Kris Allen - Top 100 Sexiest Man Interview with Kris and Adam Lambert

MTV Shows

Exclusive Interview with Blake Lewis – Heartbreak on Vinyl Out Now!

http://www.idolstalker.com/exclusive-interview-with-blake-lewis-heartbreak-on-vinyl-out-now/


Have you had a chance to listen to Blake Lewis’ new album, Heartbreak on Vinyl? If you haven’t, you definitely need to check it out (it’s out today! Buy it on Amazon or iTunes!).

It’s a lot closer to what you would expect from Blake than the music he released on Audio Day Dream and I really can’t say enough about how happy I am for him. I had the opportunity to chat with Blake this morning. Here’s the quick interview!

Idol Stalker: What were your main inspirations for the songs on Heartbreak on Vinyl?
Blake Lewis: My ex-girlfriend, actually. When I started making the album, it was back in January when I was getting out of a relationship and suffered my first heartbreak. I first wrote ‘Our Rapture of Love’ and then I wrote ‘Sad Song’ after we broke up. I tried to get her back which led to ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ and ‘Left My Baby For You.’

IS: How is this album different than Audio Day Dream?
BL: The content is different. Before, I set out to make a dance album versus a heartbreak album. This one is more personal and a little deep and sentimental. ADD already had a set concept since it had been in my head for four years before. Heartbreak on Vinyl is kind of organic. ADD was a pop album that was made in a hurry but Heartbreak was recorded at my house and I got to collaborate with my friends.

IS: Has signing with Tommy Boy Records given you more creative freedom?
BL: Yeah. I got the record done, created it and then turned it in. With Clive Davis, there was too much meddling where he’d say things like “I don’t like this chorus” and we’d have to make changes. It’s not like that now. I have my job and they have theirs.

IS: What is your favourite track?
BL: They are all sentimental. ‘Binary Love’ is very seductive. It was in the works before the rest of the songs while the others came about more organically. Heartbreak on Vinyl is close to my heart and is one of my favorite songs that I have ever written. I gave a copy of the album to my ex.

IS: Really? How did that go?
BL: It was great. She’s a great person and we’ve been friends for 6 years.

IS: You seem to be the sort of artist who is always learning and evolving. Who are your main influences right now?
BL: I’m listening to a lot of electro and I’m in a DJ-conscious frame of mind. I’ve got Jamie Lidell on repeat. It’s feel-good music. I’ve also been listening to Discovery and Glitch Mob is just amazing. It’s the direction that I wish hip hop would take in the future.

IS: What have you got planned over the next few months?
BL: Gigs here and there. Live performances and deejaying. My favorite holiday is just around the corner – Halloween.

IS: Do you dress up?
BL: Oh yeah. I love it. I’m also looking forward to the Heartbreak on Vinyl launch parties.

Thanks again for the interview, Blake!

Kris Allen Interview with Ryan Seacrest - 9/25/09

Kris Allen - Interview with Elvis Duran

Kris Allen from Garrett Vogel on Vimeo.

Greg Neufeld - Interview StarFM 09/09/09

David Cook - Interview with Emily Richett

Kris Allen Behind The Scenes Interview - VIDEO

David Cook Chicago 2016 Olympic Interview with Billy Dec - VIDEO

The interview is more than Olympics talk. They talk about music, songwriting, etc... Very good interview, relax, nice!

Kris Allen Interview with Jim Cantiello - MTV News - VIDEO

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4


Part 5


Part 6

Kris Allen: The Reality Rocks Interview

Posted Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:24am PDT by Lyndsey Parker in Reality Rocks

There are times when I've actually felt a little bad for Kris Allen. Yes, I know that sounds weird: How could anyone feel sorry for the guy who won on the biggest show on TV? But Kris spent the entire eighth American Idol season being labeled the "dark horse" and having to prove himself to Simon Cowell over and over again. And although he was ultimately (and some would say unexpectedly) the winner of this year's Idol, snagging the majority of the finale's whopping 100 million votes, most of the media attention--from Rolling Stone cover stories to 20/20 interviews to (YES, I freely admit it) this very blog--has still focused on the "frontrunner" that Kris beat out, second-placer Adam Lambert.

