I think it’s really unfair how all the American Idol finalist’s are head and shoulders above most of the talent on our British equivalent. I mean, David Cook could knock spots off many of our British solo artists at the moment, so when I got the chance to speak to him I nearly exploded with excitement.
As his new self-titled album is on heavy rotation on our office CD player, I find out what it’s like to sing for millions of votes, why he would buy a PSP rather than pay rent, and what he really thinks of David Archuleta.
Hello there pretty, how are things going in your lovely world?
We’re actually on tour at the moment.
Wow, I want to be in America, it sounds like so much fun!
Well come on out, I’ll trade you!
I wish! You need to keep the paying public happy though, talking on tours, what’s been your most exciting gig to date?
So far I would have to say when I got the chance to go and perform for the troops in the Middle East. Now that was a trip! Just to be able to get up there for the troops and do something bigger than myself was really awesome.
Your self titled album was also released last year and sold over a million copies; when you first put that album out, did you anticipate it selling as well as it did do because you have had an album out before that?
Well I always hoped but I think given the state of the worlds economy and all that - and the fact that I’m not the most optimistic person in the world - I feel really blessed and I worked hard on the record and the fact that people have embraced it like they have is a huge compliment.
If you were going to give me just one song of yours to listen to so that you would become my new favourite singer, what would it be?
I would say probably Bar-ba-sol - it’s about as close to my personality as your going to get.
Love it, now can you sum up your sound in just five words for me please?
I can give you four… All Over The Place.
That’s good, we’ll just add a smiley face at the end… so to talk about your time on American Idol now, what was your favourite song that you sung?
Probably the last one, it was a really intense five months and to get to be able to sing the final song, I think I did The World I Know by Collective Soul. Singing that song and realising I was no longer a contestant on the show was a nice moment in the fact that I’d made it all the way to the end.
Did you ever get super nervous in front of the judges and knowing you were singing to impress the whole of the USA?
Oh yeah, every week. I think nervousness is good for me though because it makes you focus and do what you need to do. The day I stop getting nervous on stage is the day I should probably find something else to do.
What was the most nerve-racking moment of the whole show for you?
Probably the first week. I remember never being more unsure of myself than at that moment. I was an unknown coming on the show at that point and I remember during the commercial break I was having to blow dry my armpits on my shirt!
Aww, that’s so cute! What is your opinion of David Archuleta?
David and I have a very special friendship because he’s an amazing human being on top of being a great performer and he’s been - not even for someone his age - one of the most gracious people I’ve ever met. I consider David a really good friend.
If you could cover any other musician’s song, what would it be?
Live And Let Die.
Great choice, that’s an awesome song. So do you cite Paul McCartney as one of your musical influences?
Yes, I love Our Lady Peace, Big Wreck and Pearl Jam, and I really like a lot of the bands of the late nineties.
If you could join any band for one day, which band would it be?
Ooh, tough one! I would say…. Probably…. Coldplay right now. Or U2.
I’d go for Coldplay, they’re hotter and younger…
I wouldn’t mind having a Grammy for a day..
Just steal one, I’m sure there’s some hanging about. So, talking of awesome bands, which two bands would you have to headline your dream festival?
Led Zeppelin and Our Lady Peace!
Okay, now we want to ask you some random questions; So first of all, what’s been the most terrifying moment of your entire life?
Ooh, that’s tough… probably being on American Idol during Dolly Parton week! I know it’s supposed to be random but I walked on stage and couldn’t remember the lyrics, I was scared out of my mind that I was going to fall flat on my face in front of millions of people!
I love it! You should have worn a little blonde wig and gotten into character!
I thought about it and putting press-on nails on!
What’s been the most stupid purchase you’ve ever made?
I would have to say, it was probably when I bought a Playstation Portable before I went on American Idol and was living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and after buying it I wasn’t able to pay rent as a result!
Haha, bad times! I understand though, I do it with shoes all the time! So, what one thing did you always want as a child but never get?
A drum kit! I asked for one for like four years straight and my dad finally broke down and got me a guitar. In hindsight it worked out just fine but at the time I was really pissed!
Boo! Anyway, we ask everyone we interview to come up with a question for the next person we interview and Lil Chris wants to know, when I say zero, what do you think of?
That was my old baseball number.
And can you come up with a question for the next person I interview?
If you could star in any movie, which would it be?
Cheers, good luck with everything & thanks for making my day slightly more entertaining!
FemaleFirst - Ruth Harrison
Tagged in David Archuleta