Axle’s getting gay this summer

Contrary to the title of his first single I Don’t Do Surprises, Axle Whitehead is a man of many revelations. But there’s much more to this singer than exposing his genitals at the ARIA Awards, singing on Australian Idol, hosting Video Hits or the recent disclosure of his ADHD.

When you look beyond the stigmas that are attached to the entertainer you find a talented and inspiring artist shaped by impressive vocals, musical insight and a sexy fluff of body hair.

Whitehead, who released his debut album, Losing Sleep, last month, is to perform at this year’s Summer Gay Day alongside Dirty Laundry and the Stafford Brothers on Saturday 29 November.

The 27-year-old prides himself on his eclectic musical taste, evidenced by the style of the latest album.

It’s hard to pinpoint what genre he belongs to, but Whitehead said it’s a blend of everything and that the new album was really an experiment to track back on genres that he was brought up on.

Being a musician you’ve always got to be listening to the many different styles of music and always trying to write different stuff and push yourself to grow as an artist, he told Sydney Star Observer.

I studied jazz in Melbourne and that has really helped my understanding of the nuts and bolts of music.

I grew up on the baby boomer music. I just wanted to encompass all the stuff that I love listening to and create my own sound. So it took a year and a half and working with a producer, Robert Conley, and engaging into his influences as well, which are more electric. So it was a matter of blending all these different styles I like.

Many critics expected Whitehead to disappear from view after his over-exposure at the ARIAs, but he says he used that time to regroup and write music for the new album.

It was really time for me to do what I do best and that’s being a musician. It was exciting and I didn’t think, -˜Shit, the world is ending.’ I thought now I can get back and start recording, he said.

I thought it was silly for them to fire me as they could have capitalised on it. I don’t really regret it and I thought it was a good time to move on and subconsciously I was sabotaging myself to go back into music.

At the same time I was going through a break-up and needed to find out where I was at. I suppose there is some sort of lyrical content in this album that represents this time of failure and redemption but there are also a lot of good times as well.

I’m also interested in researching quantum theory and I wanted to try to get those types of topics of metaphysics and free will into a song.

As well as his gig at Summer Gay Day, Whitehead will be showcasing his talent at the Vanguard this Saturday 4 October and is hoping to drop the Idol tag along the way.

Although I came from Idol I don’t think people remember me so much -” I was only on it twice. It’s not always the best tag to be a part of but it’s great to get exposure.

Summer Gay Day is going to be a great event. I will be doing a relaxing set at the beginning of the day and it’s going to be very intimate. The Vanguard is going to be with my full band and really showcase my album. I can’t wait for both gigs.

info: For more details on Axle Whitehead check out his website on www.myspace.com/axlewhiteheadmusic.