Random Davidness….

Posted on 09/18/2012 by TOfan

I heard that Brandi Carlile just got married and I remembered David blogging about her waaaaay back and sure enough…..

From Benton Paul’s MySpace: “Hanging out with David Archuleta and Brandi Carlile this past weekend.”

Hey everyone. It’s Daaavid here. This last week I went to Cleveland, Ohio to make an appearance at the IX Indoor Amusement Park. I got sick while I was there, so I unfortunately didn’t get to ride any of the rides. I did get to go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame though! I really enjoyed looking at all the different things they had there, like outfits, notes, guitars, and other things of iconic figures in music. They have the jacket Michael Jackson wore in Thriller! Pretty insane. You can’t take pictures inside though, so I don’t have any lol. But while I was there, they had an event going on after it closed I guess. I’m not exactly sure what was going on, but I know that the guy who did the Evolution of Dance on Youtube was there!! I saw him from a distance, and he had the classic orange Crush shirt. I was thinking, “…He looks familiar… but why?…… oh my gosh! It’s the Evolution of Dance guy!” So I got to meet him and take a picture with him haha. So yeah, Ohio was pleasant.

I was in Utah for a couple of days after Ohio, and had the chance to go to the Brandi Carlile concert! I really love Brandi’s album The Story, but wasn’t really familiar with anything else. I listen to that album all the time though. She has such a powerful, emotional voice. It’s like you can feel her pain or how she feels for the songs she’s singing, and it draws you in. It has a westerny, folky vibe to it, which brings the music really down to earth… if that makes sense… lol. But we were able to talk to her for a little bit afterwards, and she was a totally sweet gal with a cool edge to her. I put her song The Story as song for the day a while ago, but she has a lot of other really good songs. I thought her voice was amazing on the record, but it is seriously breath-taking live. Her albums were released just a few years ago, but I honestly think she must have improved so much already because it really is sooo good live. Then again, everything pretty much sounds better live haha. Anyway, I just wanted to share that with you all. I’m going to head out here now, but I’ll talk to you all later!

P.S. I am loving Britain’s Got Talent right now! Just… wow… That’s all I can say lol.

So instead of songs for the day, I’m going to mention youtube links of 2 performers from Britain’s Got Talent that you HAVE to check out if you haven’t already.

The first one is Susan Boyle, and the 2nd one is Shaheen Jafargholi. I freakin’ love these! lol. I think both of them are such cool stories and performances. It gives me chills.

Susan Boyle – I still can’t get over this.

Shaheen – He sounds like he’s Black lol. It’s incredible.

And to Jordin Sparks:

“@TheRealJordin Oh also #musicmonday THE STORY-BRANDI CARLILE this song is incredible” Oh my Jordin, You hit a home run!! One of my favs!

Posted in Fan experience | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Concert recap… not the one you think

Posted on 09/15/2012 by TOfan

This was his signage in the ladies room, of all places! Love it!

This is kind of a weird post because it’s about a non-David concert… the Jason Mraz concert I attended last Sunday (with the lovely @refnaf and @pastelpastel).

The reason I’m telling you about it here is because a) I only really first found out about Jason Mraz because of David… and b) throughout the whole amazing show I kept thinking how much David would’ve loved to see this Mraz tour if he’d been able to.

Also, so many things reminded me of David. Like how much better Jason Mraz songs sound live than on record… not just his voice but because of everything he adds to the arrangements live. And how it’s all about the music. Sure, he has some very cool animated backdrops (check out my “I’m Yours” vid), but no laser light shows, backup dancers or special effects needed. Also, like David, Jason gives each of his band members their moments to shine… from his phenomenal percussionist (who I think I’d go to see just on her own) to the horn section and the accordion guy to the backup singer slash mandolin player slash fiddler.

What I loved most I think were all the little surprises throughout the show. Mraz brought out Nikki Yanofsky — a jazz prodigy from Montreal who recorded her first album of Ella Fitzgerald covers at 14! — to sing “Lucky” with him (she’s now 18, would love for her to sing with D. someday).

