Wollongong’s Idol
Wollongong’s Idol
March 29, 2007
Section: News
Zhen Quin and Mathew Demos. Could one of these two be Australia’s next Idol?
TEN local crooners have been put through to the next stage of Australian Idol after the hit television show auditioned for new talent in Wollongong last Tuesday.
Hundreds of hopeful people auditioned for the honour at the University of Wollongong and of the 10 that made it past the first hurdle at four were from the northern suburbs of Wollongong.
One of those hopeful participants, Mathew Demos, works at the West Leagues Club in Unanderra and lives in Corrimal. He has been playing guitar and singing since his early teens and now, at 28, is a regular solo performer at local pubs, clubs, weddings, and parties in the area.
“I suppose I was excited, I didn’t really expect to get through,” Mr Demos said of his achievement.
The laid back attitude with which the young man has taken the vote of confidence is in keeping with his late entry into the competition after he decided to try out at four in the afternoon on the day of the auditions.
“I’ve got no expectations for the competition.”
Another contestant who auditioned without a lot of forethought was Zhen Quin from Fairy Meadow.
A commerce student at the University of Wollongong, Mr Quin auditioned to fill in some spare time before his next class.
“It’s kind of very funny because that day I was just going back to uni for my class and I saw the Australian Idol registration, and I had hours to wait for my next class and decided to audition,” he said.
“Most of my friends said to me that I have a nice voice.
“I haven’t been taught by a music teacher, I just like singing by myself. I just like singing in the shower. When they said they were sending me to Sydney to see the judges it totally surprised me.”
“I’m ready to be kicked off. I’m ready for that, but I can still sing for some people,” he said.
The two other contestants facing the judges in a few weeks time are Matty Woods from Woonona, and Mathew Ogle of Thirroul.
The four will travel to the Sydney auditions in late May.