Darren Percival: My pursuit to be a better man

'This album is a thank you to the public for bringing my dreams to life.'

From the moment he auditioned for The Voice, Darren Percival’s life changed forever.

Up until then this 40-year-old dad of two was struggling to make it in the music industry but now The Voice runner up has a new album, a new friend in Keith Urban and new lease on life.

Darren talks to New Idea about his amazing ride of a year.

Congratulations on the album. What a year you’ve had!

I think life can change everyday. I didn’t think I would be here today but here I am. It’s all part of my pursuit to be a better man, which you may have witnessed on the show, and it’s been happening since my son, Cash, was born, back in 2009. I feel like I am doing pretty well at the moment.

Following his dreams - Darren Percival performs the Australian national anthem during game three of the 2012 State of Origin. Source: Getty

THAT'S LIFE: Darren Percival's old student reveals all!

What do you mean to be a better man?

When I saw my son being born, I looked at him and I thought ‘He is going to ask me one day, “Hey Dadda. You know how you sing, have you fulfilled your dreams and did everything that you wanted to do?’ And I went to my wife Amanda ‘I’m not going to be able to say that right now.’

So from then, until The Voice, I just flipped my business upside down, I started painting again, I started producing records for other bands. I just dived into my life when he came on board. I stopped drinking as much as I was. I started taking better care of myself and started walking and exercising a little bit more regularly.

Then The Voice happened…

Then The Voice happened and on my 40th birthday they emailed me and said, you got through to the blind auditions. It was like buying a ticket for the most amazing ride you’re ever going to be on.

RELATED Q&A: A different side of Rachael Leahcar

Darren and his new friend Keith Urban. Source: Getty

How involved were you in the making of your new album Happy Home?

I am a great collaborator with people. I love working with Universal music.

Had you met anyone from Universal before?

Of course I did, because I’ve been working with them on various projects. I’d just never gone in there with my demos because frankly I was 40. I’m realistic and I’d accepted where I was at and I was cool. It’s not that I gave up on it I just started producing albums, or preparing famous singers for their records.

So I’m still in the studio, I’m just not the one in the spotlight. But now I’m that guy. And this album is a way of saying thank you to the Australian public for bringing my dreams to life.

NEWS: Keith Urban opens up about Nicole Kidman

The finalists of The Voice: Karise Eden, Sarah De Bono, Rachael Leahcar and Darren Percival . Source: Getty

Do you have a favourite song on the album?

One is ‘In the blowing wind’ which would have been my single if I’d won.
It’s a beautiful song written by James Morrison, the UK soul guy. And guess what? The song that was playing around the time that Amanda and I got together, was his You Give Me Something. And Mahalia Barnes and I also supported him when he came out on tour two or three years.

So if your son asked you now about fulfilling your dreams, what are you going to say?

I’m going to say, ‘Life is a ride. And you bought the ticket, so you’re going to have to enjoy it. I am really happy that I was brave.’ That’s what I will say. And I think the courage to do something brings happiness, and with that happiness brings freedom.