Final 4 Week

I went to the ARIAs not feeling like a musician. I just went feeling like I was a fan with really good seats! We got to sit down the front, so we had the best view of all the performers and the speeches and I really enjoyed it all. Gotye, John Butler and Keith Urban were really cool. It was such a fun night… just great food and a bit of wine. It was what we needed, just to let loose and have fun. PS: Rock and roll! 
  
The best thing I have learnt so far in this competition is probably to always look at the positives and never the negatives. There are always two sides to each situation and if you focus on the negatives, it just brings you down. If you focus on the positives, it lifts you up. I used to get affected by the negatives but now I just focus on the good and keep myself on a cruisy level. When I'm in a bad situation, I just push through it and think, ‘Everyone has bad things happen, this is not that much of a big deal.'

Here's what I get up to during the week:
 
Tuesday – Usually feel a bit hungover because I have all my friends down Monday night and I hang out with them after the show. I wake up ready to get back in the swing of the next genre that's facing us.
Wednesday – We tend to do publicity stuff, so we are usually meeting and greeting journos.
Thursday – I kinda reminisce on what situation I'm in. I spend my downtime practicing my songs and I try to fit some kind of exercise in, whether it's surfing, golf or using the weight bench at the house.
Friday – Probably my most immature day. We usually work on the group songs, movement and singing. When we work in the group we get pretty immature – especially me and Matt. At the end of the day I am stoked, because we get Saturdays off. I have a surf in the afternoon and enjoy the evening with a nice glass of red wine and feel proud of my week. I have a sleep in the next day too.
Saturday – Our day off. I feel happy and energetic. I like to use the day as much as I can. I fit in exercise of some sort and have a good jam of my original music, then hang around the house and get some sunshine. It's a day for pleasure.
Sunday – A focus day. I wake up feeling pretty stable and balanced and I need to sustain my energy, ‘cause it's a long day physically and mentally. If I overdo things early, I can be drained by the time I perform.
Monday – I am really chirpy and excited because it's either the evening where I finish Idol and I can start the next chapter, which is when my career begins. I tend to get really excited. 

I just want to say to all my fans, thanks again. I had some pretty cool things happen musically for my career this week and I hope to begin touring mid next January, so keep an eye out for the dates!

-Marty

Final 5 Week

tSaying goodbye to Dan was really hard. I feel like there are a few people left who have gotten really close - sort of like a family. Dan was one of them – he was so happy and always made us so bright and bubbly. Each week it definitely gets harder, just because we have formed such a beautiful group now. But in a way, when a person leaves, although we’re all upset, I can’t help but feel proud of them. I try and turn it into a positive. Everyone at this point will do well for themselves if they play their cards right and Dan is one of the nicest guys I have ever met in my life.

I think the competition is bringing us all closer, and the smaller the group gets, the tighter we’re squeezed together. We’re bonding closer than ever before. We were close in the Final 12 but it’s amazing how close we are now. We know what makes us tick, how to give each other space – it’s just a really understanding friendship.

It definitely feels like I have been living in Sydney for a long while now, because I haven’t been home much. When we get together now as a group, and when I notice how quiet the house is, I realise that it’s all gone very quickly. I’ve definitely missed everything I have at home, but I have been doing this so long now that I am used to it.

I guess I am finally realising how to better myself in the competition and I am starting to achieve that. Realising I am a one in five chance of winning this… I guess it drives you a little more, but it also makes me realise that there will be so many opportunities afterwards. All I can do now is play for my family, friends and fans the best I can and if I leave now, knowing I have done that, that will be enough.

How would I feel if I win this and have to sing at the Opera House? I’m gonna have to have a few shots before I start! It will probably be the biggest highlight of my career – so it will probably be an adrenalin-fuelled experience. I think I will be pumped up enough to nail it!

It makes me feel like I have achieved something to know I am in the Final 5. I feel proud of myself and it’s opened my eyes for how much potential I have as a musician. To know that I have been looked at as one of the Final 5 in Australia has really inspired me to explore my musical passion more than I ever have before. It just makes me so grateful and I feel truly blessed.

- Marty

Final 6 Week

I definitely think there are favourites in this competition. I guess I am one of Dicko’s favourites and I know Ben was one of Marcia’s favourites, along with Carl - and I know Tarisai is Kyle’s. Each contestant is favouritised sometimes and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I think the audience has favourites too – you can see from the posters and from the cheers for each person. All the fans turn into voting I guess, but I think each contestant is reaching different age groups.

I think my performances haven’t been rock solid. I still have that edgy, nervous feeling but I am focussing on keeping it real and doing what I do. I am not changing just because of constructive criticism from the judges, which isn’t always constructive.

I definitely value Dicko’s advice the most. I believe that he knows what he is talking about and he looks at the business side of the industry and the marketability of each artist. If you want to succeed in this business, that’s what you’ve got to really look at.

I think I am most afraid of disappointing myself. I don’t think I could disappoint my family and friends – I know how proud I have made them. If I don’t use this opportunity after the show then I will let myself down, but I am not going to let that happen.

