Back in February for a Colombo show
He shot into the spotlight with his memorable audition on ‘The Voice Australia’ last year and ever since Julian Simonsz has been captivating audiences both in Sri Lanka and Australia.
His energetic performances on stage, the launch of his new self-titled EP and his phenomenal covers on YouTube speak volumes of a musician who’s made the most of every opportunity that’s come his way.
The Sunday Times caught up with Julian on his recent visit to Sri Lanka.
Born into a musical family, Julian grew up surrounded by music but was not sure whether music was something he wanted to make his career.
A three year Bachelor’s degree in sound production however gave him a sound technical foundation and helped him start mixing and producing his own music.
His own compositions made Julian realise that he needed to push himself as an artist. Fortunately that opportunity came up on ‘The Voice Australia’.
Julian relives that blind audition on ‘The Voice’ in May 2014. Performing Justin Timberlake’s ‘Suit and tie’ he had judges Ricky Martin and Kylie Minogue turn around in record time.
Will. i. am was soon to follow. Judge Joel Madden preferred to be a little more dramatic, dancing in his seat before finally turning around once Julian hit that high note.
“That moment was so surreal,” Julian says, adding that he had a hard time not to get carried away by that reaction.
Entering ‘The Voice’ was completely unplanned. “The Voice was the perfect platform for me.”
“After being a fan of the show for many years, to finally be able to work with Will. i. am was both a privilege and a wonderful opportunity,” Julian says.
Julian’s first single “I do it for you” was inspired by his wife, Nelu and explores that almost forgotten aspect of life -appreciation.
On October 25 Julian’s single ‘I do it for you’ won him the best male award, at the Yes FM Homegrown Awards ceremony.
Knowing that his fans here backed him and just to see that people are interested and follow him is such an amazing feeling, he says. Winning the award was “an absolute honour, I’m rendered speechless every time I look at that award and the pictures from that night.”
For local fans the good news is that Julian will back in February to perform his first live show in Sri Lanka along with his band.