.
Is this the best @DavidArchie IG story evah??😂 pic.twitter.com/zmIBtKn4oj
— snowangelzz 🍁 (@TheSnowAngelz) September 13, 2017
.
Or is it this one?? *DYINNNNGGGG* @DavidArchie pic.twitter.com/OlHpvvyqlJ
— snowangelzz 🍁 (@TheSnowAngelz) September 13, 2017
.
I can’t, @DavidArchie. No. Can’t. pic.twitter.com/W9stPNoulG
— snowangelzz 🍁 (@TheSnowAngelz) September 13, 2017
.
And screen caps… because I can…
DO NOT ever change, David.
.
My initial reaction to finding out this morning that a friend *cough*Pastel*cough* got to attend David’s listening party here in Toronto mere STEPS from my office.
Or maybe more like this….
Actually, it was this….
.
But when the shock wore off … (full disclosure: it may never wear off)… I was happy she was there to represent for the Canuck fans and put in a good word for a possible Toronto show sometime in 2226.
Go and check out her must-read recap of the event… which sounds like a cross between a VIP at the Vatican and brunch with David where he sings and gets emotional and snacks on poutine.
Def. read the whole thing but I’d just like to call out a few questions I have:
Excerpt 1:
Vince was our incredibly charming and knowledgeable emcee. Obviously a man with a keen ear for talent, he introduced David by explaining that we were there to preview David’s new CD, coming out in October (Note: subsequent to this event, David Archuleta announced the date for “Postcards in the Sky” as October 20th). David had already released Orion EP which was available for all the guests. He was also to release Leo, is second EP, on August 25th. Collectively, those 8 songs would be part of the album plus a few others, some of which we would hear during the event.
Wait, what?? “Plus a few others, some of which we would hear during the event” … You heard his unreleased songs? Like not released to anyone yet?? First fan of all us fans to hear these songs?? HOW ON EARTH ARE YOU SO CALM ABOUT THIS??!!*
Excerpt 2:
He spoke of the day when he called his Manager, Gina Orr, to discuss his decision to not continue in his career, to “not do this anymore”. The description was very poignant since Gina was in the room and added a bit of colour to the explanation as well.
Okay, I need more here, my friend … what do you mean by “colour”? Did she give more background? Throw in more details? Re-interpret the convo in mime??
Excerpt 3:
The next song we heard was “Up All Night.” Vince was effervescent with enthusiasm for this song and couldn’t hold back his excitement. He told us that once he heard it, he said to himself “Now that is a REAL RECORD”, indicating he will be talking about that song “daily for the next six years.”
Confession: When I first read this through, I thought David was the one saying these things and I was extremely confused. I confuse easily.
Excerpt 4:
The next song was another song David wrote for a specific reason. In this case, it was a song of inspiration for those battling mental health issues. He carefully described the message of the song was to explain there was a universe, a bigger picture at play when dealing with issues, rather than what is occurring on a single day.
I need to hear this song. Like NOW.
Excerpt 5:
David discussed a song that he was initially not going to include on the CD, until further reflection that day. He explained he had been at Orange Lounge Recording Studio earlier that afternoon listening to final cuts and reconsidered the CD track list. Still undecided, he provided a detailed backgrounder to the song, let the tape play, and then asked the audience for feedback to assist with his decision… As the song’s sound filled the room, the mood changed instantly. It was apparent we instantly understood that the song was written from a very difficult place, a very painful place. It was a song without a lot of lyrical structure but nevertheless, David had so very much to say. We will have to wait for the final decision from Team Archuleta regarding its fate, but the crowd was unanimous in its recommendation.
Okay, this KILLED me… I would’ve been heckling from the back, “BONUS TRACKS, DAVID, BONUS TRACKS!!!”*
Here’s the link again, because she also shares a videooooooo!!!!!!
.
Photo up top: Credit @pastelpastel
*You can clearly see why I wasn’t invited, lol.
Gee, David’s even busier than I thought….
.
p.s.
see what I mean?? Busy, busy, busy. 🙂
@DavidArchie IG Story!
Vocal Training with vocal coach @deankaelin pt 1 🎤@FODFansofDavid 😁 pic.twitter.com/QOv6N9AJnR— David Archuleta Fans (@DavidUniverse) September 7, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
.
.
@DavidArchie IG Story!
