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By Paul John Caña, Contributor
It’s been a whole year since
the two Davids had their turn under the hot lights of the American
Idol stage. But with the near-scorching reception they received from
their Pinoy followers last week, it’s clear they’re far from
being old news. On the contrary, not since the days of boy bands has
the country seen such a frenzied reaction for music
artists. The age of Idol is upon
us and the new boy wonders David Cook and David Archuleta are
leading the charge.
The Manila Times got to sit down
with the 26-year-old rocker a few days before the big show at the
Mall of Asia. He was noticeably tired, still combating the effects
of jetlag, and having just finished a dozen other interviews from
various regional media outfits. I was the last to chat with him for
the day. Some of the questions I threw came straight from diehard
fans themselves off online forums and message boards.
The Manila Times: Describe
yourself in three words.
DC: A dork. A wannabe
funny—I’m going make that all one word. And hungry.
TMT: What’s the craziest fan
moment you’ve had so far?
DC: There’ve been a few. We
were doing some radio shows last winter and there was a group of
girls who threw their underwear onstage. And some of them were very
small and some were very big. (laughs)
TMT: The current season of Idol
is almost through. Any thoughts? Who do you think will win?
DC: Well Simon Cowell always
wins, so there’s really no point in discussing that. (chuckles)
But I think this season has been really cool to watch. From what
I’ve been able to see, the role changes and adding Kara as a
fourth judge kind of revitalized interest. For me, I’m watching it
as an outsider because I don’t know what’s going to happen so,
definitely what I’ve watched this season, I’ve watched it
completely differently than when I would have watched it otherwise.
To have gone through that process, you have a new empathy for these
contestants.
TMT: Are you rooting for anyone
in particular?
DC: You know I’m just rooting
for all of them to keep their head on straight at this point. It’s
such a grueling process. I remember during the top five, I was
already just really fried. So in that finale, man, I was just . . .
whatever man, win lose or draw, I didn’t even care anymore. Of
course, they said my name, and . . . yeah it got even more nuts
after that.
TMT: Do you honestly think
Simon’s comments really influence people’s comments on American
Idol?
DC: (slight laugh) I hope not.
Then we’re all screwed, right? I think it’d probably be
shortsighted and naive to think that what the judges say don’t
matter. Otherwise, why are they there? But you know, Simon pretty
much threw me under the bus at the finale, and I ended up pulling it
out. So who knows?
TMT: What’s the most important
thing you’ve ever learned throughout the whole Idol experience?
DC: I’ve learned the value of
just being who I am. Trying to make it in the music industry before,
I was always true to myself, but I always tried to keep an eye out
for what was going on. And now, especially through Idol, I probably
got more confident than I ever have before. Which is empowering; it
makes me feel like I’m doing something right.
TMT: What’s the biggest
surprise about what it is that you’re doing now?
DC: Well, the biggest surprise is
that I’m halfway around the world to play music. It used to be I
couldn’t get somebody 20 miles away at a bar to book me for 50
bucks a night. Now, here I am in Manila. It’s a trip. I’m
definitely, for lack of a better way to phrase it, living the dream.
TMT: What’s the biggest perk
about being David Cook?
DC: I’d say the biggest perk is
probably that I get to play music everyday. I get paid (almost
whispering, conspiratorially) better than I probably should, to play
music everyday.
TMT: Do you ever miss life before
all the madness started?
DC: I miss the simplicity of it.
I miss seeing my family more often. I miss my friends. I certainly,
from time to time, miss the ambiguity of being able to just go to a
bar with friends, go to a movie or go to a restaurant. And just be
there. But, with time these things will come. I’m enjoying what
this is for the moment.
TMT: When you travel, what or
who, do you never travel without?
DC: I never travel without . . .
migraine medication. Excedrin migraine or something. I try not to
travel too much without my dog Dublin. He’s my bud.
TMT: Do you think you popularized
“scruffy chic” among guys?
DC: (laughs) You know, I’ve
seen guys doing it long before I did. So no, I don’t think I
popularized scruffy chic. Maybe perfected it . . . nah, I’m just
kidding. (laughs)
TMT: What is the most rock and
roll moment you’ve had so far?