He also sat on a chair at stage left at one point for a very cool acoustic version of “I’m Coming Over” — one by one each band member wandered out and joined in until they were all harmonizing and jamming together. Magical. That song’s been in my head all week.

Anyway, back to David, lol … grateful he’s introduced me, and many others, to so many great artists … almost like he knew we’d need some interim concert-going till 2014. 🙂

How about you guys? What’s been your favourite musical “discovery” thanks to David?

P.S. A big huge Happy Birthday shout out to the warm, witty, wise @Archugeezer!!! Here’s a song just for you.

P.P.S. @SamLouiseG has uploaded to her Tumblr the Nandito Ako acting workshop vid that was shown during the press conference (that TV5 quickly removed from youTube) … along with other NA gems… HERE…

Posted in Concert recap | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

@DavidArchie’s mystery songs

Posted on 09/10/2012 by TOfan

Nothing I like better than a good mystery … so when I happened upon these two clues of David Archuleta songs written but never heard, I couldn’t help but speculate … WHERE THE HECK ARE THEY????

Exhibit A

Exhibit B & C

From September 2011:

Exhibit D:

In this September 2011 vlog, around the three-minute mark, David mentions working on songwriting for several songs for a “new project” and that he’ll let us know when it all comes together.

Is this BEGIN.: The early days? A project that never got off the ground?? My own personal hallucination???

Please share any thoughts, theories, wild guesses… heck, what else do we have to do for two years? 😆

Posted in Fan experience | Tagged | 28 Comments

Brace yourselves… new David vlog… sort of

Posted on 09/07/2012 by TOfan

More info:
Here is David talking more about his BEGIN. album and the reason behind the meaning to the title in his words. Now available at iTunes http://bit.ly/NsRdDD and at Deseret Book http://bit.ly/N5Lk8F

Tags:
None. 😦

So what do you guys think??? Did you already figure that that’s what “BEGIN.” meant?

 

P.S.

Posted in Fan experience | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Where to BEGIN.

Posted on 09/05/2012 by TOfan

Credit: peacelovedavid.tumblr.com

You know how sometimes a word or a phrase or certain notes hit you more than others during a song? Well, I got curious and asked a few peeps (the lovely Archugeezer, therealnewangel and abanana77) what those spots were for them on BEGIN.:

Angel

Archugeezer: The parts I always wait for and anticipate… for a variety of reasons.  Sometimes it’s the message and the way David sings it.  Sometimes it’s the incredible whatever he does with his voice.  Sometimes it simply moves me, and sometimes it just plain wows me. [In Angel it’s] 2:25-2:30 and 2:39-2:50 (“Don’t make NO diff-e-rence” … “and in this sweet madness, AH, this glorious sadness… that brings me to mah kneeees”)

therealnewangel: “Let me be empty, oh and weightless and maybe…”   “Emp-ty” is tied with “sad eyes” for me.  Sometimes what he barely sings is just as amazing to me as what he fancies up with all his amazing runs and such.  Like that last note of “Love Me Tender”.  Did his voice crack?  Did he purposely do that?  Who cares– it was the bomb!  Same with “empty”.  It sounds empty.  He’s a master interpreter.

TOfan: “Let me be empty”… so vulnerable… and later “in this sweet madness”… not something I ever imagine David saying… maybe Josh. The way he sings “dark, coooold hotel room” actually makes me feel cold. weird.

abanana77: His pronounciation of “dif-fer-rence” – I don’t have a deep reason for it or anything, I just love the way it sounds 🙂

Beautiful

Archugeezer: 1:18-1:29 and 2:56-3:20 (“So don’t you bring me down today, ay-e-ay-e-ay” … “We are beautiful no matter what they say, yes, words can’t bring us down, no whoahahohahohoh, we are beautiful in every single WAYayayaya, words can’t bring us DO-oo-OW-own, noooooooo”)

therealnewangel: I love “full of beautiful mistakes”… I know David didn’t make that up, but I like the idea of beautiful mistakes anyway.  Cuz I make a lot of mistakes.  But I also love, “the sun will always, always shiiiiine” because it’s like a  gospel choir made up of David clones.

