was really special to share that moment with my family," he said. Charlie opted for a slowed-down, haunting rendition of Djo's 2022 hit End of Beginning - a performance that not only leaves the coaches stunned but also gets the crowd on their feet. One coach even steps up onto the stage to give him a hug. He said he wanted to present a version that would resonate with the audience and coaches. "I went into it hoping that I might stand out a bit," he said. "I was just hoping they would be able to see more into what I was trying to achieve with this song choice." With HSC trials under way, Charlie admits the timing of his audition hasn't been easy - but he's determined to chase his dream regardless. "The opportunity came up and I wasn't sure about it at the start... [but] I've always dreamed of what it would be like to go on The Voice," he said "To kind of experience what it would be like having that kind of exposure, being on TV and singing in front of four amazing coaches. "Juggling it all has been interesting to say the least, but I've got an amazing family and friends, and partner, and an amazing school as well, they are all very supportive." He said he went into the audition with no expectations. "No matter what the outcome was going to be, I was just so blessed to be there because you're bound to get feedback, either from the crowd or the coaches. "To get feedback from people like Richard Marx, Kate [Miller-Heidke], Ronan Keating and Mel C - it's not something that's cheap." With more original music on the way and hopes that his audition might "solidify a path" in the industry, Charlie is ready for whatever comes next. "It will be great to see if people follow my social media and want to come to my future shows and to check out my original music," he said. "I am just grateful for whatever opportunity comes my way."
Chicago Tribune
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago teen rapper Star Bandz performs at Lollapalooza for the first time
Star Bandz, a 17-year-old drill rapper from the south suburbs, performed on the BMI stage Friday evening for her first set at Lollapalooza. She opened with 'End of Beginning' by Djo, who was performing at the same time on the T-Mobile stage on the south end of Grant Park, then played her own song, 'Bigger Better Badder,' which erupted the crowd. Speaking to the Tribune before her concert, Bandz said she was excited and grateful to be performing at the festival. She said just wanted the crowd to rock out, but also be safe. 'I don't want to start no mosh pits, they're kind of dangerous, but I do want them to turn up though, that's gonna make me feel real good,' she said. Bandz, a Sauk Village native, first had a breakout song 'Yea Yea' that was released early last year. The music video was filmed during her birthday party and has been growing in popularity since. The viral moment led her to sign with Priority Records and Capitol Records, which she said was a new thing for her. She ended up missing a lot of school to meet with the record labels. 'It was kind of life-changing,' she said. Even before that, she said she was already gaining recognition, and fans would ask her for pictures in public. She released her debut album, 'Estrella,' late last year. Being from Chicago, the city has had an influence on her music. Bandz said she has taken inspiration from artists from the drill rap scene, including Lil Durk and Chief Keef. She opened for Lil Durk at his birthday party last October. Her music has been defined as drill music, which is often associated with violence and gang activity. She says takes what she's been through in life and puts it into her music and her lyrics. Also, when growing up, she learned what type of music excited people. But Bandz said she hardly listens to drill music. She leans towards melodic rap. Another thing that separates her from most rappers is that she doesn't swear in her rhymes. She knows the type of people who listen to her music. 'My grandma watches me and kids too, I don't want to put out a bad influence, or anything bad on my name,' she said. During her BMI set, she first brought out Chucky WackEm, which excited the crowd, then Sugarhill Ddot, a New York native. Sugarhill Ddot and Bandz performed their viral song 'My Baby,' which has raked in more than 25 million views on YouTube. Bandz also played some of her hit songs like 'Too Many Options' and 'Too Slow,' a song by BabyChiefDoit that she's featured on. She also played two unreleased songs. Some fans danced throughout her entire set. High school friends, Leila Redd, Brenda Brown and Kayla Brown said they've been fans since Bandz released 'Yea Yea.' 'I think she's really young and inspiring for the younger generation, and she got bars, she's next up,' said Kayla Brown, a 19-year-old Chicago native. Bandz said when she was younger, she wanted to be a singer and had an interest in rap music. She would rap along with her favorite artists or rap over instrumentals. Her mom's friend, the rapper Big E, encouraged her, urging her to write raps while she was in the fourth grade, but Bandz didn't get interested for a couple more years. 'He called my mom randomly one day and he was like, 'I'm gonna pick up Star tomorrow and take her to the studio. I just want her to rap her favorite song,'' Bandz said. Four months later, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Bandz was stuck in the house and started writing a song in her notebook. 'I told my mom to tell (Big E) to come over the next day so we can make the song,' Bandz said. 'He took me to the studio and after I did that I had fun and I just kept doing it ever since.' As her career takes off, Bandz said she has goals. 'I want to get rich, but I want to get a Grammy. Just a trophy for what I do,' she said.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Djo Scores First Airplay Chart No. 1 With ‘Basic Being Basic'
