By AIDAN KNIGHT
ETHAN Calway is making waves on this year’s season of The Voice Australia.
The carpenter managed to turn all four chairs of the celebrity coaches with his rendition of Walking in Memphis.
Calway was raised in Drouin and now resides in Warragul. He has consistently been performing his takes on country and blues style songs across Gippsland pubs, from Orbost to Robin Hood.
“I play away more now these days,” he said.
Calway’s performing circuit has evolved over the years after several visits to Tamworth.
“The biggest portion of my shows are in Queensland and New South Wales these days, locally is where I work my day job more than anything now, and will drop into the Nooj Pub (Noojee) for a set occasionally”.
The high demand for tradies in today’s economy is the perfect springboard for Calway. While other musicians may have to give up their entire job for the music, or vice versa, the adaptability he has as a chippy means that whenever he returns from a stint on stage, there is work waiting for him at home in Gippsland.
“I just contract myself out, working for myself, save a bit up and go on tour, so it works well. I just swap in and out, guitar or a toolbelt,” he said.
Calway had participated in many talent contests in his time, including ‘Starmaker’ in Tamworth last year, but feels there is a different sense of achievement for taking his craft to a nationally televised version of that process.
“It felt unreal, like all the hard work I’d put in over the years had come together, and it was kind of the moment for me,” he said.
“Everyone watching in Gippsland loved it, I’ve always had the support of the locals, and of Gippsland, and I feel like more than anything, everyone is just happy to see a local having a crack”, he said of the reaction he received after his blind audition went to air.
Elaborating further on the locals, Calway took a moment to make mention of musicians from the area whom he’s either admired or taken inspiration from.
The first to be shouted out was, of course, Stratford’s own and previous Voice contestant, Mick Harrington.
“He’s been good for me, as someone who’s been through the whole experience before, and someone to get a few tips and tricks off has been great,” Calway said.
“Others I’ve played alongside, Ricky Wood and Teagan Blackstock, are some of my favourite local artists who have been really supportive as well.”
Of equal importance to the Express readers is his connection to Hill End Football-Netball Club, where he plays alongside his brother Seth as a ruckman for the Rovers.
Readers will be able to watch Ethan Calway’s second appearance on The Voice on Sunday, September 14, as he enters the battle rounds on Channel 7.
