A 13-year-old Perth schoolboy is set for superstardom after his internet singing performances went viral on YouTube.
Perth Grammar pupil Brendan MacFarlane is now swapping his schoolbooks for his guitar and is off to America, hoping to sign his first management deal.
Brendan’s amazing vocal performances have grabbed the imagination of music fans across the world and his renditions of some classic country and gospel songs have had record companies scrambling for his signature. The teenager has already co-written and recorded his debut album with his dad, Perth musician George MacFarlane, and George’s friend Bizzy.
It’s an incredible tale, especially as Brendan has thus far been protected from the “evils” of the music industry by George, who has preferred to quietly nurture the young protege’s stunning talent since he first revealed his “gift” for singing at the age of two having already turned down offers from major record labels.
“We’ve had offers from Universal and Atlantic but we weren’t happy with them. They wanted to turn him into the next Justin Beiber or something like that,” George said. “We know how good he is and it’s all about the music, not some novelty image or branding.
“We’ll just see what happens over there. The American schools don’t go back for a month or so yet and we’ll see where we end up and what’s best for him after that,” George said.
Brendan himself was looking forward immensely to his big adventure, although he admits he’ll miss playing football and pool with his pals.
“I’d rather be singing but I’ll still be in touch with them on Facebook though,” he said. “I just want to sing and make people happy. I get a lot of messages from people who are maybe ill or not feeling great and they say when they hear me singing it makes them happy and gets them through the day.”
Admitting to a liking for heavy rock his favourite bands are Nickelback and AC/DC Brendan’s real love is the gospel/country/blues music he grew up hearing in the family home.
“I love all kinds of music I just love singing and it’s what I want to do,” he said. “I feel a lot better singing my own songs it’s different from just covering other people’s. You’re writing it and recording it and singing it and no one’s ever heard them before.”Brendan’s album is available through Concorde Records in Perth, on iTunes and on his website (link).