Interview: A Conversation With Elliott Yamin

I remember writing back in 2006, during season five of American Idol, that I was worried Elliott Yamin would get voted off the show too early. Though he almost always displayed impressive vocal skills, he lacked the stage presence of more seasoned performers like Chris Daughtry and Taylor Hicks. I needn’t have worried. Though Elliott did not win Idol that year, he became the “Rocky” of that season. He and his fans were determined that he “go the distance.” Ultimately, Elliott lasted one week longer than Chris Daughtry, finishing in third place.Now, with the Idol experience behind him, Elliott has just released his second album of new material (he has also released two Christmas albums). The album, Fight For Love, was released on May 5th. His first album, Elliott Yamin, peaked at number three on the Billboard Top 200 album chart, spawning a couple of minor hit singles. Recently Elliott took time out of his busy schedule to chat with me about his music.Do you still watch American Idol, and what do you think about the addition of contestants playing instruments?Yeah, I do watch. I think it’s cool. It’s good for the show.Congratulations on your new album!Thank you. I’m very excited about it. How do you feel this album differs from your first one?My approach was different because I actually had a well devised plan of what I wanted the record to sound like this time around. I had more time to do that. This album differs drastically from the first one. First of all, I’ve just really grown as an artist and a writer.

I was a co-writer on a lot of these songs, and I got to arrange a lot of the vocals. I’ve really learned how to use my voice and get the best out of it in the studio. I’ve just grown up as an artist. I think it’s quite evident on this new album, which is a lot more contemporary than the first one.Had you written songs before you were on Idol?Not really, no. I had done some minor things here and there, but nothing of this magnitude. Certainly not on a professional level.What songs on the album are the most personal to you?There’s a song “Apart From Me,” and another song called “Someday.” Also “Let Love Be.” And let’s see, “Know Better.” I’m personally connected to all of them, you know. I co-wrote most of the songs on there, but even the ones that were pitched to me, I still took an emotional approach to them.What makes you connected to the songs you listed?“Know Better” I didn’t write, but I put a lot into the vocal performance. You can really hear the hurt and pain in my voice. It translates well on record. I love the lyrics, I love the song, and I love the dynamics of it.“Apart From Me” is something I wrote with one of the best up and coming writers of past six or seven years - Steve Russell. He used be lead singer of that R&B group Troop. So he and I wrote that together and he’s been one of the most favorite people I’ve met in the music business so far.

Article Author: Sherry Lipp

Sherry writes mostly music and DVD reviews, and on occasion she gets to do an interview. She plays the guitar, loves to read, watch movies, and write. Sherry also is a gluten free food blogger, and enjoys coming up with grain and sugar free recipes.

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