Google Honors MJ's Bday
Saturday, August 29, 2009
KC Interview
Click to hear the interview.
In St. Louis, Kris gave an interview via phone with KCRadio, an online radio station of Andrew Cook, David Cook's younger brother.
Credit goes to Melanie who posted the item on KAnation.
NOV. 17 IS THE DATE
Kris has confirmed himself via twitter that his debut album will drop on Nov. 17, i've got the iTunes pass, so the rest of you guys should pre-order that bad boy!
Read more...
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
New Idolatry Interview!
Click to viewww!
Here's the preview from EW!
Kris Allen is a man of contradictions. The American Idol season 8 champ is scared of Twitter, and yet at the same time, loves the concise social-networking site. He’s reluctant to give scoop about his hotly anticipated debut disc, and yet he gives Idolatry exclusive info about his two newest songwriting collaborators. He reads tour reviews — even the too-cool-for-the-room negative ones — and yet ultimately, he doesn’t give a hoot about what he refers to as the “blahdee blah blah-blah.” (And this is why we love him.) Press play below to see what Kris reveals about himself (and where he chooses to remain coy) from his tour stop in Albany, N.Y. There’s Bonus Wolfgang, and even a Bonus Anoop reference (from Kris’ own lips, so pay attensh)!Read more...
Boston Globe Interview
Read the full article
Excerpts:
Q. You’re working with a wide variety of people on your debut from hip-hop producer-writer Salaam Remi to singer-songwriter Mat Kearney to Joe King of the pop-rock band the Fray. Should we intuit that the record will offer a lot of different styles?Read more...
A. I think we were experimenting with some things. The Salaam thing was definitely an experiment to see what would happen. And then [we hooked up] with people like Joe who are definitely along the same track. We’re doing some things that obviously make sense in people’s heads and we’re trying to do some things that didn’t make so much sense. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I’ve had a great time with everyone.
Q. Do you have any dream collaborators?
A. I’m a big a John Legend fan, I think he’s incredible so that would be really nice. Since I was a kid I’ve always liked Matchbox Twenty and I think Rob Thomas is a great writer.
Q. How do you think “Idol’’ will fare without Paula Abdul?
A. I think the show will definitely miss her, but it is “American Idol’’ and it’s huge and it will go on, I am sure of that. I am glad that I was part of a year Paula was there though, to be honest, I thought she was incredible.
Q. You were the first person to win an actual trophy. Where do you keep it?
A. The real truth is I have not seen that trophy since I held it on the show.
Q. You’re not likely to get a real break for about a year. Have you come to some sort of peace with that?
A. I’m a pretty calm guy, so I came to that very quickly. Someone told me that, I think it was David Cook. He was like, “You’re not going to have a day off for a long time.’’ And I was like, OK. For me, I would like to go home and hang out with my family and friends, but I do also get to do exactly what I want to do for the rest of my life, so that’s kind of cool.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
TC Magazine Interview
Read full interview
Excerpt:
TC: How has the tour been so far?
KA: I feel like it’s been great. We’re kind of getting used to everything, and the shows are going really well. The crowds are amazing, and we are getting used to all the press stuff that we have to do and the meet and greets and all that. I’m excited because I haven’t been to a whole lot of places in the States, and so we’ve been getting to go everywhere, which has been nice.
TC: Do you get to see much of the cities you are in, or is it just on and off the bus?
KA: There are days off sometimes. Today we got here at 4 a.m., and we’re leaving right after the show. We were in Portland for a long time. Portland is a great town. It was really nice. We were in San Francisco a few days, and I had never been there before. So you get to see a little bit — not a full tour or anything.
TC: You sing last on tour, so what do you do while everyone else is on stage?
KA: I’m just maybe making some phone calls — calling [my wife] Katy or calling friends. I might be listening to music or playing my guitar. I have a lot of downtime because I am on for only like 25 minutes, and the show is three hours long. Sometimes I take naps…very needed naps.
