@onedavidnet was kind enough to twitpic the pages of this insightful interview with David in the “Life & Times” section of the Malaysia newspaper New Straits Times and I started typing out my favourite parts to post and soon realized I needed to transcribe the whole dang thing. Too good not to share. Enjoy!
The teen with the soulful tenor is now a young man with steel in his voice. He speaks to SUBHADRA DEVAN about leaving his music label, meeting Nashville songwriters and his concert in Kuala Lumpur
Everyone should keep a journal. American Idol 2008 runner-up David Archuleta tells me. “I write in mine every day.”
He is chatting over the telephone, filling us in on his upcoming concert in Kuala Lumpur next month.
The 20-year-old from Utah, who won the U.S. Billboard‘s online poll of Best American Idol Ever in May last year, included some parts of his journal in his book, Chords of Strength: A Memoir of Soul, Song and the Power of Perseverance, published last June.
It tells how he overcame vocal chord paralysis to achieve his dream of being a singer and of the strength he draws from his faith and family. He also paid tribute to people who inspired him and who helped him believe in himself and his talent.
“Writing my journal helps me understand myself better and what I am going through. I encourage everyone to start writing a journal, to keep a record of their life. It helps clear your mind too,” he says.
Archuleta was partying in Nashville, Tennessee last week at the Country Music and Television Awards, staying on for the 2011 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, which featured, among the 60-over artists, Arcade Fire and Mumford & Sons.
He says excitedly that he met Idol’s Season 10 sinner Scotty McCreery at the CMT awards, as well as Crystal Bowersox and lots of other Idol alumni.
On Bieber and Idol
This season’s tween flavour, Justin Bieber, was also at the awards. Bieber’s road to fame came via YouTube, while Archuleta’s was through reality television.
When asked if he would have chosen YouTube, Archuleta, the 2010 Teen Choice American Idol Alum winner, says, “Ah no, I couldn’t do it. I would have probably felt self-conscious.
(The Teen Choice Awards is a teen awards show presented annually by Fox. Archuleta has won four since 2008.)
David Archuleta at the Sunway Amphitheatre, Malaysia, April 2009. (Source: onedavid.wordpress.com)
His thoughts of Idol Season 10?
“I was at the finale. It was really cool, an amazing show, with Beyonce, Judas Priest….
“It’s fun having Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler as judges. They gave a lot more artistic opinions and suggestions, and it’s great to have J. Lo there for the Latina element.”
Archuleta’s material grandparents are from the Honduras, as is his mother. It’s 9:30 p.m. and he tells me he will be meeting some of his family later that night, including his maternal grandfather, who speaks only Spanish.
Nashville songwriters
But Archuleta wasn’t at Nashville to just enjoy the ambience. He was there to meet songwriters.
“I haven’t started writing new material for my next album as yet.” He co-wrote 10 of the 12 songs on his third album, The Other Side of Down.
“I want to take my time, just to meet and get to know them first, and they me … instead of walking into the room, and just saying, “Hi!”.
He says his last collaboration with Nashville songwriters was fruitful. “My earlier songs, ‘The Other Side of Down’ and ‘My Kind of Perfect,’ both co-written by Nashville songwriter joy Williams, among others, are two of my favourite songs on my last album.
“I love the vibe there. They are friendly people … to ideas too. They are really focused on not just getting the hit radio songs but those that actually mean something.”
Nashville, he adds, is not just about country music. “It has a great indie scene too — Paramore and Kings of Leon are from there.”
There’s no new album as yet. Archuleta is working on shows for the Christmas holiday season.
On leaving Jive Records
Archuleta is on his own now, after his self-titled debut album (which gave us the catchy Crush), his Christmas From the Heart (2009) and The Other Side of Down (2010).
“Being with Jive was a good experience. I learned a lot. But now, I am able to do it in a different way. I felt I was really rushed before but now, I’m able to take more time … to figure out what kind of music I’m going to give … what I’m doing, because it’s important for me to get the right sound.