Vocal Training with vocal coach @deankaelin pt 3 🎤@FODFansofDavid 😁 pic.twitter.com/0S4mUMb1ab— David Archuleta Fans (@DavidUniverse) September 7, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
.
.
@DavidArchie IG Story!
Vocal Training with vocal coach @deankaelin pt 5 🎤@FODFansofDavid 😁 pic.twitter.com/My8hE8uSMC— David Archuleta Fans (@DavidUniverse) September 7, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
.
.
and bless his little heart, he HAD to make corrections!♥♥♥
@DavidArchie IG Story!
Vocal Training with vocal coach @deankaelin pt 7&8 🎤@FODFansofDavid 😁 pic.twitter.com/1MAiCAATPe— David Archuleta Fans (@DavidUniverse) September 7, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
.
Sidenote: At last December’s Layton show, Refnaf and I were picking up our Will Call tix and Dean was standing there picking up his… he was on the phone… doing these vocal exercises with David! Pretty dang cool. We spoke to Dean at the intermission (he was sitting near us) and he said that he wished David wouldn’t do so many volunteer singing things while he was touring, that he should rest between shows and give his voice a break. Oh, David.
.
Okay, it took me a while to come back down to earth after the double-whammy of having Leo released on the same day as David Archuleta’s epic FB live… I’m not there yet, but I knowwwww… (sorry, couldn’t resist 🙂 ) … seriously though, David, ARE YOU TRYING TO KEEEEL US??!!
Many cold compresses and smelling salts later, here I am to give you my stream-of-consciousness impressions of the whole thing.
First of all, let me say how impressed I was that David not only took the time to organize a professional, recording studio set-up for the whole thing, so the songs would “sound good”… boy, did they ever! … but he also coordinated his outfit to match his avi… THAT is commitment to your craft, my friends.
.
David’s done other FB Lives but what I loved most about this one was how relaxed he seemed… maybe having a structure to it, with songs and pre-organized questions, and a “cohost” and interns to share it with, helped. Or the elation of getting instant positive (well-deserved) feedback from the amazingness that is Leo.
No idea, but whatever it was, it made for a full hour of all that we love most about David. His talent, yes, of course, but also his authenticity, his courage to be vulnerable, his quirky sense of humour and something else… a mercurial essence none of us can ever quite put our finger on that makes him endlessly fascinating. Go ahead, disagree with me, I just saw Wonder Woman so I’m feeling feisty. 🙂
Random impressions, in no particular order:
**His Nashville accent struck my hubs when he walked in and caught a few minutes… “What’s with the accent??” he asked. “Is he doing country music now?” Oh, honey.
**Loved the way David made a point of including as many names of peeps who asked questions as possible (AND THAT I KNEW A LOT OF THOSE LOVELY PEOPLE!!!) … even grouping together the names of those who asked similar questions… how thoughtful is that? I don’t watch anyone else’s FB Lives, but I doubt anyone else takes that time or trouble.
**Also loved his explanation for choosing “Leo” and constellations: “There’s something about the stars that makes me feel small, but also that I belong in this huge universe, so I wanted people to get that cool feeling.”
**How talking about staying cool like a lion lead to a finger-snapping snippet from one of my favourite musicals ever, West Side Story… “stay cool, boy”
**And the way he started tapping out the beat for Someone to Love before Brady even started strumming… BECAUSE HE IS DAVID “MUSICAL GENIUS” ARCHULETA!
**’Twas awesome to hear him talk about being fine with writing radio-friendly songs at some point (although, hello, would not today’s radio be 100% improved by hearing Other Things in Sight on it???) … “It’s about being myself… I’ll be happy to try and write some good radio songs in the future but I wanted a project where I could just show who I am to all of you.” (Was I the only one screaming “YOU GO, DAVID!!!!” at my screen? Sure. Okay.)
**Then he launched into OTIS. Oh. Em. Gee. Groovy chair-dancing David takes over. I know lots of you love this song and I am right there with you, my people. It. Rocks. In a soulful, funkalicious groovy Tuesday kind of way…
**Kind of taken a back, tbh, at how he was so open about this being his “rebellious” song… but not a “NO WAY, I’M GOING TO THROW THIS CHAIR AT YOU!” song… yes, those were his exact words, I checked. 🙂 (Shades of Josh Bradley versus Uncle Stevil there, right?!)
**When he said “For a good chunk of my life I felt like I was [longest pause in the history of pauses]… controlled” … I may have gasped at that moment.
