Stan Walker
Encyclopedia
Stan Walker is an Australian recording artist and actor. In 2009, Walker was the winner on the seventh season
of Australian Idol
. He subsequently signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia.
In December 2009, Walker released his debut studio album, Introducing Stan Walker
, which included the hit single, "Black Box
". The album debuted at number three on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart
and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association
(ARIA). It also appeared on the New Zealand Albums Chart
at number two and was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ). In 2010, Walker released his second studio album, From the Inside Out
, which spawned the hit singles, "Unbroken
" and "Choose You
". The album debuted at number one on the New Zealand Albums Chart and number two on the ARIA Albums Chart. In November 2011, Walker released his third studio album, Let the Music Play
, which debuted at number 18 on the ARIA Albums Chart and number 12 in New Zealand, and spawned the hit single "Loud
".
During his career, Walker has won five New Zealand Music Awards
and has received four ARIA Music Award
nominations. He will make his acting debut in the upcoming New Zealand film, A Gift to Zion, due to be screened in 2012.
. Walker grew up on a marae in Mount Maunganui
, New Zealand. In New Zealand, he attended Fairfield Intermediate and Hamilton Boys' High School
. Walker has compared his early life to that portrayed in the 1994 New Zealand film, Once Were Warriors
, which tells the story of an urban Māori family and their problems with poverty, alcoholism and domestic violence. His father was repeatedly jailed for beating his wife, April, and five children, including Walker. This led to Walker smoking marijuana and thieving
. Walker was also sexually abused by a relative over a nine-month period. His parents were drug dealers and both have spent time in jail for drug offences.
At the age of 15, Walker started going to church, after hearing a testimony of a girl who had a similar family background to his. Walker says his passion for music and church made him a "good boy" again. After several violent episodes, Walker and his family moved back to Australia in Coolangatta, Queensland
. In 2009, Walker lost a daughter when his then-girlfriend suffered a miscarriage
. He had planned to call his baby, Ataahua, which is Māori for "beautiful", and wears her name as a tattoo on his neck. Before Walker had entered Australian Idol, he was a shop assistant at a menswear shop in Coolangatta.
, singing John Legend
's "Ordinary People
" at his Brisbane
audition. He received praise from the judges and progressed through to the theatre rounds receiving more recognition from the judges, with Kyle Sandilands
saying, "You're the only person after the auditions that I ever told anyone about; family, friends other people that I run into. I only told them about you." After all three theatre rounds were over, it was announced that Walker had made it into the top twenty four semi-finals. Walker was apart of the first group to perform in the semi-finals. The following evening, it was announced that the first two contestants to be put through to the final top twelve according to viewer votes, were Walker and fellow contestant Kate Cook.
Throughout the season, Walker was praised continually for his voice and for the daring choices he took with his song choices. One of his most highly praised performances on the show was of the Prince
song, "Purple Rain
", which received a standing ovation
from the judging panel and the audience. The grand final was held on 22 November 2009 at the Sydney Opera House
. After the viewer votes had been tallied, it was announced that the winner was Walker. He is the first person of New Zealand descent to win Australian Idol. After coming out of Australian Idol as the winner, Walker signed to Sony Music Australia and received an artist's development fund worth $
200,000. During this time, he established his own company called, Stan Walker Music Pty Ltd, which is run by his mother, April. The company was set up in order to negotiate his contract with Sony Music and not end up like past Australian Idol contestant Damien Leith
, who claimed he did not make any money from his Winners Journey release.
stan's debut single, "Black Box
", was released digitally
following his win on Australian Idol on 22 November. The song peaked at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart
and was certified double platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association
(ARIA), for selling 140,000 copies. It also peaked at number one on the New Zealand Singles Chart
and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ), for selling 30,000 copies. Walker's debut studio album, Introducing... Stan Walker, was released on 8 December 2009, three days ahead of its original release date. The album featured the selected songs Walker had performed as part of the top twelve on Australian Idol, as well the two original songs, "Black Box" and "Think of Me", which was produced by the first Australian Idol winner, Guy Sebastian
. Introducing... Stan Walker debuted at number three on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified platinum by the ARIA. It also made its debut on the New Zealand Albums Chart at number two and was certified triple platinum by the RIANZ, for selling 45,000 copies.
to help Compassion Australia
's relief effort of the 2010 Haiti earthquake
as an ambassador. Walker's second studio album, From the Inside Out
, was released on 20 August 2010. The album debuted at number two on the ARIA Albums Chart. In New Zealand, it debuted at number one on the New Zealand Albums Chart, and became Walker's first number-one album in the country. Eventually, From the Inside Out was certified platinum by the RIANZ.
