Lee DeWyze is one busy dude. Since winning season nine of American Idol he has toured the United States with his fellow Idols, and has written and recorded his new album Live It Up. He is now gearing up for the release of his album on November 16.
Earlier this week, DeWyze was nice enough to talk with me over the phone about his upcoming album. During the first part of our conversation we talked about the recording process, songwriting and the various collaborators he worked with, and his lead single, "Sweet Serendipity."
You started recording Live It Up this summer while on the
tour with American Idol. What was the recording process like while you were on the road and how much of the album did you complete? And what was the recording process like after you completed the tour?
The recording process was pretty amazing actually. On the tour, I’m trying to focus on that, but I’m also trying to write an album and recording it all. For me, it was a very different process, trying to write an album while being on tour and doing other things while you’re doing it. But, it was great. Working with the people I worked with was great. I had a huge hand in the writing process. Being on 10 of the 11 songs writing-wise was a huge accomplishment, and I really have the label and the people around me to thank for allowing me to do that. That’s who I am as an artist. The fact that I got to accomplish that goal of mine was really awesome.
After the tour was over, I really put in 100 percent. I enjoyed the whole process. And always, there’s ups and downs of it, you run into tiny walls, you get through them and keep going.
So, you wrote on the majority of the album, 10 out of the 11 tracks?
Yeah 10 out of the 11, I worked with various writers. I worked with amazing people. Toby Gad, Dave Hodges, Claude Kelly, Lindy Robbins, John Shanks, Zac Maloy, Espionage, David Glass, I mean the list goes on. Just great people that I got to work with. They helped make the album what it is too, I have them to thank for that.
Article comments
1 - Robin
Could you do a transcript of the vid? I can't understand what he's saying? What a GREAT vid! It's Lee answering all the questions we've been waiting to ask him! Great job! Thank you!
2 - Kim
I wish Lee the best of luck. I hope DC fans don't try to interfer with his promo the way they continue to interfer with any promo for Adam Lambert. I think everyone deserves a chance without fans of others being jealouse of someone else's promo
3 - Kirsten
Robin,
Here's the transcript of the video:
"It’s really important to me, with things like Twitter and Facebook it’s easier to keep in contact with your fans and let them know what you’re doing. I think it’s always important. You know we weren’t always able to do that, it hasn’t always been like that, and right now you can. It’s cool for them, cause then they feel that they’re apart of it, and they really are. This album, it’s not just for me, it’s for them as well. They had a big part in me making this album, you know they’re an inspiration to me. Their support has really made things a lot easier."
To the Lee fans, I really hope you enjoy the interview! I look forward to your comments!
4 - maybeyoumight
Love Lee, love his music, I'm a fan for life. Thanks for the interview!
5 - heavenly
I enjoyed this article so much that I printed it off to keep---Thanks Kirsten!!
Lee is always so appreciative of his fans but he will never really know how endearing he is to us and we adore him--Thanks Lee!!
6 - Kj
I have never seen a artist so vested in his fans, I really adore this man, and his music..
7 - Jenny
Love the interview. Love the questions asked. Awesome job.
8 - cduff22gal
Very thoughtful interview questions, Kirsten, thank you! Can't wait to hear the new music out of this wonderful new talent.
9 - melanie
It doesn't get any better than Lee DeWyze.the interview is amazing.full of detail. I have had the pleasure of seeing him live twice. A.P. was amazing. There is simply no greater feeling in the world than the feelings that Lee DeWYZE GIVES HIS FANS! LOVE U ENDLESSLY LEE! MUAH
10 - JK
This article was such a pleasure to read. Lee is charming as always but you brought out all the things the fans had been wondering about. I hope you get to interview Lee again in the future!
11 - Jim
Thank you so much for this amazing interview! It has everything we Lee fans wanted to know and then some. And, as a fellow journalist, I admire your professional prowess in conducting interviews of this nature. Celebrities can be the hardest to pry open without sacrificing journalistic principles. Keep up the good work! And thank you again for a job extremely well done!