Michael Stangel to headline Sunset in the Park
Thursday October 10 2013
The Voice finalist to headline Sunset in the Park festival
Australian singer/songwriter and The Voice finalist Michael Stangel is set to headline Saturday's Sunset in the Park Music Festival, and said he's "privileged to be part of the celebration."
"I have been to Port Douglas many times and just love the place. I'm a big fan of FNQ," Stangel told The Newsport.
"I'm expecting to see lots of people having a great time - young and old. The Sunset festival is all about celebrating the best that the area has to offer."
Stangel said he'll be playing a mix of covers and original songs, including some covered by Shannon Noll.
"One song in particular [that will be included] was on the [Noll's] triple platinum selling album Lift, called 'All I want is more'," Stangel said.
Now in its sixth year, the event returns to the spectacular tropical oasis of Port Douglas' Rex Smeal Park this Saturday, with a bill featuring popular Port Douglas and Cairns bands.
A music veteran for the past 25 years, Stangel was recently in the spotlight again as a finalist on Nine’s hit reality TV show The Voice. On the back of his subsequent national success, the Melbourne-based musician and his five-piece ensemble recorded a new album, with Stangel to treat Sunset audiences to some of these tracks, plus iconic Australian favourites.
Gates will open at noon on October 12, and Stangel will take to the stage at 6pm.
On Sunday, QT Port Douglas hosts Stangel for the Official Recovery Party from 1pm, part of a special edition of the hip resort's weekly event, Estilo Domingo.
Inspired by the traditional Spanish fiesta, guests at this Sunday's Estilo Domingo can enjoy an exclusive acoustic set from Stangel, plus the event's Spanish fare and drink specials, including $20 jugs of sangria and $5 Coronas.
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Michael Stangel has written, produced and played on tracks for numerous successful Australian artists, including Shannon Noll, The Veronicas, Dean Geyer, Human Nature, and The Androids, but the Geelong-born artist started his career as a youngster playing in local bands at festivals and school events.
He moved into more professional bands in his early teens, and by age 16 was earning more money music than his salaried school teachers. This mix of artist and entrepreneur would become a common theme throughout Michael’s career.
Stangel received his first big break at 19, moving to Europe after signing with a Spain-based European label. After some minor success there, Stangel returned to Australia, to focus on his writing and production skills.
He teamed up with producer Paul Wiltshire in 2001, to work on projects for Sony Music and Universal Music Australia. During this time, Michael met ARIA winning producer and engineer David Nicholas, a producer and engineer who had worked with international artists like The Pretenders, INXS, Elton John, Brian Adams and Shakespeare’s Sister, and locally with Cold Chisel, George, and Delta Goodrem.
Originally a Pro Tools operator for Nicholas, the pair eventually teamed up as writing and production partners and founded Jellyfish Records. Stangel collaborated with Nikki Chinn, Steve Booker, Bridget Benenate and Kevin Savigar, who boast writing credits for Tina Turner, Duffy, Kelly Clarkson and Rod Stewart.
Stangel produced and mixed the album ‘Loss of Signal’ by Melbourne band Borne in 2005, which went on to reach #14 on the USA Billboard album charts. The success led to demand from major labels, and Stangel worked on projects with Sony/BMG, UMA, Festival Records, EMI and Warner Brothers.
During a performance in 2011, Stangel experienced a small seizure. He thought nothing of it at the time, but was later diagnosed with a rare tumour lodged in one of his heart valves. Immediate emergency surgery was the only option, and once removed, the tumour wasn’t expected to cause any future problems. Stangel returned to work, but suffered more double vision and stroke-like symptoms. Doctors found six tumours in his brain, thought to be aggressive melanoma, and was given a limited life expectancy.
After living with this prognosis for two months, Stangel suffered more bad news. He was told his brain tumours comprised the same matter as his earlier heart tumour; a situation so medically rare, no known treatment existed.
In 2012, Stangel was recovering from one of many brain surgeries when a friend suggested he audition for Channel Nine’s reality singing competition, The Voice, to distract from the repeat operations.
After much persuasion from his family, he auditioned, and was successfully selected during the Blind Auditions as a member of Delta Goodrem’s team. Though he lost in the show’s Battle Round, all four judges unanimously gave him another chance, and Stangel moved to Joel Madden’s team. The pair developed a firm friendship, and Stangel finished in Team Joel’s Top 3. In one Voice episode, Madden said “Michael, you represent Australia well, you’re a fighter and a good man; the kind of man I would like to think I am to my family”.
Stangel moved to capitalise on his Voice success, though he suffered another aneurysm and seizure two weeks after The Voice finale. He recovered well from subsequent surgery, and went on to sing the national anthem at the EJ Whitten AFL Legends game just eight days later, in front a live crowd of 40,000 and over a million television viewers.
Michael Stangel is currently working on his upcoming album ‘An Aussie Spirit’, due for release later this year.