TC: How did you pick your songs for the tour?
KA: Obviously people want to hear the songs we did on the show, so I’m doing a couple of those. The other ones — two of them are actually ones I wanted to do on the show but wasn’t able to, and so I was actually able to do them on the tour. The other one is just one that I had sung before when I was doing music. It’s a crowd pleaser. People can sing along with it, so it’s nice.
TC: Was it your decision to take out the “American Idol” coronation song, “No Boundaries?”
KA: A lot of people kind of came in and said that it wasn’t a detriment to the set or anything like that, but it was kind of bringing it down just a little bit. So we decided to replace it with the Killers song “All These Things I Have Done” just because the energy in that song is very crowd-happy.
TC: So has that kept the crowd energy up better?
KA: Yeah, it really has so far. It’s been good.
TC: Are you excited to be back in your home state tonight?
KA: We pulled up this morning, and I was like half-dead, but it just felt like home. You see familiar things and weather and all that. It’s familiar. I’m used to it, which is good.
TC: Are you expecting complete madness when you take the stage? Are you ready for it?
KA: I’m a little scared actually. Obviously we have big crowds every night, but Arkansas is going to bring it to a whole new level. I am very excited about it. It’s going to be home. I know that people in Arkansas really get behind the people that come from here.
TC: So you’re going to be singing the same songs over and over for the next three months. Are you getting tired of them yet?
KA: I haven’t gotten tired of it yet. We’re kind of early. Maybe it will happen, but I don’t think so. Every crowd is different so it makes every show different.
TC: I hear all the guys are on one tour bus. Does it get a little cozy?
KA: Yeah, all seven guys. It’s a little cramped. It’s hard to walk around. It’s going good, though. We’re having a good time on the bus.
TC: You are working on your album while you are on tour, right? Is it hard to switch from performance mode to writing and recording mode?
KA: It is! One day I’ll perform, and the next day I’ll fly to L.A. and do some writing or something like that. It’s hard to switch your mind, but it’s something I’m getting used to.
TC: Are you writing most of the songs on the album?
KA: I’ve been co-writing some stuff and writing some stuff on my own as well. People are sending songs in, too. We’ll kind of put together a whole jumble of songs and then pick the best ones. I would love to be [a writer] on all of those, but we’ll see what happens.
TC: Do you feel like you’ve had a voice in the whole album-making process?
KA: I do. I feel like they really trust me and respect me, which is good.
TC: You’ve been saying the album will be pop-rock, but what do you mean by that?
KA: I think that would be the genre to put it in, but that genre is so huge.
TC: Will you be playing guitar and piano?
KA: I think so. It will definitely have that organic feel, but it will bring something else as well.
TC: Do you have a name for the album yet?
KA: No, I don’t think so. We’ll probably come up with that after we get a better feel for the album.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
MSNBC Review
VOTE FOR KRIS IN THIS MSNBC POLL!
Excerpt. Read full review.
And finally: Kris Allen. Coming after a presentation as spectacular (in "spectacle" sense) as Lambert's, it would be easy for the actual winner to fall pancake-flat, but he doesn't. Instead, the grandiosity of the Lambert set makes the relative intimacy of the Allen set work better. They're so different that they don't suffer from comparisons. No, Kris Allen can't sing "Fashion" while stroking his own face with polished nails, but Adam Lambert couldn't sit at a piano and pull off Allen's affecting "Ain't No Sunshine."Read more...
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
MTV Interviews
Kris Gives a few hints about album. He admits working with Joe King of The Fray, and that most of the songs are about relationships.
Other Idol alumni being signed. Kris hints that there are a few deals in the works.
Kris says Idols aren't worried about possible competition between them. Read more...
Monday, August 10, 2009
Idols as NASDAQ Closing Ceremony.
By Kris asking via twitter for people's ideas of best acronyms of NASDAQ, it became a trending topic!
