Idol Stan Walker tours memory lane

Stan Walker will be among many other international and New Zealand artists strutting their stuff at the EDGEtravaganza in Hamilton. He talks to Petrice Tarrant about the grand opening concert and other aspects of life in the limelight.
Australian Idol-winner Stan Walker will be returning to New Zealand for one-night - to take part in a show to celebrate the opening of Hamilton's Claudelands Arena on July 16.
He says he is excited about the seven-hour concert, EDGEtravaganza, which will be jam-packed with international bands and top local artists.
Performing in the show will be a trip back to the old days when Walker attended Hamilton Boys' High School.
The singer has never performed at the opening of a venue in Hamilton - a place that brings back so many memories - and says the opportunity sets this gig apart.
Walker's iPod is packed with different music styles but he says the most played is "old school" and R&B.
"Beyonce is the best, she is definitely my favourite," he says.
When asked what music he listens to while getting ready for a night out, he replies: "Well, that depends on what you mean by a night out.
"I just listen to whatever I'm in the mood for and it changes all the time."
Walker doesn't go clubbing - an average night out would involve working, he says.
Hard work is what it's all about, and Walker says it is one of the main reasons he is still around, unlike many other Idol winners.
"I guess it's about how much do you really want this? How hard are you willing to work? Because I'm working all the time. It's not easy."
He also works closely with 2006 Idol-winner Jessica Mauboy. "We are really good mates and we are always learning off each other. She's just amazing."
He says that this is the case with most people in his life.
"I have a different connection with everyone and learn different things from all of them."
Watching him on stage, Walker's cheeky personality shines through, despite all his hard work.
"This is everything I imagined it to be. I work hard but I'm always having fun at the same time."
His latest album, From The Inside Out, is still in the top 20 of the New Zealand Albums Chart and his new single Loud is on fire, having achieved gold sales.
But Walker is pushing forward. He's working on a new album and says he's really excited about its release.
"We're really mixing it up with this one. There's heaps of different styles in it and I really want people to hear it."
Long-term, Walker hopes to change things up completely - including starring in a new movie. He's nervous, but says the transition is not as sharp as it seems. "I have to act and take on the role of each character in my songs, especially when I do video clips."
But jokes aside, Walker has a few words of advice for aspiring musicians: "The three most important things to remember are to have fun, be yourself and don't let anyone change you."
EDGEtravaganza will kick off at 11am on July 16, and tickets cost $60 a person.
"It's going to be massive," Walker says. "Everybody needs to get involved. If you don't you're going to miss out on something amazing."