Shannon Noll excels at power ballads about the drama of everyday life. Born 1975 in Orange, New South Wales, Noll grew up shearing sheep on his family farm and later belted out covers with a band in country pubs. After he placed second in the debut season of Australian Idol in 2003, Noll’s glossy, rock-edged cover of Moving Pictures’ “What About Me” became Australia’s top-selling single in 2004. That track established the earnest vibe for his original hits to follow, including that year’s triumphant romance “Drive” and 2005’s chart-topping “Shine”, a catchy call to seize the moment. Noll’s robust voice is a natural fit for country music too, as proven by guest spots on Southbound’s “Don’t Give Up” in 2020 and Darlinghurst’s “Find Our Way” in 2021. Reflecting his pub-friendly origins, Noll’s 2021 live album Raw balanced his original hits with reinterpreted Aussie classics by INXS and Crowded House.