Despite Kris's constant humility on Idol, whether auditioning (when he declared, "There's probably better singers than me"), winning (when he reacted, unscriptedly, with "Adam deserves this"), or dealing with post-finale Glambertmania, I've always wondered...doesn't he secretly resent this? Doesn't he ever want to get up in people's faces and shout, "Hey, everybody, newsflash: I WON. Not that other guy. ME." Hasn't he ever come close to having some sort of Jan Brady "Marcia Marcia Marcia"-esque meltdown moment?

Surely someone couldn't be that humble and that nice, right? Right?

Except, dear readers...Kris is that nice. He really, really is.

When I interviewed Kris in his dressing room at the Idols Live Tour rehearsals, I tried my darnedest to get him to admit to a little jealousy, or even just assert that he hands-down deserved to win American Idol. But no dice. That's just not Kris's style.

Instead he praised his fellow contestants, spoke glowingly of the Kradam bond, declared "Adam's a winner too," and even over-modestly claimed he can venture out in public unnoticed. (In fact, when I met him, he introduced himself to me by his first and last name--as if I would not recognize him or something. Ha.) I didn't believe him for a moment regarding that last statement, by the way. Just because he doesn't go out in public wearing attention-getting black nail varnish or platform Kiss boots hardly means he doesn't run the risk of being mobbed by fangirls every time he leaves the house without a bodyguard. Puh-leeze. If his laid-back style was enough to win over much of America, it's enough to cause a commotion if he walks into a 7-11.

So I finally realized that Kris's nice-guy act is in fact NOT an act, and that he is indeed one of the nicest guys on the planet; that took up a decent chunk of part 1 of my interview. But we also discussed how Kris is a great role model for Christians (well, of course KRIS doesn't think he is, but I do, and I told him so); why all the political/cultural debate surrounding American Idol this year shouldn't matter; how he's a "rebel" in his own quiet way; and how (despite his humility) he should be proud to represent a really strong, musically diverse Idol season (in my opinion, the best season yet). Here's how the first part of our chat went:

Kris Allen Talks To Reality Rocks - PART 1 @ Yahoo! Video

In part 2, we got down to what always mattered most: The music, man. In this section I admit I got a little fangirly myself discussing Kris's genius decision to cover the Once soundtrack's "Falling Slowly" (one of the most musically credible moments of AI 8, and my favorite performance of his), especially when Kris emotionally spoke about the reaction his version elicited from the song's composers, Glen Hansard (of the Frames) and Marketa Irglova.

We also talked about what his debut album will sound like and, perhaps most excitingly, the big singalong number he will be performing on the Idols Live Tour. When you go to the concert make sure to bring your cellphones, kids (or your Bic lighters, if you're old-school), 'cause you're going to want to whip them out and hold them up, high and illuminated, when Kris gets his big, non-humble, victorious stadium moment:

Kris Allen Talks To Reality Rocks - PART 2 @ Yahoo! Video

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/realityrocks/243765/kris-allen-the-reality-rocks-interview/

David Cook: The Reality Rocks Interview - VIDEO

Although he's too humble to admit it, I sincerely believe that David Cook's victory last year on American Idolpaved the way for Idol season 8. While other rock Idols, most notably Chris Daughtry, had achieved success before David, no rocker had ever won on the show, and Idol seemed very much the domain of mostly pop and R&B singers. But David changed all that, opening up the show to a whole new fanbase.

Want proof of this? Well, just look at how this past season panned out. The top four was decidedly non-pop this year, featuring two full-on rockers (Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta) and a mellow soft-rocker, Kris Allen, who won the whole competition over more obvious pop/R&B types. I honestly believe David Cook helped make this possible.

Of course, David, probably one of the nicest guys on the planet, is too modest to consider himself any sort of "pioneer." But still, I tried to get him to take a little credit when--a full year after his glass-ceiling-shattering Idol triumph, during an interview I'd been waiting to conduct ever since he had me at "Hello"--I had the privilege to hang with David at L.A.'s Griffith Park golf course. There on the green, during some of his rare downtime, we discussed his opinions on Adam and Kris (and his own similarities to both contestants), life after Idol, and his future career plans.