He went on to explain, “This song’s saying, ‘You know what, I’m an adult now, sooooo … I’m not saying, ‘In yo’ face!’ to anybody… just give me the space I need.” Lesson learned: Give some space to The Archuleta.
**When he sat down at the piano for “I’m Ready,” I couldn’t help but think back to this:
For real, though… sitting down at a grand piano performing heartfelt singer-songwriter tunes but now they are HIS songs, from HIS heart. (brb, have a branch in my eye)
**I didn’t follow along with all the live comments until I watched it a second time (needed to focus, y’all)… but there are some hiLARious ones… like this one from a young guy: “I’m torn between doing my laundry and watching this and yet I’m here.” 🙂 🙂 🙂 … and “Can you sing, ‘My Hands’?” 🙂 🙂 🙂 And possibly my favourite: “Can you surprise my friend at her wedding?” hahaha… how? by being the groom? *DEAD*
Who else?:
(a) Clapped after every song
(b) Pictured him nodding off during a song-writing session (cowriters, pics please, or it didn’t happen)
**Loved his answer to the lovely @pastelpastel‘s question that mentioned Adele’s approach to writing albums, not singles… “I want to give birth naturally to these kids here” 🙂 “If you try to make a song a hit it takes away the emotion, takes away the place where the song comes from.” PREACH, DAVID!!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
**It warmed my heart how intently David looked at his phone to make sure he included as many questions as possible, and to read out people’s names. Who does that?? David, that’s who.
**When I watched it through again, I noticed David kind of chuckled before he read out my question. My question was asking if, in I’m Ready, the lines after the bridge were improvised… I also asked how he made it sound so cool. I’m thinking he chuckled at that last part because he didn’t read it out, lol. Loved his explanation though, that it was improvised (SUPER cool!) and that it was a line of Annie Schmidt’s and another way to pay tribute to her. Beautiful.
**Loved the acoustic versions of all the songs (‘natch)… but especially Spotlight Down, I think… how softly he sings the beginning, and how his voice wavers in parts of it… obvs. strikes very close to home and you could really feel that.
**I had to laugh at him getting “permission” to show us the cover of the new album… is he not the boss of him? lol And also, lol @ his face worrying his “personal” photos might be revealed… 17380974619384738436 shots of his lunch?? 🌽🍳🌮🍜🌯🍔🍗😂
**So much good news he shared!!!! Philippines & Asia trip!!! Videoooooos!!!! More tour dates to come!!! Album release date Oct. 20!!!! CANADAAAA!!!! (Sure, it’s two giant provinces over and further than Utah from here, BUT STILL!!!!)
**My absolutely favourite part was how happy he was at the end:
It feels better than I’ve ever felt in the history of my music life to see the positive response [to Leo songs]… because they’re ME… to see that you guys connect to it is so cool.
How about you guys??? What was your favourite part???
Watch again here:
p.s.
It’s SnowAngelz’ Birthday, you guys!
Where on earth does the time go??
.
Made a fascinating discovery about Spotify… (this is likely common knowledge, right? 🙂 ) … I downloaded it for free onto my desktop from HERE (opened account via FB), did a search for “David Archuleta Leo” and proceeded to put the EP on repeat (just turning off the speakers when need be) … and left the computer on overnight.
Why does this matter?
Because streaming counts toward Billboard charting, my dear friends.
I have no idea if Leo has any chance to doing that but, just in case….
…another Spotify discovery… I have the app on repeat on my computer at work (opened the account with the Facebook link), so I just figured out how to stream it at home too:
Step 1: Went to spotify.com on my home computer and created a new account with an email address diff. from my FB one. #mwahaha
Step 2: Back on the spotify.com home page, I opened the web player (link in the footer at the VERY bottom of the Spotify home page, see screen capture below)
Step 3: A browser page opens up where I searched for “David Archuleta Leo” and…again… hit play & repeat (see screen capture above)! turn off speakers as needed 🙂
WoooooT! Double streaming!!!
Now go! Go! Go!
.
Web Player Screen Capture
To find the link to the Spotify Web Player, scroll to the bottom of the Spotify.com home page… it will look like this:
.
Full disclosure
I posted something very similar… in fact, almost identical… when Up All Night came out but just HAD to repost because MORE PEEPS NEED TO HEAR THESE AMAZING SONGS!!! Right??
imo, this is the best work he’s ever done… don’t get me wrong, I obviously love David’s voice and his earlier albums, but THIS one… he’s just taken things to another level… a level above the clouds where ice cream is served all day and hugs are given freely on every corner. OTIS is my absolute fave… I’ve listened so much, it’s literally become another layer under my skin, I swear… but I don’t just replay it because I want to hear all four of the songs, they all have their own special somethin’ somethin’.