"Unbroken
" was released as the album's lead single
on 12 April 2010. On the New Zealand Singles Chart, the song peaked at number nine and was certified gold. In Australia, "Unbroken" peaked at number 23 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified gold. In June 2010, Walker featured on New Zealand rapper Young Sid
's single, "Stuck in a Box". The album's second single, "Choose You
", was released on 20 July 2010. The song peaked at number three on the New Zealand Singles Chart and was certified platinum. It also appeared on the ARIA Singles Chart at number 16 and was certified platinum. "Homesick
", featuring rapper Kayo, was released as the album's third and final single on 29 October. It peaked at number 21 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and was certified gold. This single did not chart in Australia. In November 2010, Walker served as a support act for the Summerbeatz
tour in Australia, touring alonside Flo Rida
, Jay Sean, Akon
and Ciara
, among other artists. In February 2011, Walker held his first headlining tour in New Zealand.
, was released on 18 November 2011. It debuted at number 18 on the ARIA Album Chart and number 12 on the New Zealand Albums Chart. Its lead single, "Loud
", was released on 2 May 2011. The song peaked at number nine on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified platinum. On the New Zealand Singles Chart, "Loud" peaked at number eight and was certified gold. The album's second single, "Light It Up
", featuring Static Revenger
, was released on 16 September 2011. The song peaked at number 23 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and has reached number 45 on the ARIA Singles Chart. In October 2011, Walker was featured on Jessica Mauboy
's single, "Galaxy
", which peaked at number 13 on the ARIA Singles Chart. Walker and Mauboy will embark on their Galaxy Tour across Australia in January-February 2012, to celebrate the release of the song.
Walker will play the lead role in the upcoming New Zealand film, A Gift to Zion, as a young, ambitious Māori boy who wants to become an artist. When speaking of his role in the film, Walker told Herald Sun
, "They approached me ... the script is so good, it's basically who I was six years ago ... It's definitely the main reason I wanted to get involved."
Australian Idol (season 7)
The seventh and final season of the Australian Idol series began on 9 August 2009, to determine who would succeed Season 6 winner, Wes Carr. Beginning amid controversy, judge Kyle Sandilands was replaced by Sony Music record executive, Jay Dee Springbett. It was the first season where all four...
of Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
. He subsequently signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia.
In December 2009, Walker released his debut studio album, Introducing Stan Walker
Introducing Stan Walker
- Weekly charts :- Certifications :- Year-end charts :-Release history:...
, which included the hit single, "Black Box
Black Box (song)
"Black Box" is the debut single by season seven winner of Australian Idol, Stan Walker. It was released digitally on 22 November 2009, as the lead single from his debut studio album, Introducing.....
". The album debuted at number three on the Australian ARIA Albums Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...
(ARIA). It also appeared on the New Zealand Albums Chart
Recording Industry Association of New Zealand
The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand...
at number two and was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ). In 2010, Walker released his second studio album, From the Inside Out
From the Inside Out
From the Inside Out is the second studio album by Australian recording artist Stan Walker, released on 20 August 2010 through Sony Music Australia. Walker worked with several record producers and songwriters for the album, including Audius Mtawarira, Israel Cruz, Ryan Tedder, Phil Tan and Stuart...
, which spawned the hit singles, "Unbroken
Unbroken (Stan Walker song)
"Unbroken" is a song performed by Australian recording artist Stan Walker. Written and produced by OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder, the song was released by Sony Music Australia on 12 April 2010 as the lead single from Walker's second album, From the Inside Out...
" and "Choose You
Choose You
"Choose You" is a song by Australian recording artist Stan Walker, released as the second single from his second studio album, From the Inside Out, on 20 July 2010. The pop, R&B song was written by Carl Dimataga and Cassie Davis, with the latter also handling its production with Stuart Crichton and...
". The album debuted at number one on the New Zealand Albums Chart and number two on the ARIA Albums Chart. In November 2011, Walker released his third studio album, Let the Music Play
Let the Music Play (Stan Walker album)
Let the Music Play is the third studio album by Australian recording artist Stan Walker, released through Sony Music Australia on 18 November 2011. Walker worked with several record producers on the album, including Richard Vission, Chico Bennett, Nicholas "RAS" Furlong and Static Revenger, among...
