newspaper and magazine articals

Cute photo.

I just came across this article in The Age from September last year but I don't think it has been posted here before. Forgive me if it has ...


The AGE, September 28, 2008

Carl Risely is a sailor who turned Idol who turned crooner, as Leon Gettler reports.

From growing up on the Gold Coast, to the Royal Australian Navy, to the finals of Australian Idol to working as crooner - Carl Riseley is only 25 years old but his career has had more twists and turns than most twice his age. Many would be jangled by all the changes. He remains remarkably laid back about the constant dislocation, as mellow as his sound.

"I've just embraced it," he says. "I don't let it affect me too much because it's where I want to go."

When Riseley finishes his Australian tour at month's end, he will start work on his second album and gigging. His first album, appropriately named The Rise and over which he's been compared to Harry Connick, was released in April. What makes this career trajectory so remarkable is that he only left the Navy in February.

As a kid on the Gold Coast, he learned trumpet from his father, a boat builder who played music as a hobby. "He obviously didn't force it on me but he taught me to play when I was young, maybe three or four," he says.

Determined to become a musician, he joined the Navy when he was 20. Why? Because it's one of the few jobs where you get paid to practise all day and perform. He never rose above the rank of Able Seaman ("second from the very bottom") but he didn't care. All he wanted to do was play.

And to see the world. His 21st birthday was on a plane travelling to Iraq to entertain the troops. And it was only in the navy that he discovered his voice. "I knew I could sing because I liked to do it in the shower and around the house. I would just sing jazz stuff, but it wasn't a serious thing."

Riseley ended up gigging in the navy rock band, belting out covers and rock standards. And when he wasn't singing, he was on trumpet.

So how does someone go from the Navy to Australian Idol?

"I lost a bet," he admits. "I said to a mate if you try out for the Navy soccer side and get in, I'll audition for Idol. We made the bet, thinking he wouldn't get in. He did, so I had to do the audition and got through."

Able Seaman Riseley made it to the top 24. The judges then nominated Riseley for his version of the Everly Brothers hit Bye Bye Love. Then he took another risk: a jazz version of Waltzing Matilda. It could have been canned as corny but Riseley figured the massive amount of free publicity was worth the risk.

Riseley got kicked off Australian Idol in November but, by then, he was on his way. He had reached the top three and had generated enormous publicity. He signed up with manager Ralph Carr who also looks after Vanessa Amorosi and Kate Ceberano, left the Navy and moved to Melbourne. He hasn't looked back.

"This is a lot more challenging and rewarding. In the navy, there is only so far you can go in life, especially in music. They're not really interested in music.

"People don't individualise you as a singer when you're in the Navy band. But now, whatever I do is reflected on my name in whatever I sing."

I hadn't read this one before. It's such a good article I'm copying it here for posterity. Thanks for finding it Amby.

And that pic is too hot to leave hidden away in some remote website all on it's smoulderingly gorgeous ownsome!

The rise and rise of Carl Riseley

SAM KELTON

April 30, 2009 12:00am

LOOK OUT, ladies. Carl Riseley is stripping back. The trumpet-blowing Aussie crooner may be fully clothed, but this time around, his sound and upcoming tour will be considerably more naked.

Shedding the big band and opting for a quartet behind him, the singer describes the show as "romantic".

"I remember touring on the first album thinking 'Man, I've got this big band and it's awesome but surely there's got to be a way to make money out of touring because I'm bringing this band around with me everywhere'," Riseley says with a laugh.

"We wanted to try that for the next record and it worked out really well and it's a romantic record. I hope people get a romantic experience out of it.

"I was looking for a new sound to go forward with and this really just signifies me as an artist - this is me the artist and vocalist rather than the singer/trumpet player."

Following his stint on Australian Idol, Riseley immediately veered clear of the reality-show juggernaut, which by far was the greatest career move the singer could have made.

Building a devoted fan base and successful business relationship with record label Universal, Riseley now finds himself having more choice and it's paying off, with the crooner gaining prominence as one of the best Australia has to offer. Now Riseley is trying to impart his smooth jazz sounds to the younger generations. "There aren't many artists (in Australia) doing this style so I'm quite lucky in that regard," he says.

"But I'm noticing the younger generation heading along to the shows and I'm trying to open up that fan base with The Stillest Hour because it's not exactly just jazz - it's more popular jazz with a mix of folk.

"I always have young children coming up saying 'Oh, I'm learning trumpet and it's so exciting' and 'I love this music' which is really nice to hear because we don't want jazz disappearing over the next couple of decades."

As a performer, Riseley has grown significantly since those Idol voting lines closed.

When it comes to nerves and taking the stage as a commanding performer fronting a big band, Riseley admits time and ambition has left him a seasoned performer, and Adelaide was the stepping stone.

"People ask 'Do you get nervous?' and I say no, because it's what I want to do and it's fun," Riseley says.

