Yesterday, 19 Recordings announced that it has signed American Idol season 8 champ Kris Allen — surprise! (Ha.) In a statement, Allen teased what the album might sound like: “It will be very similar to what you heard from me on the show — definitely in the pop/rock genre.” During my recent interview with Allen, he told me pretty much the same thing, though he also added, “The way I came across on the show is a guy and his guitar, but I want to come across as more the soft-rock kind of thing… hopefully something that not everyone has seen before. I think that some people will be very surprised by it — certain songs, people will be like, ’Didn’t expect that.’ Just like the whole 'Heartless' thing — people were not expecting me to do that song. And it worked out. So I think you’ll see things like that. I think it’s going to be very cool.”
Since he was still in the process of working out who he was going to work with on the album, Allen was understandably reticent to get more specific than that. But he had plenty to say about the music that has shaped him so far. So in the hope of tiding you ravenous Allen fans over until the fall release of his debut record, I offer you the following tidbits. Oh, and I fully expect to hear a collective awww… after you read the part about him dancing to Jacko all by his lonesome. (Also, in the rare chance that you missed it, do check out Idolatry's terrific five-part interview with Allen; link below.)
On playing the viola
I started playing viola when I was in fourth grade. But it was kind of like a requirement. I never hated it or anything, but it was never something that I loved. We had an orchestra and it was like, a couple of my friends play the viola, so I was like, “I’ll play the viola.” We had to play something, I just picked that. All my friends stopped playing but I kept playing until the end of high school.
On growing up musical
My dad was a musician. He was a singer and he played the guitar, so music was always around. I never really wanted to pick up [the guitar] until I was 13. One summer, during the day [when] my parents were working and we were home alone, my brother would go to the pool and hang out with girls and do whatever. I would just hang out in the house. No one had a clue what I was doing. I was teaching myself how to play the guitar.
On Michael Jackson and his other favorite artists back in the day
I was a huge, huge, huge fan of Michael Jackson. Almost too big of a fan. He’s one of the best ever.I would sit in my room and put on a hat and try to dance in front of the mirror. All this stuff on my own, never in front of people. I was too embarrassed. I started listening to him and then started listening to a lot of R&B stuff like Boyz II Men, II. I grew up listening to that. I love that. [Singing] “I’ll make love to you…” Probably not a good idea [for a 9-year-old kid]. And then I think my next CD was TLC, Crazy Sexy Cool. My parents were totally cool with it — maybe they didn’t know exactly. They were young and they tried to be cool. [Laughs]
What he’s listening to now
A lot of different stuff. Love Coldplay. Coldplay’s first CD, I think it’s amazing. The Kings of Leon CD is incredible. I like Mutemath a lot. The Kanye CD [808s & Heartbreak], it’s amazing, one of the best of the decade, probably.
On being his own artist in the, eh-hem, often controlling recording industry
I am really laid back and kind of go-with-the-flow, but I will never do anything that I don’t believe in. So if there’s a song that they’re trying to shoot at me and I’m like, ehhhh, then it probably won’t happen. I think it would just be uncomfortable. You can’t do something that you don’t feel good about.
And just because… On adjusting to overnight heartthrob status
I always try to take it with a grain of salt, because being that is not going to get me anywhere. I just hope I can put out good music. It’s weird. But [my wife is] amazing at dealing with it. They ask her for her autograph as well. [Laughs]
More on Kris Allen:
'American Idol' winner Kris Allen to sing national anthem at NBA Finals
'Idolatry': Kris Allen on obscure songs, matching aprons, and the coolest thing he's ever done
More from EW's Music Mix:
Adam Lambert is gay!: Surprised?
Xtina's new collaborators
Jack White reveals plans for solo album
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I was all set *not* to say “awwww” … but then I did anyway! The Adam fans love you, Kris!
awwwww…. couldn’t help it D)
Great interview, with an incrdible artist. Kris is such a breath of fresh air. I love what he says about being passionate about his music, and not relying on his looks to get by. I think he will be very successful. I hope he includes a soul/r&b flavor to his music. That’s one of the best things about his performance of Ain’t No Sunshine.
Thank you, thank you, THANK! YOU! This sooooo saved my day!!!! Thank YOU for keeping the kris nuggets coming
LOVE Kris–he’s so down to earth and charming, and he’s got his priorities straight. So glad he’s going to be true to himself on his CD. Thanks, Missy, for these tidbits. I echo those who say, Keep ‘em coming!
