Conrad Sewell
{{short description|Australian singer and songwriter (born 1988)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name =
| image = Conrad Sewell, 2016 TV Week Logie Awards (cropped).jpg
| alt = 31 March
| caption = Sewell in 2016
| birth_name = Conrad Ignatius Mario Maximilian Sewell
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1988|3|31}}
| birth_place = Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| years_active = 2007–present
| label = Sony Music
| associated_acts = {{hlist|Kygo|Grace|Mike Stud|Avicii}}
| past_member_of = Sons of Midnight
| website = {{URL|conradofficial.com}}
| image_upright =
}}
Conrad Ignatius Mario Maximilian Sewell (born 31 March 1988) is an Australian singer and songwriter. He is best known for his vocals on Kygo's single "Firestone" and his number-one single "Start Again".
At the ARIA Music Awards of 2015, he won Song of the Year for "Start Again" and was nominated in two other categories: Breakthrough Artist and Best Pop Release. His debut studio album Life was released in May 2019.
Early life
Growing up in Brisbane, Sewell started pursuing a music career from a young age, sending around demos since he was 8 years old.{{cite magazine| url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/conrad-pops-hairflipping-rockloving-rising-star-20150114|title=Meet Pop's Hair-Flipping, Rock-Loving Rising Star Conrad|magazine=Rolling Stone }} He later tried his luck with short-lived rock band Sons of Midnight.{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7586902/popping-up-conrad-sewell|title= Popping Up: Conrad Sewell|website=idolator.com |author= Mike Wass|date=1 April 2015|access-date= 2 June 2015}} He is the brother of Australian pop singer Grace. In 2004, Sewell auditioned for season 2 of Australian Idol, but he did not initially pass the audition stage, needing to travel to a different state and re-auditioning before making it into the Top 100 singers for that season.{{Clarify|date=December 2022}} In 2006, he moved to the United Kingdom.
Sewell comes from a family of musicians; his grandparents toured with the Bee Gees and the Gibb Brothers. His sister Grace is a singer best known for her version of the 1963 Lesley Gore song "You Don't Own Me", which hit number one on the ARIA Charts in May 2015. When "Start Again" hit number one on the ARIA Charts in June 2015, Conrad and Grace became the first Australian-born siblings in the history of the charts to hit number one as separate acts.
Career
=2007–2017: Sons of Midnight, solo career beginnings, ''All I Know''=
In 2007, Sewell and guitarist Matthew Copley formed a pop rock group called The Frets, who were later joined by three more members before changing their name to Sons of Midnight. The band released their debut single "The Fire" in 2012, achieving moderate success. The song currently has over 3.3 million plays on Spotify. The band released their debut self-titled album in 2013, but disappeared from the public shortly before the planned release of their second album.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/sonsofmidnight/|title=Sons of Midnight|website=www.facebook.com}}
In 2014 Sewell wrote and featured on Kygo's hit, "Firestone". The single was a top five hit across Europe.{{cite web| url=http://www.musictimes.com/articles/18222/20141201/kygo-releases-firestone-featuring-conrad-spotify-review.htm|title=Kygo Releases 'Firestone' Featuring Conrad On Spotify}}{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/firestone-feat.-conrad-sewell/id943936556|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310072508/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/firestone-feat.-conrad-sewell/id943936556|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 March 2015|title=Firestone (feat. Conrad Sewell)|website=iTunes }} His debut single "Hold Me Up" was written and produced by Brian Lee, The Euroz and Louis Bell. On 2 March 2015, Sewell announced his opening slot on Ed Sheeran's Australian tour via a video posted on his Facebook page. He joined Sheeran on 13 dates throughout Australia.