I feel inspired by music when I listen to it. These days, from listening to music through Year 11 and 12 and studying it, I can’t help but pick out little sections and hear it more constructively. Music helps me be more creative and it can be a very therapeutic thing that gives me peace.

I just want to finish by saying at the beginning of making Final 12, I was very excited to reach Final 6 because I thought it would be Originals night. That’s been cancelled now and I am really disappointed I won’t get to show all my fans and Australia who I am by playing one of my originals.

- Marty

Final 7 Week

If I could sing any song for Idol viewers… hmm, it's a tough choice. It would definitely be an original. It would either be my audition song because so many people have requested to hear it again, or it would be a song called "Down in the Box Below"… or maybe one of my soft ballad songs called "Mothers of the World." There were a few glimpses of that in my profile. Performing my own originals would really let Australia see who I am as a musician and that will never be seen with me just playing covers.

The most dangerous thing about fame is that you're always in the spotlight when you're out in public. I was followed by a paparazzi guy for ages the other day and I guess that can make someone paranoid and conscious of what they're doing and I don't think that's a healthy thing.

Personally, I think it's harder to rearrange someone's song… or maybe I just feel more pressure rearranging someone else's song because I feel like I could destruct something that's beautiful!

If I could do a duet with anyone, it would be Dave Matthews, because it would be so much fun. I think he's a really creative musician, songwriter and just a great guitar player - and from what I've seen of him, he looks like a really interesting and fun person.

I've started working on my album and I just want to let everyone know I have some awesome musos to work with and my album is going to be solid!

If and when I leave the comp, I want to be remembered as someone who gave something different to the show. I want to leave the comp knowing I showed who I am and I hope people have seen that I am just an Aussie guy, genuine and real.

-Marty

Final 8 Week

When it comes to choosing songs… well, I guess we get given a genre and from there, I think about the stuff I know and like and I try to go with that. That way, I am already halfway there to knowing the song and I don't need to go too far to get in touch with it. If there's nothing in that genre that I know, I go with something that everyone else would know.
 
Being yourself in this competition is one of the most important things of all. With all the publicity and promotion that you do, sometimes you can find that the “you” gets a little bit lost within it all. I started to feel like I was changing a bit at one stage, but I think the best thing to do is to try and do stuff you would usually do, whether that's going for a surf or staying in touch with your friends.
 
I am definitely more confident now than when I started this competition. I just feel that it's pretty cool to be able to have an eye-to-eye conversation with celebs and people in the music industry that I am meeting. Talking with them is making me grow up and be a lot more mature when dealing with professional situations. I know how many opportunities I am going to have and that makes me confident and proud too, in a way. I definitely feel like I am growing way more than I would have been if I weren't doing Idol.
 
There have been so many shining moments. Seeing the kids at the hospital was a really special moment for me, because it really opened me up and showed me how lucky I am. As a musician, just working with all the other musicians on the show is really cool. That's what I have always wanted to do and to be in a position where I can work with people who know the craft is awesome. It's amazing to meet industry people too - I have always wanted to be in a place where that is possible.
 
It's really an unsure future for me now… I don't know what will happen after Idol. I hope my life goes back to normal when it comes to family, friends and home but I want to use this Idol experience to get my name out there and hopefully become a very known musician and artist. I don't think my life will go back to complete normality. I just want to leave the show, produce an album and get to the point where people know me as a talented Australian musician.

-Marty

Final 9 Week

The coolest thing this week was probably just seeing all the kids at the hospital we went to visit. It made me realise how lucky I was to be where I am and takes a load off being on Idol.
 
We also went to a Channel 10 party last night and met a few celebs here and there. I met Fryzy from Big Brother and thought he was unreal. I didn't get enough time to talk to him! I met Dan O'Connor too. It was just cool to mingle with different people for a change, instead of being down at the local pub.
 
Working with Ian Moss has been really cool. He has given me the best advice I've got so far in this competition, which was to “Get lost in the music.” That was good advice. I do that when I am performing my songs, but I'm still learning to do it with the songs I cover. There are ways to get there.
 
I guess I haven't been told any bad advice – probably the hardest thing is that everyone comes at you with advice from all angles. I guess I've learned not to listen to it all and let it pass through sometimes, and not let it affect the way I perform.
 
I don't really have any lucky charms or anything. I like my tattoo, but it's not very lucky necessarily. I am not really into rituals… before a show, I just chat to everyone.
 
If I've taken anything sentimental into Idol HQ with me, I guess it's just my photos on my laptop. I look at them here and there to remind myself what I have back and home waiting for me, I guess.
 
I don't think Idol has changed me as a person inside, but as a person profile-wise, I am getting known. That's a little strange, but it's cool too.

-Marty

Final 10 Week

It's been a challenge so far, but at the same time it's been very exciting because I love a challenge. Sometimes I do feel out of my comfort zone, but I'm learning a lot so it's all positive stuff at the moment… and it's only going to benefit me.
 
I've had a few late nights… mainly just hanging out with people in Idol HQ and talking. But the beds are pretty comfy and when I want to rest, I usually get a good night's sleep.
 
