He's a man on a mission
SINGAPORE - In less than two months, US pop singer David Archuleta will be taking a two-year break from his music career - to serve as a missionary.
The American Idol 7 runner-up, who is a Mormon, will be based in an undisclosed country without a mobile phone and will only get to communicate with his loved ones via letters or the occasional e-mail.
Within Asia, Archuleta has a particularly huge fan base in the Philippines, where he has just finished filming Pinoy TV drama Nandito Ako.
But girls, don't worry.
The cherubic-faced 21-year-old - who is in town to perform at a private showcase at local club Avalon tonight - is focusing on his service during his mission work.
He was in high spirits when he met The New Paper yesterday and even sang Billy Joel's Just The Way You Are at the start of the interview.
Archuleta, who wanted to keep his destination a secret, said: "I know many people who met their future spouses during their mission.
"They can meet up during that time, but they cannot date as for the two years we're supposed to be focused on our faith and serving the community.
"So if you meet someone you like, you can stay in touch and then start dating them when the mission is completed."
During the two years, he will only be given US$400 (S$500) a month by his church. The money will be used for his housing, food and any other necessities.
Since he is also not allowed to use his own savings, Archuleta said that to save money, he would ask to stay with people in "the community" if they are willing to house him.
Missionaries, he added, go about their work in pairs, but he does not know yet who his partner is going to be.
It's hard to imagine a young star like Archuleta making such a drastic life change, but his mind is made up.
Why now, we asked Archuleta, who told us that such mission trips are not compulsory for Mormons. His simple answer? It's the best time.
"If I don't do it now, there will never be another time where I can do it.
"My friends who have done it survived basically on macaroni and cheese and cup noodles. I have always respected and admired them.
"So I'm looking forward to it. When I've completed the mission, I'll start thinking about going to music school."
On TV
Since the heart-throb came in second to rocker David Cook in American Idol 7 in 2008, he has released three albums - David Archuleta (2008), Christmas From The Heart (2009) and The Other Side Of Down (2010).
The latest and 11th season of the US reality singing series is showing exclusively on Star World (StarHub Ch501) every Thursday and Friday at 6pm.
Acting-wise, Archuleta has had two cameos playing himself in US TV shows iCarly and Hannah Montana.
He has also taken the lead role in a drama that he just spent 15 days in the Philippines shooting - the mini-soap opera Nandito Ako, which airs on Feb 20.
He plays Josh Bradley, a Caucasian-Filipino who's separated from his Filipina mother at a young age after a fire broke out at a hotel and grows up to be a successful singer.
Archuleta, who pronounced the title with a Filipino accent, speaks English in the production, but also has scenes in which he speaks and even sings in Tagalog.
He said that he had been approached in the past to do similar shows, but he finally chose to accept this one as he would be starting his missionary stint soon after.
For now, while he counts down to starting a very different life, Archuleta is enjoying watching American Idol 11.
He said: "The show is so fun now because Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are such positive people. "That doesn't mean I don't like Simon Cowell.
"Being negative all the time isn't healthy, but criticism is a must. I remember it was Simon's criticism that helped me improve myself week after week on theshow."
Report from L.A.'s Grammy Week: "Crush" songwriter talks about Archuleta
On Wednesday morning, I attended the Grammy Camp: Basic Training event sponsored by the Grammy Foundation at the University of Southern California.
The event, and accompanying activities held Wednesday, are meant to reinforce the Foundation's commitment to arts education, with high school students from around the area having the chance to interact with musicians, songwriters, producers, and other veterans of the music industry.
During the morning session, I jumped at the chance to have a one-on-one interview with songwriter and producer Eman (full name: Emanuel Kiriakou), whose hit singles include Hot Chelle Rae's "Tonight Tonight," Selena Gomez's "Who Says," and, most importantly for my interests, Murray native David Archuleta's most popular single, "Crush."
Eman has a long history of working with the 21-year-old Archie, with three or four songs on Archie's debut album, the same number on Archie's sophomore album, as well as songs on Archie's Christmas album.