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1547482328834813&set=vb.1411640912418956&type=2&theater|title= Conrad Sewell|website= Facebook}} On 12 June 2015, Live Nation confirmed that Sewell would join Maroon 5 on the Maroon V Tour in September as well as posting several tour dates.{{cite web|url=https://www.livenation.co.nz/blog/announced-conrad-sewell-joins-maroon-5-tour|title=ANNOUNCED: Conrad Sewell Joins Maroon 5 Tour|access-date=30 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104102312/https://www.livenation.co.nz/blog/announced-conrad-sewell-joins-maroon-5-tour|archive-date=4 November 2016|url-status=dead}} Sewell supported Jess Glynne on her "Ain't Got Far to Go" UK tour in October and November 2015. In October, Sewell announced that his debut extended play, All I Know would be released on 13 November 2015.{{cite web|url=http://chartshaker.com/2015/10/05/conrad-sewell-drops-new-single-who-you-lovin/|title=Conrad Sewell drops hot new single Who You Lovin from upcoming EP All I Know|publisher=chartshaker.com|date=5 October 2015|access-date=5 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005123600/http://chartshaker.com/2015/10/05/conrad-sewell-drops-new-single-who-you-lovin/|archive-date=5 October 2015|url-status=dead}} He also posted various Australian and New Zealand tour dates throughout November.{{cite web|url=http://krock.com.au/component/tags/tag/658-conrad-sewell|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731153916/https://krock.com.au/component/tags/tag/658-conrad-sewell|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 July 2021|title=Conrad Sewell To Tour November|publisher=krock.com.au|date=8 October 2015|access-date=20 October 2015}} In March 2015, he was picked as Elvis Duran's Artist of the Month and was featured on American TV network NBC's Today show hosted by Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb and broadcast nationally across the United States where he performed live his single "Start Again". In November 2015, at the ARIA Music Awards of 2015, Sewell won Song of the Year for "Start Again".{{cite web| url=http://www.skynews.com.au/culture/showbiz/music/2015/11/26/arias--conrad-sewell-wins-song-of-the-year.html|title=ARIAS - Conrad Sewell Wins Song Of The Year}} In February 2016, Sewell released "Remind Me" as the final single from All I Know. The following month, Coca-Cola released a song and video for their new campaign, "Taste the Feeling". It features Sewell's vocals and production from Avicii.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/6844153/conrad-sewell-avicii-coca-cola-taste-the-feeling|title=Taste The Feeling - Coca-Cola|magazine=Billboard }}
=2018–2021: Sony Music Australia and ''Life''=
{{main|Life (Conrad Sewell album)}}
In May 2018, Sewell announced he had signed with Sony Music Australia. In a statement, AO, chairman and CEO of Sony Denis Handlin said, "Conrad Sewell is an incredibly talented artist and I am thrilled to welcome him to the Sony Music family. This exciting next phase of his career will see him reach new heights and we are honoured to be a part of it."{{cite web|url=http://www.noise11.com/news/conrad-sewell-signs-with-sony-20180508|title=Conrad Sewell Signs With Sony |publisher=Noise11|date= 8 May 2018|access-date=9 May 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2018/05/07/conrad-sewell-joins-sony-music-entertainment/|title=Conrad Sewell Joins Sony Music Entertainment |publisher=The Music AU|date=7 May 2018|access-date=9 May 2018}}
On 18 May 2018, Sewell released the Ghosts & Heartaches EP, containing "Come Clean" and "Healing Hands".{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/ghosts-heartaches-single/1381289111|title=Ghosts & Heartaches – Single by Conrad Sewell on iTunes|work=iTunes Store (AU)|date=18 May 2018 |access-date=18 May 2018}} In February 2019, Sewell announced the release of his debut studio album Life which was released on 17 May 2019{{cite web|url=https://www.auspop.com.au/2019/02/conrad-sewells-new-life/|title=CONRAD SEWELL'S NEW LIFE |publisher=auspOp|date=14 February 2019|access-date=15 February 2019}} and debuted at number 1 on the ARIA Charts. Sewell had performed the Australian national anthem at the 2019 AFL Grand Final.
