It’s just over a month since Alfie Arcuri, an architect from Sydney, was crowned the 2016 winner of ‘The Voice’.
He’s hit the ground running since, with a debut single, a debut album and a raft of instore appearances in support of it. But in between it all, Alfie still found the time to answer a few questions from your favourite pop site in our latest Q&A.
Q. First and foremost, congratulations on the win. Are you still pinching yourself?
A. Thank you so much, I can’t believe that it has been a month since the show finished! It still seems surreal when I actually sit down and think about everything that has happened!
Q. You seem genuinely surprised to be there at the end?
A. Yes I genuinely was because I feel like nothing like this ever happens in my life.
Q. How have you been coping with the post-show whirlwind?
A. I have really been enjoying the experience after the show! It has been great travelling across the country to the different in-store signings and meeting all the people who are supporting me.
Q. How have you been coping with the post-show attention?
A. I have been coping fine! The people have been great! It’s so strange to be in other states and have people recognise me!
Q. What first prompted you to go on ‘The Voice’?
A. I had fantasised for a little while at the thought of singing to those red chairs but I didn’t have the courage. It wasn’t until the last season where I thought, ‘what’s the worst that can happen’? So I just sent through my audition.
Q. What did you hope to get out of the experience?
A. I just wanted to make people feel the way I feel when I sing songs! It’s the most incredible feeling in the world to be connected to music and I wanted to share that with people.
Q. What did the process teach you?
A. The biggest thing would probably be that anything is possible and that you have no idea what life has in store. Life is SO exciting and UNPREDICTABLE!!
Q. What was the biggest challenge for you putting your other “professional” life on hold for three months?
A. I guess the change in daily routine was something I had to adjust to – life on the show was so different to my life in the office! My old life was so structured and predictable.
Q. Was there a performance that stood out as a favourite for you?
A. I would have to say singing (Daniel Merriweather‘s) ‘Red’ at the super battles was a turning point for me. I think it gave people a real insight into my story. I really connect with that song and it is the song that made me want to sing! I think people could feel that.
Q. You’ve mentioned in previous interviews that your fanbase changed somewhat throughout ‘The Voice’…? How did that happen?
A. Well prior to the show I had developed a following on social media through posting cover songs. I had built a substantial following, which mostly consisted of young girls. During the show this sort of developed into different demographics. I seemed to attract the girls, gays and grannys lol and mums! Haha!
Q. Now obviously not many of the past winners and contestants from ‘The Voice’ have gone on to major success afterwards… What are your plans to ensure that you make a go out of this?
A. I think hard work for a start and having realistic goals and expectations. Great things don’t happen over night. Staying connected with fans/supporters is also very important.
Q. How much say did you have in a) the songs that you covered on the show and b) which ones made the debut album?
A. I think it was very collaborative – many songs I sung on the show were songs that I absolutely loved and wanted to sing… some of the songs were introduced to me and I instantly fell in love with them! All of the songs I sung on the show are on the album except for the duet with Delta and ‘Drag Me Down’ by One Direction.
Q. Tell us about ‘Cruel’ first and foremost. How did that come to be your debut single and what were your reactions when you first heard it?
A. ‘Cruel’ was written by a lady called Lindy Robbins – she has written so many hits around the world! When I first heard the song I thought it was fun! It has a cool R&B vibe. I perform it a lot acoustically and people seem to love it that way!
Q. And what about the other original on ‘Zenith’, ‘Careless Game’?
A. Oh when I heard that Troye Sivan had written a song on the album I was so excited! I am a massive fan of his! The song is so cool and it has that chilled out Sivan vibe, which I love!!
Q. What are your hopes for the album?
A. Although the songs are predominantly covers, I have connected with them throughout my life and I like to think that when I sing them its from a place of real honesty – the album tells a story of my life and I’m hoping that people connect with my version of the songs in the way that I do :)
Q. Apparently your instores were really well patronised; what’s the strangest thing a fan has said to you or asked of you thus far?
A. The in-stores have been great – there haven’t been any strange things. The only thing I find strange is that people across the country know who I am and make the effort to come and see me! It’s flattering actually!
Q. What will true Alfie Arcuri original music sound like?
A. Firstly the lyrics will be very honest, I think that’s the only way people will connect with you. I want to tell the story of my life through my music! In terms of a sound – think Sam Smith meets James Bay meets Jack Savoretti meets Adele.
Q. Have you done any songwriting in the past?
A. Not really – but I am so excited to delve into it! I feel like I have so much to say.
Q. How much input or influence do you think Delta Goodrem might have in/on your career from here on?
A. I think we will be friends for a long time – I appreciate her so much as a human and as an artist.
Q. Has she been in touch post-show?
A. Yes – we speak quite often :)
Q. And, finally, speaking of shows, you’ve got four locked in in November, including three in the suburbs of Sydney. What can audiences expect?
A. It will give the audience a chance to get to know me on more of a personal level! I love a good chat so I’m excited to get to know my supporters! I’ll be singing mostly songs from the album but I will be throwing in a few surprises here and there :)
Alfie Arcuri’s debut single ‘Cruel’ and debut album ‘Zenith’ are both available now.
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