“I want to make decisions as to where I want to go as an artist, and to and to get to it in my own way. Now I really make the decisions. If I feel that’s really what I want to do, and someone says no you can’t do that, or that’s not you, or that’s not what you want to do … just because they are older than me or have more experience in the business doesn’t mean they are right.”
“No one can understand what’s the best thing for you to do, other than yourself.”
As Archuleta sings on the ballad “You Can,” “Show me that good things come to those who wait.”
Any mistake he won’t repeat?
“I guess I really don’t want to repeat any mistake. looking back, it may have looked like one then, but years later, it has taken me to the place I want to be. It was exactly what I needed.”
Still single and his perfect date
“Yeah, I’m still single. My perfect date? I want to have some fun, have a good time, not too romantic a time. A time when I can laugh, have a good meal, with good entertainment. I also love outdoors stuff. i love skydiving. I haven’t don’t that yet.”
“I went snowboarding last winter, back home in Utah. It was great, exciting yet so peaceful because it was in the mountains and around nature.”
On his upcoming concert
“I’m excited about the concert. I have a new band, I’m rehearsing with them, getting to know them, what kind of people they are.
“I am excited to come back to Malaysia, and to sing for my fans. And looking forward to learning Malay.”
David Archuleta will perform a full concert, organized by Sony Music Entertainment Malaysia, on July 26, 8 p.m., at Stadium Negara. Tickets at RM300 (VIP), RM230 and RM190 (numbered seating) and RM150 and RM90 (free seating). Prices exclude RM3 handling fees. Tickets go on sale on Monday at Ticket Charge (www.ticketcharge.com.my) and AirAsia RedTix outlets (www.AirAsiaRedTix.com). Latest updates at http://www.facebook.com/sonymusicmy
P.S. Original newspaper scans by @onedavidnet HERE, HERE and HERE.
SnowAngelz: Canadian fans of David Archuleta 
Thanks !! I tried reading this on twitter and this makes it so much easier. Love the interview and David’s message. He is his own man now and he seems much happier with more balance in his life. He is going for quality and following his own drum beat!! He seems so strong and determined and always seems productive. So excited about mention of a Christmas tour and looking forward to all the news from SOF and Asia. Hope all is well in Canada. Appreciate you keeping us posted.
You’re very welcome, Heidijoy! I’m so impressed with both the fans and the media in Asia. The interviewers ask some of the usual questions but also dig a little deeper and really listen so David seems to open up more in those interviews, or maybe they just give him more space to expand on things. And the fact that he gets so much “ink” … a double-page spread, plus the section cover? Awesome! (And yes, I did mega-cartwheels when I read, “Archuleta is working on shows for the Christmas holiday season” *flails*
Oh, & off-topic: Cute blog post from a fan who, ahem, ran into David at the Nashville Sounds baseball game: Read her post HERE.
TOfan,
Thank You for this wonderful post! I also enjoyed reading the blog post link and this fan’s bold persistance and dreams for her life – LOL! David is obviously doing things his way and in his own time with no regrets of leaving the Jive safety net behind.
joymus, “his way and in his own time” … LOVE that too! 🙂
Loved reading this and I’m excited too that David is working on shows for the Christmas Holiday season! I’m hoping (one can hope) that it will include the U.S. and some of Canada. 🙂
A wonderful interview with David . He loves skydiving (without even trying it yet)?? Yikes, that boy has an adventurous spirit! David following his own drum beat, as Heidijoy said is the only way he could do it and be happy I think and the only way he should do it. Makes me feel proud of David, such strength and character at a young age…to take hold of the reins in his career and his life. Quite a guy. 🙂
Just have to say that I am also proud of my fellow Vancouverites. After last night’s riot, the clean up today in downtown Vancouver with the help of a lot of volunteers was awesome True Canuck fans out there focused upon caring, unity and a love for their lovely city. No group of destructive thugs will dampen the spirit of the people or change anything. In spite of the sad and shameful destruction and mayhem they created, these thoughtless young men and their disgraceful behavior have really brought more negativity and hurt upon themselves. Can only hope they will learn a lesson one day.