I remember right after Idol when David sang an acoustic Waiting on the World to Change with Dean Kaelin on guitar at some TV station or other and it just b.l.e.w..m.e..a.w.a.y… the groove, the soulfulness, just took me places… and I’ve been waiting for David to share that side of him on record ever since … and that’s what #Leo does… takes me places. We’ve certainly seen that side live (praise be!)… but to hear it captured in the recording studio finally…. YES!!!!! I just want the world to hear it… is that too much too ask? 🙂
What do you guys think??
p.s.
Run don’t walk to read the lovely & amazing @rhiminee’s “Big Ol’ Leo Feelings Post” HERE. You’re welcome.
p.p.s.
This is all kinds of awesome!! Lovely Chicago peeps (*cough*Jonerz*cough*)
.
Duuuuudes! Are you truly ready for the next few days??
Never fear, SAz is here.
This is what you need to do to be prepared for the onslaught of awesomeness about to befall you.
Step 1
Dress appropriately.
Step 2
If you’re a “trender” and end up in Twitter jail, never fear… been there… they have great snacks.
Step 3
Drink Coke, Pepsi, espresso, whatever caffeinated beverage it takes to keep you #UpAllNight (see what I did there? 😊) until Leo pops up on iTunes and Spotify (usually around midnight ET tonight).
Or try some of these moves… pro tip: warm up first. 😊
Step 4
Set yourself up to keep streaming on Spotify … I trust you lovelies to be able to figure that out (or see my earlier post for double-streaming UAN HERE).
Step 5
Make sure you have all your email addresses handy for iTunes gifting.
Step 6
Buy that baby or check for your preorder to download automatically and then take a deep breath …
Step 7
Banish all noise and distractions from your happy place… put on your super expensive headphones that you bought just for David music, close your eyes and let the exquisite sounds wash over you, fill your heart with joy and give you the overwhelming feeling that anything is possible.
Step 8
Repeat Step 7. As many times as you can handle.
Step 9
Share the Leo iTunes / Spotify link on your preferred social media platforms, and leave a comment on iTunes… I always forget that one, lol.
Step 10
After you’ve heard the songs, think of some questions for David’s FB live.
Step 11
Get some rest before Friday night’s Leo Release Par-tay.
https://instagram.com/p/BYE90PxFjYA/
HOW EXCITED ARE YOU GUYS???!!!!
.
p.s.
AWESOME FB LIVE WAS AWESOME!!!!!!
Okay, I am def. psychic… this morning I left a comment on David’s “Leo Preorder” IG post asking if he was going to do a FB Live for Leo and BAM! he is!!!* Only better!
Acoustic songs?? Answering Qs?? Being his ridiculously charming self?? Eclipse Schmeclipse, this is WAY better!!! And no special glasses needed to see this solar flare of amazingness!!!
Can I get me a Hallelujah?! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
I’m still on a high from David casually touring around my T.O. turf soaking in the maple-tinged vibes and rocking Captain Canuck shirts and driving by my favourite Winners store and likely hearing a million “sorry”s… I may need to lie down.
So get some rest and hydrate extensively, my lovelies, this is going to be EPIC!!!
With a capital EPIC!!!!!
Share the heck out of this news, mes amies!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
https://instagram.com/p/BYE90PxFjYA/
*(brb, buying a stack of lottery tix)
Click pick to buy tix via the OS or see links below.
Here’s what we know so far:
Here’s a very scientific map of where to find these dates on a map… I’m sure it’s similar to the one Kari uses. 🙂 (sidenote: if my U.S. geography is wrong, please blame Google Maps…EDIT: A big thanks to @myheartsong for informing me where Indiana actually is *blushes*)
And here are the October shows on a calendar:
.
p.s.
So cool David shared some of this trip to Canada…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXx7lMNlY3c/?taken-by=davidarchie
.
… and who else thinks this should be on his next round of merch T-shirts? 🙂 🙂 🙂
.
p.p.s.
Cover Boi!
(thx. @rhiminee for the heads up! credit: Archiesmiles Tumblr here)
.
p.p.s.s.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BX8QF87lsT6/?taken-by=davidarchie
.
