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Interviews Q&A

Top 25 Interviews of 2014: No. 22 Phillip Phillips

I never quite fathomed an artist not enjoying being the center of attention, that is until I sat down with American Idol winner Phillip Phillips. Instead of reveling being the frontman, Phillip told me that he made sure to take a backseat on his sophomore album, Behind the Light, released earlier this year.

“It has a very band feel,” he told me, “which I like because I don’t like being the center of attention…I let those guys shine and put their own personalities in the song.”

As much as he’d like to hide behind his band, he confessed that he can’t help but write songs that read like they’re straight out of his diary.

“It was scary for me to put out the first album because it was so personal,” he said. “This second album is even more personal.”

While he prefers to not go into great detail of what each song is about, he says he will never stop writing honestly.

“Fans know when something is not really honest,” he said. “I want people to know I’m not just singing. I’m a guitar player first and I love to write. I want people to see that. If they like it, that’s awesome.”

For more of my interview with Phillip Phillips, visit Radio.com and watch the video above.

Had a lovely chat about songwriting with Phillip @Phillips yesterday at our station Fresh 102.7. #100happydays #day39

A photo posted by Annie Reuter (@yousingiwrite) on

Categories
Artist of the Week

Meet Danny Gokey

Some of you may recognize Danny Gokey as third-place finalist from season 8 of American Idol. Since Idol, Gokey has gone on to sign a record deal with Sony Music Nashville and released his debut album, My Best Days earlier this month. With current single, “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me” climbing the country charts and a summer tour with Sugarland and Jake Owen in the works, he is well on his way.

Gokey recently sat down with Walmart Soundcheck and filled them in on his first single, dealing with his wife’s death and his love of music.

“I think music, whether I write it or not, always makes a connection. Music is a universal language that everyone speaks. Music has formed humanity. In every culture there is music. Music can make you feel different emotions at different times and I think that’s the power and connection of music. Whether I write it or not, I connect with the music and I try to make people feel what I feel when I’m singing,” he said.

Learn about Gokey’s debut album below and for the complete interview where he talks of stage fright, American Idol and why he sees his music as a movement click here.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkuvRgJCWlA]

Currently one of my favorite country music videos, watch “My Best Days Are Ahead Of Me” below. Pay close attention the quotes.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqus079lUz8]

Categories
Interviews

Kris Allen

Kris Allen stole the hearts of many this past season on American Idol and, as a result, was crowned winner. Since then, he released his self-titled album and stormed the charts with his first single, a cover of The Script’s “Live Like We’re Dying,” while his performances of “No Boundaries” and “Heartless” garnered similar success.

Before he took the stage at Madison Square Garden for Z100’s Jingle Ball in December, Allen filled the press in on his busy year. Read below to find out more on the singer-songwriter, his album, and his run-ins with the cast of Boy Meets World.

What’s your opinion on the Adam Lambert controversy at the American Music Awards?
The first question, huh? Nice. Get it out quick, that’s good. Okay. I didn’t know what you were talking about. I didn’t know if something new happened. You never know. I thought it was Adam being Adam. I’m going to get a shirt that says, “That’s Adam.” It’s who he is. Obviously, he couldn’t do that stuff on Idol so you’re getting to see the real Adam now.

Can you tell us what songs didn’t make the album?
There are a couple. I wrote a song with Mat Kearney that didn’t end up on the album and there are a couple of mine that didn’t end up on the album. Whatever ended up on the album is what we felt like was the best album stuff, so it was good.

I saw you tweeted about meeting Ben Savage. Was that the highlight of your year?
That was great! I met Topanga earlier this year and I met Corey in the airport last night. We stayed in the same hotel.

How are you and your wife adjusting to the long distance relationship?
We actually have had a long distance relationship for five years before this stuff, so this is nothing new to us. We wanted it to end, but…

What do you love most about her?
What do I love most about my wife? That she puts up with me.

What made you release the B-side to The Script’s song as your first single?
What made me? I thought the song was good and obviously the Script wrote the song. I felt like it would be a good transition from the Idol stuff to what’s going on now.

Do you think it’s a good or bad thing that you and the other American Idol contestants released your albums the same day?
I think that’s usually how it goes. I didn’t see it as a bad thing. I think we obviously share fans. If people want mine, Adam and Allison’s CD they’re going to get it.

What do you do to combat writer’s block?
I usually go take a walk or hang out outside. Usually I like to go outside if I’m having inspiration problems.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3N5CsXYlCk]

Categories
Interviews

Adam Lambert

Photo Credit: Wendy Hu

Adam Lambert has been garnering much attention after his jaw-dropping performance at this year’s American Music Awards. Controversy aside, the American Idol runner up has graced the cover of Rolling Stone and was recently named one of “The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2009” by Barbara Walters.

At the end of the day, Adam Lambert is a true entertainer and his performances indicate this. Friday night at New York radio station Z100’s annual Jingle Ball concert, Lambert filled us in on his latest single, the album, For Your Entertainment, and one of his biggest fears.

Tell me about your new single, “Whataya Want From Me.”
Pink and Max Martin wrote the song together. And I believe that their initial intention was about a relationship and about being in a situation where you’re in a little bit over your head. You’re wondering, “What is it that you want from me?” But thank you for sticking around. And now it’s so appropriate, considering some of the recent controversy and ownership of different social groups and what I should be to other people. It is a great way for me to say, “What do you guys want from me?” I’m doing my best. The best lyric in the song is, “Yeah, I’m a freak but thanks for loving me, you’re doing it perfectly.”

With all the tracks you wrote for the album, For Your Entertainment, are there any songs that didn’t make the cut?
Pretty much everything is out there in one way or another. There are a certain amount of tracks on the standard release and then there are bonus tracks on iTunes and then there’s an international release with some extra songs. I’m really happy with the way it turned out. It’s all out there in some way or another.

What are your fears?
That people won’t want to buy the rest of my music. That people will stop being interested. I think that’s my biggest fear.

What’s your New Year’s resolution?
[My] New Year’s resolution is to continue being positive and try to live in the moment and enjoy this.

Categories
Song of the Week

Song of the Week: “Crush”

I was never a big American Idol watcher, but with runner up David Archuleta’s radio debut yesterday on local station Z100 I’ve decided to make his song, “Crush” song of the week. It has already started to make quite a buzz and it’s undeniably pretty catchy. Reminiscent to something the Backstreet Boys would have sung back in the day, but more upbeat. I was lucky enough to see him and David Cook talk about their experience on American Idol a few months ago while interning at Rolling Stone and it’s so nice to see two artists so humble and appreciative and still very much in awe of their success. Definitely a cool experience. Read about one staffer’s take here. You can listen to the full radio interview and the song by clicking on the photo below. Enjoy! Let me know what you think!