Shannon Noll

It’s been three years since we’ve last seen a full album from Shannon Noll, and for good reason. The former Idol contestant has had a lot on his plate, including his second appearance on our TV screens during his time on Dancing with the Stars, but a brand new album is finally on the horizon.
“I’ve got it just about written, and I wrote a lot of it towards the end of last year,” says Noll. “We are sort of just umming and ahhing whether or not to finish it off by the end of the year or wait until early next year, but I’m still doing a bit of writing in the studio because you can always come up with something better, hopefully, but I’m pretty happy with what I’ve got so far.”
Shannon has already given us a little taste of what to expect from his upcoming release with single ‘We Only Live Once’, which has shown he’s moving in a slightly new direction from his previous work.
“The reception has been terrific,” says Shannon. “With the show we are sort of playing it right at the end of the set and everyone seems to know all the words. It’s just got a real happy vibe to it and everyone sings along and gets right into it.
“There is a lot of diversity on there – we sort of experimented a bit with this album with different styles. There is a song on there that features a guy from Sydney who raps, there is another one where there is no guitar in it at all that I wrote with Ilan Kidron from The Potbelleez. It’s a little bit different and we have maybe taken some chances, but I really love the songs.”
Shannon is currently halfway through his national We Only Live Once tour and is playing both old and new songs, making for a very varied set.
“It’s probably the biggest set I’ve ever had to take on range-wise,” says Noll. “We’ve put a couple of songs back in the set that I haven’t played in years like ‘Learn to Fly’ and ‘In Pieces’. It’s great to revisit those songs and I’m really enjoying playing them.”
Deciding what to play on any given night is quickly becoming harder for Noll, with album seven on the way showing just how well he has transitioned from his former Idol days. But he strongly feels it is his fan base that was first built during the show which has pushed him forward.
“It all comes down to the enormous support I’ve had from my fan base,” explains Noll. “They are the ones who make it all happen by buying tickets and albums, so without that I obviously wouldn’t be here, so it’s very humbling to know that you’ve got these people backing you out there.”
And despite Shannon’s career now entering its second decade, he still feels there is always room for improvement.
“I think I’m singing better than ever, so I just want to keep doing better and better shows and singing better and better,” says Noll. “You’re always growing as a performer and as a singer and you’re a bit ignorant if you think you can’t.
“I think over the years you get more mature in how you approach things, so I think there is a lot more I can do and I can keep striving for that.”
When&Where: Gateway Hotel, Corio – November 15
Written by Zach Broadhurst