Amber’s IG Story!@DavidArchie What a view 😮@FODFansofDavid 😍 pic.twitter.com/VCN0i6HETy
— David Archuleta Fans (@DavidUniverse) August 10, 2017
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
.Sources: Jazzy & Amber’s IG stories
He appears to be on a road trip with Jazzy & Amber.
Dude just can’t stay away. 🙂 He must’ve run out of the maple syrup Ref & I gave him in Portland, lol.
Now if he’d only DO A CONCERT HERE!!!!
(Sorry, just had to get that out.)
p.s.
Countdown to #Leo begins! Perfect, it’s World Lion Day! 15 days to gooooooo!
“Where is it? Where is it? I need it NOW!” *roar*
p.p.s.
ALERT! ALERT! YOU CAN PREORDER #LEO ON AMAZON HERE AND LISTEN TO SNIPPETS!!!!!
Song titles:
QA;LSKDJFALKJFAKJFLAKJFDLAKJFLAKJFLAKJFLAJF
Have you guys listened to the snippets yet??? Are you going to??
I’m loving the soulfulness I’m hearing so far… especially on Other Things in Sight, Someone to Love and I’m Ready.
We’ve heard I’m Ready live and live is usually my favourite but love love LOVE the arrangement in the snippet with the harmony, YESSS!!!!
And I LOOOOOVE the Other Things in Sight snippet and already know I’m going to love the whole thing because it’s a Trent Dabbs collab (heh, that rhymes)… and how do I know that??
#mwahaha
Remember this little convo? (Yes, I am a supahfreak, in a completely benevolent way, I swear 🙂 )
So what do you guys think so far???
.
UPDATE:
aww, Lupe’s on the road trip, too! (scroll thru pics)
.
.
Everyone keeps asking why this next David Archuleta EP is called “Leo,” but I know exactly why.
*cough*wikipedia*cough* *cough*sortof*cough*
Turns out, Leo is one of the constellations of the zodiac, lying between Cancer the crab to the west, Virgo the maiden to the east, and the lesser known Simon the snake to the north and Constantine the unwashed to the south.
Its name is Latin for lion, and to the ancient Greeks represented the Nemean Lion killed by the mythical Greek hero Heracles (known to the ancient Romans as Hercules) as one of his 12 labors.
These labors included wearing polyester matador tights, getting groped by Priscilla Presley and touring with Chikeze.
Leo remains one of the 88 modern constellations today, and one of the most easily recognizable due to the way it glows and keeps turning up on iCarly reruns.
The lion’s mane and shoulders also form an shape known as “The Sickle,” which to modern observers may resemble a backwards “question mark” or just a random line that means nothing at all.
Putting this here because I can.
Leo contains many bright stars, many of which were individually identified by the ancients. There are four stars of first or second magnitude, which render this constellation especially prominent:
1) Vocalist maximus is a blue-white main-sequence star emanating a brightness that blinds alien beings from 6,53423243 light-years away.
2) Pocketsize minimalus is a binary star that recedes from view when not on stage but flares 100-fold as soon as the asteroid Microphonus comes near.
3) Epsilon fiercelon is a double star visible in binoculars, especially from Higher Ground.
4) Theta sweatyfeetamus is a star best ignored altogether.
Modern astronomers excised a group of stars that once made up the lion’s furry chin area and used them to form the new constellation — Scrufftastic Hummenahummena — although there was precedent for that designation among the ancient Greeks and Romans.
Leo contains many bright galaxies — made up of a cloud of hydrogen, helium gas and empanada steam — that have a radiant close to the Gamma Gamma DavidIloveyouforevermarrymeorIllkeepwriting243234wordcommentsonyourIG formation.
In Greek mythology, Leo was identified as the Nemean Lion, a fierce beast that would take girls as hostages to its cave by singing Crush and grabbing their unsuspecting hands, until Hercules stepped in and threw them the setlist as a distraction.
So there, in a nutshell, is a complete explanation of why the next EP is called Leo.
Or, all the songs could be from The Lion King.
What do you guys think??
.
p.s.
He really is the best, isn’t he? *sniff*
.
p.p.s.
I hope the lovely & amazing @Taterzen doesn’t mind me linking to this but I just love love LOVE this! HAPPY HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, E.!!!!!!!
PO Box 4297 Apopka, FL 32704 USA
SnowAngelz: Canadian fans of David Archuleta 