Biography:

The lights are off, it’s a full house. Those not fortunate enough to secure a seat huddle outside in the bitter cold at the hope of somehow scoring a golden ticket inside. As the stage techs set up they look out to a sea of people. 7,000 fans are packed in to St. John’s Mile One Stadium, there isn’t a free inch on the floor. Girls shriek at a potential glimpse backstage. Anticipation high, the crowd can’t wait any longer, the lights go on and Rex Goudie takes the stage at his first ever live concert; mayhem ensues.

“That was one of the craziest moments of my life, it was the release day for my debut CD and the first time I performed live to an audience that big. The pressure was on, both onstage and off,” Rex recalls about that night. “But the moment I stepped out I learned that there was nothing like the feeling of being up on stage, when the fans are into the music, and I’m in stride. That connection between artist, music and fan is amazing. I long for it to come again.”

It turns out there was no need for Rex to worry that night, because following that amazing night was an amazing year for Rex Goudie. Under the Lights debuted at # 6 on the Soundscan Charts, reached Platinum status and yielded 2 hit singles including the # 1 charting hit "Run". Rex also completed two successful tours that spanned the country, had a one hour TV concert special Melissa & Rex: Let It Go! that aired nationally on CTV and was recognized with nominations at the 2005 JUNO Awards in the highly prestigious categories of “Artist of the Year” and “Album of the Year.”

In fact, his accomplishments were so overwhelming that publishing companies were fighting over the opportunity to put out his autobiography. Clip Creative Publishers were granted the opportunity and in September 2006 Rex Goudie: Idolized was released in Chapters across the country.

Now, one year later Rex is ready to do it all over again with the release of his sophomore album Look Closer. With this album Rex was determined to follow his artistic impulses. “This album is an album about me. I took the opportunity with this album to lean in a direction that is closer to where I see myself as an artist. I’ve written a lot more and as a result it really represents who I am. The album is honest and my heart lies in it,” says Rex.

After the whirlwind Rex had been through most people would have taken some sort of break, but Rex Goudie isn’t “most people.” “I started writing for Look Closer the day after I stopped touring for Under the Lights. I felt I needed to get my experiences on paper right away,” says Rex.

With more time to write and record his sophomore album, Rex made it his priority to be involved in every step of the process.

Rex has writing credits on five songs on the new album. “I was lucky. I got to write alongside some brilliant writers which made the songs easy to come by,” says Rex. “We’d exchange ideas and without much fret, a song was born. When we got a good vibe going everything would just fall in to place.”

Rex’s motivation for songwriting came primarily from personal experiences. “I found inspiration from things that were going on in my life at the time. Way Above was inspired by the many losses I experienced over the past year. Ain’t Dead Yet is about being proud of where you come from,” says Rex. “I found it easier to write from the heart rather than trying to make up a story.” He also co-wrote on Like I was Dying, Till It’s Over, and Throwing it All Away.

Of the co-writes, ‘Like I Was Dying’ is one that lies very close to Rex’s heart. “This song is a testament to the simplicity of a love song. Some songs just feel better naked like this one. I tried to be as honest as I possibly could while writing this song, I think it came out quite beautifully,” says Rex.

Rex also enjoyed the creative process in discovering songs from other talented songwriters for the album. The first single ‘You Got To Me’ was penned by internationally renowned songwriters Raine Maida and Chantal Kreviazuk. “I don’t think you have to write everything that you sing as long as the song speaks to you. When I first heard ‘You Got To Me’ I could really relate to it. I liked where the demo could go. The song has a bit of a darker feel to it and I dig that.”

When it came time to record, Rex’s inquisitive nature helped him log many hours in the studio. “On my last album I was only involved in the vocal recording. This time I wanted to be there for every step of the recording process. It really helped me to get a better understanding of how everything comes together.”

Look Closer blends Rex’s many musical tastes to make a sound truly his own. “This album is more real in both music and sound. Sonically, the album is different because every instrument is live. The piano, the drums, guitars and even the B3 Hammond organ are all live from the floor. It gives the album a live feel, which I love,” says Rex. The album was produced by Jeff Dalziel (Edwin, Thornley) and mixed by Denis Tougas (Chris Cornell, Sum 41, Nelly Furtado).

“The overall theme of this album lies in the title. Look Closer is an album about me, and shows where I want to go as an artist. I want to show everyone who I am with this record and who I will be in the future. I really hope my fans will love it.”