"I was a huge fan of David on the show," Eman said of "American Idol." "I followed him from very early on."
Eman said that he has a habit of not writing songs for specific artists -- that could be very limiting -- but he broke his own rules by "targeting" Archie when writing "Crush." When he offered the song to Archie, Eman said he loved the song, and by working with Eman "made it his own."
Archie's career has had its ups and downs, and will take a breather when Archuleta goes on a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which Archie announced in December. Eman, who said he still talks to Archie often, said he feels like an older brother to Archie, and Archie has confided to him over the years that he had always wanted to go on a mission.
Archie's fan base is "real and staunch," Eman said, and doesn't worry about Archie's fans forgetting about him in two years' time. Eman, without naming names, said he has gone on tour with other "American Idol" alumni, including some with many more hit singles than Archie, but that they have never matched the intensity and the number of people that come to see Archuleta in concert.
On the mission, Archie might be able to reflect on music and come to a realization of what kind of artist he wants to be, Eman said, adding that he believed that Archie is still trying to find out where he fits in today's music landscape. Whatever Archie decides, Eman said, his fans will be ready for him.
Thursday on TV: It's David Archuleta and the MoTabs on KUED
It's the annual Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir special (7 p.m., Ch. 7). Which, of course, means that it's last year's program, taped for broadcast this year.
Joining the choir are Michael York, who narrates, and David Archuleta, who sings.
This special airs in a couple of weeks nationwide on PBS - but we get it first.
How to plan your month of holiday pop shows, and how to win $5
There are still plenty of holiday shows with people who wants things a little more “pop” than Handel (Note: this does not include classical shows, and does not promise to be comprehensive; for example, I do not include my frequent renditions of John Lennon's "Happy Christmas" in the shower.)
Dec. 19 • David Archuleta’s “My Kind of Christmas” (above) • Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City; 7:30 p.m.; $27.50 to $35 at 801-355-ARTS; www.arttix.org
More on The Ticket on Daily Herald
It only took one word for Brad Paisley to express what he expects to contribute to this year's Stadium of Fire on Saturday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. "Noise," Paisley said.Not just any kind of noise. The 38-year-old Paisley is the Country Music Association's reigning Entertainer of the Year, and his newest album, "This is Country Music," released May 23, has already posted a No. 1 single, the 19th of Paisley's career.Paisley, who's married to actress Kimberly Williams and has two sons, said that it's important to him for people to get their money's worth. "When I take my family to a show," he said, "I want it to be something they'll remember."Known for his high-energy performances, Paisley said that he hopes to get people on their feet at Stadium of Fire. He also thinks that country music is a natural fit for the strong emphasis on celebrating America that comes with Stadium of Fire, the showpiece event of America's Freedom Festival at Provo. "Of all formats of music out there," Paisley said, "the one that's not afraid to wave the flag, or support the troops, is country."Paisley will be joined on the Stadium of Fire stage by David Archuleta, the "American Idol" runner-up from Murray who's promoting a new album of his own, "The Other Side of Down," released Oct. 5. The two won't be performing together, Archuleta said, but he's happy to be on the same bill.Paisley, Archuleta said, is "a really great guy. I'm looking forward to watching him perform." The two met briefly in 2008 when Archuleta presented Paisley with the award for Favorite Country Male Artist at the American Music Awards.For Archuleta, this year's Stadium of Fire is a return engagement (it's Paisley's first appearance at the event). When he was 12, in 2003, Archuleta sang the national anthem at Stadium of Fire (another country artist, Martina McBride, was the headlining act that year). "It was really a crazy experience, but it was really great to get to do it," he said.Paisley said that he's enjoyed celebrating the Fourth of July since he was a kid growing up in West Virginia. His father, a state department of transportation official, ran the town fire department, and Paisley got to ride in a fire truck each year and pass out candy during parades. "It's really one of my fondest memories," he said.Archuleta remembers going to Murray Park to see the city fireworks display with his family. "We'd get the sparklers out and run all around," he said. "It was always a really fun experience to do as a family."It will be a while before either Paisley or Archuleta puts out another new album, but both are keeping busy. Archuleta said that he's enjoying "working on new music" without having a recording deadline looming. "I'm just trying to focus on my sound and experiment," he said.
