Idol contestant hopes to release his polarising revamp of You’re The Voice

Booted Australian Idol contestant T.J. Zimba has revealed plans to release his polarising version of You’re The Voice.

Talented electronic producer and Australian Idol artist T.J. Zimba hopes to release his polarising version of the John Farnham anthem You’re The Voice to “give it the respect it deserves” to a younger generation.

The 24-year-old from the Western Australian mining town of Karratha was the first contestant in the show’s history to completely reinvent the songs he performed on Idol, creating his own beats and backing tracks and designing the lighting and staging.

Zimba said he knew he was taking a big risk in giving You’re The Voice a post-millennial makeover during the judge’s choice round.

He is now seeking permission to release the version he performed on Sunday.

Australian Idol contestant T.J. Zimba says You're The Voice deserves to “transcend generations”. Picture: Supplied / Seven

“I’m an Australian, I love being an Australian and You’re The Voice is a song that deserves to transcend generations but too many people my age and younger do not like it so I thought ‘Let me make them like it,’” he said.

“I feel so honoured to be able to do something like that; I knew middle Australia might hate it and all the Karens might hit me up for ruining their Voice but I’m happy because all the people my age loved it.

“One young girl told me ‘I did not like it when my parents played this. But this version is so cool … you’ve just made it something different’, so I’m so happy with my performance.”

It was Zimba’s “difference” as an artist who didn’t faithfully belt out popular songs on the song which saw him fail to get the vote to progress to the top 8. He said he regarded the show as a music industry “boot camp” to boost his skills.

While judges Amy Shark, Marcia Hines and Kyle Sandilands recognised his potential as a future pop gamechanger, viewers historically resist backing risk-takers on reality singing contests.

Zimba said he admired current Australian pop stars including Kid Laroi, Troye Sivan and his friend, emerging hip hop star Tkay Maidza, who had launched their careers overseas when they faced obstacles in pursuing their paths at home.

“I feel like it’s time Australia caught up with the rest of the world and stopped playing catch up. I feel like we should join the future in terms of where music is going, and I want to be one of those artists leading that movement,” he said.

“When I do make it globally, I’m going to come back to Australia to try to create opportunities for others to follow their dreams.”

Sunshine Coast surfer Tyler Hammill is planning an Australian tour. Picture: Supplied / Seven

The other contestant who was booted from the 2024 contest this week was Sunshine Coast surf lifesaver and indie folk singer Tyler Hammill.

The 21-year-old artist plans to capitalise on his Idol profile boost by showcasing his original music with an east coast tour in the next few months.

While he struggled with some of the styling options, song choices and losing his guitar to sing Post Malone’s Chemical for his top 10 performance, Hammill said Idol gave him an “awesome stage” to introduce his talent to a bigger audience.

“Now it’s honestly back to this very slow drip and hard grind to try to make it to festival stages and these shows I want to do this year,” he said.

“I’m a self-managed artist, so I’m going to sort the venues, all the details and come back out to play to all these awesome people from the show,” he said.

Originally published as Idol contestant hopes to release his polarising revamp of You’re The Voice