Spring Break
The Chaparral's Exclusive Pass to American Idol - Part Five!
Anna Altheide
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Last but not least, here’s Michael Johns. Australian-born Johns, 29, is best known, like Smithson, as one of the “Idol imports” for season seven. He moved to the
MICHAEL JOHNS
The Chaparral: Hi, I’m Anna, I write for The Chaparral, it’s a college newspaper in
Michael Johns: The Chaparral.
TC: Yeah.
MJ: That’s very fancy!
TC: I have no idea what it means! [Laughs]
MJ: [Laughs]
TC: Well, I do, it’s something like a bush. But anyway, I understand you auditioned in
MJ: I did. I’ve come home almost, you know? This is where it all started. Me and Archie and Carly and Chikezie, we all got through, and four out of ten isn’t bad, is it?
TC: No, it’s not. So what’s it like to come full circle and come back to
MJ: Oh man. It’s weird to think that we were in
TC: So what was it like last night, your first night?
MJ: Well, if every audience can be like that, I gotta say,
TC: That must be an incredible song with the crowd.
MJ: It’s incredible, it’s like the whole crowd is going mental. And lightbulbs are flashing, all the cameras. I just felt great. It was such a cool thing. You can hear around all the boards and you hear people liking it from the show, but when people are there and they seem to really like you, it’s a real honor.
TC: Have you read fan responses on-line?
MJ: I haven’t, but my friends have and everything and it’s all really positive. People seemed to really dig my set last night.
TC: Well, you know, even though you finished out of the top five, I know so many people who love you and can’t wait for your music to come out. Speaking of which, what’s going on with that?
MJ: Oh, thank you. Thank you. And yeah, we’re working on that right now. I’ve been in the studio recording. It’s all going to be good. We’ll have something out, definitely a single by the end of the year. We’re talking October or November, or an album. If not, early next year. I’m not looking to push anything just right now just because, “oh, the window’s closing!” I don’t believe in that. They’re good songs, and people remember you, they know who you are. I think that’s the cool thing, and I have a bunch of things I’m doing in the meantime, like different concerts and things that are going to keep me in the press. So I’m not too scared about that. I mean, I’m 29 years old and I can’t afford another bad thing to happen to me, so this is it for me. So I want to make sure that the record is on my terms and is what the fans are going to like.
TC: Will you be doing the song writing on it?
MJ: I’m doing both. Some songs you write and some songs you collaborate on. I’m not an idiot though, if Diane Warren comes to me with a hit and says, “I really want you to sing this,” and I feel the lyrics, I’ll be like, yep, definitely.
TC: Do you think you’ll collaborate with Dolly Parton? I heard that was in the pipeline.
MJ: Well, yeah, we’ve been talking about it, but she’s pretty busy for the next two years or so. She’s on a world tour and then she’s got a Broadway thing as well. Hopefully I’ll have a hit record and then I’ll be in this game for a while and then I’ll collaborate with her some way down the line.
TC: I’m not worried, because everyone I know is going to buy your album.
MJ: That’s huge, so thank you very much.
TC: You’re welcome. So tonight, how psyched are you going into it?
MJ: Well, last night. How do I say it? It’s like, if every night is like this, get me out there now! You know what I mean? I’m itching because we all said that. I mean, if we don’t feel the same way after our 53rd show coming off the stage like we did last night, then there’s something wrong with us. The amount of love that the Idol fans give you is really real and it’s not a cheap ticket. We played for over three hours last night, and you’re getting your money’s worth because we sing everything. There’s rock in there, there’s soul, there’s country, there’s ballads from David Archuleta, there’s rock again with Dave Cook. It’s something for the whole family, I’m really proud to be a part of it.
TC: I can’t wait. So yeah, I hear you get into some shenanigans sometimes…
MJ: Me?
TC: Kind of the trickster.
MJ: Me?
TC: Yeah.
MJ: Ahhh.
TC: Yeah? No?
MJ: Erroneous.
TC: I heard it from David Cook. Just kidding.
MJ: Erroneous. Well, look, you gotta keep everyone guessing, keep them on their feet!
TC: So how do you think you’ll kill time on the bus when you’re bored out of your mind?
MJ: Quite easily with this crew. I’m pretty sarcastic, so I keep everyone, like… like someone will say something really serious and I’ll just come back with something really quick. And they’ll be like, “what?” and I’ll be like “what?” You know those kinds of things? There are a lot of pranks planned. But we’ll get settled into the first week and then I’ll start some tom foolery.
TC: So what’s something about you that nobody would expect?
MJ: Well, I think it’s that. When you see me on stage or on the show or anything, and I’m singing in front of an audience, that’s a completely different person. When I’m up there, I’m more serious and I go into this zone. But I believe that’s where that belongs. Leave that on the stage, and when you’re off stage, have your own persona in real life. I think the moment you start to cloud those two, it’s just whack. So for me, I think people would be more surprised that, oh, he’s a joker and likes to have fun, because when I’m up there, I’m pretty serious.
TC: I know that you’ve been in bands before. What’s the difference, for you, between being in a band and performing solo?
MJ: They both have pros and cons. If you’re in a band and can make it work and you’ve got four or five guys around you that can have your back and make it a unit, it’s the most magical thing ever. Whether you’re playing six people or sixty thousand people, you just have those moments and it’s so cool because you’re speaking on a higher level. It’s weird, but with that comes a lot of turmoil. To get four or five people to agree on something every day on every decision, it’s really, really hard. So that’s why there’re very few bands that make it and last, like U2. I’ve done that and I’m very happy, but for me, it’s about song writing, going out and performing and being a front man. Part of me misses being in a band and another part of me is thankful that I’m not in a band anymore and that it’s more about what I’m doing.
TC: Calling your own shots?
MJ: Yeah, exactly.
TC: Last question, very quickly. What’s something you’d like to say to your fans?
MJ: I honestly want to say thank you for seeing something. I went on the show not to backstab anyone or fake anyone out or pander to the judges. I really went on there to show people who I am, what kind of record to expect, like a rock-soul record that you can dance to but also really get into. And I think people saw that and I’ve been so excited. Everywhere I go, there’s someone like, “Hey, man! You did great on Idol, when’s your record coming out?” And that’s a big compliment because not everyone’s getting that. So I thank everyone and I won’t let you down. I’m going to make a really good record and hopefully be around for a while.
TC: Wonderful. Thank you.
MJ: Absolutely, cheers.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
marcia
posted 7/08/08 @ 2:10 PM PST
Great article! I love Michael Johns and cant wait to hear some new music from him!
Sheoak
posted 7/09/08 @ 5:37 AM PST
A wonderful interview - thank you. Michael just confirmed what his fans have known all along. He's an incredible talent with a great sense of self and humour. (Continued…)
Kim
posted 7/09/08 @ 5:56 AM PST
Those were some really good question. The best interview so far.
Sedz/Jo
posted 7/09/08 @ 7:43 AM PST
This was an excellent interview - it was so refreshing to read a range of original questions for a change.
Michael's fanbase is always grateful for any news and information - Thank you so much !
LeBaggeLady
posted 7/09/08 @ 10:17 AM PST
Great to hear how he's doing. This is one fan who is looking forward to his new recordings and will buy them.
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