TOfan: I love “so consumed in all your doOoOoOm” … and the last definite low “YES” before “words won’t bring us down”… I actually wait for it, lol.

abanana77: The amazing runs or rifs or whatever you call them — I approve of Diva David. And honestly what can be better than multiple Diva Davids singing over top of one another? All the “ooh”-ing and “ah”-ing is almost too much for me to handle.

Somewhere Only We Know

Archugeezer: 2:32-2:53 (“So tell me when, you’re gonna let me in, I’m getting tired and I need somewhere to BEGIN. And if you have a minute why don’t we go, talk about it somewhere only WE know.”)

TOfan: I really love this one, my 2nd favourite after Broken I think. I love the way he sings “FAALLLEN” in “I came across a FA-AH-LLEN tree”…the rhythm/metre of it, if that makes sense.

Everybody Hurts

Archugeezer: 2:10-2:38 (“Don’t throw your hand, don’t throw your haaaaand, if you feel like you’re alone”

TOfan: I love the background “hang ons” and in the crescendo, “well everybody hurts SOOOOMEtimes”… they timed that perfectly in the video so we could see him sing that part… chokes me up every time.

abanana77: All the “hang on”s – Absolutely love his lower register here! And there’s just something about the way he sings it… I don’t often feel like this but every time I hear it, I feel like he’s speaking right to me. Not sitting in a studio 6 months ago across the continent, but right here with me, encouraging me to keep going. Whispering in my ear “Hang on.”

Credit: peacelovedavid.tumblr.com

Archugeezer: 3:05-3:23 (“Got to waaaaalk out of here, I can’t taaaake anymore, gonna STAAAAND on that bridge, keep my EEEEYYYYES down below”)

therealnewangel: The bridge about the bridge.  The note that’s about three notes in one on “eyes” in “keep my eyes down below”.    How does he do that? But also the very last line of the duet “there’s a place where we belong.” Can two people’s voices get married even if they don’t?  I’m a “Dibby” fan.

TOfan: The line that really hits me is “It is so strange the way. things. turn.” So heavy with meaning or something. Gives me a shiver every time I hear it. … And Libby’s last “there’s a place where we belOOOONG” is so full and beautiful.

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Archugeezer: 3:52-3:59 (“When you NEEEEED a frieeeeend, oh ohhhhh”)

TOfan: For me the song really starts at “sail on, silver giiiirl” *hides* … “I will comfort chewwww” 😉

Broken

Archugeezer: 0:26-:37 and 2:55-3:20 (“Child, it seems that younger and younger they start to wipe your minds clean” … “DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? DO YOU FEEL WHAT I FEEL? DOES IT MATTER UNTIL WE SEE BROKEN LIVES HEAL??? OHHH whoah whoah ooohhh”

TOfan: The chorus with its cascading “I-I-I-I-Is” and “everything’s broken” stabs me through the heart … in a good way. LOVE everything about this song….

abanana77: The way he sings “sparkling” – This might be my favourite part of any song he’s ever sung ever. The way he sings it is so beautiful but delicate at the same time.  As if he’s being careful singing this precious word, making sure he doesn’t break or ruin it in some way. And when he sings I automatically think of this little girl I know, the joy of childhood ablaze in her eyes, oblivious to the hardships in her life. <333

True Colours

Archugeezer: 1:55-2:01 (“are beauuuuutiful, like a rainbooooow”)

therealnewangel: “You with the sad eyes”.  I love how he barely touches “eyes” and makes you wish you had those sad eyes so he was singing to you specifically.  I love the whole beginning part w/ just the instrumental and light bongos.  He should do more of that sort of thing.