Michael Slezak's EW Review
Read full article from EW's Idol guy Michael Slezak
Excerpt
I’d been warned by fellow Idoloonies that scores of Glamberts were likely to flee the auditorium for Kris Allen’s closing set, but I only saw a few such defectors in my section, and I’m assuming those folks need a hearing check, since they were making their escapes during Kris’ gorgeous rendition of “Heartless.” Anyone who thought Kris’ Idol success with that song owed more to the novelty of hearing Kanye West stripped to his acoustic bones than to the eventual Idol champ’s actual vocal should take note that the number remains as fresh and delicious as a home-grown tomato. And perhaps just as impressive: Kris was more than up to the task of tackling The Killers’ “All These Things That I’ve Done,” which hopefully means the good folks at Jive won’t try to shackle him in the bland A.C. dungeon (which, sadly, he did to himself during a forgettable cover of Matchbox 20’s “Bright Lights”). Kris’ other two songs — a reprise of “Ain’t No Sunshine” and a new cover of “Hey Jude” — proved he’s got a knack for reinvigorating old-school jams in a way that speaks to everyone from screaming tweens to middle-aged dads (many of whom were on their feet and singing along during the latter track). Interestingly, Kris kept himself separated from the band by a screen throughout “Heartless,” “All the Things,” and the first half of “Ain’t No Sunshine,” giving his performance the intimacy of a soft summer breeze in comparison to the Category 5 bombast of Hurricanes Adam and Allison.Read more...
It's On With Alexa Chung Clips
Clips of Kris while on MTV's "It's On With Alexa Chung" courtesy of makehimnotice
Twist Magazine Interview
Twist Mag got the chance to interview Kris backstage before a concert, check it out!
Newark Meet & Great ; Intro Video
Video of Newark Meet & Great and Intro from the concert from MrsJohnnyDepp2008
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Good Morning America Performance
Vid credit to claireb47
Pictures courtsey of Kristen Adler
Baltimore Meet & Greet!
Number1Cheer365 uploaded this video of Kris calling her when she was in the ER. Her friend went to the show and asked Kris would he do it.
Here are pictures from the Meet & Great Courtesy of Shereeny!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Newsday Interview
Excerpts:Since Kris Allen's victory on "American Idol," the laid-back 24-year-old singer-songwriter from Conway, Ark., has been working nonstop, moving back and forth from the "American Idols Live" tour to working on his debut album.
"It's tough," says Allen, calling from a tour stop in Washington, D.C. "It's almost like you have to switch your brain over to the other side. It's a whole different animal. Touring is a whole different mind-set from recording."
Is touring what you thought it would be?
It's probably a little more work than I thought it would be, but other than that, the traveling is great. We're having a blast.
Can you talk about who you're working with on the album and what it will sound like?
I think I'm going to keep that under wraps for now. We are working hard with some artists, some pretty big writers in L.A. and we're getting in some songs as well. We've got some pretty good stuff so far. . . . I would say it's in the pop-rock genre - that genre is huge, but somewhere in there, with something a little bit different that I think people will like.
There was some controversy about you not singing "No Boundaries" in the set anymore. What happened?
We had it in there and the tour director came up to me with some other people and were like, "What if we put something a little bit more energetic in place of it?" I was like, "OK, let's see what we've got," and I came up with the idea of doing the Killers' song "All These Things That I've Done" and we just kind of ran with it. It was kind of a boost in my set.
So how do you feel about the song [co-written by "Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi]?
Um, no comment. I think it's a really good song.
Have you had any surprises on the tour?
I think the fans are a little bit crazier than I thought they were going to be. They like to touch you and sometimes in ways that maybe they shouldn't . . . but those people buy records, too.
Read more...
GMA Preview Article
Read full article
Excerpts:
Read more...The latest "Idol" winner taught himself to play guitar at 13 and had encouragement from his father, who was a musician. It only took writing one song for the nascent talent to know he was hooked on music, he said. "It wasn't that good but I felt like it was the one thing that I could do forever."
