An interview with Julia Zemiro and Astrid Jorgensen about Australia’s Biggest Singalong, featuring Mark Seymour.

Author:  Joe Dolan, The Music.

Date: 4 June 2021.

Original URL: https://themusic.com.au/features/australias-biggest-singalong-pub-choir-astrid-jorgensen/YxN_d3Z5eHs/04-06-21/

Article Text

Astrid Jorgensen (pic by Jacob Morrison) & Julia Zemiro

“Making beautiful music with strangers, what’s not to love about that?”

With their videos clocking millions of views online, it’s no wonder that Australia’s Pub Choir have become loved the world over.

Now, their ‘anyone can do it’ ethos is heading to primetime with Australia’s Biggest Singalong! premiering on SBS this Saturday, June 5.

Hosted by Julia Zemiro and Miranda Tapsell, thousands of Australians are expected to take part in belting out Hunters & Collectors’ classic Throw Your Arms Around Me, along with special guest performers such as Dami Im, Mitch Tembo and Hunters frontman himself, Mark Seymour.

Ahead of the event going to air, we caught up with Zemiro and choirmaster and Pub Choir co-founder Astrid Jorgensen to find out all about it.

Q. What inspired you to get involved with the televised version of this event?

Astrid: Actually it’s pretty wild, but I helped develop this TV concept along with [the production company] Artemis and SBS! Australia’s Biggest Singalong! is like the merging of Pub Choir’s live show and our Couch Choir online adaptation – the best of both worlds. And really, I am undefeated worldwide when it comes to singing enthusiasm. I will always take any opportunity to yell at people en masse about how much I love their singing voice.

Julia: I am a huge fan of the amazing team at Pub Choir. I have worked with them before and the shows they create are marvellous. When I heard that they and Astrid would be leading a live audience at Sydney’s Town Hall (and around the country via the live broadcast), I jumped at the chance to be a part of it. I am also thrilled to be back on air with SBS

Q. How do you think the choice of song will resonate with audiences around Australia?

A: C’mon, this song is peak ‘straya! Like or loathe Throw Your Arms Around Me, we all know it! That’s the key for me: having everybody on the same page to start with. We’ve all spent years practising this song, consciously or not. The extra cool thing is, we’ll be creating a new version for Australia’s Biggest Singalong! with harmonies and other little treats thrown in. This is no ordinary karaoke sesh.

J: The kind of song we need on Australia’s Biggest Singalong! is a song that has an anthemic quality, can be divided into harmonies and parts and sung unaccompanied. Throw Your Arms Around Me is a perfect Aussie choice. Everyone has a memory of singing that song somewhere.

Q. What do you think makes performing music together such a unifying experience, even when you’re not in the same room?
A: Every single person contributes equally when we sing together. Doesn’t matter how good or otherwise you think you are, everybody just gets to share their one voice. It’s this rare, perfect, unifying thing when we sing with others. And no matter if you sing along at home, or you’re part of the live audience, all of Australia will be working together in literal harmony. Making beautiful music with strangers, what’s not to love about that?

J: People coming together to sing is always a wonderful thing. If you’ve seen the power of Pub choir when they run a show, you will know what the night holds. The extra cream on the top is that we will be singing live in that Sydney Town Hall on the night, and in thousands of lounge rooms around the country.

Q. How do you hope an initiative like this will help people get over their nerves and enjoy singing more?

A: I need people to know that there is nobody else in the whole world who sounds just like them. It truly doesn’t matter if you’re not currently a great singer, you are the only person with your voice. Whenever you join in, everything sounds different, and richer, and realer. Who cares if you miss a few notes? You bring something literally nobody else can. That’s something to celebrate. Stop wasting time worrying! Just open your gob and sing with me already. Everything is going to be okay.

J: I genuinely hope that every person will be allowed to sing in their home without unwelcomed comments from family. Positive encouragement however is welcome! This is not about having to sing solo or be a Diva. This is about singing together, in chorus and parts. It’s a group effort. No shaming, please!

Q. Where would you like to see Australia’s Biggest Singalong! go from here? What songs should be performed next and why?

A: Did somebody say #annualevent? I sure hope it’s something we can continue in the future! It’s pretty much the easiest thing ever to sing at home and it is so good for you. I’m excited to see how that translates via this TV show. I won’t get too stuck on what happens after, I’m just happy to be here and I hope everybody has a lovely time.

J: COVID has changed the world fundamentally in how we can be together, sharing life. There has been huge loss: Loss of loved ones, special moments, events, careers, dreams. And certainly in the performance world, so many have lost their livelihoods, not just a job here or there.

This would be a wonderful yearly live event to keep reminding ourselves how much we have in common rather than how different we are. Being together in a room singing, whether in a live venue or at home together, makes you feel good.

Next year, I would love to continue what we have established this year in terms of song choice: diversity, Australian songs and songs in language.

Australia’s Biggest Singalong! takes place on Saturday 5 June at 8.30pm, live on SBS, NITV and SBS On Demand. Head here to find out more information and to get involved.

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