Thank you soooooo much for the cool tidbits about Kris! I think it will seem like forever waiting for the fall for his CD to be released, so please keep the information coming! Now I know why I like his music so much – I also grew up loving Michael Jackson, Boyz II Men, TLC and love Kanye West! Great article!
Kris Allen is an adorable little monkey
I love hearing more about this amazing guy. Can’t wait to buy his album.
Now I wonder when he will come out! http://www.wealthyhookup.com
Thanks so much. Kris is such a sweet and classy guy and it’s fun to find out new things about him. Can’t wait to see how his music turns out.
More Kris Allen is always welcome, but I fell the fall can not get here fast enough. Never thought I would look forward to the summer coming to an end.
LOVE him! Thank you for posting this! I cannot wait for his album and all the “surprises” in store
Just
awwwwwwwwwwwww……
He listens to KOL. A boy after my own heart. He should make McFearless his anthem.
Thanks Missy for the article! I miss Kris so much, I play his songs all day! He’s such a heartthrob and I want to hear him singing love songs! Whatever, I know he’ll come up with an awesome CD and I’ll be waiting. Thanks, ‘love you Kris!
Missy, you rock for asking good questions!!
Hopefully there will be more to come to tide us over?
Thanks Missy for the article! I miss Kris so much, I play his songs all day! He’s such a heartthrob and I want to hear him singing love songs! Whatever, I know he’ll come up with an awesome CD and I’ll be waiting. Thanks, ‘love you Kris!
Awww! Thanks for the great questions that are all about Kris!
I love it when the topic is about music, Kris just can’t stop talking. Can’t wait for his CD. Thanks Missy!
Missy, you are amazing! Thank you so much for asking questions that actually relate to his music. Kris’ taste in music is just impeccable (I’ll let his praise of Kanye slide), TLC, Michael Jackson and Boys II Men? Win!
I love the fact that Kris isn’t going to let himself be pushed around by his management when it comes to makign his music. He knows what kind of musician he is/wants to be and isn’t going to be forced into doing something he isn’t comfortable with. Good for him!
Also — love the story about dancing around in front of the mirror when he was a little kid. Cute!
For the first time ever, I am actually going to the AI tour concert — just so I can see my 3 favorites (Kris, Adam, Allison). But I’m really just excited about hearing what Kris’ album is like when it drops this fall.
I love you Kris! Thanks Missy!
Did Kris sing at their wedding, if so, what song?
Thanks for another great interview, Missy! I can’t wait to hear what Kris comes up with. I know I’ll love it.
He’s such a cutie. I can just see him dancing in front of the mirror when he was a kid. lol
I have no doubt he’ll surprise and delight us on his album. I personally can’t wait to see what he comes up with. He’s so creative. He showed us that week after week on idol with his unique way of flipping around songs and making them sound contemporary and oh so Kris Allen!
He has a very distinctive style and tone to his voice that I love.
I think he could make a really good album in the same vein as The Fray or One Republic or maybe even something like Gavin DeGraw.
This guy has so much talent and he has such a great personality. The sky is the limit when it comes to his career. I really think he will become a very respected and grammy awarded artist in the years to come. I just hope 19 and Jive realize what a rare gem they have in him and give him all of the support and promotion that he deserves.
Thank you!! I almost missed seeing this article! You need to put this back up on the front page! hehe
Great interview, thanks!
I can’t wait for his album. UGHHHH. I know he’ll do fab. Ily Kris. <3
Can we please not call Michael Jackson “Jacko”?
Hi Missy, thanks for this! But I wish you’d put more of this kind of detail about Kris’ musical influences and the detail from your first “tidbits” section in the print article for non-blogging idol fans to see. It shows that Kris has spent a lot of time learning and thinking about music and explains his intelligent choices on the show – and that he’s more than just really cute! I hope you keep it coming and that it gets a lot of readers.
Thank you, Missy! You singlehandedly made me not cancel my EW subscription which I was planning on doing today! (Cost-cutting. Eh, I’ll just cut something else.) I almost missed this though if not for the wonderful people at KA Nation. Love love love Kris. Can’t get enough of him. I like Adam too – actually heading out to buy Rolling Stone today coz of his article. So happy & proud that Kradison got deals. Can’t believe less than a year ago I didn’t know these people and now I’m writing fan messages on message boards.