Djo ascends to No. 1 on Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart, with his single 'Basic Being Basic' climbing two places to the top of the list dated July 26. It marks the first airplay chart reign for Djo, the musical project of actor-musician Joe Keery. Previously, he peaked as high as No. 4 on Alternative Airplay with 'End of Beginning' in July 2024. More from Billboard Billy Corgan Reacts to MCR's Cover of Smashing Pumpkins Classic Linkin Park Drop 'One More Light' From Live Shows After Bennington's Death King Ultramega Supergroup Pays Tribute to Chris Cornell With 'Rusty Cage' Cover Djo is the eighth first-time leader on Alternative Airplay in 2025, following maiden reigns for sombr ('Back to Friends'), Jonah Kagen ('God Needs the Devil'), Lola Young ('Messy'), Balu Brigada ('So Cold'), Justice and Tame Impala (both on 'Neverender') and almost monday ('Can't Slow Down'). With five months to go in the year, 2025's mark of eight rookie No. 1 acts is already the most since 2012, when eight acts also led Alternative Airplay for the first time each. Slight catch: of those, six were lead acts (Gotye, Grouplove, Of Monsters and Men, fun., Alex Clare and The Lumineers), while two were featured vocalists (Kimbra on Gotye's 'Somebody That I Used To Know' and Janelle Monae via fun.'s 'We Are Young'); all eight in 2025 have been lead acts. Limiting the criteria to just lead acts, one must go back to 2010. Fifteen years ago, nine acts — including eight with lead artist billing — reached No. 1 for the first time: Phoenix, Cage the Elephant, Crash Kings, Stone Temple Pilots, Dirty Heads, Neon Trees, Mumford & Sons and The Black Keys, as well as Rome as a featured artist on Dirty Heads' 'Lay Me Down.' Could 2025 surpass 2010's mark? Not only are there more than five months left in the year to do so, it's also worth noting that two acts currently in the chart's top 10 — Turnstile and Wet Leg — have never led and are still rising as of the July 26-dated ranking. Back to Djo: concurrently, 'Basic Being Basic' leaps 22-16 on the all-rock-format, audience-based Rock & Alternative Airplay chart with 2.3 million audience impressions (up 20%) in the week ending July 17, according to Luminate. The song is the lead single from The Crux, Djo's third studio album. The set debuted at No. 6 on the Top Alternative Albums chart dated April 19 and has earned 79,000 equivalent album units to date. All Billboard charts dated July 26 will update on Tuesday, July 22. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Four Decades of 'Madonna': A Look Back at the Queen of Pop's Debut Album on the Charts Chart Rewind: In 1990, Madonna Was in 'Vogue' Atop the Hot 100 Solve the daily Crossword
Perth Now
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Joe Keery 'bonded' to Stranger Things co-stars for life
Joe Keery and his Stranger Things co-stars are "bonded" for life. The 33-year-old actor-and-musician - who plays Steve Harrington in the Netflix series - is thankful the young cast had one another for support as they became household names as a result of the global popularityof the retro sci-fi drama. Discussing his track Charlie's Garden - which was inspired by co-stars Charlie Heaton and Natalia Dyer - he told The Guardian newspaper: 'It's a little tip of the cap to everybody in Atlanta who had such a big effect on me. 'My community down there ended up being so much more important to me than I ever thought that they would be. We're all bonded for life... "We always had each other. It wasn't like being Macaulay Culkin or something, where you're like, the one person in that one thing. I always feel pretty lucky in that way, where it's like, I got one eighth of that …" Joe, who releases music under the pseudonym Djo, had to leave his band Post Animal to dedicate himself to Stranger Things and admitted he initially had "big-time fomo" and struggled with missing his old life in Chicago. He said: 'What an opportunity … I got plucked out of obscurity and put into this thing that thrust me into the public eye. 'But then, immediately, I was met with a sense of … oh man! I miss my friends and my sense of community. It took me a few years, honestly, to grapple with that.' Joe constantly grapples with fear and anxiety, finding it particularly hard to meet new people. He said: 'I suffer with fear and anxiety every day. 'A great example: you come home to your hotel or whatever. You're like, 'I could, like, go get a drink and meet some people... Ummm, no, I'm gonna go upstairs.' "You're constantly confronted with the anxiety of interacting versus the payoff of meeting a new friend or having a new experience. It's always worth it to go and talk to somebody, but there's always a little voice that's like: well, we could just be safe right now, you know.' But the End of Beginning hitmaker insisted his reluctance to mix isn't because of his fame. He said: "'No, no, not because of that. It's just the fear of rejection, normal human stuff. Everybody has this little monkey on their back. Everybody wants to desperately connect, but also is afraid of it.'