Proud of the citizens of Vancouver and still proud of the Canucks and their true fans. I have long ago come to the conclusion that most Canadians are decent and caring people. A few bad ones do not speak for the people, they never will.
Guess I’m venting. Sorry for my little rant. 🙂
I was shocked and dismayed to hear about the rioting. But when I heard about all the people who turned out to help clean up, it touched my heart; that’s true Canadian spirit! I was impressed that they took a negative incident and totally turned it around into something positive (quite a David-like thing to do). It made me smile…
peppertara & Utahmom, I couldn’t agree more, rant away! Here’s a great article about the Vancouver peeps who came out to clean up and restore their great city to the warm, friendly, orderly place we all know & love!
http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2011/06/this-is-my-vancouver/
Ken Dryden also wrote a great piece about it all for today’s Globe & Mail HERE.
Hallelujah! I’ve been praying for a Christmas Tour!
I can appreciate the young lady’s dreams. Ahhhh…to be 20 again! (and know what I know now!) 😉
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Awesome interview, thanks TOfan so much for this post!!!! I just love hearing David’s quiet resolve shining through when interviewers listen to him! I agree the Asian media give him so much more respect. THIS >>>”Now I really make the decisions. If I feel that’s really what I want to do, and someone says no you can’t do that, or that’s not you, or that’s not what you want to do … just because they are older than me or have more experience in the business doesn’t mean they are right.”<<>>> GoDavidGO!
I am thinking it would be good if David joined thecivilwars label, sensibility music>>> IMO that could be a good fit.
Plus any time I hear David, Christmas and tour in the same sentence I must squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Peppertara, great to hear that so many came out for the cleanup. When I watched the vids of the riots I felt so sad and ill. “No group of destructive thugs will dampen the spirit of the people or change anything.”>> Amen!!!! Well said>> that is the spirit!
Off topic>> you know you are having lunch with a fellow ODDer when during your conversation both your cell phones buzz and you look at each other and burst out laughing “David is tweeting us” !!!!!. I had a great time abanana77! ((hug))
That was too funny, refnaf! Hahaha (((hugs back)))
ps TOfan love seeing that pic of David performing>>>> have not seen it in a while >> wow!!!
ohmyheck, clips of 2 songs that David recorded 2 years ago but didn’t make any album (love their vibe & David’s voice of course) and the third clip is the Power in Purity/Children’s Choir one we’ve already heard (thank you, @Batya11394!!!!):
http://batya11394.tumblr.com/post/6618079370/ilovechudavidarchie
How could anyone possibly say they love skydiving when they haven’t tried it yet?! Haha I’m assuming something got lost in translation there. lol.
And my experience if snowboarding I would not describe as “peaceful”, lol. More like painful, cold, stressful (getting off the chairlift haha). It was also very fun, awesome, exciting. But not peaceful. Hahaha
Will have to check out those clips tonight!
Catching up as usual. For those asking for the 4 clips of David w/ the One Voice link, I uploaded them to YT the other day
POWER OF PURITY
BEST I CAN
Interesting Best I Can lyrics 🙂 :
Plain objects placed into my hand
I can’t exactly do a thing but try to understand
What I’m expected to do with them
My mind has already filled it’s memory capacity
But some’s spilling out on the ground
Getting trampled by my own two feet all around
The road I’m taking to see where life goes
It’s a hike but I like what it shows
I’m doin’ the best I can
to live up to life’s demands
sometimes I don’t know where I stand
YOU ALONE
FALLING – which we all know by heart
I think only Power of Purity is actually included in the One Voice CD cos it is the demo included in the album clip. The other 3 snippets were intended for TOSOD but as we know, they never made it.
Enjoy!
JR4DA, as usual, you ROCK!!!! I really like the vibe of Best I Can and his voice sounds great on it! Would love to hear the whole song!
