AFTER a successful career which launched in 2004 with the then highest selling Australian single of all time, The Prayer, acclaimed singer Anthony Callea is going back to basics for his next studio release.

Backbone, set for release on September 16, features a collection of well-known favourites which Callea "stripped back” in the studio to capture the essence and imperfections of live recordings.

There's no sequence tracks or tricks to be heard, rather, just Callea and a room full of instruments and musicians.

"I really wanted it to be authentic and back to how music was once recorded. I wanted imperfections and I wanted to hear all those things that made it real and authentic,” Callea told the Tweed Daily News.

"It's getting to the backbone of how songs are written and we stripped it back to get back to the raw, melodic heart of how songs are written.

"It's just piano, guitar, cello, bass and a (focus) on writing lyrics and melodies.”

Callea says while it's not the way things are done in music anymore, he had the full support of Sony Music Australia when he pitched the idea of Backbone.

Immersing himself in the process, Callea was in the studio from 10am to 10pm for weeks, stripping back songs such as Britney Spears' Sometimes and Wilson Pickett's Hold On.

"It's something I wanted to do and they (Sony) allowed me to record it the way I wanted to and I really loved being part of that process,” Callea said.

"Even though it was intense and I went 'I physically can't do this', I'm glad I recorded it that way as it was enjoyable.

"It's been an interesting process. I'm all about great melodies and lyrics, and we've brought them to the surface.”

To celebrate the release, Callea is a taking on a five-date national tour, which kicks off at Twin Towns on Friday, September 2. The pint-sized star, who finished runner-up on the 2004 season of Australian Idol, said he loved the Tweed and was looking forward to drying out after a wet and cold Melbourne winter.

"I love the Tweed Heads area and I may try and get there a day or two early to sit by the pool and have a cocktail,” Callea joked.

"I've performed Twinnies before. I love that room, there's a really good vibe there and I just like the whole area.”

Callea said fans can expect "moments of extreme musical intimacy” as he draws on hits from his five previous albums.

Backbone Tour

• Where: Twin Towns
• When: Friday, September 2 at 8.30pm
• Tickets: From $49. Book at Twin Towns online