Adelaide contestants Skye Elisabeth and Michelle Martinez. Picture: Steve Moorhouse Source: Supplied
A "GOOD neck of Bourbon," lucky undies and going mute are just some of the unusual secrets to success for The Voice artists now contesting the battle rounds on Channel 9's top-rating talent show.
As the teams fight for survival, News Limited sounded out favourites from each state of Australia now competing to claim the season two title.
Asked to share their tips for controlling pre-show nerves, NSW rocker Simon Meli, who flew 30 hours from Sweden for his shot at a blind audition, revealed the key to conquering his performance anxiety was alcoholic.
"Normally I bounce around and get them jitters out through my feet, dance around, sip on a good neck of Bourbon so I feel good and look good. No matter how nervous you would feel before walking out on stage, it all changes anyway from the first step out in to the lights - so what are you afraid of?" the Team Ricky singer said, adding: "Oh and I wear a pair of undies that I remember having a good gig in before!"
Victorian hopefuls for The Voice Australia: (L-R) Tim Morrison, Sarah Martin ,Josh Kyle, Michael Paynter, Imogen Brough, Caterina Torres, Nicholas Roy, Harrison Craig and twins Bec and Sebastian.
Melbourne pop princess, Caterina Torres, who also won herself a spot on the Latin superstar's team, says the best advice she's been given by her coach so far is "to not listen to the song your performing for at least 24 hours beforehand, to relax and do something else."
Michael Paynter, who triumphed for Team Joel in the first battle round against Louise Roussety, says his Good Charlotte leader compared finding the right groove on stage to driving a car.
"Nobody wants to be in a car with a nervous driver...everyone feels nervous and wants to escape. And no one wants to be in a car with a show-off driver, doing burn-outs. It's unattractive. Just drive confidently and let people enjoy the journey and the view," Paynter said.
The Voice NSW contestants: Mitchell Anderson, Rob Edwards, Nick Kingswell, Nick Stenmark, Oscar Chavez, Ben Goldstein, Hannah Darling, Alex Gibson, Emma Pask, Danny Ross, Celia Pavey, Simon Meli, Anna Weatherup. Picture: Justin Lloyd
Like many looking for a second chance this year, Tim Morrison said The Voice was "a more dignified way for a musician to express themselves as an artist than any other show I have seen."
The success of Sunshine Coast soul singer, Darren Percival, runner-up to Karise Eden last year, had inspired Morrison, Nicholas Roy and Danny Ross, among many of this year's contestants, to try their luck.
Ross revealed: "we have played at some of the same festivals along the east coast and watching him up there I was always left feeling empowered and inspired."
The Voice Australia contestants from Queensland. Picture: Annette Dew
Canberra busker Alex Gibson, who won his battle round for Team Seal said of Percival: "when he walked out on stage and sang Jealous Guy I was blown away. What I respect about Darren is his ability to really make you feel something. It's rare that someone can connect with you on that level."
Of their own ambitions after The Voice, Team Joel's Hannah Darling from Sydney's northern beaches, has her sights set on "a rural tour of Australia in an old VW Combi van...with a really incredible album in hand."
Ross, who hails from the NSW south coast village of Kangaroo Valley, has set his goals further afield and says, in five years he plans to be "polishing my Grammys!"
