Aussie music legend says most new music sounds the same

He’s sold 80 million records worldwide, but chart-topper Leo Sayer says most new music sounds the same, and he knows why.

Leo Sayer and Marcia Hines are performing at the April Sun festival in St Kilda on Friday. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Adopted Aussie Leo Sayer, a global chart-topper with 80 million record sales, says most new music is made by committees and sounds the same.

Sayer, whose classic hits include You Make Me Feel Like Dancing, When I Need You, More Than I Can Say and Thunder In My Heart, said: “Artists, songwriters, creators ... we do things very differently all the time. We look to the edges. We’re always trying to explore.

“We’re not conveyor belts. Unfortunately, a lot of the artists now, are. That’s because it’s all done by committees. You can guarantee one record is going to sound like the next one.

“I’m not going to name names, but it’s all become a bit samey. We come from time when we were allowed to experiment, so that’s what we did.”

Sayer performed with soul diva Marcia Hines at the April Sun festival in St Kilda at the weekend.

Leo Sayer with Marcia Hines. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

He turns 73 in May, but Sayer says he performs his hits in all the original keys — no mean feat considering the famous falsetto in You Make Me Feel Like Dancing.

“The proof is always in the pudding,” Sayer says. “We need to see the proof and listen to the artists themselves. I’m still glorifying in the fact that I’m a very lucky boy to have this voice. Some of my contemporaries find it tougher than me, but I managed to keep on top of it.

He added: “If you feel young, and if you love what you’re doing, there’s no reason why we should drop off our abilities.”

The British-born singer moved Down Under in 2005 and became an Australian citizen in 2009.

“I needed a kickstart in my life,” he said. “In England, in the early 2000s, it had all become about the talent shows on TV, and young artists. It was like, ‘You’ve had your time Leo.’

But when I came to Australia, it was like a rebirth. It was like my career started again.

“It’s been fantastic, mentally and physically, to be given that second chance. Australia has given me that chance, so I’m the proudest citizen you could ever talk to.”