, which debuted at number 18 on the ARIA Albums Chart and number 12 in New Zealand, and spawned the hit single "Loud
Loud (Stan Walker song)
"Loud" is a song performed by Australian recording artist Stan Walker. The song was released as a digital download on 6 May 2011 as the lead single from his third studio album, Let the Music Play.- Background :...
".
During his career, Walker has won five New Zealand Music Awards
New Zealand Music Awards
The New Zealand Music Awards show, is a major annual New Zealand music event where musical acts and singers are awarded each year. It has occurred every year since 1965 to outstanding New Zealand musicians and groups....
and has received four ARIA Music Award
ARIA Music Awards
The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association...
nominations. He will make his acting debut in the upcoming New Zealand film, A Gift to Zion, due to be screened in 2012.
1990–2009: Early life
Stan Walker was born on 23 October 1990 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia to parents Ross and April Walker. He is of Māori descent and is from the Tuhoe and Ngati Ranginui tribes in New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Walker grew up on a marae in Mount Maunganui
Mount Maunganui
Mount Maunganui is a town in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, located on a peninsula to the north of Tauranga. It was independent from Tauranga until the completion of the Tauranga Harbour Bridge in 1988....
, New Zealand. In New Zealand, he attended Fairfield Intermediate and Hamilton Boys' High School
Hamilton Boys' High School
Hamilton Boys' High School is a boys' secondary school in Hamilton, New Zealand. The school was established as Hamilton High School in 1903 but was later split into separate boys' and girls' schools. The school crest features a lion, sash and star, and bears the motto "Sapiens Fortunam Fingit Sibi"...
. Walker has compared his early life to that portrayed in the 1994 New Zealand film, Once Were Warriors
Once Were Warriors (film)
Once Were Warriors is a 1994 film based on New Zealand author Alan Duff's bestselling 1990 first novel. The film tells the story of an urban Māori family, the Hekes, and their problems with poverty, alcoholism and domestic violence, mostly brought on by family patriarch Jake...
, which tells the story of an urban Māori family and their problems with poverty, alcoholism and domestic violence. His father was repeatedly jailed for beating his wife, April, and five children, including Walker. This led to Walker smoking marijuana and thieving
Theft
In common usage, theft is the illegal taking of another person's property without that person's permission or consent. The word is also used as an informal shorthand term for some crimes against property, such as burglary, embezzlement, larceny, looting, robbery, shoplifting and fraud...
. Walker was also sexually abused by a relative over a nine-month period. His parents were drug dealers and both have spent time in jail for drug offences.
At the age of 15, Walker started going to church, after hearing a testimony of a girl who had a similar family background to his. Walker says his passion for music and church made him a "good boy" again. After several violent episodes, Walker and his family moved back to Australia in Coolangatta, Queensland
Coolangatta, Queensland
Coolangatta is the southernmost suburb of the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It has a population of 4,869 and is named after the schooner Coolangatta which was wrecked there in 1846....
. In 2009, Walker lost a daughter when his then-girlfriend suffered a miscarriage
Miscarriage
Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the spontaneous end of a pregnancy at a stage where the embryo or fetus is incapable of surviving independently, generally defined in humans at prior to 20 weeks of gestation...
. He had planned to call his baby, Ataahua, which is Māori for "beautiful", and wears her name as a tattoo on his neck. Before Walker had entered Australian Idol, he was a shop assistant at a menswear shop in Coolangatta.
2009: Australian Idol and Introducing... Stan Walker
In 2009, Walker auditioned for the seventh season of Australian IdolAustralian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
, singing John Legend
John Legend
John Roger Stephens , better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer, musician, and actor. He is the recipient of nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, he received the special Starlight award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.Prior to the release of his debut album, Stephens' career...
's "Ordinary People
Ordinary People (song)
"Ordinary People" is the second single from John Legend's album Get Lifted. The single has been certified gold by the RIAA. Critics were positive towards the song, praising it for its raw emotion and simplicity. The track also ended up being featured on the compilation album Now That's What I...
