Wes Carr
| Wes Carr | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Wesley Dean Carr |
| Born | 14 September 1982 Gawler, South Australia |
| Origin | Adelaide, Australia |
| Genres | Pop rock, soft rock, folk rock |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboard, percussion |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels |
Sony Music Australia (2008–2011) Independent (2011–present) |
| Website | wescarr.com.au |
Wes Carr (born Wesley Dean Carr on 14 September 1982) is an Australian singer-songwriter. He released his first studio album Simple Sum independently in 2008 shortly before entering Australian Idol. In November 2008 he was announced as the winner of the sixth season of Australian Idol. After Idol, he signed a record deal with Sony Music Australia and released his debut single, "You". The song peaked at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Carr's second studio album, The Way the World Looks, soon followed after. It reached number two on the ARIA Albums Chart and also achieved Gold certification. The second single "Feels Like Woah" peaked at number 14 and gained Gold certification. In June 2011 Carr released "Been a Long Time", the lead single from his third album. It peaked at number 33 on the ARIA Singles Chart. In November 2011 Carr announced that he was no longer with Sony and would be releasing his album independently in 2012.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Wes Carr was born and raised in Gawler, South Australia, a small country town near the Barossa Valley.[2] Carr took classes five nights a week at the Johnny Young Talent School, but eventually left Adelaide to live with his father in Sydney at the age of fifteen.[2] From here on, Carr began his DIY education of the music industry, swapping time at school for time at bars, performing and meeting other musicians.[2] His first big gig was supporting Australian band Leonardo's Bride for their last gig at The Basement[2] Carr also played gigs with Missy Higgins, Lior, Paul Mac, Andrew Farriss of INXS and Don Walker of Cold Chisel.[2]
On 3 November 2003, Carr released his debut EP Rhythm to Fly, independently.[3] After Australian band Silverchair went into hiatus in 2003, Carr and Ben Gillies formed the band, Tambalane.[4] Carr and Gilles parted ways in 2005 when an "unpleasant power struggle" emerged between the two.[4] In 2006, Carr worked with C. J. Vanston in Los Angeles, where they co-wrote the song "Say My Name" for the film, For Your Consideration.[5] On 11 June 2008, Carr released his debut studio album, Simple Sum, independently.
[edit] Australian Idol
In 2008, Carr auditioned for the sixth season of Australian Idol. In the top five round, Carr sang Michael Jackson's "Black or White" and received two touchdowns, including one from judge Marcia Hines and guest judge Jermaine Jackson. He also received another touchdown in the top three round, from judge Ian Dickson and a TV throw from judge Kyle Sandilands. On 23 November 2008, Carr was announced the winner of Australian Idol of 2008 with Luke Dickens becoming the runner-up.[6] As winner, Carr received a recording contract with Sony Music Australia, a car and $200,000 towards developing his craft.[6]
| Week | Theme | Song Sung | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top 24 | N/A | "Times Like These" | Foo Fighters |
| Top 12 | Contestant's idols | "Beautiful Day" | U2 |
| Top 11 | 1980s | "Dancing in the Dark" | Bruce Springsteen |
| Top 10 | Australian songs | "Friday on My Mind" | The Easybeats |
| Top 9 | ABBA | "Fernando" | ABBA |
| Top 8 | Rock n' Roll smash hits | "Desire" | U2 |
| Top 7 | Motown | "If I Were a Carpenter" | The 4 Tops |
| Top 6 | The Rolling Stones | "Jumpin' Jack Flash" | The Rolling Stones |
| Top 5 | Michael Jackson The Jackson 5 |
"Black or White" | Michael Jackson |
| Top 4 | American songs | "When You Were Young" "What a Wonderful World" |
The Killers Louis Armstrong |
| Top 3 | Contestant's choice | "Easy" "Get Back" |
Faith No More The Beatles |
| Top 2 | Contestant's choice Contestant's winners single |
"White Noise" "You" |
The Living End Wes Carr |
| Grand Finale | Finalists' duet Contestant's favourite Contestant's winners single |
"Times Like These" "Black or White" "You" |
Foo Fighters Michael Jackson Wes Carr |
[edit] Recording career
[edit] 2008–09: The Way the World Looks
After coming out of Australian Idol as the winner, Carr signed to Sony Music Australia. His winner's and debut single, "You" was released immediately for download following his win on 23 November 2008. The song peaked at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart[7] and was certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), for shipments of 35,000 units.[8] Carr's second studio album, The Way the World Looks, was released on 20 March 2009. It debuted at number two on the ARIA Albums Chart[7] and also certified Gold.[9] "Feels Like Woah" was released as the album's second single on 13 February 2009.[10] The song peaked at number fourteen and certified Gold.[7][11] "Fearless" and "Love is an Animal" were released as the album's third and fourth singles, respectively.