Check out my very enjoyable and eloquent conversation with the "Word Nerd" (and possible Idol pioneer) below!

David Cook Talks To Reality Rocks @ Yahoo! Video

Kris Allen - Peeing with Randy and Simon - VIDEO

Original Video - More videos at TinyPic

Kris Allen - Interview from oprah.com

SS: What the best piece of advice you received?

KA: The night that I won David Cook came up to me and said, "Sleep." That's the only thing he said. And I was like, "Okay." That was pretty good.


Q&A with American Idol Winner Kris Allen

Kris Allen won the hearts of America to become the winner of American Idol—and was honored with his own Disney World parade in return. So what's he going to do now? Chat with Screening Room about his rise to stardom.
Stephanie Snipes: How does it feel to be the American Idol?

Kris Allen: I feel good. I feel like I've been thrown into the craziest world ever. It's a lot of fun. I'm so excited, seriously. I'm so excited to be here.

SS: You have gotten to do a lot of cool things after the win. But, performing at the NBA finals? What was that like?

KA: The Lakers game was one of the weirdest experiences. It was amazing. It really was. I actually had never sung the national anthem, so I was so nervous. I was like: "I can't forget the words. I have to start it right." And then I think I started it too low and I was like, "Crap!"

SS: Next up is the Idol tour. Excited?

KA: Very excited. Doing 53 shows in the biggest arenas in America. I actually talked with friends about doing shows, I think we were watching like a YouTube concert or DVD, [and I thought] it would be so cool to do that. And I'm getting to do stuff like that. It's a dream, and I'm so excited.

SS: Do you know what you're going to perform?

KA: I do.

SS: Can you say?

KA: No.

SS: Darn the secrecy!

KA: [Laughs] There are going to be some songs from the show. But there's going to be some songs that I actually wanted to do on the show but they would not clear them. It worked out.

SS: During the competition, America got to know your family really well. How are they adjusting to this new world?

KA: They're doing great. I think my family has actually been able to do their jobs now. I think it's been nice for them to get back to their lives and not worry so much about, "Is he going to make it this week?" I think it's nice for them that the show's over.

SS: I read you played the viola and the ukulele, true or false?

KA: I have played the ukulele. I played it once. I know very, very little about the ukulele, but I actually grew up playing the viola from 4th grade through high school.

SS: So you knew early on that music was your thing?

KA: I don't know if I knew what I wanted to do with it. But my dad was a musician and his dad was a guitar player and singer as well. It ran in their family, so it definitely runs in the family. It's always been there. Music has always been a part of my life.


SS: If you could work with anyone who would it be?

KA: I would love to just talk to Paul McCartney. That would be incredible, but that is definitely like a dream.

SS: Now you're working on your album. Where do you find your creative inspiration?

KA: Someone asked me awhile back, "Why do artists always write about love?" And I was like, "Love is the coolest thing that's ever happened in the world." I feel like that's definitely an inspiration. And in different situations as well—loving friends or going through a hard time with love, or me and my wife…or seeing other people love each other. That's definitely like the biggest inspiration. When it goes good or when it goes bad. That's something creatively I think about it.

SS: Is your wife going on tour with you?

KA: She's not going to come on tour with me. She could follow me around if she wanted too, but that's definitely not what she has in mind for her summer. She's going to be at home, but she'll come to some shows and we'll hang out, which will be nice.

SS: What the best piece of advice you received?

KA: The night that I won David Cook came up to me and said, "Sleep." That's the only thing he said. And I was like, "Okay." That was pretty good.

SS: What type of music is playing on your iPod?

KA: The hardest question in the world!

SS: Is it?

KA: Yes! Because I seriously listen to everything. I don't have a whole lot on my iPod because, as a musician, I've just got that conscious[ness] that I have to buy music now, so I don’t have a whole lot. I have everything from Kelly Clarkson to Kings of Leon to Paramore to different soundtracks to freaking Britney Spears.