DC: Getting lost walking to the
stage. That was a very big Spinal Tap moment. I knew I made it when
[that happened.]
TMT: We can’t thank you enough
for coming here despite the passing of your brother. How did your
brother inspire you with your music?
DC: First off, I have to say,
that coming out to Manila was never in jeopardy. My brother was
always very proud of me for doing something that I love to do. He
was always one of my biggest supporters. And I know that whether he
was still with us or not, he would want me to keep doing whatever
made me happy. And performing makes me happy. I think, my brother
was my inspiration because he was my brother. He was my role model
and my idol and all of that. I’ve tried really hard to emulate
him, just in the sense of how he carried himself and what his morals
and his values were. So yeah, I think the easier question is
probably how hasn’t he inspired me.
TMT: Do you have any stories of
your encounters with paparazzi?
DC: I’d say the only funny one
was, I got a photographer really mad at me. We were walking through
an airport and he started taking pictures of me and I started taking
pictures back. And I was messing up his shots because my flash was
going off. And he got a little mad. Other than that, it’ really
not that big a deal. Paparazzi don’t bother me too much.
TMT: When did it hit you, the
whole, “Wow, this is unbelievable, I can’t believe this is all
happening to me” of it all?
DC: Everyday. I’ve been in
constant pinch-me mode since the finale. The one downside to it is
that I really haven’t had the chance to process of it. So
hopefully that comes soon. I know we have a couple of weeks in June
where maybe I could snag that. I know when it hits me, it’s going
hit me like a ton of bricks. I’m hoping I could just have the time
off to process it.
TMT: When you see fans of yours
hyperventilating and shrieking, what does that do for you? How does
that make you feel?
DC: It makes me uncomfortable. I
never wanted to do this for all that attention, you know. I love the
idea of creating, and that’s what really drove me to music. I
don’t ever want to be looked at as anything more than just another
human being. I don’t want to be seen as anything than
approachable. You have to love talking to people and I don’t want
something that I love to do to impede that.
TMT: What are your impressions
and thoughts about the Philippines?
DC: All my impressions of the
Philippines before I got here were predicated on two people in my
life: my friend Ryan who came out here to study, and Ramiele (Malubay)
from the show. And they both had nothing but amazing things to say
about the country. And so far they’ve been spot on. With what
I’ve been able to see, it just seems like such a vibrant country,
very beautiful. And being a sports fan, it doesn’t hurt that
Pacquiao’s from here, so all good things.
TMT: Can you talk a bit about
David Archuleta?
DC: I could talk about him for
days. (laughs) You know Archie’s probably one of the most genuine,
stand-up people that I’ve ever met. And to be able to share the
stage with him anytime is great. I joked with him last night that
it’s a shame we have to travel halfway across the world just to
see each other. But, he’s a good guy and an amazing talent. And as
far as supporters go, I think I’m probably right up there when it
comes to Archuleta.
TMT: Name five songs that you
would put on a super special play list for a girl that you like.
DC: “Calling You,” by Blue
October. “Easy Lover” by Phil Collins. The wildcard; I would
throw “Evenflow” there by Pearl Jam just to make sure she liked
the same kind of music I did. If she’s like, ‘Oh I don’t like
that song,’ then you don’t like me and that’s a problem.
Another song, that’s tough. You can’t be too sappy. You can’t
pick like “Endless Love.” I will go for “Hello” by Lionel
Richie. Why not?
TMT: Your version?
DC:No. His version. His
version’s way better. Lastly, the coup de grace . . . I’m trying
to think back to all the records I’ve owned and if I’ve ever
made a mixed tape for a girl. My high school sweetheart and I, our
song was “I Don’t Want to Miss A Thing,” by Aerosmith. How odd
that I had to sing it on the show.
TMT: If you can say one thing to
all of your fans, especially to all those screaming fan girls?
DC: First off, settle down.
You’re going lose your voice screaming like that. Secondly, it is
an absolute honor to have fans that are so adamant that they’re
willing to support not only everything that I do, but anything that
I do. Because that kind of loyalty allows me the ability not only to
do what I like to do now but also the longevity to do what I like to
do later. And you know, that is the coolest gift. So obviously,
thank you. And hopefully I get the chance to play for everybody
soon.
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