Casey Donovan Big, Beautiful and Sexy Interview

Casey Donovan Big, Beautiful and Sexy Interview

Celebrating the release of her new single 'Big, Beautiful & Sexy', songstress Casey Donovan is taking her new outlook on life around Australia! Donovan has faced head-on all the criticism she received after wining Australian Idol. Gone is the shy teenager and in her place is a proud and confident poster girl for big, beautiful and sexy women.

Casey has been working extremely hard with the Women of Soul concept show and for the highly acclaimed musical The Sapphires alongside iconic Indigenous entertainer Christine Anu were she played the role of Cynthia strutting and dancing across the stage, stealing the show.

Donovan is a confident role model for all women and explained; "the concept of Big, Beautiful & Sexy is about living in the world today with all the negativity around being big," Donovan explains. "The song is written around my personal experience with being a big girl, and to put it out there that 'Yes I'm big, I'm beautiful & I'm sexy' and I'm not afraid to put it out there! I'm happy and I'm proud of my life, who I am and what I do!"

Donovan always performs a stunning show, empowering audiences with her amazing vocals and unforgettable stage presence. Donovan says the shows will embody the same tenacity and spirit; "the tour is going to be a showcase of Big, Beautiful & Sexy showgirls that I idolise, and a night of great music. It will be the story of my life, and also include some big show numbers from the likes of Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Mama Cass, Queen Latifa and more."

Big, Beautiful & Sexy is released digitally on 7 August 2010 via iTunes and other online retailers.

Big, Beautiful & Sexy Tour
Saturday 7th August: Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill NSW, (02) 9625 5500
Friday 20th August : Slide, Darlinghurst, Sydney NSW , (02) 8915 1899
Saturday 21st August: Wentworthville Leagues Club, Wentworthville NSW, (02) 8868 9200
Saturday 28th August : Lizottes, Kincumber, NSW, (02) 4368 2017
Sunday 29th August: Lizottes Newcastle, NSW.

Tickets available for Big, Beautiful & Sexy tour through venues.

For more information please see: www.caseydonovan.com.au

Interview with Casey Donovan

Tell us about your latest single Big, Beautiful & Sexy?

Casey Donovan: Big, Beautiful and Sexy is written about my personal experiences with everyday people within the industry. It is one of my favourite songs at the moment and I am loving it because it has a very strong message behind it.


How would you describe your music?

Casey Donovan: Eclectic. I like a little bit of everything.


When you auditioned for Australian Idol in 2004, did you ever think you would win?

Casey Donovan: Never! I never thought that, I went along for the ride. It actually took me a little bit more effort to get in and turn up for the audition, in the fact that I was a 16 year old girl in high school and there was a little bit of bullying that happened at school. There were many things that deterred me from waiting to go onto a television show because that may have resulted in more bullying.


Do you think that Australian Idol helped with your confidence?

Casey Donovan: Definitely. Although, I was shy and didn't talk a lot, I definitely observed many things and learnt from that.


Since Australian Idol, six years ago, what have you been up too?

Casey Donovan: Wow! Six years in a nutshell. After winning Australian Idol I was pretty busy for a year and a half and then after that I spiraled down for some time, resting. A year or two after that break I was back writing and keeping busy. Of late I have been working with Woman of Soul and RSL gigs. I have just finished a seven month tour with The Sapphires around Australia and also over in, South Korea. Now I am starting my national tour of Big, Beautiful and Sexy.


Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?

Casey Donovan: People and life experiences, writing truth, that is what I really enjoy writing about, it also helps you get a lot of stuff off your chest and put it into context and have people sing along with it, it is great because sometimes my audience has had those experiences, as well. Music is what makes the world go round.


What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

Casey Donovan: I listen to a whole lot of different artists. Lately I have been listening to a girl called Jess Hartland, an Australian singer; I have really got into her music. I listen to a lot of Aretha Franklin- I have been doing the whole Motown genre, it is always being re-done, although it is old school music it is new-school because people keep bringing them back out which is fantastic.


Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

Casey Donovan: There were a couple of times. I got kicked pretty hard as being someone 'different' and someone that people couldn't market or had no idea how to market me and couldn't be bothered putting the time and effort in. There was a time there were I was deeply depressed and now I have recovered from depression and I feel as if I had to go through that dark period of my life to come out on top and recharge. I am hungrier for life. I love the fact that I am still me, inside of all of this, I hope that is one thing people can relate to, I have been down and there has been family issues, so many people in this world have gone through that and understand what that feels like. I promote depression more, because it is such a big thing. I'd push anyone to jump on to www.beyondblue.org.au and seek help.


Do you think singing, writing and music helped you out of that bad time?

Casey Donovan: Definitely! It is something that did pull me through, there are some songs that I don't think will ever be released or put with a melody because they're dark and I don't even look back on those lyrics because it was a really dark time in my life. I don't ever want to be back there. Music helps the soul and if you have to write something down on a piece of paper to get it off your chest and then throw it away it is so much better than keeping it all bottled up inside.


Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Casey Donovan: I love live. I am into live music because people get the chance to see you and see how you get that emotion though. Whereas you can only imagine what people are doing in a studio. It is great to get into the studio if you're regularly pumping out new songs and then people still get the opportunity to see it live.


What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Casey Donovan: There was a couple of Australian artists that I was into at the time and I still adore; Kasey Chambers, Vanessa Amorosi and Katie Noonan were my idols growing up. Prior to Australia Idol I'd sing Vanessa Amorosi's 'Absolutely Everybody' I wanted to be a part of that and get out there. I have always wanted to write my own music and I am doing that now, which is amazing.


What has been your favorite part of becoming a music artist?

Casey Donovan: I think it has been a collaboration of things, writing and getting out there and seeing Australia and a bit of this world. Who would have ever thought that's what actually would have happened.


If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Casey Donovan: I'd be grateful to collaborate with anyone, really. I would love to write with so many people, I'd love to collaborate with India Arie or if I could ever meet Aretha Franklin! Oh My! That would be great!


Do you believe Aretha Franklin is your number one inspiration?

Casey Donovan: Aretha would have to be in the top, I listen to so much music that I am inspired by so many artists, I find it hard to pick a favourite.


Do you have a website fans can visit?

Casey Donovan: Yes! www.caseydonovan.com.au


Can you tell us 5 things required for a happy healthy & enjoyable life?

Casey Donovan: Water
Deodorant
Facebook
Great Friends
And, (there is so many) the beach.