OFF TO THE OPERA HOUSE!

[Jim]

Ok I've a question for everyone.

In Damien's interests is it better for him to win idol or be the runner up?

Yes the winner gets a contract, but the runner up has more artistic freedom as they choose which record company and types of songs they want. Why I'm asking is I honestly don't know what's better for Damien. And when I know I'll vote accordingly.

[shimmery]

We've talked about this before when it was just speculation! but that's ok, there's many new faces here

Basically my pov was that it's great for Damien either way - he can have more time to record if he comes 2nd, but will have the glory and a beautiful kick-start to his career publicity if he wins. I think he is in a win-win situation.

Damien was just on Channel 10 news in Sydney saying how he was given total freedom in how he recorded the winner's song, and he has done it in an "unconventional for idol" way.

So, I think at his age he is definitely aware of exactly how he wants to record and is sticking by that in the recording studio.

[sazzita]

Well said!

[Neski]

damn i missed something good then shims right??

if the winners single sounds perfect for D and he got to do it HIS way then whats the probs...as shims said its a win win situation out there for him!

*chants in head - D!D!D!D!*

[Jim]

Oh thanks so much for that. And I agree it was well said. So when I can I will vote my thumbs off for our man. YAY!

[Mi chiamano Kami]

My take on the first-versus-second thing is that it's not that the person who comes first is at a disadvantage - it's that the people who have come second and succeeded were a little older and definitely more experienced than the actual winners. Shannon Noll... was about 27 on Idol I think and had done a lot of performing before, while in comparison Guy, while having recorded and such before, was a little more naive and has allowed the record company to push him around a bit until now I think. Same story with Casey and Anthony.

Damien to my mind has the qualities that have made Shannon and Anthony big stars, and if I remember they've already promised the winner more freedom and time to record an album this time, so I believe he can make winning work for him. I'd rather vote as much as I can and work to guarantee him a contract than not vote just because coming second has traditionally worked. Look at Emily Williams - judges' favourite all the way through, and she's with the Divas now but nothing is really happening for her solo. I don't believe for a second that would happen to Damien if he came second because he's shown he has the ability to stand out without judge favouritism, but I want him to have the best chance possible and so I'll be voting to help him win.

Besides... I know when I hear the winner's single, I'll probably adore it and desperately want his version.

[Mysterri]

Well said everyone. Jim, the bottom line is that when interviewed, Damien has said that he very much wants to win Australian Idol. His wish is our command! Keep voting

[winterlong]

Its an interesting question Jim!

I will confess that when my obsession started (heeeeeeeee!) I told myself I would vote him to the final 2, then sit on my hands. I was and still am concerned about the speed at which the winners album gets made, and how much of D's own material would be on it. And would any of his material get released as singles? Apart from the artistic benefits of D being able to release his own work, theres greater financial rewards too.....*song writer royalties!*


I am really assured by the fact that D has been able to put his own spin on the single, and I cant wait to hear in on Sunday.
In reality, I dont think I would be able to stop myself from voting for him, hitting that redial button has become some sort of tic for me...



Also, I do believe the little interviews I see with D where he says he wants the win. Because I want whatever D and Eileen want too! Perhaps......if theres anyone lurking out there reading this that would know....could we get a little confirmation that the win is best? Just to settle this question now? *notsosubtlehint*

[damienfan]

tess said:

yayyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Me and my mum just screamed the entire street down!

;)i think i did i screamed yes so loud and i did the funky chicken dance whilst i was at it too lol

[shimmery]

ah thanks guys And I also agree mysterri and kamitsuki with what you said, well said. I was going to add this but you've already said that I've seen a few interviews now where Damien has said he'd like to win this so I think that this shows that maybe he wants the supporters to know that he'd like to go for it and that he can handle it ok if he wins.

[Mi chiamano Kami]

The news story with Damien talking about recording the winner's single was shown here a couple of hours ago. Great interview, and it was cute to see a bit of Jess on there spazzing about everything.

Anyway... I agree, shimmery, that Damien is trying to tell us that he wants the win. I wish I knew more about exactly how long he'd get for his album, but he must know more than us, both about this situation and about the music industry in general, and seems fine with it so I trust his judgment. He is a grown man after all and we need to give him the chance! In any case I don't think I could watch the final with an easy mind if I didn't vote after doing it every week. Even if it did seem to be in his best interests, it would feel like a betrayal to just stop and deliberately deny him the chance of victory.

And this is just my random crazy 2am brain thinking... but isn't it refreshing to hear someone want to win? Fourth season in and everyone's obsessed with coming second. Damien must know the score with winners, and yet he's brave enough to go there. I would like to see Damien win and blow the stigma of first place right out of the water. It's not like an Idol winner can't succeed - look at Kelly Clarkson for an example.

I don't want to push my views onto others, but at the same time I really want everyone considering withholding their votes for Damien to have the chance to rethink it. The fact is Damien has said it would mean a lot to him to win. We should do what we can to show him how much he means to us. Idol is not quite the same album-in-a-week machine it has been previously. I believe Damien will have time to do what he wants - and let's face it, if he can pull off Nessun Dorma live in a week, he'll be able to do amazing things with the time he gets.
At least listen to his version of the winner's single on Sunday's show and decide based on the quality of that. Please? *begging face*

Okay, I'm going to go to bed now and not worry about any of this for at least six hours! I swear, this year's Idol is very quickly sending me as mad as Mark Holden...

[shimmery]

LOL, don't worry, no one can be as mad as Mark

I think Damien has made some seriously brave choices so far too kamitsuki and yes isn't it nice to hear someone say they want to win - another brave decision! He seems to have been ready to record an album for a while and with all the talk about Idol being different this year, inclusive of singer songwriters, it looks like they are making room for a different type of winner's album. That seemed to be reinforced by what Damien said in the news tonight about the single.

So, I'll be voting as though he wants to win

[mozaic]

I don't think I could not vote either! I've been voting like crazy this far.. I'd love for Damien to win and break the idol mold! It's great to hear that he has put his own spin on the single, really looking forward to hearing that on Sunday

[mozaic]

I read this today:

"the 2006 winner's album will not be released until early 2007 because of the later completion of the Idol series."

So maybe there will be a little more time for the winner? Usually they rush it out for xmas.

[Roxy]

Have just read everything you guys have written....and all through it, I was thinking there is no way I could not vote for him after he has come this far....so glad you have all decided to keep voting so we can see Mr Damien Leith announced Winner of Australian Idol 06...it sure does have a beautiful sound to it, doesn't it.

I can't wait to hear his songs for this Sunday, especially the Winners song, he will make it sound superb for sure...and if that is true Mozaic about the Album coming out early next year, then that is even better news...he will have so much more input into it......YEAH.