Post by imbadd on Oct 1, 2008 16:00:51 GMT -5
www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=5&ContentID=100434
Michael Johns tries luck as independent artist after Idol
30th September 2008, 14:15 WST
Australian singer Michael Johns is carving out a career for himself as an independent artist after his elimination from American Idol.
The Perth-born 29-year-old, who is back in Australia for a brief visit, said he had spent just seven days at home since leaving the star-making US show in April.
Rather than being disappointed not to make it to the Idol grand final, Johns has been making the most of his exposure on the show.
“I went on that show not necessarily to win it but to absolutely get a career and find my fan base and I’ve done that,” Johns told AAP.
“Idol has afforded me all these opportunities, and I’m going to make the most of it.”
Rather than follow the lead of other American Idol alumni, such as Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson, Johns has decided not to sign with a major record label.Instead, he will try his luck as an independent artist.
“I’ve had two record deals before with majors, and both times my albums were shelved and the labels went under or a merger happened. So, this time around I just want to own everything,” he said.
“With Idol ... you’ve got the platform already, it’s not like you need them for exposure. So we’ll do a distribution deal through one of the majors, but at the end of the day when we recoup everything I’ll own it.
“Instead of making 15 cents a record I’ll be making $2 or $3 a record - it’s just a smarter way to do it in this day and age with all the technology and the internet and MySpace.”
He has recorded nine songs for his upcoming album, which is tentatively called Hold Back My Heart, and will release his first single in November.
“It’s going to be a rock soul record, about love and loss and yearning,” he said.
“There’s all these influences from Van Morrison to Joe Cocker, a bit of INXS, a bit of Otis Reading, so it’s definitely white soul sound.
“There’s nothing really out there like that right now. I guess Amy Winehouse and Duffy are touching on that, but that’s more the female side. There’s nothing as far as a white guy rocking out.”
Johns said the album should be in stores in February.
SYDNEY
AAP
Michael Johns tries luck as independent artist after Idol
30th September 2008, 14:15 WST
Australian singer Michael Johns is carving out a career for himself as an independent artist after his elimination from American Idol.
The Perth-born 29-year-old, who is back in Australia for a brief visit, said he had spent just seven days at home since leaving the star-making US show in April.
Rather than being disappointed not to make it to the Idol grand final, Johns has been making the most of his exposure on the show.
“I went on that show not necessarily to win it but to absolutely get a career and find my fan base and I’ve done that,” Johns told AAP.
“Idol has afforded me all these opportunities, and I’m going to make the most of it.”
Rather than follow the lead of other American Idol alumni, such as Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson, Johns has decided not to sign with a major record label.Instead, he will try his luck as an independent artist.
“I’ve had two record deals before with majors, and both times my albums were shelved and the labels went under or a merger happened. So, this time around I just want to own everything,” he said.
“With Idol ... you’ve got the platform already, it’s not like you need them for exposure. So we’ll do a distribution deal through one of the majors, but at the end of the day when we recoup everything I’ll own it.
“Instead of making 15 cents a record I’ll be making $2 or $3 a record - it’s just a smarter way to do it in this day and age with all the technology and the internet and MySpace.”
He has recorded nine songs for his upcoming album, which is tentatively called Hold Back My Heart, and will release his first single in November.
“It’s going to be a rock soul record, about love and loss and yearning,” he said.
“There’s all these influences from Van Morrison to Joe Cocker, a bit of INXS, a bit of Otis Reading, so it’s definitely white soul sound.
“There’s nothing really out there like that right now. I guess Amy Winehouse and Duffy are touching on that, but that’s more the female side. There’s nothing as far as a white guy rocking out.”
Johns said the album should be in stores in February.
SYDNEY
AAP