Today is Saturday the 21st April 2012. The evening before the semi finals of The Voice Of Ireland. I have consumed a copious amount of camomile tea to calm my nerves in preparation for the show. Doing live television does not make me nervous or anxious, having to say goodbye to one of your team however, does. It’s a killer but it’s part of the process and it’s something I have reluctantly accepted in my duty as a coach.
I just wanted to do a short blog to let ye know the state of play and how my team are holding up pre show.
Myself, Pat and Conor all decided that for their singles we wanted to do songs that represent them musically. Not pick songs we feel are big hits or everyone will know. We also decided that if we were going to do a cover of a track, it needs to come with their own personal interpretation and arrangement, not just regurgitating the original. This has always being important for me with these guys as they really ooze integrity and passion when it comes to singing.
For this reason, when we sat down in studio to work on the arrangement and vocals, we came to the agreement to strip back the tracks to illustrate their unique and honest vocals and not hide them behind a wall of production. This is no doubt a risk as they will be so exposed instrumentation wise but it’s a risk we all wanted to take and I feel in my gut will pay off and besides, I feel they have proven themselves when it comes to delivering big rock performances. I felt as a coach with these guys I was best served as a facilitator of their talents and not a dictator. These guys sincerely don’t need to be diluted. They comprehend their ability and certainly do not over think when it comes to performance and showcasing their special talent.
What I ask you guys at home to do is listen to these songs with an open mind. One of their songs is an old classic that I’m sure you all will recognise and the other is a much more obscure but equally beautiful song that has resonated heavily with myself and the artist delivering the track.
I feel very privileged to be able to coach them and since the first time I hit that red button in the blind auditions I never looked back and I am very grateful Pat and Conor have trusted my instincts and listened to my advice. They have both grown immensely. Regardless of the outcome of this show I fully intend to be writing and working with both these guys in the future and contrary to a ‘certain lead singer in a certain band’s opinion’, I am massively passionate about seeing these guys succeed as artists and have dedicated every ounce of energy I have into preparing them for this sh*t tough industry.
I said from day 1 of filming in the blind auditions that I wanted a unique vocalist that captivates me and I would love to find one. I found two. They have also become best friends with each other which is fantastic to see and be part of.
So, although I truly believe both guys could be in the final, only one will be. The way it works is, I get 100 points that I then divide between the two guys after they perform. You guys at home then get 100 points which will then be all counted and your votes will be split between them. They will then add up both the divisions and obviously the person with the overall higher average will go on to the final.
If ye guys think Conor or Pa t have what it takes to enter into the music industry and sign a record deal,write an album, record an album, tour an album, then please support them. I certainly know they both have what it takes.
Hats off, Conor and Pat.