New interview

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/09/american_idol_on_the_road_kala.html

Quote :

GRAND RAPIDS -- For Kalamazoo's Matt Giraud, touring with "American Idols Live" is a chance to show hundreds of thousands of music fans what he's really made of.

"This is my redemption tour," Giraud, 24, said in a phone interview from a tour stop. "I'm going on every night, showing people what I've got."

IF YOU GO
'American Idols Live'

When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St.
Performing: Season 8's Top 10, including winner Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta, Matt Giraud, Anoop Desai, Lil Rounds, Megan Joy, Michael Sarver and Scott MacIntyre.
Tickets: $40.50-$69.50 at the arena box office, Ticketmaster outlets, (800) 745-3000, ticketmaster.com

Also: Giraud will perform Jan. 29 at Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, 600 Forest Hill Ave. NE. Extra optional event for FHFAC season subscribers; tickets, $18-$32, go on sale to the general public at 9 a.m. Oct. 26.
More info: Forest Hills Fine Arts Center

For the piano-playing crooner, who twice was snatched out of the "Idol" fire -- first as the judges' "wild card" pick to start season eight, then, more dramatically, as the show's first "judges' save" -- he may have something to prove.

"On the show, I never really showed what I have," said Giraud, who finished fifth on Fox's popular singing competition. "There were the cameras, the pressure, the judging -- now I'm so much more in the zone, and I'm not just another 'JT' (Justin Timberlake, whom Giraud frequently was compared to)."

Won over

One critic who has been won over? Michael Slezak of Entertainment Weekly, the guru for all things "Idol," recently praised Giraud's tour performance in his EW.com blog.

"Ask most folks who've been to the 2009 'American Idols Live' tour, and they'll tell you the big revelation among the season eight top 10 finalists is fifth-place finisher Matt Giraud. At the tour stops I attended in Newark, N.J., and Albany, N.Y., Matt's electrifying performances -- vocally and on the keyboards -- on (the Black Crowes') 'Hard to Handle,' (Ray Charles') 'Georgia on My Mind,' and (The Fray's) 'You Found Me' left the crowd (even folks like me, who didn't quite warm up to Matt during his season eight tenure) on its feet."

Redemption songs


Being called "a revelation" by a national critic who once dissed him is redemptive indeed. So is the response from "Idol" fans, who tend to come uncorked during Giraud's performance on the tour.

"When I'm doing 'Hard to Handle,' my first tune, I come out on the piano like Jerry Lee Lewis -- the crowd loves that," he said. "And then during 'Georgia,' I do these vocal gymnastics -- it means a lot to me that I can get 15-year-olds to scream over an old Ray Charles song."

There's plenty of screaming going on during a tour that's been called "recession-proof" by the booking industry. Joined onstage by season-eight winner Kris Allen and much-ballyhooed runner-up Adam Lambert, Giraud is having a ball singing and hanging out with his pals, including Megan Joy, Allison Iraheta, Lil Rounds, Anoop Desai, Scott McIntyre, Danny Gokey and Michael Sarver.

Now on the final stretch of the 52-date "Idol" tour, which wraps Sept. 15 in Manchester, N.Y., the 2007 Western Michigan University grad is reflective.

"This stage of the tour is a little bittersweet," he said. "(Touring) is the reason I got into this 'Idol' thing -- not fame, not screaming girls. I want to connect to the audience every night. I love it when I read on Twitter that somebody was touched by a song I did."

He's looking forward, post-tour, to establishing a solo career. "In talks" with record labels, Giraud also is eager to write, record music and perform solo shows, including a Jan. 29 date at Forest Hills Fine Arts Center.

"They call this tour 'Star School'," he said. "I'm more solid in my style, more consistent and stronger in my vocals, and I have a stronger stage presence. I'm so thankful for this chance to tour. I've definitely grown in so many ways."

Great interview - this makes me happy

I loved this interview too.
I was so happy to see Slezak convert with Matt's tour performances. He sure deserves all the praise.

I really really hope something great happens to Matt now. I am happy he is still mentions he is in talks with labels.
Sometimes he says entertainment lawyers others record labels. Anyways.. I really think there is interest out there! It will happen sooner or later.

Hopefully he will get to do the Gavin De Graw/1R type of album he talks about.
Oh man! I hope the chanting idea happens on Sunday night. What a moment it will be. Also I hope #SignMattG trends on twitter.!

I think Matt will definitely pull a Castro. Everybody is expecting that. We just have to continue to be patient.

Great interview!

Loved this interview!