Conor Maynard performing at BT Infinity's 'Live From The 34th Floor'
Conor Maynard has had an incredible year, going from YouTube sensation to chart topping singer in the blink of an eye.
Conor's back on YouTube though, having teamed up with BT Infinity for the first of their live streamed performances 'Live From The 34th Floor', the first performances to be streamed in high definition online.
We managed to speak to the pop sensation though before he took to the stage and had a chat to him about his ambitions in America, what it was like to work with Pharrell Williams and his encounter with a hanging phone booth.
So, tell us a bit about what you're doing here Conor.
Today I'm doing a live stream with BT Infinity and I think it's a really, really cool idea. I mean, it's obvious with me because it's really relates to how I started. My whole project started online, I built my fan base online and this whole thing that I'm doing today is all about BT Infinty, this crazy fast broadband that makes it easier for all my fans to be online and allows them to watch me perform live over the internet.
So what's it like coming back to YouTube in such a ground breaking way?So it's a really cool thing that I'm able to do. I always like to do performances or shows for my fans that really relate to how I started and almost inspire them to go away and learn from it and do what they want.
It's really cool. It's back to the beginning, back to my roots and I think it's a really nice way to come back and almost literally showing them how it happened for me and being back on YouTube and doing it through is a nice touch.
The year's been so amazing for you, but is there anything you wish could have gone even better?
I wish I had a better tour manager (laughs). I'm joking, but I could just see him over there and couldn't resist. I don't know really, I think it's been an incredible year and for me one thing is that next year I want to drive myself on and release music successful in all different countries. I mean, it's been incredible in the UK so far, but my goal is to break worldwide and I think that for me next year's about pushing it other countries like America and the rest of Europe.
So, how do you think you'll crack America then?
I think for me there's a load of different ways to do that. I mean, being online is a massive, massive part of that. Through Twitter, through Facebook, it's a massive way of showcasing me as artist to countries I don't live in, especially America. I'm also extremely lucky in the way that I collaborated with some of the biggest artists out there in Ne-yo and Pharrell and Frank Ocean. People who are already established and massive in America. That I worked with them really helps, it shows that they've accepted me with their whole musical group. Hopefully the fans and the people in America will see that as well.
What was it like when you heard that people like Pharrell and Frank Ocean are wanting to work with you?
It was amazing. That I got to work with some of my idols growing up was just incredible. I mean, walking into the studio with Pharrell in Miami was a really, really wierd feeling. I had to get used to being considered equal and among them as an artist, rather than just being some fan who wanted an autograph and run away as far as possible. So I had to really get used to working with them and not just being star struck. It was weird at first but I learnt a lot from them in terms of writing and being in the studio, so it was really cool.
The album was such a success, what was it like when Contrast went to number one?
It was incredible, that was probably the highlight of my career so far. Obviously everything, working with those people, travelling around the world, it all went into that. It was definitely the highlight so far.
Click here to buy the album Contrast
Some people who are less familiar with your sound compare you to Justin Bieber and Justin Timberlake. Do you want them to throw those away and see you as your own artist?
Yeah, for me I want to be considered my own artist. I'm not trying to be the next Justin Timberlake or Justin Bieber, I'm trying to be the first Conor Maynard. That's the main thing for me. I feel that the more people hear the album, that's the perception they get, it genuinely does have a different sound to what they might be expecting or what they think it is. That's why I named it Contrast, it means the contrast between what people were seemed expecting and what's already out there at the time. So as more people hear me as an artist, they realise there's not much else like it out there right now. Obviously, growing up, Justin Timberlake was a big inspiration for me, so I can at least see why people would say that.
So, whose idea was the flying phone booth in the Turn Around video?
That would be the director. He had his ideas, and that was one of them. I literally had to get in a phone booth and hang 80 feet in the air on a crane. That wasn't fake, it was all real. You can see on the behind the scenes me in the phone booth. It was mental, it was a really fun video shoot.
Ever get to gloat to Lana Del Rey that you beat her to the MTV Brand New award last year?
(Laughs). No! Literally on my back from the EMAs, Lana Del Rey sat directly behind me on the flight, but I didn't turn around and tell her that. I think it might have been a bit rude. She probably would have just said "Who are you"! (laughs)
So what's planned for the rest of the year then for you?
There's a whole bunch of stuff. I was actually in the studio this morning recording new music. I've spent a lot of time over in America, my album's out there in January so I've been over promoting that. I've got a lot of radio shows coming up towards the end of the year, so I'm very, very busy.
Conor Maynard was performing in the first of BT Infinity's three Live On The 34th Floor performances, which you can watch by heading over to their official YouTube page.
Click here to buy the album Contrast
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