Post by Stephany on Apr 17, 2007 14:34:00 GMT
Hi everyone,
I came across a Josh Groban interview who talks briefly about Hayley. I thought it would be interesting to mention it so here is the full interview.
Best wishes,
Stephany
I came across a Josh Groban interview who talks briefly about Hayley. I thought it would be interesting to mention it so here is the full interview.
Best wishes,
Stephany
Singer Groban loves energy of audiences
By Jon Bream
Minneapolis Star-Tribune
6 March 2005
(c) Copyright 2005, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.
Forget about Fantasia, Ruben and Kelly. Josh Groban is the real American Idol.
He's a young overnight sensation with staying power. In 2004, sales of his albums ranked behind only Usher and Toby Keith among male artists. He will perform Tuesday at Memorial Coliseum.
On Feb. 27, he celebrated his 24th birthday by singing at the Academy Awards, doing the Oscar-nominated "Believe" from "The Polar Express" with Beyonce, the hottest of hotties.
Even though the king of "classical crossover" sings formal love songs in foreign languages and looks deeply serious behind his chocolate curls, he is the open-minded music fan next door, as comfortable discussing Ashlee Simpson as he is arias.
Q. Why did you move so quickly from theaters to arenas?
A. It's a big jump. We started realizing there's more and more demand to see us. And I love the energy of the arenas. A lot of time, theater audiences can be a little stiff because of the environment of the theater.
Q. What can fans expect?
A. We've changed some songs around; we've expanded the set to fill the space and make it more vibrant. The thing that I'm most happy about is we've taken out the intermission for my set. With the energy of the arenas, I like doing an hour and 45 minutes non-stop.
I get to play more musical instruments on this tour. I get to play drums, and I've added another song on the piano.
Q. Was the first tour harder work than you thought it would be? Or more fun?
A. Harder work and much more fun at the same time. The energy rush and the rush of being out on the road gets you through the hard work. And it never gets any less exciting. In terms of fun, it was more fun than I could ever have possibly hoped. I didn't know if I'd like (traveling in) the bus. Some people just like to do the recording thing. It's scary to meet the audience. But it's been a great thing. I miss it terribly when I'm not doing it.
Q. You first released a studio album and then a live album. Then came your second studio album and another live album. Why another live album so soon?
A. Basically I made the (second) live DVD ("Live at the Greek") for me. I just wanted to document the tour. I think people got a little bit of a stiffer feeling from the first DVD (made for PBS in 2002).
Q. How did you feel about being nominated for a Grammy in the pop male vocal category?
A. I've said over and over again that, sure, there are many classical elements and I'm classically trained, but if I had to categorize it, I'd put it in the pop category. It's nice to see some recognition in that category.
Q. Tell us about the song you did for "The Polar Express."
A. The book was one that my mom used to read to me when I was little, so I felt a real connection with the story. So often I do songs that are so emotional and dramatic, and this was just an innocent, sweet Christmas song.
Q. Speaking of movies, are there any acting roles in the near future?
A. I've been reading some scripts. I'm going to take some meetings when I get back (from touring). The theater thing and acting thing is something I miss. I've always wanted to make it part of my life. I may finally have some time to do some auditions.
Q. You've admitted that you're a computer geek. Do you visit any of the Groban fan Web sites?
A. I go on every once and awhile and see what the mood of the group is. They're real good at letting me know if an outfit I wear is absolutely wrong. But you've got to take it with a grain of salt. A little bit is good to get the vibe of the fans. But you've got to say: I know my objective. I know what I love to do. You have to be willing at a certain point to tick off fans a little bit and follow your heart.
Q. Let's play either/or - which do you prefer and why? Grammys or Oscars?
A. The Oscars. The Grammys are fun, but the Oscars really define Hollywood.
Q. You've performed at both of these: Super Bowl or Olympics?
A. I love football, but I have to go with the Olympics. A) You get to watch them for a longer period of time. B) I get so excited by sports I've never seen before, like curling or javelin. You see more emotional victories in the Olympics than you do in professional sports.
Q. Singing in English or a foreign language?
A. I've got to say equal. There are pros and cons for both. A lot of times the Italian and Spanish vowels are easier to sing than in English. I like the musical journey that a song takes in another language. I also like how people respond emotionally even when they can't understand everything. But English is my first language.
Q. Jessica or Ashlee Simpson?
A. Definitely Jessica. She's very funny to watch in her TV show and she's got a better voice.
Q. Usher or Eminem?
A. Eminem. I like 'em both. Usher is a bit of a better dancer. But Eminem has taken it one step further with the movie ("8 Mile"), and I think his lyrics are really incredible.
Q. Ruben Studdard or Clay Aiken?
A. I've always been a Ruben guy. People don't sing R&B like that anymore.
Q. Charlotte Church or Hayley Westenra?
A. Hmmm. Obviously, I sang with Charlotte (on Groban's 2001 debut disc), but I haven't been keeping up with her. I think she might be working on an R&B album. I've only listened briefly to Hayley's album. Until she comes out with something that proves me wrong, Hayley.