TOfan: For me, the first time he whisper-sings “you are beautiful … like a rainbow” is so, I dunno, like he’s talking right to me. of course he is 🙂

Pride

Archugeezer: 2:17-2:43 (“ohooohohhhh… early mornin’ April 4th, shot rings out in the Memphis skyYYyyy, free at last, they took your life, they could not take your priiiiide”)

therealnewangel: I love all the oh-oh-oh-oh’s because they’re so David.  Not how any other pop/rock singer would do it but very David-style– so polished and precise.  It kinda makes me laugh but always makes me smile.  He can’t shake the great vocal training.

TOfan: “Free at last, they took your LIIIIIFE, they could not take your PRIIIIIIIDE”… so full and solid and strong… kills me every time.

Be Still My Soul

Archugeezer: 2:50-2:54 and 3:46-3:56 (“Be still MYYY soul” … “when disappoooointment, grief and fear are gone”)

TOfan: “His voice who rUuUuUled them” what is he even doing there with his voice??? … no idea… And there’s a part near the end where you can hear his nose is stuffed up… I love that, I love that it’s real and raw and that maybe it’s emotion, even if not, it’s so real, so David.

abanana77: “When change and tears are past, All safe and blessed we shall meet at last” – Love the lyrics on the whole last verse, but this line especially stands out to me. Love the arrangement and how the accompaniment holds back at the end here and just lets him, his voice and his emotions take over.

So how about you guys? What are the parts that really grab you… that you wait for on every replay?

Posted in Fan experience | Tagged , | 18 Comments

Blast from the past

Posted on 09/03/2012 by TOfan

This recap dates back to November 30, 2010, but I’d never seen it so I thought maybe some of you might not have either… enjoy!

.

.

Totally awesome. 
 
I guess that would be the best description of what I felt when I met David Archuleta and had a chance to watch him answer some of the press’ questions last November 17th. I watched him, yes. I was not able to utter A SINGLE FREAKING WORD. All I did was smile the entire interview. Well I couldn’t help it; his smile is contagious.

How it started.
 
My friends and I were hanging out in Starbucks after we’ve bought our CD/tickets when I received the TEXT MESSAGE THAT FREAKED THE HELL OUT OF ME. A friend of my friend (who works at Sony) sent me a text asking me to cover David’s press con on that same day. I was like AHJIUASHAADJIAKLSJ aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh what WHAT WHAAAAAT??!!! I’M GOING TO MEET DAVID ACHULETA AND ASK HIM QUESTIONS?? I’M GOING TO SEE HIM UP CLOSE AND DO GOD-KNOWS-WHATEVER I CAN TO HIM IN A ROOM FULL OF PRESS PEOPLE?? I’m pretty sure David would not approve the thoughts I had in my mind at that time. LOL.

This is it.
 
So I went to the press con totally unprepared. There’s no one to blame but me. I left my CDs at home. I forgot to bring his book, Chord of Strength, which was comfortably padlocked in my pedestal in the office. Good thing I brought a few clothes with me ‘cause I knew I won’t have time to go home after the “mini-concert” and I need to change outfits cause I had to go to work after the show.

On the way to the hotel, I was thinking of the questions I’ll to ask him. “Will you marry me?” is always out of the question but it never left my mind hehe. Seriously, it was really hard to form serious questions in 2 hours when you are going to meet the MOST AMAZING PERSON IN THE WHOLE WIDE UNIVERSE.

The press con was held by batches. Naree and Ditas, of Archuleta Philippines, got slots for the interview as well so I chose to join their batch instead of joining the “real writers” batches. We were the last group along with a few members of the press. There were 4 batches, I think, and as soon as the third one’s done, my knees started shaking. OMG OMG, I’m going to meet David Archuleta and I don’t have a freaking question/s to ask him yet!! But my worries went away when I saw him about 5 feet away from me. Standing. Wearing black top and tattered jeans.

AND SOCKS.

Yes, HE WASN’T WEARING SHOES OR SLIPPERS for Pete’s sake. That was seriously cute! This kid is so a-dorable.