" at his Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
audition. He received praise from the judges and progressed through to the theatre rounds receiving more recognition from the judges, with Kyle Sandilands
Kyle Sandilands
Kyle Dalton Sandilands is an Australian radio and TV personality. He is currently the host with Jacqueline Henderson, better known as Jackie O, on the weekday morning radio program The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Sydney radio station 2Day FM, The Kyle and Jackie O Hour of Power which airs on...
saying, "You're the only person after the auditions that I ever told anyone about; family, friends other people that I run into. I only told them about you." After all three theatre rounds were over, it was announced that Walker had made it into the top twenty four semi-finals. Walker was apart of the first group to perform in the semi-finals. The following evening, it was announced that the first two contestants to be put through to the final top twelve according to viewer votes, were Walker and fellow contestant Kate Cook.
Throughout the season, Walker was praised continually for his voice and for the daring choices he took with his song choices. One of his most highly praised performances on the show was of the Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
song, "Purple Rain
Purple Rain (song)
"Purple Rain" is a power ballad by Prince and The Revolution. It is the title track from the 1984 album of the same name, which in turn is the soundtrack album for the 1984 film of the same name, and was released as the third single from that album. The song is a combination of rock, pop, gospel,...
", which received a standing ovation
Standing ovation
A standing ovation is a form of applause where members of a seated audience stand up while applauding after extraordinary performances of particularly high acclaim...
from the judging panel and the audience. The grand final was held on 22 November 2009 at the Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
. After the viewer votes had been tallied, it was announced that the winner was Walker. He is the first person of New Zealand descent to win Australian Idol. After coming out of Australian Idol as the winner, Walker signed to Sony Music Australia and received an artist's development fund worth $
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
200,000. During this time, he established his own company called, Stan Walker Music Pty Ltd, which is run by his mother, April. The company was set up in order to negotiate his contract with Sony Music and not end up like past Australian Idol contestant Damien Leith
Damien Leith
Damien Leo Leith is an Irish Australian singer–songwriter. He was the winner of the Network Ten music contest Australian Idol 2006Damien has also guest co-hosted 'The Morning Show' on Network Ten on 18 July 2011.He was born in Ireland and now lives in Australia with his Australian wife, Eileen...
, who claimed he did not make any money from his Winners Journey release.
stan's debut single, "Black Box
Black Box (song)
"Black Box" is the debut single by season seven winner of Australian Idol, Stan Walker. It was released digitally on 22 November 2009, as the lead single from his debut studio album, Introducing.....
", was released digitally
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
following his win on Australian Idol on 22 November. The song peaked at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
and was certified double platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association
Australian Recording Industry Association
The Australian Recording Industry Association is a trade group representing the Australian recording industry which was established in 1983 by six major record companies, EMI, Festival, CBS, RCA, WEA and Universal replacing the Association of Australian Record Manufacturers which was formed in 1956...
(ARIA), for selling 140,000 copies. It also peaked at number one on the New Zealand Singles Chart
Recording Industry Association of New Zealand
The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand...
and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ), for selling 30,000 copies. Walker's debut studio album, Introducing... Stan Walker, was released on 8 December 2009, three days ahead of its original release date. The album featured the selected songs Walker had performed as part of the top twelve on Australian Idol, as well the two original songs, "Black Box" and "Think of Me", which was produced by the first Australian Idol winner, Guy Sebastian
Guy Sebastian
Guy Theodore Sebastian is an Australian pop, R&B, and soul singer-songwriter who was the first winner of Australian Idol in 2003. He is currently a judge on the Australian version of The X Factor. Sebastian has released six top ten platinum/multi platinum albums, including a number-one and...
. Introducing... Stan Walker debuted at number three on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified platinum by the ARIA. It also made its debut on the New Zealand Albums Chart at number two and was certified triple platinum by the RIANZ, for selling 45,000 copies.
2010: From the Inside Out
In April 2010, Walker flew to HaitiHaiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
to help Compassion Australia
Compassion Australia
Compassion Australia is a Christian holistic child development and child advocacy organisation that works in partnership with local churches to foster the spiritual, economic, social, physical and emotional development of children living in extreme poverty in over 26 countries.Compassion Australia...
's relief effort of the 2010 Haiti earthquake
2010 Haiti earthquake
The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, with an epicentre near the town of Léogâne, approximately west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks...
as an ambassador. Walker's second studio album, From the Inside Out
From the Inside Out
From the Inside Out is the second studio album by Australian recording artist Stan Walker, released on 20 August 2010 through Sony Music Australia. Walker worked with several record producers and songwriters for the album, including Audius Mtawarira, Israel Cruz, Ryan Tedder, Phil Tan and Stuart...
