EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Blake Lewis -- The Beat Goes On After Idol
Oct. 7 2009, Published 9:00 a.m. ET
American Idol runner-up and beat-box sensation Blake Lewis might have been bested by Jordan Sparks in season six, but his career hasn't missed a beat.
His first album Audio Day Dream sold more than 350,000 copies and latest release Heartbreak on Vinyl, which was released earlier this week, is already drawing raves from critics. The 28-year-old singer spoke with RadarOnline.com exclusively about the heartbreak behind the album, which American Idol alumni he’d like to collaborate with and why the show won’t be the same without Paula Abdul.
Radar: You’ve said that making the album was “very cathartic.” How so?
Lewis: "I release a lot of emotions through my music. It’s kind of like my therapy. Making music is like taking a piece of my life and presenting it to the world. It’s kind of nice to get that out in a creative way."
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Radar: I understand much of the album was inspired by a breakup with your girlfriend, is that right?
Lewis: "When I started the process, I was trying to figure out what’s going on with my career < getting on with this new label and new agents. The album came at a time when I need to be by myself, but at the same time I came back to her trying to win her back and got heartbroken in the process. Left My Baby for You, Our Rapture of Love, the Point and the Remedy, they’re all about different periods of that relationship."
Radar: Did you learn anything about relationships by writing about the experience?
Lewis: "You always learn something. I think with this (album), I just jumped into it too soon. It was very nostalgic in the since we had been together prior to that. I was looking to the past instead of looking toward the future. I won’t make that mistake again. I’m the king of going out with my
ex-girlfriends, which I obviously need to stop."
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Radar: Are you dating now?
Lewis: "Not really. I’m just having fun being single."
Radar: You worked with Casey Carlson on your new video. Any other American Idol alumni you’d like to collaborate with?
Lewis: "I’m a producer, so I would love to produce a bunch of people and take them outside of their natural state. I’d love to get hold of Carrie Underwood and do a trip-hop song with her. The same with Kelly Clarkson."
Radar: Speaking of American Idol, were you surprised about what happened to Paula?
Lewis: "It there me off for sure. She’s rad and I thought she brought a sweetness to American Idol."
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Radar: What do you think about Ellen DeGeneres judging this season?
Lewis: "She’s fun. I think she’ll be great and it will definitely be interesting. I think she’ll poke some fun of Simon and of Ryan too. I’m looking forward to it."
Radar: Have you heard reactions from other American Idol alumni about the changes to the show?
Lewis: "We all felt that Paula was a sweetheart, so we were sad to see her go. I don’t know what their reaction is to Ellen. You’d have to ask them."