Australia Idol’s Bobby Holmes: Young Gold Coast musician releases first single

Known for making the finals of Australian Idol, Gold Coast’s Bobby Holmes continues to impress fans with the release of his first single. Here’s how his family helped bring the dream to life.

Australian Idol finalist and local beach lover Bobby Holmes has released his first single with the help of his musical family.

Surfing the Swell tells the story of Bobby’s life on the Gold Coast, celebrating the city’s beaches in an upbeat, guitar-heavy bop.

Bobby Holmes made it to the top 24 of Australian Idol.

“We get to go to the beach every day then go home and play music — it’s like the time of our lives,” the recent high school graduate said.

The 18-year-old co-wrote the song with the help of his brother Angus and father Brad, backed by the lessons he learnt on his reality TV stint.

Bobby Holmes right at home following the release of his new single about surfing and the Gold Coast. The Holmes family, brothers Angus and Bobby, with father Brad. Picture Glenn Hampson

“It was great – I could just walk across the hallway to ask Dad for help,” Bobby said.

“I think it flows better when songs are written by a family because we can be more honest with each other, like ‘ah maybe not that’ or ‘yeah that’s good’.

“I made a lot of new talented friends on Australian Idol too and they really inspired me to work harder because they’re all just so great – I’m hoping some of their talent rubbed off on me.”

Bobby Holmes competing on Australian Idol.

Bobby is also collaborating with some of his fellow Idol contestants.

In addition to his brother who also appeared on the show, he is planning to create music with Elysa Villareal and Chandler Campbell.

Bobby Holmes right at home following the release of his new single about surfing and the Gold Coast. Picture Glenn Hampson

He hopes to release an EP later this year, with a similar focus on the local lifestyle, as well as songs paying homage to his Japanese background.

“There’s a lot of multicultural people just like me (on the Gold Coast), so hopefully people can relate to my music,” he said.

He’s already well on the way to local stardom, with most weekends booked out for the rest of the year.

“I have a lot of gigs lined up across the Gold Coast and Brisbane, some as the Bobby Holmes solo, the Angus and Bobby duo with my brother, and with both him and Dad as The Hitmen,” he said.