Singer Greg Gould on moving home, Mardi Gras and a new direction
If you drop into Greg Gould’s Terrigal hair salon, you could be treated to a song with your next haircut from the multi-talented artist.
Central Coast
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Singer Greg Gould is the happiest he has ever been.
The Australia’s Got Talent 2013 runner-up and talented hairdresser has moved back to the Central Coast (where he was raised) with his partner Brad, and they co-own Rogue Organic hair salon at Terrigal with NDIS provider Coast Community.
Gould is also a feature act at the upcoming Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and is preparing to release a duets album he has recorded with a host of Australian talents, such as Mark Gable and Rhonda Burchmore.
“I never really found my place in Sydney; I wasn’t happy in life,” Gould said.
“Six months later, that has all changed.
“Every day is amazing.”
His change in perspective coincided with a coffee meeting with Denise Clissold from Coast Community to discuss Gould running vocal workshops for her organisation.
Their meeting finished with him agreeing to go into business with her at Rogue Organic. The salon enables some of the people Coast Community assist to come in and learn work-ready skills, alongside Gould and the other qualified hairstylists.
“It’s making them feel a part of the community,” Gould said.
“If we can give them that here, imagine how much the rest of their life will open up.”
Gould’s role in the salon has also given him the freedom to continue to pursue his music.
His The Boy is Mine single with UK soul singer Peyton has its official launch event during the mardi gras festival, on February 25 at Universal, on Oxford Street in Sydney.
The song moves on a whole new journey with the music video, starring Home And Away actor Lynne McGranger as the mother of a child bullied at school.
“Both Peyton and I were severely bullied all throughout school and whether we were eating our lunch locked in the boys bathroom or being taunted on the playground – we have both shared our stories through this very important video and song,” Gould said online.
After mardi gras, his focus shifts back to the duets album, entitled 1998, which is scheduled for release in April, with a tour to follow. The album is dedicated to the memory of his stepmother, who lost her battle with cancer 12 months ago.
All of the profits from 1998 will go to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre.
Asked why he chose that particular cause, Gould was frank.
“She's inspired me over the years and I like that she takes a natural approach to beating cancer,” he said.
“And she’s a musician; I relate to her. And she inspires the f*** out of me basically.”