The Salt Lake TribuneWhen Brad Paisley was a child, his father was president of the fire department in his small West Virginian hometown.Every Fourth of July, there was a parade, and Paisley would ride on the town’s fire truck alongside his father, tossing candy to the crowd. It remains one of the country singer’s fondest memories.When David Archuleta was a child, he and his family would go to Murray Park and watch the fireworks explode "five miles in the air," said the Utah recording artist and 2008 "American Idol" finalist.Paisley and Archuleta will share a July 4 experience this year: performing for an estimated crowd of about 50,000 at America’s Freedom Festival at Provo’s Stadium of Fire.Both performers talked to The Salt Lake Tribune before the big show at LaVell Edwards Stadium about Independence Day and their music.
David Archuleta • In his first interview since he parted ways with Jive Records, the 20-year-old singer told The Tribune that the February decision was mutual.He recorded three albums on the label. The first was his self-titled 2007 debut album, which reached as high as No. 2 on the Billboard charts, sold 765,000 copies and spawned the hit single "Crush." He followed up in 2009 with "Christmas From the Heart" and in 2010 released "The Other Side of Down," which in February had sold only 67,000 copies, according to Billboard magazine.Leaving Jive Records was a freeing experience, said Archuleta."Since ‘American Idol’ I never had the time to think about what decisions need to be made," he said. "I thought [leaving] was a great opportunity. A great new door had opened."Archuleta said he has talked to other record labels since then, but has resisted the urge to sign. "The goal this year is to take the time I need to know what I want to become."Too often in the past, he said, producers would give him songs that didn’t fit his vision or voice. "I want to make my voice come through more," Archuleta said. "I want to do songs that are more vocally driven, so I can be emotional."Archuleta said he is spending time with family and friends, and he said "no" when asked if he had a significant other. He also is writing songs on the piano as he figures out where his path will take him. He still wants to pursue pop music, but doesn’t want to be a "classical pop singer."He has been listening a lot to Adele and The Civil Wars, the latter a country-folk duo that includes former writing partner Joy Williams.Immediately after the Stadium of Fire, Archuleta will embark on a short tour of Asia, where interest in him has not abated.For stateside fans, Archuleta’s 2010 Christmas performances with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will be released on CD and DVD Sept. 6. Singing with the choir was a dream come true for him."It was one of the most amazing experiences I’ll ever have in my life," he said. I was honored."
In his first interview since David Archuleta and Jive Records parted ways in February, the 20-year-old singer told The Tribune that it was a mutual decision that he move on from Jive.
He recorded three albums of the label: his self-titled 2007 debut, which reached as high as No. 2 on the Billboard charts and spawned the hit single “Crush”; his 2009 album, “Christmas From the Heart”; and 2010’s “The Other Side of Down,” which Billboard magazine reported in February has sold only 67,000 copies, compared to 765,000 for his first album.
Leaving Jive Records was a freeing experience, said Archuleta. “Since ‘American Idol’ I never had the time to think about what decisions need to be made,” he said. “I thought [leaving] was a great opportunity. A great new door had opened."
Archuleta said that he has talked to other record labels since then, but has resisted the urge to sign with any of them. “The goal this year is to take the time I need to know what I want to become.”
Too often in the past, he said, producers would give him songs that didn’t fit his vision or voice. “I want to make my voice come through more,” Archuleta said. “I want to do songs that are more vocally driven, so I can be emotional.”
Archuleta said he is spending his time with family and friends — though he said “No” when asked if he had a significant other — and writing songs on the piano as he figures out when his path will take him. He still wants to pursue pop, but didn’t want to be a “classical pop singer.” He has been listening a lot to Adele and The Civil Wars, the latter a country-folk duo that includes former writing partner Joy Williams.
