Interview: Joe McElderry

31 October 2011

Popstar To Operastar and The X Factor winner Joe McElderry recently released Classic, his second album and follow-up to Top 5 charting debut Wide Awake.

He was also recently auctioned off by shopping channel QVC, and performed an exclusive show in a fan's living room as part of the auction.

Joe spoke to us about his time on both reality TV shows, the new record, his upcoming theatre tour, battling Rage Against The Machine for Christmas Number One and much more.

-The new album Classic came out not long ago. Have you been pleased with the reaction so far?
Yeah. I mean, it's been amazing. What people have been saying about the classical stuff, and the pop stuff, is really good. It's been really exciting.

Obviously I was a bit nervous at first, taking on a whole new style as well as what people are used to - you can't really know what people are going to think. People have loved it, so it's been really exciting.

-Was this classical crossover style something you always wanted to embrace with your music?
Well, not really. It kinda came from taking part in Popstar to Operastar. I enjoyed the show so much, and people were kinda asking for it. It was people in the street asking that made us what to do it.

-Is it that the direction you can see the rest of your career going in?
Erm, I think it's one of those things where I enjoy recording it and I enjoy singing it, so I'll always include it in an album. It doesn't mean I won't sing slow or dance pop again, or do different styles of pop songs.

I'll just incorporate it into my music. I don't wanna put myself in a box - I wanna experience new things as a singer and an artist. I'll definitely perform it, sing it and record it again, yeah.

-Given the nerves beforehand, were you personally pleased with how the record turned out?
Oh definitely. It was really exciting - obviously now that I'm going on the Classic Tour, as well. It's really exciting for the fact that I can incorporate that into the set. You get the classical stuff, the pop stuff. It just differs more throughout my shows. It keeps it exciting, cos I have to concentrate a lot more!

-It was a new style for you, so how did it feel to win Popstar to Operastar?
It was probably the biggest thing I've ever done, singing-wise. It was really, really scary. To learn a totally different singing style in a matter of weeks, and then to have to perform it live...I'm used to being in control of my own voice, knowing my limits and what I can do.

So, when somebody comes up and says..."well, if you can sing like this you can hit those notes." It was a massive thing. At first, I terrified, but at the end I was like...you know, I really enjoy this. I started to really enjoy it and totally go for it.

-With the diversity of your material over your first two records, who are your biggest influences, both across the pop and classical genres?
God, that is hard. I was influenced, obviously, by Katherine [Jenkins] and Rolando [Villazón] with the classical stuff, cos I'd learnt a lot from them. For the pop stuff, I admire a lot artists that I just like listening to - Neo, Rihanna, Michael Jackson, Beyonce - I love big performers.

-Going back a couple of years, you also won The X Factor. How was that journey for you?
It was a bit of a whirlwind, but it was fun. I still can't believe it's all happened, to be honest with you. I don't think you ever get used to it.

It's one of those things where I'm just enjoying myself so much, I'm like...is this still happening? Once again, it was an amazing time. I learnt and experienced so much that I'll never, ever forget.

-Once you won, you went into the battle for Christmas Number One. It was a big deal that year, with the campaign to get Rage Against The Machine to the top spot. Were you disappointed to miss out on that?
At that point, I wasn't actually bothered! I was so excited about the fact that I'd won, with a single coming out, I didn't understand what the charts were, if I'm honest - at that point. I didn't really grasp what "mid-weeks" were, who was first, being second.

To be honest, it ended up being one of the most interesting chart battles in the past 10 years. It kind of made the song bigger than it was anyway. It wasn't a bad thing.

-Since your first record, you've moved away from Simon Cowell's label Syco. What led to your departure from that label?
Well, I was only contracted for one album, as anybody is when you go with that label. It's a matter of whether they pick up the second option. They didn't pick it up, but it kinda worked out better for me. I was able to go off and explore what I wanted to do, and who I wanted to work with.

-Are getting more control now than you did on your first album?
I don't think it's a thing of control, it's just I'm more experienced. I know what I'm doing now, and I trust my decision a bit more, whereas before I would let other people do it, because I didn't know what to do.

-Looking further into the future, you've got your nationwide tour starting soon. Are you excited about that?
I absolutely can't wait! I'm so, so excited to get out on the road. I mean, it's anybody's dream to be able to perform every single night - being on tour is an ideal situation. I'm looking forward to showing everybody the music and the different things I've learnt.

-Can fans expect a fairly diverse setlist then, exploring both sides of your music?
Definitely. There'll be fast, slow, mid-tempo...you're going to get everything I've sang over the past two years, which is quite a lot when you put the setlist together!

-The tour's mainly in theatres and halls. Is there something special about that setting?
I love it. It's more authentic when you're in those kinda places. Although they're quite big, the theatres are intimate. The stage is right in front of you. It's just...it's going to be a special tour. I can't wait for it.

-Is it something you've done before, playing in this environment?
I have done a few of my own shows in these types of venues. With it not being a tour before, you kinda just turn up with your stuff, do it and get off.

So, I haven't actually done one with my own set. I think when you get your own set, it's more special - you know what you're doing, you're more at ease. I can't wait. It's going to be great.

-Given the direction of the second album, will it suit this more intimate setting?
Yeah, but I've also seen spectacular shows with that type of music in arenas, and it's also special. It's just what you make it, how you make the show when you produce it.

-Towards the end of the year, you also have the Classic Christmas album planned. Are you hoping it will finally get you that Christmas Number One?
[Laughing]To be honest, I'm not bothered. I just want people to enjoy it. Obviously a great chart position is what any artist wants, for recognition of your album.

At the end of the day, if it happens - it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't - all I'm bothered about is that people enjoy the music.

Christmas Number One is one of the hardest positions to get. I've been there before, and yes I'm putting myself there again, but this time I can enjoy the experience and keep it for what it is.

-For Classic, how much input did you have with song choices? Was it something you had a big say in?
Yeah, yeah. It was one of those things where I really wanted to be involved in the process, because I'd learned so many of these new songs as well. I wanted to include them, so I sat down with the label.

I was like...we should do this, I want some opera in, but also some slow pop ballad. They let me get on with it, and helped me find the songs.

-The Christmas album will be your second record of the year. Was that much of a crossover between working on the two?
I literally finished recording the first one, and started planning the second. I was planning the second whilst I was promoting the first one.

-Was that quite difficult?
It's quite stressful, but I thrive off working hard and adrenaline, so I can't manage it. It was a pretty good turnaround, but I think that!

It keeps the creative flow going instead of going...right, we'll record another one in nine months time. By the time you get there, although you've experienced loads of things musically, you haven't been in a studio for so long, and it's such a new thing again.

-Well, you are looking busy towards the end of the year. What can we expect from you in 2012?
I would hope a new album! I'd like to do a bit of songwriting this time, if I'm honest, to try and get some original material, write it myself. I might take a bit of time out to do that.

-Have you done much writing before, away from these albums, or will it be completely new for you?
I've tried a little bit, but it will be quite new. I don't mind that, I enjoy the experiences of songwriting. I'm looking forward to that.

I'd also like to go on tour again towards the end of next year, so we'll see what happens. If it's anything like this year, it'll end up being very busy, which is no problem!