Source:

http://www.oprah.com/article/seriesandspecials/previousshows/pkgscreeningroom/20090617-orig-kris-allen

Adam Lambert - Interview with Access Hollywood - VIDEO

Part 1


Part 2

Adam Lambert - 20/20 Interview - VIDEO

Thanks to rickey.org for the video

Kris Allen on loving Jacko, learning the viola, and being a heartthrob

Jun 9, 2009, 04:27 PM | by Missy Schwartz

Yesterday, 19 Recordings announced that it has signed American Idol season 8 champ Kris Allen -- surprise! (Ha.) In a statement, Allen teased what the album might sound like: “It will be very similar to what you heard from me on the show -- definitely in the pop/rock genre.” During my recent interview with Allen, he told me pretty much the same thing, though he also added, “The way I came across on the show is a guy and his guitar, but I want to come across as more the soft-rock kind of thing… hopefully something that not everyone has seen before. I think that some people will be very surprised by it -- certain songs, people will be like, ’Didn’t expect that.’ Just like the whole 'Heartless' thing -- people were not expecting me to do that song. And it worked out. So I think you’ll see things like that. I think it’s going to be very cool.”

Since he was still in the process of working out who he was going to work with on the album, Allen was understandably reticent to get more specific than that. But he had plenty to say about the music that has shaped him so far. So in the hope of tiding you ravenous Allen fans over until the fall release of his debut record, I offer you the following tidbits. Oh, and I fully expect to hear a collective awww… after you read the part about him dancing to Jacko all by his lonesome. (Also, in the rare chance that you missed it, do check out Idolatry's terrific five-part interview with Allen)

On playing the viola
I started playing viola when I was in fourth grade. But it was kind of like a requirement. I never hated it or anything, but it was never something that I loved. We had an orchestra and it was like, a couple of my friends play the viola, so I was like, “I’ll play the viola.” We had to play something, I just picked that. All my friends stopped playing but I kept playing until the end of high school.

On growing up musical
My dad was a musician. He was a singer and he played the guitar, so music was always around. I never really wanted to pick up [the guitar] until I was 13. One summer, during the day [when] my parents were working and we were home alone, my brother would go to the pool and hang out with girls and do whatever. I would just hang out in the house. No one had a clue what I was doing. I was teaching myself how to play the guitar.

On Michael Jackson and his other favorite artists back in the day
I was a huge, huge, huge fan of Michael Jackson. Almost too big of a fan. He’s one of the best ever. I would sit in my room and put on a hat and try to dance in front of the mirror. All this stuff on my own, never in front of people. I was too embarrassed. I started listening to him and then started listening to a lot of R&B stuff like Boys II Men, II. I grew up listening to that. I love that. [Singing] “I’ll make love to you…” Probably not a good idea [for a 9-year-old kid]. And then I think my next CD was TLC, Crazy Sexy Cool. My parents were totally cool with it -- maybe they didn’t know exactly. They were young and they tried to be cool. [Laughs]

What he’s listening to now
A lot of different stuff. Love Coldplay. Coldplay’s first CD, I think it’s amazing. The Kings of Leon CD is incredible. I like Mutemath a lot. The Kanye CD [808s & Heartbreak], it’s amazing, one of the best of the decade, probably.

On being his own artist in the, eh-hem, often controlling recording industry
I am really laid back and kind of go-with-the-flow, but I will never do anything that I don’t believe in. So if there’s a song that they’re trying to shoot at me and I’m like, ehhhh, then it probably won’t happen. I think it would just be uncomfortable. You can’t do something that you don’t feel good about.

And just because… On adjusting to overnight heartthrob status
I always try to take it with a grain of salt, because being that is not going to get me anywhere. I just hope I can put out good music. It’s weird. But [my wife is] amazing at dealing with it. They ask her for her autograph as well. [Laughs]

Adam Lambert - Rolling Stone scans

“I am an entertainer, and who I am and what I do in my personal life is a separate thing” Adam says, “It shouldn’t matter, except it does. It’s really confusing.”













Thanks to The Gossip Candy blog for the scans!

Jim McGorman Interview - Part 3

Exclusive interview with Jim - part 3

June 2009

Favourites

Jim: OK, before we get into the favorite stuff, here is a disclaimer. There are no favorites: there is too much great music out there, and I really don't have favorites. Just stuff that I love. These will be off the top of my head.


