SUSSEX Inlet’s very own Liam Maihi proved his musical talents on national television on Sunday night.
From performing at his mother’s hairdressing salon to Channel Nine’s The Voice stage, the 23-year-old singer/guitarist impressed the five coaches so much they fought to the bitter end to have him on their teams.
This year’s competition coaches Jessie J, Delta Goodrem, Ricky Martin and the Madden brothers were captivated by Maihi’s rendition of George Ezra’s Budapest.
The self-taught artist chose to go with Mr Martin.
“I thought if anyone turned around I knew who I’d want to go with, but when they all turned I was left stunned,” he said.
“I didn’t know what to do. These are some of the biggest artists in the world.
“Every single one of them had really good points about why they wanted to coach me and in the end I asked them what constructive feedback they could give me and what I could work on.”
The nerves kicked in when Mr Maihi walked up the steps to that stage.
“I think if I had done it any earlier I may have been put off by it all. It’s daunting with all the lights, cameras, the size of the stage and then when you see the backs of those chairs,” he said.
“Budapest was one of my favourite songs at the time and I thought it suited me well.
“I changed the arrangement to be more laidback with a guitar and piano and liked the way it sounded.”
Mr Maihi’s musical journey all started at Shoalhaven High School.
“My best friend had a guitar and I would listen to him play. I thought it was pretty cool and decided to pick it up,” he said.
“If I want to get good at anything I give it a lot of time.”
Singing was his next discovery.
“We were performing in front of our music class in year 10, but we didn’t have a singer. We went through everyone and then they came to me,” he said.
“I just started [singing] because of that one time, but I’d always sing in the shower. I just never really thought I was any good.
“This is the first time I’ve done anything like this before and I’ve loved the whole experience.”
But The Voice wasn’t Mr Maihi’s first public appearance.
“I think I’ve played at nearly every pub and club in the Shoalhaven, but my favourite one is the local Sussex club,” he said.
“When I play gigs I like to do a lot of reggae and blues - when I write my own stuff as well.
“I like to get everyone up and dancing and do more laid-back things for cafes, but I’ve also done a lot of jazz singing at the Archer [Racecourse].”
His mother is a lover of karaoke and has never been prouder.
“I think Mum’s more excited than me. I’ve never seen anyone so excited,” he said.
“She was diagnosed with cancer this year and to have something for her to look forward to has been really great.
“She loves going to Sydney and watching the performances.”
Maihi said he moved from Sydney with his mother and sister to the South Coast aged three after his parents split and never had the chance to meet his other siblings back in New Zealand.
“Every time I went back to Sydney to see my dad I would watch him play in reggae bands in Bondi,” he said.
“I remember wondering where the music would come from when he picked up that guitar. I guess my fascination started from there.
“When my dad came to Australia my three sisters and brother stayed over there. I’ve talked with them heaps but just never met them in person; at least as far as I remember.”
Maihi said he looks forward to the day he has the chance to meet them.
Maihi works as a labourer during the week and spends every other moment playing music. He said his only wish was to do his best in the competition and get his name and his music “out there”.
“My main goal is to have longevity in this industry I love so I can do it for the rest of my life.”