"I remember my first debut show after Idol. I remember it because it was in Adelaide at the Gov and that was the first time anyone had come and paid to see Carl Riseley sing. It was very scary and daunting but I ended up getting a standing ovation and it was a great night - but, man, I've come a long way since then." Two years have passed since Riseley was on Australian Idol in 2007, but one thing is for sure: He exited the series with more ambition and passion than those who finished higher than him on the Idol food chain.

"I'm really happy with where I am - I'm so glad I came third," he says.

"Natalie's got married now and she could be settling down for all I know. And Matt - well, he was young and it was weird circumstances and he didn't like the spotlight, but it's been a year and I think he's about to bring out his first EP.

"It's not that I'm trying to get away from Idol but it will be nice one day when it's gone and it hasn't been on the air for a few years and people forget about it.

"I mean this same thing happened with Tina Arena and Kylie Minogue and even Stevie Wonder, but the thing is that's just the way it happens for some people but I completely embrace what happened to me. It will be nice when people say 'I remember him for that album' and not a show or something."

What: Carl Riseley in concert

When: June 4

Where: Norwood Live


Carl Riseley is stripping back. The trumpet-blowing Aussie crooner may be fully clothed, but this time around, his sound and upcoming tour will be considerably more naked.
He's certainly mastered his sexy face. . .

This pic of honeyman is doing things to me. It should be illegal to look that sexy! And the metaphorical connotations alluding to Carl's naked body aren't helping me any . . .

Lord cut off my limbs for this Friday night in Perth or they'll be wound around Mr Riseley's taut body and nothing will prise me off him.

Angeo... please don't have any limbs removed until you've taken some photos for us!!!

Sunday Herald Sun, in the back pages yesterday said Carl filmed an episode on Friday for upcoming viewing on Neighbours, now I am not a Neighbours watcher, I used to be years ago, but not now, so I will have to keep an eye out for it. Kate Ceberano was another who filmed an episode and some others, cannot remember who right off the top of my head.

Does anyone else know more about it?

Hi Yvonne, Carl mentioned it on the chat. Have a look at the 'next Carl chat' thread. We don't have a transcript but between us Amanda and I have listed some of the main points. He also told us he'd be at the Melbourne Carol's by Candlelight, Christmas Eve.

Here's what Amanda wrote:

carl and the boys are also doing a camio apperance on neighbours early next year they will be performing the stillest hour at charlies bar on the show.

you should join us on the chats Yvonne. If only to witness how us women can completely dissolve into a seething puddle of raging hormones just chatting to honeyman online

I would if I had home internet on.

a funny online interveiw with carl

http://www.beatheateat.com/micro_interviews/carl_riseley.html

This interview with The Hump Day Crew took place on October 8th but was only just posted on their blog with the link to the podcast on Nov 4th. It's well worth a listen. Carl sounds so relaxed with these guys and is very open and chatty. I love it, I've been sitting here at my laptop chuckling and grinning like a loon. Here's the part posted on the blog which is transcribed from the intro to the interview, the whole interview you can download and listen to at the link and the link to the blog page is just below the picture here - enjoy!


http://thehumpdaycrew.blogspot.com/2009/11/carl-riseley-and-all-that-jazz.html

Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Carl Riseley and all that jazz

A: You’re listening to the SMOOTH OPERATORS known as the Hump Day Crew. NEVER GIVE UP as WE’VE ONLY JUST BEGUN our LIDO SHUFFLE but it’s time to COME AWAY WITH ME for some REMINISCING and PURE IMAGINATION.

G: Whether you are in the ARMS OF A WOMAN, WALTZING MATILDA

A: or reading THE LETTER from THIS GUY’S IN LOVE WITH YOU knowing TIME AFTER TIME you want him to JUST KISS ME, TENDERLY.

G: With all this talk about going HOME with THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA named MAGNOLIA…

A: Her name is MAGNOLIA? THAT’S ALL?

G: Yes! MY FUNNY VALENTINE ‘S name is MAGNOLIA. IT’S NOT UNUSUAL. You are just being a JEALOUS GUY because you CAN’T BUY ME LOVE! ……Anyway in THE STILLEST HOUR we listened to our next guest’s music and I think of WHEN WE FALL IN LOVE because she begs to me “DON’T LET ME BE LONELY TONIGHT”……

A: DOES ANYBODY REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS? LET’S FALL IN LOVE with Carl Riseley!

He's a cool cat who stayed true to his genre throughout the 2007 season of Australian Idol. His determination paid off as he made it to the top 3 and is now in the process of writing his 3rd album.

Click here to listen to Carl Riseley chat with the Hump Day Crew http://www.cpod.org.au/download.php?id=2442

Thanks so much for this Angeo - it's an absolute gem!!

I'd say I'd disagree with the age of his audiences though, it's definitely more mixed now than what it used to be haha.

great interveiw angeo.
i wonder what the inxs tune was that carl was gonna do on idol for australian week.