The part-time Gerroa resident is about to kick off a national tour to celebrate his 15-year career spanning 10 albums. There has been cringe-worthy lyrics, tough decisions and squid fishing along the way.

“It’s a really weird time because record companies are making money again because they’re getting huge blanket licencing deals from streaming services,” Sebastian told the Mercury. 

“Yet the on-flow isn’t really stemming through to the artist.”

The Bloodstone-singer explained even to get signed by record labels these days you need to have a certain number of streams, yet the Australian audience is often the last to get behind local talent.

“Most people are subscribing to international playlists. So if you’re not an Aussie that’s slamming internationally – which very few are – then you’re kind of screwed,” he said.

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Thankfully, Sebastian still draws a crowd each time he plays while his latest single Bloodstone has been getting some attention. Having a thick skin, a ‘never give up’ attitude and luck were the key ingredients he believes have helped him stay sustainable as an artist.

“I just wont give up. I had six or seven songs in a row rejected at radio, it’s heartbreaking,” he said.

“It’s very easy to get bitter but it’s not personal. Music’s weird, there’s so much of it now, it really is a numbers game. Like, a lot of it’s going to fail but you’ve just got to be good with that.”

Sebastian recalls earlier in his career sitting in a meeting with a “big American executive” who said he needed to find his “edge” by using girls in bikinis in his film clips, swearing in lyrics and going to parties.

“I was like ‘that’s not really me dude … I mean, my wife wear’s bikini’s’,” he laughed.

“I think as an artist your sound and your music evolves and I think that’s the key to longevity as well i think you have to have a genuine love for music.”

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Sebastian believes his songwriting has definitely evolved over time with some lyrics he wouldn’t be caught dead writing now.

“But back in the day... I didn’t scrutinise as much. So like in a song, I rhymed GFC with KFC in Don’t Worry Be Happy – which already is a title that’s been taken,” he said. “Who’s That Girl says the same thing for the whole chorus you know, like, it’s super repetitive ... but I don’t think I’d write that now.”

Regardless of the cringe factor these songs may still be whipped out for fans on the upcoming tour which begins at Wollongong Town Hall on June 9.

The singer is hoping to get some fishing time in at his holiday home in Gerroa, with squid on the menu.

“I know all the spots now. If you’re looking for squid down there don’t bother, I’ve taken them all,” he laughed.

Guy Sebastian’s ‘Then & Now’ tour, Wollongong Town Hall June 9. Ticket details at www.merrigong.com.au