It is always difficult to be the first one, whether that is the first-born child, the first person to speak in a crowded hall, or the first person to win a nationally televised talent contest. For Guy Sebastian – the first person to win the coveted title of Australian Idol – maintaining that winning edge has come down to solid recordings and concert tours. On the strength of four multi-platinum albums and a sell-out Australian concert tour, the Adelaide-born star spoke to OUTinPerth’s Terry Larder.

Congratulations on the success of the tour, I was there for the final night at the Perth Concert Hall.

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Thanks, it was pretty electric and particularly pleasing to finish the tour in Perth. In the beginning I was not sure how this album would be received. but everything was so positive in the recording process that it was inevitable that the same fun continued and the result has been some fantastic shows. We wanted to use all the session musicians on the album. With such legendary soul musicians, like Steve Cropper and Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn, Steve Potts and Lester Snell – many of these you know played on the original versions of these songs, most notably Otis Redding’s ‘Sitting on the Dock of the Bay’ – I had a feeling this was going to work out well. Not only was it an honour to record the album in the States with these ‘giants,’ but when there came a suggestion of an Australian tour, there was not a hint of apprehension. It was all systems go! We also brought out their partners, so it just became one big family party. This translated well on stage; there was a sense of togetherness. Playing in my home-town Adelaide though was the biggest highlight for me.

As a performer, how have you overcome nerves, as the voice is a very tricky and temperamental instrument?

I had been used to singing at my church in Adelaide, and I’d be up there on stage singing in front of 3,000 people. It was a good grounding for the future, particularly the first audition for Idol. Nerves were huge as you are looking down the barrel of a TV camera and knowing that this was either sink or swim.

And when you are not performing or recording?

Fishing and cricket are two of my favourite passions, but lately now the tour is over I’ve been swept up in things like getting married. (Note: Guy and long-time partner Julie Egan were married last month.) I’m looking forward to my honeymoon and will be visiting Paris and Rome.

Ah, the romance cities… does that say something about Guy?

Musically, I prefer gospel and soul, but hey, when it comes to romance I guess I’m like everyone else.

While fellow Australian Idol contestants Rob Mills and Anthony Callea are honing their singing talents in the Melbourne production of ‘Wicked’, Guy will be promoting his new album on tour, as record label SonyBMG, is releasing the ‘Memphis Album’ globally early next year.