Michael Gives An Update!

Yes it's time again for another long-winded, self-indulgent piece of prose from yours truly to let you know what's been going on in my VERY important world... ha

The last month has been like a whirlwind, and perhaps the most intense and exciting of my life so far. Here's the low down:

1. I'm a extremely pleased to be able to announce first to you, the new single from 'This Welcome Diversion' is 'A Victim Song'.. The highly guarded secret has been exposed and now the military protection can pack up and go home.. I've just put the song up on myspace for your listening pleasure so you can get a taste of it before ANYONE ELSE. I'm pumped about this song and the possibility of it reaching a whole stack of people. I really believe in what it has to say and i hope you guys will too! Go on, listen, i dare ya!

2. Secondly, we've also just finished the video clip for 'A VIctim Song' with ground-breaking director extraordinaire, Jan Reichle. I have a feeling you're gonna love it.. It was quite an intense one for me - i had live snakes wrapped around my head, was painted like a homicidal clown, painted thrown in my face, bound up like tutankhamun and gagged with rope [Note: I know, in know, bring on the jokes of "Finally, i've been wanting a go at that for years!" and "So they eventually got sick of your big mouth did they paynter?"]. But all in all it was a great day. It was 12 hours of intense organization and filming, but the result is going to amazing.

3. As you know by now i'm currently on a national tour with some guy with a 'big black shiny car' and it's such a blast! Shannon has been incredible to work with, being extremely generous with his time, his crew and his audiences, and the first few weeks have been way beyond any of our expectations. Mind you, the 2 weeks just passed have been no walk in the park. We had 8 gigs in 7 days, as well as a full day in the studio recording B-Sides for A Victim Song, a live performance on Perth Channel 7's 'Telethon', almost 30 hours of driving and 10 hours on planes... But the response we've been getting form the crowd makes this pale into insignificance. It's been such a privilege getting out and meeting thousands of new people, selling CD's and just generally doing what i love to do - sing. We're on tour till the middle of December with shows in every state as well as plenty of regional shows so GET ON DOWN and come see the best show of the year!! It's 2 hours of great songs, great fun and great vibe..

4. ..and last but not least, many of you guys entered the competition run by the 'Michael Paynter People' and Sony BMG on my website where i would be choosing one of your submitted songs to record. There was also a chance to come into the studio with me and to take home a SONY PSP!! Thanks to everyone for your entries.. I thought long and hard about the winner as there were hundreds of amazing songs to choose from.. From Neil Diamond to Nirvana and EVERYTHING in between!

But, it's my pleasure to announce that the winner of the Michael Paynter SONY PSP competition is..

NATALIE RUSHIDI from Hoppers Crossing, VIC. She absolutely won my vote when she submitted one of my favourite songs, 'The Devil in Disguise' by perhaps my favourite artist of all time, Elvis Presley. Congratulations, Nat!

I can't wait to put my spin on this classic song, and next week you'll be able to hear the final result as well as see footage of Nat hanging out in the studio with me, on myspace and on michaelpaynter.com


Well i know that was a long one, but things just keep heating up here! It's such an exciting time and it's an honour to have you behind me all the way. Without you there would be no point even trying! So thanks for the most solid, intense and consistent support possible!

Much much love, and remember..

"Doubting yourself is a victim song..."



Michael.