Blake Lewis: Behind the Beatbox

Posted Friday 04 September 12:19 PM By: Brooke Tarnoff

26 Comments

The success stories of 'American Idol' are hardly limited to the eight season winners - some of its biggest stars, like Clay Aiken and Chris Daughtry, didn't leave the show with top honors. Now season six runner-up Blake Lewis is poised to join the ranks of superstar 'Idol' alum with his sophomore effort 'Heartbreak on Vinyl,' and we have the honor of debuting behind-the-scenes footage of Lewis and famed producer Dave Aude. We spoke to Lewis exclusively about the recording process, the video for his new single 'Sad Song,' and his thoughts on Ryan Seacrest's salary.

On working with Aude: "Aude is a pro. He and I worked on two songs for my album, 'Love Or Torture' and 'The Remedy.' Both of them are very melodic and Dave has a great ear for chord structure and arranging. We've been friends for a couple years now and had been wanting to work together for a while. These songs were the perfect pairing for us to be creative in the studio together."

On the upcoming video for his first single: "It's very film noir, with a lot of things pulled from the '80s - like that Maxell shot with the tie going back, in the chair. Stuff like that. Very classic, in a 'Chinatown' meets 'Dick Tracy' way with neon signs. My leading lady, Casey Carlson, was on 'American Idol' this last year. The song [Sad Song] is an anthemic breakup song, an anthem for the heartbroken."

On Paula Abdul's departure from 'Idol': "I call her The Sweetness. She's a sweetheart. She really cares about the contestants and actually cares about the show. I think it's dumb - they should all get paid the same. Ryan Seacrest getting paid so much for that show is kind of ridiculous."

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Blake Lewis Photos

Singer and 'American Idol' season six runner-up Blake Lewis. See more pics >>>

Michael Loccisano, FilmMagic.com

Blake Lewis Photos

NEW YORK - JUNE 24: Singer Blake Lewis poses before performing at the Canal Room June 24, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Will Ragozzino/Getty Images)

Will Ragozzino, Getty Images

Singer Blake Lewis appears on MTV's "TRL" at MTV Studios in New York City's Times Square on December 17, 2007. The air date for this show is December 19, 2007. "Gossip Girl" Cast, Blake Lewis, John C. Reilly and Jenna Fischer Visit MTV's "TRL" - December 17, 2007 MTV Studios New York, NY United States December 17, 2007 Photo by Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic.com To license this image (15253606), contact FilmMagic: U.S. +1-212-812-4100 / U.K. +44-207-659-2813 / Australia +61-2-9006-1785 / Japan: +81-3-5464-7020 +1 212-202-7732 (fax) sales@filmmagic.com (e-mail) www.filmmagic.com (web site)

Michael Loccisano, FilmMagic.com

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Singer Blake Lewis arrives at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

AMERICAN IDOL: Blake Lewis performs on AMERICAN IDOL Tuesday, April 17 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. CR: Frank Micelotta / FOX

Frank Micelotta, FOX

On being famous for beatboxing: "It's great. I was very fortunate to be on this huge television show that allowed me to expose people to an art form that has been not really relevant in the United States. I mean, it's very relevant in Eastern Europe and Western Europe especially - it's huge over there, it's a respected art form. I didn't really beatbox that much [on 'American Idol']. I think it was the arrangements that people fell in love with. I threw in some beatboxing and that kinda took it over the top."

"They didn't really focus on me producing everything - they did a couple times, but I arranged my own music. I've been producing for year. With this record, people will actually get to see the true light, and there's some beatboxing on it."

On someday returning to 'Idol': "I would love to go and do arrangements with everyone. I'd love to produce there one day. That's how I looked at it when I was on the show. I was producing my own show. I didn't think of it as - I was on 'American Idol'. I thought of it as the Blake Lewis Show every week. I do everything out of the box, so I tried to make it my own. I'd love to come back and help all the contestants do the same thing for them. A lot of those producers are like, "You should sing this song!" And then [the contestant] will get voted off for singing that song they didn't want to sing in the first place. That's really stupid."

"I think it's the best experience I'll never get to have again, unless they invite me back."

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Comments

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Friday 04 September

By Julie

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I love Blake Lewis, love the 80's, and I will be buying his next album. I am 43! wheeeeeee

Saturday 05 September

By scootrvil

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Blake Lewis who???

Friday 04 September

By stephenacs

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Blake Lewis is really talented and I am SO happy to see his back in the studio again after a hiatus. I'm not loving his punked up "do" or scruffy face though...why can't there be a clean-cut dance artist...it's OK to be a hip white boy Blake...just not a nasty one...lol!

Saturday 05 September

By Lita

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Out of the first ten comments, eight are spam. You can't tell me that AOL isn't getting some kind of kickback on this. Otherwise, why would it be so prolific?

As for Blake Lewis, I enjoyed his singing, but that beat box nonsense was more that a little annoying. Glad I don't have to hear that anymore.

Saturday 12 September

By Lee

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I do so agree with you about the spam. As for Blake, I never did like him and wouldn't spend a dime on anything he did. On his way to becoming a really nasty white boy.

Saturday 12 September

By PDQ

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Re AOL getting kickbacks. I have to agree with Lita that something is going on. Those spams are almost always the first few responses, so what triggers that?

Saturday 12 September

By Hannah

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OMG...is he still around? Did AOL really just use Blake Lewis and the word superstar in the same sentence? LOL, LOL! He a horrible singer, a mediocre beatboxer, and seems to be stuck in the 80's. NOT a winning combination. That was the WORST season of American Idol EVER and most of it was because of Blake Lewis. This CD will also fail and maybe this time he'll go get a real job and we won't have to see or hear his nonsense any more!

Saturday 12 September

By Michael

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Hannah..your so sexy when your angry!! :)

Saturday 12 September

By R

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100% agree.....Blake Lewis is a no talent. AND, he's obnoxious and arrogant to boot. He thought of American Idol as "The Blake Lewis Show"? He's GOT to be kidding. His beat box "art" didn't happen in the U.S. for a reason. It's NOT an art, it's an annoying, limited-use gimmick that people didn't really care for. Not only is he obnoxious but he doesn't even know what he's talking about. Perhaps he shouldn't have shown his two character-less songs in the studio. Especially his mid-tempo "dance record" for which he sang badly while singing along. Have to go take a shower now....no wonder "Vote For The Worst" liked him. He IS the worst.

Saturday 12 September

By bill

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Dead ringer for that character Martin Short used to play on Saturday Night Live - Ed Grimsley

Saturday 12 September

By bob

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I think i need my colon cleaned after this article !

Saturday 12 September

By evan

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i think rhianna needs another beating for wearing those gay glasses

Saturday 12 September

By millericka

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Do you really have to use a word like gay.I am a gay and lesbian supporter and it hurts when you disrespect them like that. Use words like wierd or stupid. Stupid

Saturday 12 September

By James

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That was a terrible comment...Laughing...but those were some hideous glasses, maybe it's because of a beating that has her wearing them...Laughing...now both of us are making terrible Comments...