Now, making music full-time is a thrill. But he's not stopping there, as he uses the "American Idol" tour to propel himself further as a musician. Allen recently dropped from the tour his signature track, "No Boundaries," which won him the "Idol" title in favor of a cover of a song by the Killers, "All These Things That I've Done."
"The tour director came up to me and asked if would be willing to change it, so we put in a song that has a little more energy and I really feel like the crowd has responded well," Allen explained. He is slated to release his first album this fall.
Press of Atlantic City interview
Read full article.
Excerpt
Read more...Q: What was your strategy to win the crown, or did you just take it week-by-week?
A: There were some things I wanted to do to set myself apart. I think the "Heartless" thing set me apart - that was a real eye-opener.
Q: Did you feel any extra pressure to stand out, given all the attention Adam Lambert received from the media and judges?
A: For me, the only person that put pressure on me was myself. No one was going to put any pressure on me - I put a lot of pressure on myself. People saying that Adam was amazing - I was like, "You know what, he is amazing" - there was no pressure caused by that.
Q: Much has been made of your friendship with Lambert, given your identifying as a Christian and his coming out as gay. Do you see it as an unlikely bond?
A: I don't see why it would be unlikely. I think we're all people. Just because he doesn't believe in what I believe in doesn't make us not alike. We've become really good friends - people are people. We're going to be friends, no matter what.
Q: Which part of your "Idol" experience really stands out?
A: One of the best experiences I had was singing with Adam when Brian May (from Queen) was playing guitar. That was one of my favorite moments. Singing ("We Are the Champions") up there with your friend and a legend - that was pretty cool.
Q: What do you have planned for your album?
A: I'm pretty sure we can get out enough stuff so that 100 percent is not from the show. I've done a lot of writing sessions - it's going really well. We're getting into the swing of things and pumping out some songs. I think the sound will be pop-rock and definitely will have an organic vibe, as well.
Q: Is there a release date?
A: We're all going to try to get our records out before Thankgiving - me, Adam and Allison (Iraheta).
Q: How do you envision your career shaking out?
A: I don't know - someone like John Mayer, who's been through three different phases of his career - he did the acoustic pop thing and everyone loved that. Then he came out with the trio thing and everyone loved that. And then he came out with the bluesy album - someone like him, who I feel his music has gotten better throughout his time in the music industry - that would be great.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Good Morning America Concert Promo
Don't forget Kris, Adam & David Cook will be in concert on Good Morning America's concert series. If you can't tune in we'll post the performances for you. But, if you are able to see it you should, and if you are in New York, remember the concert is free! For people who are planning on viewing the performances, check in on ABC's GMA at about 8:30 AM EST.
Paula Leaves Idol
AI [former?] judge Paula Abdul confirmed via twitter and Entertainment Weekly said that FOX had confirmed that the nicest of the four judges wouldn't be returning next year. Aww, what a shame. Still tune in though people! I'd turn in if Simon were gone! But that doesn't mean I want him to go or wanted Paula to! Wonder how the judge dynamic will be next year....?
Kris tweeted
"Glad I was able to be a part of your last season on the show. You showed us so much love."Read more...
Monday, August 3, 2009
Express Night Out Interview
Express Night Out had the chance to interview Kris, and asked him about his early music preferences, upcoming album, American Idol & Tour!
Excerpts:
Read more...» EXPRESS: You've said before that your love of music and experience with it began at a young age. Was there ever a specific moment when you knew that music was what you wanted to do with your life?
» ALLEN: [When I was] around 6 or 7, I bought the "Dangerous" album by Michael Jackson on cassette and listened, danced, sang to it non-stop. The moment that I knew that music [was] what I wanted to do with my life was the summer after freshman year of college, when I wrote my first song.» EXPRESS: While on "American Idol," you performed with huge artists like Keith Urban and Brian May of Queen. What were those experiences like, and are there any artists out there right now who you would dream of performing with?