Immediately after the Stadium of Fire, Archuleta will embark on a short tour of Asia, where interest in him has not abated. For stateside fans, they can expect Archuleta’s 2010 Christmas-time performances with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to be released on CD and DVD Sept. 6 by Deseret Book. Singing with the Choir was a dream come true, he said. “It was a pretty overwhelming experience. It was one of the most amazing experiences I’ll ever have in my life. I was honored.”
In the end, his faith helped guide him, he said, and he knows his fans are anxious to hear from him, with his Stadium of Fire concert being his first in Utah since his performances with the Choir. “I’ve been taking time,” he said. “I really appreciate the patience the fans have shown.”
'American Idol' sensation David Archuleta will be making his way back to Malaysia thanks to the ardent requests of all his fans here. This time round though, David won't be playing a simple showcase- he'll be going all the way with a full concert at Stadium Negara this 26th July! The 20 year old's second album dropped last October and has already taken control of the airwaves with songs like 'Something Bout Love' and 'Elevator', which we know his fans are dying to hear live.
All ArchAngels can head on down to Berjaya Times Square on 19th June from 3pm to 6pm to pick up their ticket to watch David Archuleta when he hits Malaysia. Even better than the Sony hampers and goodies at the event, ticketbuyers with copies of his new album 'The Other Side of Down' are entitled to a 10% discount on the tickets. Oh, and it gets better- there'll be competitions throughout the launch of the tickets, with the prize being meet & greet sessions with David! Better get ready to rumble!
When & Where: 8pm, 26th July 2011, Stadium Negara
Tickets: RM300 for VIP, RM230 and RM190 for numbered seating, and RM150 and RM90 for free seating. Tickets available at Air Asia RedTix and TicketCharge this 20th June onwards.
The show will take place at the Military Zone 7 Stadium in HCM City on July 22, and Giang Vo Exhibition Center in Hanoi on July 24.
Archuleta will sing in the show beside Vietnamese singers, like Dam Vinh Hung, Ho Ngoc Ha, Tuan Hung, Ngo Thanh Van, Noo Phuoc Thinh, Bao Thy, 355 and V-Music bands. Vietnam Idol 2010, Uyen Linh and her runner-up Van Mai Huong will join the show
Archuleta will come to Vietnam from July 21 to 25. He will attend a press conference and a welcoming party.
The show organizing board said that they invite Archuleta to Vietnam to make connection between American Idol and Vietnam Idol.
After Vietnam, Archuleta will go to Malaysia.
David James Archuleta is an American pop singer-songwriter. At ten years old he won the children's division of the Utah Talent Competition, leading to other television singing appearances. When he was twelve years old, Archuleta became the Junior Vocal Champion on Star Search 2. In 2007, at sixteen years old, he became one of the youngest contestants on the seventh season of American Idol. In May 2008, he finished as the runner-up, receiving 44 percent of over 97 million votes.
After American Idol, he signed a contract with Jive Records and released two albums in 2008 and 2010.
David Cook and Alexandra Burke, the winners of the American Idol and X-Factor (Britain) will perform in the H-Artistry concert in Hanoi on June 15.
That’s why the Grammy-nominated Bedingfield released “Strip Me” last year, in a conscious decision to create more intimate songs. She co-wrote all 13 tracks, providing a glimpse of who the singer is behind all of that pop star glitter, showcasing the talent that prompts Utah native David Archuleta to name Bedingfield as one of his chief influences.
It’s Utah’s version of the People’s Choice Awards
Like Los Angeles, Salt Lake City has smog, traffic jams and gangs. But L.A. has one thing in abundance that SLC lacks — awards shows.There are more than a dozen of them in Hollywood, and now there’s a new one — the Utah Entertainment Choice Awards — in Salt Lake City.“It’s like the People’s Choice Awards combined with the Golden Globe Awards, but in Utah,” said Danny Thompson, a spokesman for the event.People’s Choice and Golden Globes aren’t atop the prestige list, but they bring out the stars. And the Entertainment Choice Awards will feature a Utah-esque star parade.Donny Osmond and David Archuleta are scheduled to present. Jimmer Fredette will be there. So will his brother, rapper TJ Fredette.