Q. What were some of your favorite albums of 2004?
A. Mostly in the rock genre. From Keane to Muse to Modest Mouse and Franz Ferdinand. Not a whole lot of pop people. There's a girl who calls herself Jem. She's interesting. There's a lot of up-and- coming people that I'd like to hear a whole lot of, but, unfortunately, when I turn on the radio, I get more of the same.
By Jon Bream
Minneapolis Star-Tribune
6 March 2005
(c) Copyright 2005, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.
Forget about Fantasia, Ruben and Kelly. Josh Groban is the real American Idol.
He's a young overnight sensation with staying power. In 2004, sales of his albums ranked behind only Usher and Toby Keith among male artists. He will perform Tuesday at Memorial Coliseum.
On Feb. 27, he celebrated his 24th birthday by singing at the Academy Awards, doing the Oscar-nominated "Believe" from "The Polar Express" with Beyonce, the hottest of hotties.
Even though the king of "classical crossover" sings formal love songs in foreign languages and looks deeply serious behind his chocolate curls, he is the open-minded music fan next door, as comfortable discussing Ashlee Simpson as he is arias.
Q. Why did you move so quickly from theaters to arenas?
A. It's a big jump. We started realizing there's more and more demand to see us. And I love the energy of the arenas. A lot of time, theater audiences can be a little stiff because of the environment of the theater.
Q. What can fans expect?
A. We've changed some songs around; we've expanded the set to fill the space and make it more vibrant. The thing that I'm most happy about is we've taken out the intermission for my set. With the energy of the arenas, I like doing an hour and 45 minutes non-stop.
I get to play more musical instruments on this tour. I get to play drums, and I've added another song on the piano.
Q. Was the first tour harder work than you thought it would be? Or more fun?
A. Harder work and much more fun at the same time. The energy rush and the rush of being out on the road gets you through the hard work. And it never gets any less exciting. In terms of fun, it was more fun than I could ever have possibly hoped. I didn't know if I'd like (traveling in) the bus. Some people just like to do the recording thing. It's scary to meet the audience. But it's been a great thing. I miss it terribly when I'm not doing it.
Q. You first released a studio album and then a live album. Then came your second studio album and another live album. Why another live album so soon?
A. Basically I made the (second) live DVD ("Live at the Greek") for me. I just wanted to document the tour. I think people got a little bit of a stiffer feeling from the first DVD (made for PBS in 2002).
Q. How did you feel about being nominated for a Grammy in the pop male vocal category?
A. I've said over and over again that, sure, there are many classical elements and I'm classically trained, but if I had to categorize it, I'd put it in the pop category. It's nice to see some recognition in that category.
Q. Tell us about the song you did for "The Polar Express."
A. The book was one that my mom used to read to me when I was little, so I felt a real connection with the story. So often I do songs that are so emotional and dramatic, and this was just an innocent, sweet Christmas song.
Q. Speaking of movies, are there any acting roles in the near future?
A. I've been reading some scripts. I'm going to take some meetings when I get back (from touring). The theater thing and acting thing is something I miss. I've always wanted to make it part of my life. I may finally have some time to do some auditions.
Q. You've admitted that you're a computer geek. Do you visit any of the Groban fan Web sites?
A. I go on every once and awhile and see what the mood of the group is. They're real good at letting me know if an outfit I wear is absolutely wrong. But you've got to take it with a grain of salt. A little bit is good to get the vibe of the fans. But you've got to say: I know my objective. I know what I love to do. You have to be willing at a certain point to tick off fans a little bit and follow your heart.
Q. Let's play either/or - which do you prefer and why? Grammys or Oscars?
A. The Oscars. The Grammys are fun, but the Oscars really define Hollywood.
Q. You've performed at both of these: Super Bowl or Olympics?
A. I love football, but I have to go with the Olympics. A) You get to watch them for a longer period of time. B) I get so excited by sports I've never seen before, like curling or javelin. You see more emotional victories in the Olympics than you do in professional sports.
Q. Singing in English or a foreign language?
A. I've got to say equal. There are pros and cons for both. A lot of times the Italian and Spanish vowels are easier to sing than in English. I like the musical journey that a song takes in another language. I also like how people respond emotionally even when they can't understand everything. But English is my first language.
Q. Jessica or Ashlee Simpson?
A. Definitely Jessica. She's very funny to watch in her TV show and she's got a better voice.
Q. Usher or Eminem?
A. Eminem. I like 'em both. Usher is a bit of a better dancer. But Eminem has taken it one step further with the movie ("8 Mile"), and I think his lyrics are really incredible.
Q. Ruben Studdard or Clay Aiken?
A. I've always been a Ruben guy. People don't sing R&B like that anymore.
Q. Charlotte Church or Hayley Westenra?
A. Hmmm. Obviously, I sang with Charlotte (on Groban's 2001 debut disc), but I haven't been keeping up with her. I think she might be working on an R&B album. I've only listened briefly to Hayley's album. Until she comes out with something that proves me wrong, Hayley.
Q. What were some of your favorite albums of 2004?
A. Mostly in the rock genre. From Keane to Muse to Modest Mouse and Franz Ferdinand. Not a whole lot of pop people. There's a girl who calls herself Jem. She's interesting. There's a lot of up-and- coming people that I'd like to hear a whole lot of, but, unfortunately, when I turn on the radio, I get more of the same.