» ALLEN: Performing with Keith was a cool experience because he is so down-to-earth -- [an] amazing musician and a nice guy who was easy and fun to work with. Singing with Brian May was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had because I'm a huge fan of Queen, and he is incredible. My dream would be to work with Paul McCartney.» EXPRESS: Since "American Idol" wrapped, you've been on tons of shows, such as "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Access Hollywood," "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," "Live with Regis and Kelly," and "The Today Show," and sang the National Anthem at the 2009 NBA Finals. What appearance was your favorite, and why?
» ALLEN: "The Jimmy Fallon Show" was my favorite because it was the most laid-back and fun. He made fun of me, which was nice, and he kept singing "All She Wants to Do is Dance" and made up his own lyrics to it. I also felt the interview went really well.» EXPRESS: It was confirmed that you signed to Jive Records and that your major-label debut is scheduled for a release in the fall. Are you currently working on it, and if so, how have you found the time? What should people expect in terms of sound, style and content?
» ALLEN: Yes, we expect the album out in the fall. We are currently working on it during the tour -- when I have "days off" of the tour -- and will hopefully wrap things up during the months following the tour. The album will probably be pop/rock, with hopefully a little bit of something that will surprise the fans -- in a good way.» EXPRESS: What are your hopes for the rest of the tour, the rest of the year and your career in both the short-term and long-term future?
» ALLEN: Hopes for the rest of the tour: I hope that every show goes as well as it has up to this point. By the end of the tour, I would like to become a better performer. Rest of the year: I hope that my album goes well and fans are as excited about it as I am. Long-term: That I'm able to do this for as long as I want to. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life, and I am truly grateful that "American Idol" has given me this opportunity.
Access Atlanta Interview
Access Atlanta got to have one last interview with some of the finalists,
Kris Allen: I had already spoken to him on the phone for 10 minutes two weeks earlier. So now I had a few more minutes with him face to face. Since I knew they had a day off, I asked whether he spent yesterday working on his new album.Read more...
He said something album-related fell through so he actually had a few hours off. So his decision? Go see “The Hangover” at Phipps Plaza at 8 p.m. — by himself. Yes, the winner of “Idol” sat by himself in a dark theater alone, save for a few other souls who caught the film on a Thursday night. He said he went unrecognized as well.
“No one wanted to go with me,” he said. He said he had never seen a movie by himself. “If I want to go to movies, I want to go with friends,” he said.
So far, the album is going well. At least that’s what the honchos are telling him. “I don’t know,” he said. “I’ve never done this before. I keep asking, ‘Is everything going okay?’ They say, ‘Everything is going great.’ Okay, good!”
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Kris with Daughtry in Studio
After weeks of rumors of Kris flying to LA to work with Chris Daughtry during breaks of the AI tour, it has finally been confirmed. A picture of Kris and Chris was posted on MySpace page of the Nightbird Recording Studios at The Sunset Marquis Hotel and Villas in Los Angeles. Around the Top 4 stage of the competition, Daughtry said that Kris was his favorite to win the competition.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Dultuh Recap from Access Atlanta
View full review
Excerpt:
Read more...Kris Allen: The winner is incredibly unassuming but engaging on stage. He brings back his key song “Heartless,” then skips “No Boundaries” in favor of a great Killers tune that keeps the crowd going. An emotive “Ain’t No Sunshine” leads into the sing-a-long Beatles fav “Hey Jude.”
The show ended with “Don’t Stop Believin’” and a brief “Na na na na, hey, hey, hey, goodbye.” Everyone seemed happy and honestly, this concert proved how deep the top 10 really was — even without Alexis Grace. I realliy thought it was the most consistent, if not the most entertaining of the eight “Idols Live” concerts I’ve been to. Solid production values, song choices and talent across the board.
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