You're the voice try and understand it, Make a noise and make it clear
Simple, yet very powerful lyrics. Telling you that you are the voice and to make it known. Pretty perfect for David Archuleta's current priority.
For the past few months, David's been hard at work writing his own music, saying he's trying to "figure himself out" and "finding his voice". Though David's co-written many songs in the past, only when writing on his own can David take note of the sounds and words he wants to use to express whatever he may be feeling. No one pushing him in a certain direction or trying to control what he's writing, it's simply just him and his piano.
Read more here
The Salt Lake TribuneIt seems safe to surmise that 19th-century Welsh pioneer John Parry never dreamed that the choir he started would one day share the stage with a runner-up from America’s top-rated televised singing competition — in a filled-to-capacity 21,000-seat arena, no less. But there was David Archuleta on Friday night, singing his heart out with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in its annual Christmas extravaganza and proclaiming his delight at finding himself in such company.
How did the world of “American Idol” reconcile with Utah’s most venerable musical institution? Better than you might have guessed. Canny programming by music director Mack Wilberg and enthusiastic performances by all involved made for a surprisingly enjoyable evening of seasonal favorites.
The thread that loosely tied the program together was the American frontier. Wilberg’s opening processional, a lively take-off on the familiar carol “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks,” featured a flock of dancers in pioneer attire — subtly setting the stage for organist Richard Elliott’s annual solo, “A Holiday Hoedown,” which came toward the end of the evening. Elliott once again astonished the crowd with his virtuosity and wit in this clever fantasia that might better have been titled “Deck Them Halls.” (Who else would embellish a Christmas carol with a few bars from “Turkey in the Straw”?)
But of course Archuleta was the main draw. The frenzy for tickets to this free event was even more feverish than usual this year, thanks to the presence of the 19-year-old pop star. Archuleta has a lovely voice that combines an appealing sweetness with surprising strength. He also displayed an impressive range in Friday’s show, capped by a spectacular final high note in the concert-closing “Angels, From the Realms of Glory.” In between came familiar carols such as “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night,” which Archuleta dressed up with some pop stylings; plus a couple of surprises, including the mildly mariachi-flavored “Los pastores a Belén,” which he sang in Spanish. Archuleta’s collaboration with the 360-voice choir on “Gesù Bambino” was especially harmonious.
The evening’s other guest was British actor Michael York, who told the story of John Parry and his journey from New Market, North Wales, to Salt Lake City. The tale was compelling enough, but it was York’s masterful delivery, punctuated by a few well-placed Welsh-accented phrases, that really sold the story.
Wilberg and associate conductor Ryan Murphy led the choir, Orchestra at Temple Square and Bells on Temple Square in a handful of other selections. Highlights included “Gloria in excelsis” from Mozart’s C Minor Mass and “Ring Out, Ye Crystal Spheres,” the closing chorus from Ralph Vaughan Williams’ magnificent Christmas cantata “Hodie.”
Singer-songwriter, “American Idol” finalist and Murray native David Archuleta will join the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for their annual Christmas concerts, titled “Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.”
In an interview, Archuleta (who turns 20 on Dec. 28) said he began rehearsing with the Choir Tuesday, and admitted being star-struck. As a child he grew up listening to “Music and the Spoken Word” broadcasts, and day-dreaming about how “cool [it would] be to be in the Choir, especially for the Christmas shows,” he said.
When Archuleta was approached earlier this year, he was surprised, and said, “There was a little bit of time when I freaked out.” And then when he rehearsed with them for the first time, he said he told himself, “Wow.” He continued: “You feel so small. It was humbling.” Archuleta’s biggest challenge, he said, is to “complement all those other voices and instruments,” and to avoid being “self-indulgent.”
He considers this to be one of the highlights of a signing career that has only just begun. After tonight’s performance, he will be the downtown Deseret Book (45 W. South Temple) from about 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. signing copies of his latest album, “The Other Side of Down.”