=2022–present: ''Precious''=
{{main|Precious (Conrad Sewell album)}}
On 9 September 2022, Sewell released "God Save the Queen"; the first new music from Sewell since 2019. The single described as "high-octane rock and roll, and a riot of energy." That month, he performed as a support act for Irish band The Script on their Australian tour.{{cite web|url=https://goodcalllive.com/2022/06/07/the-script-announce-conrad-sewell-as-special-guest-for-all-shows-on-greatest-hits-tour-2022/|title=THE SCRIPT Announce CONRAD SEWELL As Special Guest On 'Greatest Hits Tour 2022'|publisher=Good Call Live|date=7 June 2022|accessdate=12 February 2023}} On 14 October 2022, Sewell released "Make Me a Believer", a proclamation of unwavering devotion from the singer-songwriter. In October 2022, Sewell announced three headline East Coast shows in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne throughout November and December as well as the title of his second studio album, Precious, released in March 2023.{{cite web|url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/conrad-sewell-announces-intimate-australian-shows-43297/|title= Conrad Sewell Announces Intimate Australian Shows|website=Rolling Stone Australia|date=13 October 2022|access-date=15 October 2022}}
In 2023, Sewell competed as Bouncer on the fifth season of The Masked Singer Australia. He placed third, behind Darren Hayes and Dami Im.{{Cite news |last=Bond |first=Nick |date=7 November 2023 |title=Final three celebs revealed in The Masked Singer's 2023 season finale |work=news.com.au |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/reality-tv/final-three-celebs-revealed-in-the-masked-singers-2023-season-finale/news-story/2357c9eda139659ed343f3bcaa00b11a |access-date=8 November 2023}}
Personal life
Sewell comes from a large Catholic family and was confirmed in 2005, shortly after his success on Australian Idol.{{Cite web |last=Sewell |first=Conrad |date=2016-01-16 |title=Post |url=https://x.com/ConradOfficial/status/688483805204590593?t=8xtKuZR3Ni0HYLETdn8gQA&s=19 }}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2005-03-26 |title=From 'Idol' to Easter faith |url=https://catholicleader.com.au/people/from-idol-to-easter-faith_40309/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=The Catholic Leader |language=en-AU}}
"Pop singer Conrad Sewell was on the cusp of global stardom when his life unravelled due to drug and alcohol addiction."{{cite news |title=One Plus One: Conrad Sewell |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/programs/one-plus-one/2019-05-24/one-plus-one:-conrad-sewell/11143550 |access-date=17 March 2025 |work=abc.net.au |date=23 May 2019 |language=en-AU}} - ABC News (Australia)
Discography
=Albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" style="width:10em;" rowspan="2" | Title
! scope="col" style="width:16em;" rowspan="2" | Details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| AUS |
| scope="row" | Life
|
| 1 |
| scope="row" | Precious
|
| 67 |
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" style="width:10em;" rowspan="2" | Title
! scope="col" style="width:16em;" rowspan="2" | Details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| AUS |
| scope="row" | All I Know
|
| 9 |
| scope="row" | Ghosts & Heartaches
|
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|name=Ghosts & Heartaches|In Australia, sales of the Ghosts & Heartaches EP counted towards the song "Healing Hands" and therefore could not chart separately.}} |
=Singles=
==As lead artist==
==As featured artist==
Notes
{{notelist-ua}}
Tours
;Headlining
- All I Know Tour (2015–16){{cite web|title=ALL I KNOW TOUR OF AUSTRALIA'S EAST COAST & NEW ZEALAND NEXT MONTH ANNOUNCED|url=https://www.frontiertouring.com/conradsewell|website=frontiertouring.com|publisher=Frontier Touring|access-date=18 May 2016}}
- Life Tour (2019)
- Headline Tour (2022)
Awards and nominations
= APRA Awards =
The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 2019
| "Healing Hands"
| Pop Work of the Year
| {{nominated}}
|
|-
{{end}}
=ARIA Music Awards=
The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. Sewell had one win from 4 nominations.
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| 2015
| rowspan="3"| "Start Again"
| {{nom}}
|-
| {{nom}}
|-
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="1"| 2018
| rowspan="1"| "Healing Hands"
| Song of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
{{end}}
=Queensland Music Awards=
The Queensland Music Awards (previously known as Q Song Awards) are annual awards celebrating Queensland, Australia's brightest emerging artists and established legends. They commenced in 2006.{{cite web|url=https://www.queenslandmusicawards.com.au/about|title= About the Queensland Music Awards|website=Queensland Music Awards|access-date=21 March 2021}}
{{awards table}} {{small|(wins only)}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 2020
| Life
| Highest Selling Album
| {{won}}
|-
{{end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|conradofficial.com}}
{{Conrad Sewell}}
{{ARIA Award for Single of the Year}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sewell, Conrad}}
Category:21st-century Australian singers
Category:21st-century Australian male singers
Category:Australian male singer-songwriters
Category:Sony Music Australia artists