I just kinda laughed at the Lana/Marty rumours and so did Lana. It's just funny that we were the talk of the week, just how Matt and Brianna were the week before. You have to take it as it comes, because it all dies down in a week anyway. You just have to focus on the music and not let it bother you. It's funny though, we're just mates.
 
I like Kyle, he's a cool dude and I know what he's like. I was a little bit rattled that he said that comment on Sunday night, but at the same time, I have always thought he was a funny guy on radio and I know what he's like. That's how he makes his living and I am in the spotlight, so I just have to deal with it. I just had such a full-on week last week with everything that I feel really relaxed and ready to take on whatever happens ahead.
 
The craziest fan moment so far was having a big group of ladies come up and swarm me at the McDonald's Ball. Getting photos taken with them was pretty fun! It's always pretty hectic and you never get a good chance to sit down and have a big chat with your fans. It's really cool to take photos with little kids and see how much it makes their day – making little kids smile is probably the best thing about it all.
 
Taking time out with my guitar always keeps me grounded and levelled. Having my mates and family come down each week to watch my performances is REALLY cool. It keeps me happy knowing that they're there, no matter what. They're always there to support me.

-Marty

Final 11 Week

I've been enjoying the spa and pool – I heated the pool up to the maximum temperature and it's lovely! I have been cooking a lot too – doing some Marty Simpson recipes (stay tuned guys – Marty may just submit some to the
website!). I sorta just improvise but it always turns out pretty cool. I've been jamming in the music room too and it's been unreal to play my stuff.

It's important to get away and have a break and get your head together. It's almost like you go back to your roots, remind yourself who you are and then come back to the competition.

I thought what Holly did was really gusty. It was a random song choice, but it was her. She went out with a bang. I thought that was cool. She can go home feeling she was her and didn't change for anyone. Just because she didn't get through doesn't define her as not cool. I hope to leave knowing I was true to myself and not compromising.

I'm surprised because I have let stuff get to me more than I thought I would. I am finding it hard not being able to play my own songs… covers are so new to me. I am struggling to really work out how to be "me" in this competition. This week I reckon I will be able to let loose a bit. I chose a new and cruisy song, because I want to be able to go out and be me and not be fake. I'm getting really amped for it. If I get anything out of this competition, I hope it's exposure around Australia as a talented musician who has a lot to offer.

Me and Lana are friends. It's cool to have someone that you can relax with. She is a cool chick. I went on a little shopping trip to Bondi yesterday with her and Matt and bought some stuff. When we got there, all these little girls were screaming, "There's Matt Corby!" They would walk along and then suddenly stop and be like, "OH MY GOD!! It's MATT!" It was so funny and really
crazy!

It is definitely strange having public attention and having the media focus on us. Personally, it doesn't worry me but it does make me worry about the impact on my family. It's a creepy kind of feeling knowing that people are checking me out.

-Marty

First week in the Final 12

The coolest moment this week would have to have been having a drink in the spa and chilling out with everyone! Idol HQ is wicked. It's got everything we need – heaps of food, a music room, spa, pool, big bedrooms… it's cool. 

I'm sharing with Jacob. We might be a little bit messy - but hey, I'm not there to be clean!

I guess I am always playing music… but we're here to do that! You gotta keep it up, otherwise you get rusty! I've experimented a bit with home recording already and I am so amped to record and tour more and do more in a professional environment.

I don't know when downtime is, I just sorta keep going. My sleeping has been good though, it's definitely improved. I'm sleeping a lot better here at Idol HQ than I was at the hotel.

I think my biggest lesson so far has been to keep my personal stuff to myself. I am pretty open with everything and I have already seen that backfire a bit. I think I have just learnt to be a bit more private with things I want to keep personal.

Going forward, I need to learn how to project a brighter spark on camera. I tend to freeze up a bit when the cameras are rolling and in real life, I am really outgoing and a bit of a joker. I need to learn how to project my personality for everyone to see.

The most surreal moment so far has probably been walking down the "yellow carpet" at the Hairspray premiere. We were just getting nailed by so many cameras – it was crazy!

It's weird to think I have fans… I guess it's something that I've wanted but not for the reason that I am a TV personality. I want fans because they like my music. I am not sure what my fans now are liking me for… but at the same time, I am enjoying the experience and I'm getting used to it.

-Marty

How does it feel to be in the Final 12?

I felt wicked when I knew that I got through! The night that I got in, I went partying afterwards to celebrate.

It feels great to know that I am here and have another chance to perform again because I wasn't happy with my other performance. I slept terribly the night before and I woke up and overworked my voice in the bathroom. I was stressed and I thought it was crap.

I went back home yesterday and it was amazing how many people already know me and know about the show. I walked around my home areas and people were looking at me like I'm someone. I don't think I am someone yet. I'm still working my way up towards that.

I'm really excited to play my own songs with the band. I can't wait to see what we can do!

I've made friends with everyone – even the judges! But everyone's been great, I'm friends with the crew and everything.

Emotionally, it's a tough time so it's good to make friends with each other because we're all going through a similar thing and I like knowing I can rely on the rest of the Idols. Everyone's just really happy to be in the Top 12 and everything from here on in is a bonus.

-Marty