About Daniel Mifsud
23-year-old Daniel Mifsud is a lover of great singers and first impressed Australian Idol judges with the sheer breadth of his influences. Then there was his amazing voice and, as Kyle Sandilands classically put it, his "daytime soap star" looks.
Daniel soon made it into the Top 24, and when he missed out on a place in the semi-finals, the judges couldn't bear to see him go and made him a Wildcard pick. His performance of Roachford's "Lay Your Love On Me" saw him chosen by the audience.
"I'm lost for words," he says. "You always dream of it, but when it comes it's totally another thing."
While professional singer Daniel has so far been making his living performing soul tunes, he hopes the show will see him branch into rock as well. "I love the heart of soul and the rassness of rock," he explains. Daniel is obsessed with The Simpsons and follows the Manly Sea Eagles in the NRL and West Ham in the English Premier League. Daniel is not-so-quietly hoping for an '80s power ballad theme night this year - his favourite song is Michael Bolton's "How Can We Be Lovers".
Q&A with Daniel
Q: I first realised I wanted to become a professional singer when…
A: I saw Sting and Harry Connick Jr (on separate occasions) in concert when I was 15.
Q: What is your favourite genre of music? Why do you love that particular style. Rock, Soul genre.
A: I love the heart of soul and the edsen and rawness of Rock. They are the perfect combination.
Q: Which previous finalist do you find most inspiring and why?
A: Pinnie Stevens - A beautiful humble person and one of the best singers I've ever heard.
Q: Have you auditioned for a previous series of Australian Idol? If so how far did you progress? What motivated you to audition this year?
A: No. The chance to sing at a greater level then what I've ever done and also to have the chance to perform my originals to the country.
Q: Describe your feeling at your first audition?
A: Nervousness and great excitement as it was my first ever audition in anything.
Q: Obviously, it's important to have a strong voice, but what other aspects give a performer 'star quality'?
A: I think it's a combination of humility and confidence; being able to give an audience a part of yourself (figuratively speaking of course).
Q: Idol shows often follow a special theme like Disco, Rock or Big Band. What would your 'dream theme' be and why?
A: '80s power ballads.
Q: What would you call your debut album?
A: Daniel Mifsud sings Michael Bolton
Q: Why do you think Australian Idol is an important part of our local music industry?
A: Australian Idol has become one of the biggest forces in our music industry during the past few years; their power to promote its stars is second to none.
Q: Which artist (dead or alive) would you most like to perform a duet with and why?
A: Jimi Hendrix. Probably because he is one of my greatest musical inspirations because of his creative genius. His music is still so fresh and relevant today.
Q:What's the best thing about being on Australian Idol?
A: Doing what I love in front of a national audience; singing!!
Q: Who is your favourite judge and why?
A: They're all my favourite! At least for now. Haha.
Q: How do you prepare yourself before a performance?
A: Relaxing by singing '80s power ballads ie; Richard Marx, Michael Bolton
Q: What's the best bit of advice someone has given to you?
A: Shut your mouth and you'll go a long way!