, was released on 20 August 2010. The album debuted at number two on the ARIA Albums Chart. In New Zealand, it debuted at number one on the New Zealand Albums Chart, and became Walker's first number-one album in the country. Eventually, From the Inside Out was certified platinum by the RIANZ.
"Unbroken
Unbroken (Stan Walker song)
"Unbroken" is a song performed by Australian recording artist Stan Walker. Written and produced by OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder, the song was released by Sony Music Australia on 12 April 2010 as the lead single from Walker's second album, From the Inside Out...
" was released as the album's lead single
Lead single
A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
on 12 April 2010. On the New Zealand Singles Chart, the song peaked at number nine and was certified gold. In Australia, "Unbroken" peaked at number 23 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified gold. In June 2010, Walker featured on New Zealand rapper Young Sid
Young Sid
Sidney Diamond , best known by his stage name Young Sid, is a New Zealand rapper and member of hip-hop group Smashproof. His 2007 debut album, The Truth, was named the Urban Album of the Year at the 2008 Māori Music Awards....
's single, "Stuck in a Box". The album's second single, "Choose You
Choose You
"Choose You" is a song by Australian recording artist Stan Walker, released as the second single from his second studio album, From the Inside Out, on 20 July 2010. The pop, R&B song was written by Carl Dimataga and Cassie Davis, with the latter also handling its production with Stuart Crichton and...
", was released on 20 July 2010. The song peaked at number three on the New Zealand Singles Chart and was certified platinum. It also appeared on the ARIA Singles Chart at number 16 and was certified platinum. "Homesick
Homesick (Stan Walker song)
"Homesick" is a song by 2009 Australian Idol winner Stan Walker. Featuring guest vocals from rapper Kayo, "Homesick" serves as the third single released from Walker's second studio album, From the Inside Out. The song was made available for download on 29 October 2010...
", featuring rapper Kayo, was released as the album's third and final single on 29 October. It peaked at number 21 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and was certified gold. This single did not chart in Australia. In November 2010, Walker served as a support act for the Summerbeatz
Summerbeatz
Summerbeatz is a 2010 concert tour held in Australia featuring Flo Rida, Jay Sean, Akon, Ciara, Ja Rule and Travie McCoy with special guests Stan Walker and DJ Nino Brown.- Background :...
tour in Australia, touring alonside Flo Rida
Flo Rida
Tramar Dillard , better known by his stage name Flo Rida , is an American rapper and singer-songwriter. He released his debut album, Mail on Sunday, in March 2008. His debut single "Low", featuring T-Pain, was a #1 hit for ten weeks in United States in early 2008. Two other singles resulted from...
, Jay Sean, Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
and Ciara
Ciara
Ciara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
, among other artists. In February 2011, Walker held his first headlining tour in New Zealand.
2011–present: Let the Music Play and acting debut
Walker's third studio album, Let the Music PlayLet the Music Play (Stan Walker album)
Let the Music Play is the third studio album by Australian recording artist Stan Walker, released through Sony Music Australia on 18 November 2011. Walker worked with several record producers on the album, including Richard Vission, Chico Bennett, Nicholas "RAS" Furlong and Static Revenger, among...
, was released on 18 November 2011. It debuted at number 18 on the ARIA Album Chart and number 12 on the New Zealand Albums Chart. Its lead single, "Loud
Loud (Stan Walker song)
"Loud" is a song performed by Australian recording artist Stan Walker. The song was released as a digital download on 6 May 2011 as the lead single from his third studio album, Let the Music Play.- Background :...
", was released on 2 May 2011. The song peaked at number nine on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified platinum. On the New Zealand Singles Chart, "Loud" peaked at number eight and was certified gold. The album's second single, "Light It Up
Light It Up (Stan Walker song)
"Light It Up" is a song by Australian recording artist Stan Walker, which features American DJ, Static Revenger. It was released for digital download on 16 September 2011, as the second single from Walker's third studio album, Let the Music Play...
", featuring Static Revenger
Static revenger
Dennis White, better known as his stage name Static Revenger, is an American record producer, video director, and DJ based in Los Angeles. He is best known for the worldwide club hits "I Like That", "Happy People", and "Everything is Beautiful"...