So the interview started. There were 9 of us sitting in the couches, David sitting in front of us, and about 3 photographers. The only thing that separates me and David is this rectangular table. Someone asked him if he’s tired and he said ‘no’. A writer introduced herself as Aileen and then for-the-love-of-butterflies HE SANG HER NAME. Aaskjdhas;h.

And then it’s done.

Oh, wait. What happened to the interview? I don’t know. My mind and soul left my body. I was just there.. looking at him.. smiling. The entire 13 minutes.

The Other Side of David.
 
Thankfully I remembered to turn on the audio recorder of my phone before the interview started because I know I am not going to remember what happened during the interview. Now that I’m listening to it, I am really proud of what he has become. He’s immature in a mature way.

David co-wrote 10 out of 12 tracks in this album. He wanted to be personally involved; he wanted to put what he wanted to accomplish and what he wanted to say. David said it was hard, at the beginning, to open up, but eventually he learned how to express himself. He felt that “he didn’t have to hide himself because of the mistakes he’s done.”

Talking about his album pictures is one of the best moments of the interview. He said he the pictures show “Happy/Fun David.” He doesn’t want to include pictures with serious I-know-you-want-me oh-look-how-cool-I-am kind of shots. He wanted to show the “real” David and wanted to become approachable.

The end.
 
Time really flies fast. We were told to ask one last question, and by this time, I still haven’t said a single word. He signed a few CDs, shirt, and calendar. He actually signed my The Other Side of Down CD which I bought earlier. We had a few group pictures and the girl beside me ran so fast that she was standing next to David during our pictures (I should make my 5k-run a daily habit). When we were about to leave I threw all my nervousness away and asked for a hug. Yes, I was able to hug David Archuleta. SCORE!

No complaints.
 
My signed CD got lost. I only slept for 5 hours in 3 days. I was not able to get a video-greeting from David for people who weren’t able to come at the show. I was quite late so I wasn’t able to get a good spot and wasn’t able to see him properly during the concert. I forgot a lot of things along the way.

But you wouldn’t hear any complaints from me. As David said, “I don’t always get everything that I wanted. It doesn’t turn out just the way I thought it all should be. I can’t complain.”

So thank you. To Zhorai and Mara, thank you. So much. For giving me the opportunity to see David Archuleta up close. To Sony Music Philippines, thank you for bringing David here even when he’s not suppose to be here. To David Archuleta. Thank you for continuing to inspire us with your music and personality. I can’t wait to see you again!

Source.

And here’s the amazing JR’s video of the whole thing:

Posted in Fan experience | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Everybody Hurts approaches 100,000 views

Posted on 09/02/2012 by TOfan

As I post this, David Archuleta’s “Everybody Hurts” video has 96,699 99,100 views … 100,000, here we come!!!

Here are some of my favourite comments on it:

I am a guy and I cried lol.

he is magical<3

I was never a David Archuleta fan but after listening to this I was feeling it. I was loving this and now I’m a fan of his. It is true that everybody hurts. Sometimes we have to hide it but inside it’s how a lot of us feel.

i start listen your music in 2009 .your music is very nice … now i am 12 year old….but i love your music….you have amazing voice. i listen your music in2009

I will aways be your fun!!!!

OH HAYL YA! he’s back!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DAVVVVVVVVVVVIID! I RUV YOU

So did he leave yet? I keep seeing updates on his YouTube channel and his twitter so idk whens it over

I miss him too much 😥

I miss him but I’m glad he took the time to go on his mission. Proud of him!
omg i cry so loud

I just lost my sister .. this song really touched me.. :’)

OMG- damn you David for slicing onions. This video made me smile laugh cry.

I love that his vocals are never thin sounding but full and rich. He is always present when he sings; like he is talking to me and telling me something he wants to share. He is so very unique!

Posted in Fan experience | 4 Comments

We interrupt regular programming ….

Posted on 09/01/2012 by TOfan

hmmm…..

