GUY Sebastian admits he was unprepared for the wave of criticism he received for appearing alongside Prime Minister Scott Morrison back in June at the announcement of the Federal Government's $250 million support package for Australia's arts and cultural sectors.
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Much of the criticism came from within Sebastian's own industry.
Critics said the rescue package was announced far too late and that Sebastian had been dragged along to be merely used for the photo opportunity.
But Sebastian has no regrets. The COVID-19 pandemic has decimated the performing arts industries.
Whether you like Morrison and his government or not, Sebastian says you need to work with who's holding the purse strings.
"I always come back to what I'm standing for," Sebastian says.
"For me, it wasn't about choosing a side in partisan politics and standing with someone or an endorsement, it was because I was happy something was being done in my industry.
"It was an unprecedented quarter of a billion dollars.
"Yes, we can all sit around and complain about what isn't being done, but we also have to celebrate what is being done, and at the time I was stoked."
Sebastian's enthusiasm for the package has subsequently dulled.
It was revealed recently in Senate estimates that less than 20 per cent of the $250m package had been spent and all of the $49.5m released has gone to Screen Australia.
Sebastian also doesn't plan to become merely a famous face for Morrison's press conference. He wants to hold him to account.
He has written to the Prime Minister's office seeking an explanation over the tardiness of the arts package's release and has pitched an idea about a GST exemption for live music.
"I'm also asking questions to how that money is being spent," he says.
I've discovered I need not doubt myself or consider myself as not having a voice that matters. That's what's changed. I've realised I can back myself.
- Guy Sebastian
"I've got answers right now, I'm just not quite ready [to release them] - it's not new information - I just want to give the Prime Minister the chance to hear where I'm at with something. Hopefully we can see some solid changes.
"We've come from hopefully having a $750m stimulus package to getting $250m to now only $50m has been spent so far.
"I'm going to continue to fight for my peers.
"I've had so much love and support over the last couple of decades and it's something I feel I have to do."
The experience of talking to the Federal Government about the impact of the pandemic on the music industry and relaying the concerns of his colleagues has left a lasting impression on Sebastian.
The 39-year-old isn't the baby-faced pop singer with an afro anymore, who won the inaugural Australian Idol back in 2003.
Instead, he's an experienced artist who has racked up three ARIA No.1 albums and is savvy to the business side of music.
He's also realised he can use his profile to demand support and assistance for his peers.
"I've discovered I need not doubt myself or consider myself as not having a voice that matters," he says. "That's what's changed. I've realised I can back myself.
"I know so many intelligent and passionate people around me and if we gather together and put something that is really positive and informed then we can make a difference."
The Morrison controversy has done nothing to damper Sebastian's popularity. His ninth studio album T.R.U.T.H was released on October 16 and debuted at No.1.
Tracks like Choir and Before I Go have each received more than 32 million plays on Spotify, proof that Sebastian's embrace of Motown soul meets modern pop has found a global audience.
"It was a bit of a no-rules situation, I just worked with whatever came out," he says.
"I didn't really have a plan for production, as in what it was sonically going to sound like."
Sebastian also says T.R.U.T.H is his most honest album to date.
Before I Go was inspired by criticism he'd received about his music and career prospects, Believer was written for his wife Jules and Choir came after his bandmate and friend Luke Liang committed suicide in 2018.
"I look back at all these moments where I'm dealing with grief, or self-doubt or talking about mental health with Standing With You, and I just feel it's an album that reflects the last few years, especially this year," he says.
While T.R.U.T.H might have been inspired in part by grief, it's created happy moments for Sebastian.
Two weeks ago his label Sony hosted a party for Sebastian in Sydney to celebrate T.R.U.T.H cracking No.1 and even flew in his parents from Adelaide as a surprise.
"It was a massive tear attack," he says. "I hadn't seen my parents in eight months.
"In walks my mum with a No.1 ARIA and I was just a mess."
Guy Sebastian's 2021 T.R.U.T.H Tour visits Newcastle Entertainment Centre (November 4), Wollongong's WIN Entertainment Centre (November 10) and Bendigo Stadium (November 17).