, was released on 16 September 2011. The song peaked at number 23 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and has reached number 45 on the ARIA Singles Chart. In October 2011, Walker was featured on Jessica Mauboy
Jessica Mauboy
Jessica Hilda Mauboy , is an Indigenous Australian R&B singer-songwriter and actress. In 2006, Mauboy was the runner-up on the fourth season of Australian Idol, she had auditioned for the talent show in Alice Springs to pursue a recording career...
's single, "Galaxy
Galaxy (song)
"Galaxy" is a song by Australian recording artist Jessica Mauboy, which features fellow recording artist Stan Walker. It was written by Richard Vission, Ferras Alqaisi, Brett McLaughlin, Dominique Calvillo, Chico Bennett and Brad Ackley. Production for the song was handled by Vission, Bennett and...
", which peaked at number 13 on the ARIA Singles Chart. Walker and Mauboy will embark on their Galaxy Tour across Australia in January-February 2012, to celebrate the release of the song.
Walker will play the lead role in the upcoming New Zealand film, A Gift to Zion, as a young, ambitious Māori boy who wants to become an artist. When speaking of his role in the film, Walker told Herald Sun
Herald Sun
The Herald Sun is a morning tabloid newspaper based in Melbourne, Australia. It is published by The Herald and Weekly Times, a subsidiary of News Limited, itself a subsidiary of News Corporation. It is available for purchase throughout Melbourne, Regional Victoria, Tasmania, the Australian Capital...
, "They approached me ... the script is so good, it's basically who I was six years ago ... It's definitely the main reason I wanted to get involved."
Discography
- Introducing... Stan Walker (2009)
- From the Inside OutFrom the Inside OutFrom the Inside Out is the second studio album by Australian recording artist Stan Walker, released on 20 August 2010 through Sony Music Australia. Walker worked with several record producers and songwriters for the album, including Audius Mtawarira, Israel Cruz, Ryan Tedder, Phil Tan and Stuart...
(2010) - Let the Music PlayLet the Music Play (Stan Walker album)Let the Music Play is the third studio album by Australian recording artist Stan Walker, released through Sony Music Australia on 18 November 2011. Walker worked with several record producers on the album, including Richard Vission, Chico Bennett, Nicholas "RAS" Furlong and Static Revenger, among...
(2011)
Tours
- 2010: SummerbeatzSummerbeatzSummerbeatz is a 2010 concert tour held in Australia featuring Flo Rida, Jay Sean, Akon, Ciara, Ja Rule and Travie McCoy with special guests Stan Walker and DJ Nino Brown.- Background :...
(Supporting Act) - 2011: New Zealand Summer Tour (Headlining)
- 2012: Galaxy Tour (with Jessica Mauboy)
Awards and nominations
| Year | Type | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Waiata Māori Awards | Radio Airplay Record of the Year | |
| Nickelodeon Australian Kids Choice Awards | Fresh Aussie Musos | ||
| New Zealand Music Awards 2010 New Zealand Music Awards The 2010 New Zealand Music Awards was the 45th holding of the annual ceremony featuring awards for musical artists based in or originating from New Zealand. Finalists for the three technical awards were announced on 16 August 2010 with winners announced on 1 September, the date on which finalists... |
Vodafone Vodafone Vodafone Group Plc is a global telecommunications company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest mobile telecommunications company measured by revenues and the world's second-largest measured by subscribers , with around 341 million proportionate subscribers as of... Peoples' Choice |
||
| Highest Selling New Zealand Single ("Black Box") | |||
| Radio Airplay Record of the Year ("Black Box") | |||
| International Achievement Award | |||
| ARIA Music Awards ARIA Music Awards The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association... |
Most Popular Australian Album (Introducing... Stan Walker) | ||
| Most Popular Australian Single ("Black Box") | |||
| Most Popular Australian Artist | |||
| 2011 | Nickelodeon Australian Kids Choice Awards | Fave Song ("Loud") | |
| New Zealand Music Awards | Best Male Solo Artist (From the Inside Out) | ||
| Vodafone Peoples' Choice | |||
| Radio Airplay Record of the Year ("Choose You") | |||
| ARIA Music Awards | Most Popular Australian Artist | ||
| Channel V Awards Channel V Australia Channel [V] Australia is an Australian subscription television music channel, and also the newest Channel [V] channel. It is available on Foxtel, Optus TV and Austar satellite and cable services... |
[V] Oz Artist of the Year |