Doonan local Marshall Hamburger is making waves on the national stage, securing a
coveted spot in the top 3 of Australian Idol. As he inches closer to the grand finale on
Wednesday, he reflects on his journey, influences, and the support he has received
from his hometown.
Marshall said watching last year’s season of Australian Idol, particularly the success
of Sunshine Coast contestant Tyler Hammill, inspired him to audition. Seeing
someone from so close to home take the stage motivated him to take the leap. “It felt
like the right time as I was musically ready,” he said.
Growing up in a musical family, Marshall was heavily influenced by his parents’
experiences in the industry. “They lived in the ‘80s, and all that music is really
nostalgic for me. The musicality in those songs is different from today’s songs. I also
look to my parents with how they used to perform,” he said.
While his talent is undeniable, Marshall has had to navigate challenges along the
way, particularly anxiety and perfectionism. “The pace of Australian Idol has helped
me. My anxiety is still there, but the more performances I do, the less scary the stage
becomes,” he said. “With perfectionism, I’ve had to adapt and learn to be happy with
the best version of a performance in the moment.”
Marshall’s passion lies in soul pop and ballads, and he credits artists like Lawrence
the Band, Stevie Wonder, and John Farnham for shaping his sound. “It’s so fun to
give a lot of energy to a performance and see a crowd react. Ballads make you feel
so powerful singing them,” he said.”Songs are, at the end of the day, telling a story.
I’ve grown up watching and analysing films and TV, and I like to think all my
influences come back to that.” He even credits Back to the Future icons Huey Lewis
and Marty McFly for influencing his stage presence.
Marshall’s roots in Doonan have played a significant role in shaping him as an artist.
“Growing up in Doonan, it was like a little slice of heaven… We live on acreage, the
nearest town was 15-20 minutes away. It… was really peaceful,” he said. “We could
see the stars instead of streetlamps. It helped me settle and find who I am.”
Looking ahead, Marshall dreams of performing his original music worldwide. “If I win,
my big dream is to work on an original album. I have a few songs I’ve written that I’d
love to finish properly. I just want to get to work,” he said.
A surprising fact about the young artist? He’s an avid kayaker. “As such a nerdy
person, I find the exploration part of kayaking really enjoyable,” he said.
Marshall has been overwhelmed by the support from Noosa locals. “I see all the
messages and posts. I feel so grateful and honoured that I’ve been given time and
space from the people of Noosa and my hometown. Thank you and keep voting!” he
said.