K&M: Favourite guitar riff?

Jim: AC/DC - Back in Black (link)


K&M: Favourite guitar solo?

Jim: Anything played by Neil Schon (Journey) prior to 1990. “Faithfully” maybe? (link 3:20 onwards)


K&M: Favourite guitarist?

Jim: Neil Shon, Mike Campbell, The Edge


K&M: Another favourite and we’ll stop. Favourite line (verse) from a song?

Jim: “Never trust a big butt and a smile, that girl is Poison” - Bell Biv DeVoe, Poison (link)

You know what - I was talking to my brother the other day, and there is something I have a favorite of. I think my favorite movie of all time is... dramatic pause...: Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Personal

K&M: Do you speak any foreign language or have you learned any foreign words on your travels? What language would you like to learn, if any?

Jim: I can barely speak English. No, I would love to speak Italian. My grandmother was Italian and I always wanted to learn it.


K&M: Twitter, Facebook, MySpace… Do you have any affinity for or see any benefit in any of the social networking sites?

Jim: I am pretty much done with all of them. I check Facebook every now and then because I have reconnected with some old friend through there, but I think the whole thing has gotten out of control. Either no one is doing their jobs, or everyone is unemployed. How else do people have time for these constant updates of meaning less thoughts and activities. Why do I care that someone is going to workout right now? Is this really necessary?


K&M: We loved “Marley and Me” - the book and the subsequent movie. Considering that you have a dog (we assume that “Sammy” from your CD sleeve is the dog-ter you mention) – have you seen or do you plan to see it?

Jim: My wife rented it, but I was working in the studio. I saw a few minutes and am sure I would like it. She cried.


K&M: As a movie buff, who do you think should play Frank Sinatra in the upcoming Martin Scorsese biopic? Can anyone do justice to the Ol’ Blue Eyes and his singing?

Jim: Wow. That could be cool. Harry Connick, Jr. could definitely do it from a musical standpoint, but I’m not sure he has the acting chops. I’m sure Leo wants in, and hey - he’s a damn good actor. It would be cool to go with a no name. guy. Someone like a young Ray Liotta would be great.

Thanks to sunfired.net for the interview!

Jim McGorman Interview - Part 2

Exclusive interview with Jim - part 2

June 2009

Music in general

K&M: What do you feel makes you a good musician?

Jim: My haircut. Answering that about myself feels a bit odd, but there are many things that make people good musicians:

- Ability to listen: to the big picture and to other musicians while you are playing as well.
- Timing: not just playing in time, but knowing when to play or not to play something.
- Confidence.
- Being a student of music: knowing the history of where things came from so you can draw from many places.

Those are a few.


K&M: Stemming from the previous question, what kind of qualities should a person possess in order to be a successful musician?

Jim: Successful musician?? There’s an oxymoron if I’ve ever heard one. I guess that all depends on ones definition of success. To some, selling a million records is success. To others, simply having someone enjoy your music in a bar or a living room is success. I think that is up to each person to decide what their definition is first. After that, it’s all about desire and persistence.


K&M: If you could to put together a concert with any 5 artists/bands, who would be on the bill?

Jim: U2 - Michael Jackson - Tom Petty - Prince - AC/DC


K&M: Speaking of concerts, so far in 2009, have you seen any concerts? If so, which artists/bands?

Jim: Not sure - I can’t think of any. God, has this year been flying.


K&M: Are there any new bands or artists that have peaked your interest lately and if so which ones?

Jim: Phoenix is my favorite band of the last 10 years. They just put out a new record. I just love them.


K&M: You covered Jessie Girl, You Can’t Get What You Want, Boys of Summer… Were all these your choices and which song would you like to cover in the future?

Jim: Yeah, they were my choice. There are so many I would love to cover. I like “Dirty Laundry” by Henley. I just feel like my voice works in the register that he sings in. And what a great message! Also “My Prerogative” by Bobby Brown, Damn, that shit is funky!

K&M: You have played in many venues all over the world (and that’s an understatement) – from arenas to intimate clubs. Any venues that stand out - for whatever reason?

