Season 6 runner-up Blake Lewis will release his debut album Audio Day Dream through 19 Recordings/Arista Records on November 27, 2007. The beat boxing American Idol alumnus from Bothell, Washington is currently in the studio working on A.D.D.
In line with his unique performances from this past season, Blake will be working with a diversity of producers on the album, including Sam Hollander & Sluggo (Gym Class Heroes, Boys Against Girls), JR Rotem (50 Cent, Rihanna, Britney Spears, Sean Kingston), Ryan Tedder (V. CENTRAL TO THE PROJECT), David Hodges (Evanescence), BT, Sean Hurley (Robin Thicke), and Mike Elizondo (Maroon 5, Eminem).
A couple of new names have been thrown into the mix this time! David Hodges, formerly of Evanescence, has written for/with other Idols including Kelly Clarkson (“Because Of You”; “Addicted”) and Chris Daughtry (”What About Now”). Ballads seem to be his specialty, so could his collaboration with Blake result in something pretty and Keanesque?
One other interesting thing - the article notes Ryan Tedder as V. CENTRAL TO THE PROJECT. What do you think that means? Could Ryan possibly be the executive producer? Discuss.
And don’t forget, you’ll find a summary of all the album news we’ve collected so far on our special Album News tab!
Kristi of The Blaker Girls got to spend some much deserved time with Blake this week, and today posted a myspace bulletin about finally getting to hang out with him again. Below is an excerpt:
as you know, the AI tour just wrapped up last week. so where does that leave our favorite idol? blake is back in good ol’ rainy seattle and very happy. for the next few weeks he’ll be finishing up his album. he’s already got a TON of amazing songs and is very excited to share them with all of you. he’ll be working in seattle and LA over the next few weeks while he finishes up.
blake and i had a chance to hang out earlier this week when we ran errands together at alderwood mall and grabbed lunch at claim jumper (he had the tri tip sandwhich with shoestring fries, for those of you who were wondering!). it was great to just catch up and see him! it’s been MONTHS since just the two of us had hung out. he gave me the latest on his albums and also said what a great time he had on tour and how much he enjoyed meeting all of you!
a lot is up in the air for right now, but you know as soon as i hear it from him, i’ll pass it onto all of you. hope you’re all doing well and getting ready for blake’s album, A.D.D. (Audio Day Dream) to come out on NOVEMBER 27th.
We’ve got some random items of interest for you today…
Tomorrow, Blake will make his first post-AI tour appearance at Adcraft Club’s Ford Day in Dearborn, MI. He and Miss Jordin Sparks will be putting on a mini-concert for the crowd. (I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to bust out the adorable photo you see to the right. The moment has finally arrived! Yes!!) If you’re in the area, why not purchase a ticket and go? And stop by to tell us about it afterwards, of course.
Blake and Jordin also have a mention in the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly. Check out the article here. Blake gives a few details about “What You Got To Lose” (although it says it’s untitled in the article). Apparently J.R. Rotem had a hand in this track. credit to someone at IDF for the scan
Blake is nominated for a People’s Choice Award in a category called Favorite Reality Show Loser Who Should Have Won. Vote for him here! You’ll need to register in order to do so, but it’s fairly quick and painless.
USA Today’s Idol Chatter blog is also conducting its Ultimate Revisionist Idol poll. It doesn’t appear that you need to register to vote for this, so stop by there and give it a whirl. I generally throw up the white flag whenever Clay Aiken is a choice in a poll though, heh.
What does Wilco have to do with Blake? Not a whole lot. Wilco’s music isn’t anything close to what I’m expecting out of Blake. Yet Blake likes to pimp his local music scene and I thought I’d take a crack at it, too. My local scene is the great city of Chicago, and while I suppose I could pimp Kanye West, his album “Graduation” just scored the number 15 spot of debut albums in Soundscan history and needs no introduction.
Instead, I’d like to start with Wilco. I love the story of their most successful album so far, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Their label didn’t care for it and pretty much fired the band, giving them the rights to the album for free. Wilco then turned around and sold it to another division of the same umbrella company (Warner). Not only that, it went gold. Way to stick it to the man!
Here’s a great clip (I’m pretty sure it’s from the documentary “I’m Trying to Break Your Heart” about the whole Yankee Hotel Foxtrot fiasco) set to “Jesus, Etc”. Pretty song and some great shots of Chicago.
I have more Blake news posted at my blog, but since you guys are anxious to hear it…here is Blake performing “She Loves the Way” in Manchester, NH last night.
UPDATE: Blake did give the crowd a surprise tonight! He added “She Loves The Way” into his solo set! Woot!!!
This is it…in a little less than an hour, the Idols will hit the stage to get it started one last time. Once again, Team Plaid’s Sarah will be on the scene to keep us informed of all the happenings in Manchester tonight. Watch for updates in the comments below! We could be in for some surprises if past tours are any indication. Check out the party that erupted onstage during last season’s final concert! Of course, it will be an emotional night for the Idols as well, as this chapter of their life comes to an end. Grab a tissue and watch the last Pop-Tarts tour webisode.
But don’t be sad it’s over - be happy that it happened! We’d like to thank everyone for contributing to the blog this summer by sharing your recaps, pictures, and videos with us. We couldn’t have kept this show running without you! As Blake fans, we’ll have lots of exciting things to keep us entertained in the weeks ahead. Please stay with us as we anticipate the release of A.D.D.…it’s only two months and three days away!
It’s the penultimate (heh, I love that word) show of the tour! Our very own Sarah and MJ are in the house tonight, and Sarah may be sending me updates throughout the night. In fact, I just got a text from her saying that Blake dressed up as a security guard, and his parents are there! Stay tuned for more, and as always, we welcome reports from anyone else who got to be in Manchester this evening!
We’ve heard Blake describe his sound as 2080s in various interviews and articles throughout the summer. Fan reactions to his description often range from “Wow, that sounds soooo cool!” to “Um, WTF?!!” This post is dedicated to all the WTF?!!ers out there. Team Plaid gives you the 2080s.
Exhibit A: Kanye West’s “Stronger” Listen closely…I don’t know about you, but in addition to the electronic Daft Punk sample, I hear shades of Depeche Mode.
Blake Lewis appeared 10 feet in front of me as an on-stage security guard. And immediately I knew it was B-Shorty. I couldn’t contain myself. So, bursting with unbridled knowledge, I said to the random stranger next to me with the 35mm telephoto lens and “After Show” sticker on her blouse, “That’s Blake Lewis!” She looked skeptical, but snapped a single shot in response.
Dearborn, MI. He and Miss Jordin Sparks will be putting on a mini-concert for the crowd. (I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to bust out the adorable photo you see to the right. The moment has finally arrived! Yes!!) If you’re in the area, why not purchase a ticket and go? And stop by to tell us about it afterwards, of course.
Team Plaid gives you the 2080s.
