multi-platinum GRAMMY® Award-Winning singer, songwriter and producer Mike Shinoda releases “Already Over (Live In Sydney)” featuring Australian bands Stand Atlantic, Polaris and Between You & Me, as well as local musicians and social influencers Tash Wolf and Mitchell Black.
Recorded at Studios 301 in Sydney during Shinoda’s recent visit to Australia in September, “Already Over (Live In Sydney)” reimagines Shinoda’s new single “Already Over” released on October 6. Channelling the signature sound he pioneered with Linkin Park, Shinoda notably wrote, recorded, sang and performed every instrument on the original release.
A dynamic artist, Shinoda invited Daniel Furnai of metalcore band Polaris to perform drums – noting the band’s new album FATALISM achieved #1 on the ARIA Albums Chart – as well as Bonnie Fraser of pop-punk band Stand Atlantic to perform rhythm guitar and James Karagiozis of Between You & Me to perform bass, with both acts having recently wrapped sold-out headline tours across the country. Shinoda also tapped musicians and social media stars Tash Wolf for second rhythm guitar and Mitchell Black for lead guitar, whilst Shinoda himself laid down the vocals for a visceral and pulsating collaboration.
“The idea of the Already Over Sessions is to play the song with talented ‘locals’ from different parts of the world.” Shinoda continues: “Every player has their own style—some DNA of their personality that comes through in their performance. Combining them in a room for a one-day session is kinda high-stakes. I’m thrilled the first session in Australia was such a success, and grateful to each of the incredible artists who joined me there.”
Bonnie Fraser of Stand Atlantic shares: “When i got the call the imposter syndrome hit me so hard I almost backed out. I am so grateful and honoured to have been asked by Mike to collaborate on this project! He was an absolute sweetheart and I was pinching myself the whole time that I got to be in the same room, let alone playing the same song with a legend.”
Polaris’ drummer Daniel Furnai said: “I can’t even describe the disbelief I felt at receiving the invitation to be part of this project. I look at Mike as one of the true great rock icons of the 21st century, an increasingly rare breed of songwriter and a genre-defining visionary, and I can honestly say that hearing his records with Linkin Park at age 10 was life-changing for me. Stepping into the studio in September, I think we were all experiencing a bit of imposter-syndrome to say the least, but Mike was so quick to make us feel at ease as he worked his way around the room asking detailed questions about our respective projects and reassuring us all that we had been asked to be there for a reason. Getting the chance to jam in a room with Mike alongside such an incredible cohort of other Aussie musicians was very surreal, something I will never forget. Anyone who says “Don’t meet your heroes” has clearly never met Mike Shinoda.”
And of working with Mike Shinoda, James Karagiozis from Between You & Me said: “This project was so much fun. Working with Mike was a dream and a breeze, he is one great human being. I have been a big fan for a long time and the whole thing felt so surreal but also genuine. Working with a hero and then feeling like we were peers by the end of it was not on my bucket list for ‘23 but I’m here for it and vibing.”
Local musician, Tash Wolf went on to share: “Mike is an extremely kind and humble creative person to work with. I got a glimpse into how someone with Mike Shinoda’s experience interacts and performs his craft with such emotion and energy. His vision for the song’s production and lyrical content is exciting and has a modern edge to it. The time spent in the studio was so valuable. Mike spent his time in between takes to share his direction to each member of the live session. I feel extremely grateful to have shared this unique experience recording Guitar on the live session of ‘Already Over’ with Mike & the Supergroup of Australian musicians.
And Mitchell Black notes: “I grew up listening to Linkin Park and always loved their music, so being invited to collaborate with Mike and other great musicians I was incredibly thrilled. Mike brought a passion, tremendous talent, was so welcoming and such a great artist to work with. Jamming along with Mike and the other selected musicians for this Australian project was a day I’ll never forget. Thank You Mike.”
During his visit to Australia, Shinoda delivered a captivating keynote speech at BIGSOUND in Brisbane – the southern hemisphere’s biggest music industry conference – and shared the stage with G Flip for a surprise performance of “In The End” (Linkin Park) and “Worst Person Alive” (G Flip) to a sold-out audience at The Enmore Theatre in Sydney.
2023 has quietly morphed into a renaissance for both Mike Shinoda and Linkin Park with music, content, and total immersion for fans worldwide. This spring, Meteora 20th Anniversary Edition bowed at #1 on the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums Chart, Top Rock Albums Chart, Top Catalog Albums Chart, and Top Vinyl Albums Chart. The single “Lost” exploded as the biggest rock song of 2023 so far and became the band’s “first #1 debut on Billboard’s Rock & Alternative Airplay Chart in over a decade!” Simultaneously, it marked their highest-charting Billboard Hot 100 entry since 2012, bowing at #38! Thus far, it has amassed over 136 million Spotify streams and 63 million YouTube views on the stunning music video. Meteora 20th Anniversary Edition was chronicled and celebrated by The New York Times, The FADER, The Howard Stern Show, KROQ, and more.
Mike Shinoda is the co-founder and frontman of the most streamed alternative rock band in history, Linkin Park. Active for almost three decades, Shinoda’s earned three Grammy Awards for his solo work and as part of groups Linkin Park and Fort Minor. His contributions helped Linkin Park to become one of the highest-selling bands of this century – having sold over 100 million records globally. In addition, Shinoda is an in-demand producer who has recently worked with A-list and rising artists alike, from Demi Lovato and Justus Bennetts to Grandson and Sueco. Outside of music, he serves in a first-of-its-kind role as Community Innovation Advisor for Warner Music Group, consulting on the label group’s work across Web3, AI, Digital Collectibles, and more, while Shinoda and his bandmates have raised millions through their philanthropic work with self-founded charity, Music for Relief.