Jim: Giants Stadium with Michelle Branch in 2002. We were on a bill that Bon Jovi headlined. For a kid growing up in Jersey in the 80’s, to play Giants Stadium with Bon Jovi was pretty amazing. The Tokyo Dome with Avril last year was pretty cool too. Big place.


K&M: What is the biggest screw up you personally have done on stage? Come on, fess up.

Jim: Well, the worst thing was with Cher. I’m not gonna pass the buck (her fault) but the whole band got off from her while we were playing “Walking in Memphis” at a show in Australia in 2005. She drifted in time from us at the beginning of the song - and NEVER got back on. It was 4 minutes of pure agony. Pretty rough.


K&M: Over time, have you become more optimistic or more jaded by the music business?

Jim: I never really thought the music business was so pure in the first place. I am sure that I lost my innocence about it, but that goes for almost everything in life.


K&M: Do you know where the Starmaker show is? Or… is it one reality show too many on TV at the moment, hence the delay?

Jim: It is now scheduled for a 4th quarter release. Some time in the fall, I guess. We’ll see??


K&M: The Goo Goo Dolls have confirmed two summer shows during the month of July in Indiana and Illinois. At this stage are you planning to perform with them at these upcoming concerts?

Jim: I will be there.

Thanks to sunfired.net for the interview!

Jim McGorman Interview - Part 1

Exclusive interview with Jim - part 1

June 2009

Jim's Music

K&M: You are in the middle of writing/recording your second album. Is it more of a desire, pleasure, effort… you name it… make it? Do you feel any different from when you were making the first record?

Jim: It’s all of the above. Making a record (especially this way - spread out over such a long period of time) has to be a labor of love. There are times when it is very frustrating, very liberating, very exciting, challenging and very difficult. More difficult on the production end, from an organizational point of view. But it is always fun. I will be extremely happy when it is finished.


K&M: When you commenced writing and recording for the new record, did you have in mind the type of musical direction you wanted to go for the album?

Jim: Yeah, I had a pretty strong idea. And so far, it is not strayed too far from that. It's got hooks, grooves, melody, and a few lyrics as well.

K&M: In a previous interview we asked about the musical direction of your new record, this was your response. Continuing on from that, where you stand today in the process, is the direction much different from when you first started?

Jim: see last answer.


K&M: How many songs on the new album? Can you give out a couple of song titles? Just to whet our appetite.

Jim: There will be either 10 or 11 songs. One of my favorite titles on the new record is “Sullen Barista”. It’s a song about a very sad , but beautiful girl who works at Starbucks (though that is not mentioned specifically in the song). She could be at any of the fine coffee/tea house establishments in the world. There is another song called “White Boy” that has a really great groove - with an interesting lyrical position.


K&M: We all know you love 80’s music. If you could collaborate with any band or singer from the 1980s, who would it be and why?

Jim: Hmmmm. Maybe Rick Springfield. Or Hall N’ Oates has to be up there too. There are a lot that I would love to write with.


K&M: You sing high harmonies to Avril Lavigne and together with Johnny Rzeznik, and some really low register tones on your own record. Say, “Do You Remember”. Dilana Robichaux once mentioned your beautiful voice and the range she could only “dream of”. It would be interesting to know – what is your vocal range?

Jim: To be honest, I don’t really know. When I was in high school, I really struggled with higher notes, but was determined to reach them - so I practiced a lot to improve my range. But I never really measured it by notes. I am not a naturally great singer, I just really wanted to sing. So, I did it all the time and eventually got better.


K&M: Which singer (band) would you like to cover what particular song from your first album?

Jim: That’s a tough question. I would love to hear Sheryl Crow sing one of my songs. I love her voice so much - and think she would bring a whole other level of vulnerability to a song like ”You and I”.


K&M: You recently mentioned that over the summer months your plans will also include recording 10 – 20 new songs for use in TV placements. If you are at the liberty to say, do you have any idea which TV shows to watch for to hear your new songs?

Jim: I say that in a general sense. Songs written and recorded by myself and my writing partners - not as geared towards sending to other artists to use, but more for possible use in cinematic arenas. I would love to get a song on Grey’s or Gossip Girl - but I would never shy away from any show that wanted to use my music.


Thanks to sunfired.net for the interview!