Q&A with Luke and Joel
4th November 2010 by Esther Pinn
Esther Pinn chats with X Factor finalists Luke and Joel about their time on the show, their passion for music, and their connection with The Salvation Army!
How does it feel to make it this far on X Factor?
To make it to the top five on X Factor is one of the best feelings ever. It's such an honour I guess that we've made it this far.
How would you guys feel if you were knocked out this close to the end of the competition?
We've pretty happy with everything that's happened so far. You know, in our minds if we're supposed to go, we'll go. Obviously you want to make it as far as you possibly can but if it's your time to go then you can't really change that.
What would you both like to do after X Factor?
Exactly what we're doing on the show, but for a living.
How did you both get into music?
We grew up with music as our parents are musicians. Dad's an old rocker and Mum's a very accomplished piano player. So we both starting learning from them and went from there. We listened to a lot of Dad's old music and rocker bands. We got into it from that.
I (Luke) started playing the guitar and bass, and Joel started learning the bass. We just kept learning instruments and started singing when we were teenagers.
How long have you both been performing together?
For the past two years. We sort of did it as a way to earn a little money. We started a band (The Ondays) but we haven't really played anywhere because we have been writing songs for a long time.
What kind of songs have you been writing?
Yeah, we've just been writing rock/pop songs really. You know songs that we think sound good and make us feel really good.
Music is all about how you make people feel. You want to make people feel good and you want to make people feel happy and positive.
What were you both doing before you came on X Factor?
Joel: I was working as a Youth Worker in Newcastle. So, I was with the Salvation Army doing youth work.
Luke: I am a physiotherapist for two days a week and write music for three days a week.
What's your connection with The Salvation Army?
We both go to one (church) called North Lakes. We've grown up in it as well. When Mum and Dad started a church called North Lakes, we went there with them and we've been there ever since.
What type of music do you guys listen to?
We're into all types of music. We're obviously writing rock. I'm (Luke) really into rock but I'm also into modern music. I'm (Luke) also into Hillsong and other church music.
Is there any particular artist that you are influenced by?
We love a band called The Killers. We love U2, Foo Fighters. Those sort of bands – The Rolling Stones.
Do you both want to keep performing rock songs throughout your career?
Yeah, we definitely want to stay in the rock genre. We might have a bit fusion with other genres in there but rock will always be our high energy songs. It's all about the guitar always being the lead.
Who sings lead and who sings harmony?
I (Joel) sing lead and Luke sings harmony.
Why did you both try out for X Factor?
Luke: I don't know. We almost didn't. We almost didn't get up one day.
Joel: But we tried out for the show because I guess it was more of a "let's just see what happens kind of thing". We were both surprised and happy to get past the judges. So, it was kind of more of let's just have a crack and see what happens. We didn't try out thinking we've got to make the top 12. It was more ok, let's just see what happens and give it a go.
What has been your most rewarding part of your journey on X Factor?
Most rewarding part would probably be making the top five, the free trip over to L.A and New York.
Another rewarding part was when we went to the Ronald McDonald house. We met a lot of the kids there and it just put it back into perspective, you know – that's what it's all about. That's why we want to go well in this competition so we can show them anything's possible.
We want to play music for the rest of our lives but we also want to help as many people as possibly as we can.
And the toughest?
Probably the stress of day to day life on a TV show. It's pretty hard when you're on it 24/7 and it gets pretty hard being away from family.
We speak to them (family). But we don't see them much. We see them when they come to the shows but that's about it really.
Have you enjoyed working with Guy Sebastian?
Yeah it's been great. He's really down to earth and he's just a really good bloke.
What do you guys like to do for fun?
We love going to the beach. We love surfing. I (Luke) love going to the beach and kicking the footy around with the mates. We've always been very social so we love to go out – we've always been doing something. We love going to the movies. Yeah, just chilling.
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Comments
I am so proud of you both Luke & Joel. It is so amazing to see how much you have grown from this experience as artists and as people.
You DO really have that connection with the people and I see your passion coming out.
Keep believing in yourselves as we believe in you and are voting for you!!!
Whatever happens in this competition keep true to yourselves and your faith in God. Always keep him number 1 in your lives as I know you will!!
Bless you guys ROCK ON!!!!!
If they don't win the Army should produce and release their album. If they want to use their gifts for the cause of course!
Great article! Hope the guys do well. May God bless your future, keep enjoying what you do.
hey! awesome story you guys have shared - and i loved the bit on your last night on the show where you said I WANT TO THANK GOD for everything coz after all he's given us everything and all the talent we have.
Amen boys andgood luck for the future - id buy your album :-)
God bless
well............... ya got kickd out:(
You certainly have shown you 'connect' with your audience! People enjoy hearing and seeing you! I hope you go on to get all your heart's desire, but above all, because you both love God, your lives will influence and bring many people of all ages to know His great love too. You have a great opportunity to do this!
you guys should come to qpas!!
or a fuel is qld south east!!
it would be awsome!!