SameSame.com.au ~ Inside Out Australia

Aussie group The Ten Tenors originated out of the Queensland Conservatory in Brisbane at a time when Channel 10 was putting together a big corporate event and needed talent for the show. This was in the mid-1990s when the Three Tenors were at the height of their popularity and they thought why settle for three tenors when you can have ten?

After building a local name for themselves, The Ten Tenors decided in 1998 to take the next step in their musical careers and started touring cities throughout Australia. Performing in venues large and small all around the country, they received great praise from their audiences and started to build a following for their musical efforts.

But their big breakthrough came in early 2002 when they were invited to perform as part of the Eurovision Song Contest. Achieving great success at that event, The Ten Tenors haven’t looked back since, and have used that opportunity as a springboard to bigger and better things.

We sat down and chatted to one of the newest recruits, Josh Piterman.

So it’s been six months now as part of an amazing vocal group that’s also known for their fun attitudes. What has been the craziest thing you’ve witnessed so far at a performance?

We had a very funny moment where one of the guys does a closing speech for the show. For our new show Nostalgica we did an eighties medley in Germany. He says “we’re going to take you on a journey, a big journey – we want to know if you’re going to come with us. Unfortunately he said “come on us” instead.

Do you think you have a following in the gay community?

Look I would love for us to have a really big following in the gay community. At the Melbourne Cup the other day I ran into Carson from Queer Eye For The Straight Guy and he loves us. He was giving me hugs and was like “oh my Josh it’s been so long and you gotta come see me when you’re in LA!” We’ve got his support and he’s one of the biggest gay icons going around so good on him.

So what happened to the previous gay member of the Ten Tenors, Dion Molinas?

He’s one of the few that moved on. He’d been in the group for a number of years, he felt it was time to pursue other things and other career options. He’s a lovely chap and it was sad to see him go.

How to do The Ten Tenors manage to keep all personalities and egos in check for harmony?

None of the guys really have egos. We’re all pretty normal lads. So it doesn’t really make it difficult at all.

Who decides the arrangements of the songs and who gets to sing the solo parts?

Everything that happens for the group is internal in terms of staging, choreography, musical direction, solo allocation, arrangements, orchestrations. All things are done within the group which is kind of amazing.

Who’s the diva in the group?

No one’s bitchy and no one makes a fuss. I think we should hire someone who stirs things up for a bit.

What are the fans’ favourite songs of yours?

No doubt Bohemian Rhapsody. That’s getting about 2,000 youtube hits a day. It’s unbelievable covering that. We never thought we’d get so many hits.

So who picks up the tab at dinner?

Ohhhh I think that’s a very good question. Sharing is caring. Someone will take it one day and another will take it the next day. We live to give. We’re good blokes.

How do you feel about your new album?

I’m really happy with it. It’s an album where our fans have requested the songs and I don’t know how many groups get to do that.

Watch the clip from Bohemian Rhapsody here:

The Ten Tenors new album Nostalgica is out now through Warner Music.