by Gary Graff, Detroit and David J. Prince, New York |
June 19, 2009 4:18 EDT
Adam Lambert and Kris Allen at the "American Idol" finals.
Kris Allen and Adam Lambert, the winner and runner-up of last month's "American Idol" finals, are doing double duty these days: both are rehearsing for this summer's "American Idols Live" tour while working with some of the top pop songwriters and producers on material for their forthcoming debut albums, each of which are due on 19 Recordings in the fall.
"I've been writing a lot with a lot of different people, and it's going well," Allen says. In fact, sources tell Billboard.com that he's been working with some of the top songwriters and producers, including David Hodges (Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry), Salaam Remi (Nas, Amy Winehouse) and Claude Kelly (Akon, Leona Lewis). Allen also hit Timbaland's studio in Virginia Beach to work with Joe King of the Fray, whose take on Kanye West's "Heartless" inspired Allen's own performance of the song during the competition. Allen attended the group's show that evening after the writing session.
While Allen has been experimenting with some urban-influenced styles, he's honing the material for the album in a John Mayer/Jason Mraz direction. "Each writing session has been a learning experience," he says. "I think that we are trying to figure it out and that it's going the right way and I'm really excited about it. I can't wait."
Lambert has teamed up with hotshot producer RedOne, the studio wizard who's had a hand in crafting Lady GaGa's worldwide chart-topping hits "Poker Face" and "Love Game," as well as working with Michael Jackson, Usher and the Backstreet Boys. RedOne revealed to the L.A. Times that he hopes to record at least six tracks for Lambert's record (although he wasn't sure if they'd all make the cut).
"I want to go rock -- David Bowie and Queen, but make it more easy for people to get," the producer said of his vision for Lambert. "It has to be rock, but with an interesting dance angle to it, you know? You'll like it.
"You can go almost whatever direction with him. People know him from being on 'American Idol,' singing other people's songs, but you can take him in a new direction, and this will be the first time you hear Adam Lambert with his signature. My goal is to get his signature out from him to the world."
Lambert is also working on songs with David Hodges, the former Evanesence member whose songwriting talents have appeared on a number of "Idol" contestants' albums. Hodges is currently the only writer who has worked with both Lambert and Allen.
Meanwhile, Lambert's recent revelation of the straight boy crush he has on his former "Idol" roommate has left Allen unfazed.
"He was so funny," Allen says. "He texted me that day, like, 'I'm so embarrassed.' I'm like, 'No, are you serious? Don't be embarassed. I think that's hiliarious.' My wife, she's so funny. She was like, 'Tell Adam I have a crush on HIM.' "
"He is something different that no one's probably seen before, at least in a long time. But we're two completely different artists as well, so I don't think either one of us have anything to worry about."
"I've been writing a lot with a lot of different people, and it's going well," Allen says. In fact, sources tell Billboard.com that he's been working with some of the top songwriters and producers, including David Hodges (Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry), Salaam Remi (Nas, Amy Winehouse) and Claude Kelly (Akon, Leona Lewis). Allen also hit Timbaland's studio in Virginia Beach to work with Joe King of the Fray, whose take on Kanye West's "Heartless" inspired Allen's own performance of the song during the competition. Allen attended the group's show that evening after the writing session.
While Allen has been experimenting with some urban-influenced styles, he's honing the material for the album in a John Mayer/Jason Mraz direction. "Each writing session has been a learning experience," he says. "I think that we are trying to figure it out and that it's going the right way and I'm really excited about it. I can't wait."
Lambert has teamed up with hotshot producer RedOne, the studio wizard who's had a hand in crafting Lady GaGa's worldwide chart-topping hits "Poker Face" and "Love Game," as well as working with Michael Jackson, Usher and the Backstreet Boys. RedOne revealed to the L.A. Times that he hopes to record at least six tracks for Lambert's record (although he wasn't sure if they'd all make the cut).
"I want to go rock -- David Bowie and Queen, but make it more easy for people to get," the producer said of his vision for Lambert. "It has to be rock, but with an interesting dance angle to it, you know? You'll like it.
"You can go almost whatever direction with him. People know him from being on 'American Idol,' singing other people's songs, but you can take him in a new direction, and this will be the first time you hear Adam Lambert with his signature. My goal is to get his signature out from him to the world."
Lambert is also working on songs with David Hodges, the former Evanesence member whose songwriting talents have appeared on a number of "Idol" contestants' albums. Hodges is currently the only writer who has worked with both Lambert and Allen.
Meanwhile, Lambert's recent revelation of the straight boy crush he has on his former "Idol" roommate has left Allen unfazed.
"He was so funny," Allen says. "He texted me that day, like, 'I'm so embarrassed.' I'm like, 'No, are you serious? Don't be embarassed. I think that's hiliarious.' My wife, she's so funny. She was like, 'Tell Adam I have a crush on HIM.' "
"He is something different that no one's probably seen before, at least in a long time. But we're two completely different artists as well, so I don't think either one of us have anything to worry about."
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