.

.

.

.

.

hey, wait a minute … I KNEW IT!!!!!

P.S.
I’d like to report a theft… all the brilliantly random tags are missing from David’s vlogs… I offer a reward of one BEGIN. album and three ripe mangoes for information leading to the return of said tags. Thank you and goodnight.

Posted in Utter nonsense | 3 Comments

For everyone who wants a MKOCT do-over….

Posted on 08/30/2012 by TOfan

Love this … Christmas in August, why not?

More info:
This is my Archie bud, Carissa, and I’s super experience on the MKoC Tour in Club Nokia, Los Angeles, December 14, 2011. We raised money at school selling keychains at our school for 2 years to have enough money to buy these VIP passes. And now that he’ll be gone for 2 whole years, we are so blessed to even be there. Best day of my life. I’m sorry in advance for some bad quality videos. I had to use my phone for some because my camera was dying :/

(thx. cherishswt for creating it & posting on YouTube and @lizmag3_DA2014 for tweeting the link!)

************UPDATE **********

Source.

 

Posted in Concert recap | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Dear @DavidArchie

Posted on 08/28/2012 by TOfan

Dear David,

I want to write to you to tell you how amazing BEGIN. is and to thank you for all your hard work in getting it finished before you left. But to be honest, I feel weird writing to you about something you worked on months ago and is probably the furthest thing from your mind right now.

I know what it’s like even just going on vacation to a foreign country … new faces, new places, new experiences … they take over and consume your every waking moment until everything left behind is a distant memory. Not that you forget about the people and things that were important to you, but they fade into the background. So for you, it must be even more transforming … a completely new environment, focus, even language. 

So writing to you about mundane fan things feels very strange right now. Even watching your video for Everybody Hurts feels a little odd because we’re watching it here, now, but it captures moments in time from months ago.

It’s like this bizarre time warp where we’re here experiencing something from your past while you’re completely oblivious to all that and maybe don’t even want to hear about it right now. I have no idea. It’s like the David we know has been tucked into some kind of time capsule that will be cracked open in 2014 and this other person will come out.

k, my head hurts now … I think I need to just focus on listening to BEGIN. and let you do your thing and we’ll do ours. So what do I write you about?

Good luck on your mission. God bless.

**********

BREAKING NEWS!!!!

The Crush Kids’ Cancer team continues to pour its heart out through donations in this last fundraising campaign.  To encourage us to continue this generous spirit tonight, Team Archuleta has generously offered to everyone who donates from  7 pm EDT to end of team competition tonight, August 29th 11:59 pm EST, the following:

Every $25 contribution to Crush Kids’ Cancer will be eligible to win a special package:  Two (2) Special Meet and Greet Passes and two (2) tickets for the performance concert of your choice upon David Archuleta’s return!  No accommodation or airfare is included in this gift package.    This gift applies to international performances as well.  

 So, if you donate $25  tonight,  you get one chance at the gift.  If you donate $250 , you get 10 chances.  This gift applies to donations to Crush Kids’ Cancer made from 7 pm to end of team competition only.   Although previous donations are not included in this particular gift opportunity, all donors are eligible for David Archuleta gifts outlined previously.    The winner will announced the week of Sept. 3rd.

IF YOU ARE AN INTERNATIONAL FAN AND ARE UNABLE TO DONATE BY CREDIT CARD, you can donate as follows:

Send your donation to the following Paypal email:  mlsinclair@sympatico.ca with the following Subject Line:  Donation for Crush Kids Cancer.  We will deposit it directly to the SU2C team.  Please do so before 11:30 pm EST Wednesday, August 29th to allow time for us to process.

So what are you waiting for?  Team Archuleta has given us even more encouragement to rise to the challenge!  Donation sites have been known to get clogged in the final hours so donate NOW.  And donate here!

http://www.standup2cancer.org/custom/?c=team&a=index&id=1917

Posted in Utter nonsense | Tagged , | 24 Comments