This is a cute blog from someone who met David at the BYU Book Fair and she includes a video I’ve never seen that really gives you a feel for the incredible hero’s welcome David received in Murray for the Idol Homecoming day (with snippets of him singing SBM, Angels and Imagine for the hometown crowd). *sniff*
http://sueysbooks.blogspot.com/2011/06/music-stuck-in-my-head-david-archuleta.html
Anytime TOFan 🙂 And in case you need to look for a comprehensive collection of footage on David’s UT Homecoming,, you may want to check http://www.thedavidchronicles.com/2008/05/das-day-ai-utah-homecoming-09-may-2008/
I have about 47 HD vids listed there (46 of which I myself uploaded to YT + that one by jenstusue) involving activities from SLC’s preparation to the aftermath, across TV, radio & online (Deseret, KSL, Herald Tribune) coverage.
You may also want to check what I did for the AI Tour & AI Season 7 itself, under the PERFORMANCE HEADER. Pretty comprehensive chronicling. Would a pity for Archies, esp new ones to miss them 🙂
hmmm, so David was spotted at Paramount today by @Nadine12131:
http://yfrog.com/gzcytjtlj
She has a smile just like David’s, lol.
hahaha, she does! 😆
Tofan, thanks for bringing that article. Great interview. This time he gets to do it all his way, and he will reap the benefits (and so will we!)
He is gonna knock em dead over there! 🙂
Love the Paramount pic, he looks good in that blue…..is he visiting friends or somethin’ else.
I like Best I Can, would love to have heard the whole thing. Do not understand how labels pick songs. 😕
Nice to hear those snippets of songs. Best I Can sounds great. His voice sounds wonderful on all of them. Would sure love to hear some (or all) of these unreleased songs, must be dozens of them.
Every time I see a recent picture of David, I think….who is that handsome young man, lol. How anyone can say
he still looks twelve is beyond me!
refnaf….GoDavidGo! Is a great slogan (can now replace my GoCanucksGo), ha. That he is…going strong .doing things his way, concerts, exciting tour coming up and an unlimited bright future!
David is back in Nashville!!! Yea! He is a busy young man.
Nashville & David make beautiful music together . 🙂
Totally random, but I just happened to be watching this MB Falling Stars vid and check out what David does at 0:38 …bahahahaha … and is it just me or does his voice sound incredibly incredible in these vids? … can only imagine how it sounded live. *sigh*
… in case you missed it, it’s this 😆 :
His voice kinda tears your heart out in this one.
Tofan,
I love this interview and love that you transcribed all up nice and pretty. The pictures you picked aren’t to shabby either 🙂
Thank you!
you’re very welcome, dja!!! Yes, David photographs well in KL, doesn’t he? … bodes well for the Asia tour! 😆
Remember little Jonah? @Roxoramma tweeted this today:
“Jonah needed a ride to the game today. He sang @DavidArchie songs all the way to RioT!
🙂
And according to @onedavidnet, there was a David article/interview in the Malaysian Chinese newspaper “SinChew” today:
Apparently, the title of article reads “David will not be Bieber; Will be dating in private” 😆
@SaleishaArchie Interviewer: What Do You Think Of Justin Bieber? David: I Juz Saw Him Last Week. I Think He Is Talented and He Has a Great Voice.
@onedavidnet Gist of SinChew DavidArchie article: no 4th album, only single maybe.. writing Spanish song.. likes pop music.. dont like his own voice…
Also in DavidArchie SinChew art: no love interest atm, still waiting for rite one. Feels relationships r personal & wl not make it public.
http://twitpic.com/5dkyqr/full
(if anyone reads Chinese, let us know!!!! 🙂 )
hmm, no album yet but maybe a single? and a Spanish song?? I’ll take it! 😆
TOfan, I sent Gengen the link, asking her to help the fans out with a translation. I’ll pass on the info is she responds.
Gengen responded! The translation is up on AFS. Please repost if you wish 🙂
Done! Thanks so much, Janey & Gengen!
New post/thread!
🙂