In May 2009, Carr embarked on a national tour to perform songs from the album. The national tour, "The Way the World Looks LIVE", began on 27 May and ended on 12 July.[12] In September 2009, Carr served as a support act for Irish band The Script's Australian tour.[13] In October, Carr toured with Ian Moss on his national "Shake It Up Tour". The tour began on 8 October and ended on 19 December.[14] At the 2009 ARIA Music Awards, "You" was nominated for "Highest Selling Single", but lost to Jessica Mauboy's "Running Back".[15]
[edit] 2011–present: Third studio album
Carr's third studio album will be released in 2012.[16] In an interview with Adelaide Now, Carr said he wrote the album on his travels to Los Angeles, Nashville, London and Paris, and is full of "personal, candid stories."[17] Its lead single "Been a Long Time" was released for digital download on 10 June 2011.[18] The single peaked at number 33 on the ARIA Singles Chart. In November 2011 Carr announced on that he was no longer with Sony and would release his album independently in 2012.[1]
[edit] Personal life
In February 2011, Carr announced in the Australian OK! magazine, that he is engaged to actress Charlotte Gregg.[19]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio albums
| Year | Album | Peak chart positions | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS[7] | |||
| 2008 | Simple Sum
|
— | |
| 2009 | The Way the World Looks
|
2 |
[edit] Extended plays
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Rhythm to Fly
|
[edit] Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS[7][20] | ||||
| 2008 | "You" | 1 |
|
The Way the World Looks |
| 2009 | "Feels Like Woah" | 14 |
|
|
| "Fearless" | 51 | |||
| "Love is an Animal" | 61 | |||
| 2011 | "Been a Long Time" | 33 | Third studio album |
[edit] Music videos
| Year | Song | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "You" | Unknown |
| 2009 | "Feels Like Woah" | |
| 2009 | "Fearless" | |
| 2009 | "Love is an Animal" | |
| 2011 | "Been a Long Time" |
[edit] Awards and nominations
| Year | Type | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards | Fave Singer[21] | Nominated |
| ARIA Music Awards | Highest Selling Single ("You")[15] | Nominated |
[edit] References
- ^ a b Wes Carr facebook. facebook. 9 November 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2011
- ^ a b c d e "Wes Carr – Biography". Take 40 Australia. Mcm Entertainment. http://www.take40.com/artists/4194/wes-carr/bio. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
- ^ a b "Rhythm to Fly: Carr, Wesley". Chaos.com. http://chaos.com/product/carr-wesley-rhythm-to-fly/536190-183295.html. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
- ^ a b McWhirter, Erin (22 November 2008). "Wes Carr wins Australian Idol 2008". The Sunday Times. UK. http://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/perth-confidential/wes-carr-wins-australian-idol-2008/story-e6frg30l-1111118119427. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
- ^ Adams, Cameron (11 December 2008). "Wes Carr's keeping it real". Herald Sun. Australia: Herald and Weekly Times. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/music/wes-carrs-keeping-it-real/story-e6frf9hf-1111118278359. Retrieved 28 June 2008.
- ^ a b McWhirter, Erin (24 November 2008). "Wes Carr, Australian Idol 2008 is speechless with win". The Sunday Times. UK. http://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/perth-confidential/wes-carr-australian-idol-2008-is-speechless-with-win/story-e6frg30l-1111118120731. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "Discography Wes Carr". ARIA Charts. Hung Medien. http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Wes+Carr. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
- ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2008 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2008Singles.htm. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
- ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2009Albums.htm. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
- ^ "Feels Like Woah – Single". Itunes.apple.com.au. http://itunes.apple.com/au/album/feels-like-woah-single/id305723089. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
- ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accr.htm. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
- ^ "Wes Carr 'The Way The World Looks' Live". LiveGuide.com.au. http://www.liveguide.com.au/Tours/623686/Wes_Carr/Wes_Carr_The_Way_The_World_Looks_Live?event_id=623698. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
- ^ "The Script 2009 Australian Tour Dates – Today Network". 92.9. Austereo Radio Network. http://www.929.com.au/entertainment/music/gig-guide/blog/the-script--australian-tour/20090622-4hg1.html. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
- ^ "Ian Moss and Wes Carr 'Shake It Up' Tour". LiveGuide.com.au. http://www.liveguide.com.au/Tours/638211/Ian_Moss_Wes_Carr/Ian_Moss_and_Wes_Carr_Shake_It_Up_Tour. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
- ^ a b "ARIA Awards 2009: History: Winners by Year". ARIA Music Awards. Australian Recording Industry Association. http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-year.php?year=2009. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
- ^ "Wes Carr on being true to himself". Herald Sun. Australia: Herald and Weekly Times. 20 June 2011. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/wes-carr-on-being-true-to-himself/story-e6frf96x-1226078124840. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
- ^ "Wes Carr an angry Idol no more". Adelaide Now. News Limited. 9 June 2011. http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/confidential/wes-carr-an-angry-idol-no-more/story-e6fredq3-1226072705523. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
- ^ "Been a Long Time – Single". Itunes.apple.com.au. http://itunes.apple.com/au/album/been-a-long-time-single/id441685970. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
- ^ "Marry me". OK!. 10 February 2011. http://www.okmagazine.com.au/insider/244-marry-me.htm. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
- ^ "Chartifacts – Week Commencing: 27th June 2011". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5znVWTiuX.
- ^ "2009 Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards Winners!". Take 40 Australia. Mcm Entertainment. 13 November 2009. http://www.take40.com/news/17653/2009-nickelodeon-kids'-choice-awards-winners!. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Natalie Gauci |
Australian Idol Winner Season 6 (2008) |
Succeeded by Stan Walker |
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