Anthony Jones – AHN Entertainment Reporter
Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – “American Idol” winner Lee DeWyze is getting his first taste as concert headliner for thousands of people each night as part of the “American Idols LIVE!” tour. But as the tour wraps up next month, all eyes are on the 24-year-old Illinois native for his next move as he gets ready to release his first post-“Idol” album.
As part of the Lee DeWyze Band, the blue-eyed singer released two albums of well-crafted acoustic pop songs (check out a cover he did of Marilyn Manson’s “The Beautiful People” which leaked earlier this summer). Those albums, released in 2007 and 2010 and available on iTunes, probably had the luxury of time.
That’s something DeWyze won’t have this time. His album already has a release date, October 26th, just 7 weeks after completing his last date of the now abbreviated tour (it was originally scheduled to finish even later). But DeWyze, while sounding hesitant about the looming mark, is confident that he hit the ground running following his “Idol” win.
“I’ve been writing for months now,” DeWyze said backstage at an “Idol” tour stop, dressed in a t-shirt and cap. “Since the show was over, I got right in the studio and I’ve been writing on every song. I already got some songs done and I’m in tour mode and writing mode. It gets a little fuzzy sometimes, but I got off on the right foot.”
Following “Idol,” winners are afforded some of the best songwriters and collaborators in the business. Kris Allen scored Pat Monahan of Train and Jon Foreman of Switchfoot, Adam Lambert had songs written by Lady Gaga and Pink. DeWyze lists James Morrison and Jason Mraz as influences for his sound and who we would to collaborate with.
“I’m a big fan of harder vocals over some nice soft music,” he said. “It’s a good feel, it’s a good sound and that’s always been my vibe.”
But DeWyze, who self-penned his first two pre-“Idol” albums, probably won’t need as much help as the other winners and finalists in the past. But for his upcoming album this fall, the dozen or so brand new tracks will still be all Lee.
“I like to write stuff about love, about relationships, and things that people have been through that I’ve been through that they can connect with,” DeWyze said. “I’m all about that kind of stuff, the stories, good melodies, just good music.”
“I’m not trying to make the next big hit. Essentially I just want to make music that I love and that people will love,” he continued. DeWyze leaves to get ready for his set on stage later that night while singing James Morrison’s “You Give Me Something” to himself, music he loves.