Music

Best life

By Tatat Bunnag

Brian sets the pace

Irish pop star Brian McFadden has come a long way since his days with boy band superstars Westlife - a group that sold more than 30 million albums worldwide.

Over the past few years, the 28-year-old heart-throb has released two successful solo albums and engaged in regular television work. Brian also recently moved to Sydney, where he is set to marry Aussie superstar sweetheart Delta Goodrem.

Following on from 2004's Irish Son, Brian's second solo album, Set in Stone, is now out in Thailand. Album single "Like Only a Woman Can" is already a big hit in the kingdom.

• Did you know •

Brian recently hosted an Australian TV show called Football Superstar.

Brian recently visited Bangkok to promote his new album and to perform with local pop diva Tata Young. Student Weekly caught up with the boyish singing star to ask about his new album, his new life in Australia and his love for country classics.

STUDENT WEEKLY: Are you enjoying life in Sydney?

Brian: I love it! It's a beautiful, relaxing city. The weather's nice, too. I spend most of my time there either in the studio or playing golf. I can't wait to be home!

STUDENT WEEKLY: Is that true that you were a guest mentor and judge on the TV show Australian Idol?

Brian: Yes. I was invited to be a guest judge during the audition period. When the show went live, I came back on as a mentor to help the kids and give them advice. It was just a one-off thing, though. They approached me to do it as a full time job, but I don't have time to do that.

STUDENT WEEKLY: What is the main musical direction for your new album?

Brian: The main difference between Set in Stone and my first album is the lyrics. My songs are much more positive now. Set in Stone sounds more like a compilation of pop songs. All the tracks sound different to one another, because every song was written at a different time and place.

STUDENT WEEKLY: Set in Stone is the first release on your BMF record label. Can you tell us about that?

Brian: It's just a small label based in Ireland. We've only signed a couple of artists to the label so far. It's basically my label, so I don't have a big boss telling me that I need to rush my album out in a couple of weeks. Making my latest record felt like a holiday. It was much more relaxed than my first album.

STUDENT WEEKLY: What inspired your song, "Like Only a Woman Can"?

Brian: I wrote that song about my fianc?. It's about how she's changed my life.

STUDENT WEEKLY: What was it like being in a boy band as big as Westlife?

Brian: It was brilliant. I was only 17 when I started out with Westlife. It was such a great thrill to get a record deal, travel the world and do what I'd always dreamed of doing. It was my first step out into the world, and I loved every minute of it!

STUDENT WEEKLY: Is it true that you enjoy listening to country music?

Brian: I'll probably never record a country album, but I love country music. I especially admire artists like Johnny Cash and Garth Brooks. I really like the melodies and the storytelling lyrics in country music.

	heart-throb (n): a famous man, usually an actor or a singer, that a lot of women find attractive engage in (phrasal v): to take part in something boyish (adj): looking or behaving like a boy, in a way that is attractive mentor (n): an experienced person who helps and advises somebody with less experience over a period of time one-off (adj): made or happening only once and not regularly approach (v): to speak to somebody about something, especially to offer them something or to ask them for something positive (adj): thinking about what is good in a situation; confident and hopeful compilation (n): a collection of items, especially pieces of music or writing, taken from different places and put together thrill (n): an experience that gives you a strong feeling of excitement or pleasure admire (v): to respect somebody for what they are or for what they have done

Idiom
have come a long way: to have made a lot of progress