Video Interview: YouTube Phenom Greyson Chance

By Zach Dionne Posted Aug 9th 2010 10:20AM

You know Greyson Chance -- maybe not his name quite yet, but you know him. He blew your mind in May when his talent show piano cover of Lady Gaga's 'Paparazzi' burned up the Internet (and the hearts of 12-year-old girls nationwide) and landed him a guest spot on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show.' Ellen quickly announced plans to form a record label, eleveneleven, and feature Greyson's first recording as the inaugural release. PopEater had the sublime fortune to sit down with the pint-sized prodigy, and we've got the video and photo shoot after the jump! (And yes, he talks Gaga, Bieber, those little ladies in the video, and life after 29 million hits on YouTube.)

How's it going, Greyson?
It's going really good, I'm here in New York and I'm having a blast. This is the first time I've ever been here, it's going great, I love the city.

Awesome! So did you arrange 'Paparazzi' like that?
I got the sheet music and I played it out like how it was originally written, and then it doesn't sound anything like the original version, like how it does now. I changed it up a lot.

Refresher course: Greyson's stellar rendition of 'Paparazzi'

Do you do any other covers?
On my upcoming album, I have a couple. 'Paparazzi' of course is on there, and I also have a song called 'Fire' by Augustana.

What is happening with the album, with your music?
It's great, I'm working with Interscope Records and Eleveneleven Records. The one who's making my record is Ron Fair, who works with Interscope, and he's a genius. He's great, and he really knows what I want in the music. It's a really interesting sound. It's like pop, but then there's these slow rock ballads, like some of them want to make you cry, it's great and it's like really unique. I love the way it's coming along.

Great, so when might we hear some?
I think we're going to possible release an EP around September.

Will you be playing some shows or doing a big tour?
I don't think I'm going to be doing a tour anytime soon, but yeah, hopefully a couple shows.

And what's happening with school?
I'm going into seventh grade, and I'm going to be doing online school this year.

You met Lady Gaga recently, right?
Yeah, actually I went to her concert in OKC, and she was ... wow. I was blown away. She's amazing, as a performer, and she's an amazing person -- she's phenomenal, so nice, just so kind and genuine.

Now, even if you weren't rocking the Biebs haircut, just the YouTube rise to fame would earn you some Justin Bieber comparisons. Thoughts?
It's an honor. I mean, you know, what he has done in the music world is crazy. I mean, he's 16, and he has like 3 million followers on Twitter. Cody Simpson, Justin Bieber, and Greyson Chance [laughs] -- it's kind of like a triangle right now. But, it's an honor to be compared to him, but our music is different and it's nothing personal, he seems like a really cool guy and I'd love to meet him and talk to him, but our music is different.

Is there a backup plan other than music?
Ah, backup plan ... I don't really know, my motto's kinda "Go for today, don't worry about the future, it'll come eventually."

You've been doing music since you were really young.
Really young, and it's always been my dream to make an album. My biggest dream is to win a Grammy, and so hopefully that will come.

Is there anything else you're ridiculously talented at, like singing and playing piano?
I'm a very good dancer.

Yeah?
No! Not at all. [laughs]

You're about to turn 13, yeah?
In less than a month, August 16th.

Any big plans?
Everybody keeps on asking me that, I really don't know. I don't know!

C'mon -- you're going to be a teenager, man!
I'd love to come back to New York, I love it here, it's great!

You and Ellen are best buds now, right?
Yeah, I mean, she's amazing. I can't describe her in words. She's phenomenal, and she's a really good friend, yes.

How often are you in touch?
Every day.

Wow, that's great. And has anybody been treating you differently at home?
No, not really, I mean my friends are still my friends and when I'm hanging with them it's nothing different. I'm still Greyson and it's still a normal thing.

So they aren't just like, "Wow man, who are you?!"
Oh, no no no, not at all.

This is my last thing: You know everybody wants to know about those little ladies in the video. What was going on there?
I actually met them a couple weeks ago, but before that I didn't even know who they were.

Really?
Just girls in the audience. But I met them, they were extremely nice.

And have you been getting a little more attention from girls?
Yeah, I guess a little bit. A little bit, yeah.

Yeah?
I'm not complaining. [laughs]

Do you want to spill the big news if you do or don't have a girlfriend?
I don't, I don't.

So you're single?
Single. Staying that way. [laughs]

See Greyson perform two of his original songs:

'Stars'

'Broken Hearts'

Tags: Greyson Chance

Comments

(10)

Monday 09 August

By BTDT

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

As cute as a spotted puppy.

By rdt999

It is so cool to see a young person with so much talent and yet so humble. I hope he remains that way. I think Ellen will watch out for him and keep him grounded.
His voice is so strong and amazing for his age. And he plays well. I wish him the best and will definitely buy his cd.

By N2

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

the kid is great and his interview shows a mature, intelligent, talent. looking forward to more. good luck.

By Ellie

Vote down Vote up Report this

he is way better than justin bieber

By Catherine

This is an extremely talented person. I've watched him since that first YouTube video, and he has "it." Very charming, sincere, polite. I will definitely buy his CD. Seems wise beyond his years.

By Wags

Greyson Chance is incredible. I got hooked with his youtube video and now just watching this interview made me like him even more. He is very down to earth, intelligent, respectful and gracious! Can't wait to get his CD when he gets it out. Way to go Greyson!!

Tuesday 10 August

By Animallover

OMG I luv ur voice and ur vary cute and i mean the other cute. What grade r u in im going into 6th anyways call me. Also i rather choose u then justin bieber ur wayyyyyyyyyyyyy cuter. And 1 more thing can u teach me the piano :):):):)

Wednesday 11 August

By Tricia

I'm not a tween anymore, but I'm seriously excited about Greyson's album! XD I think he has the potential to be a serious artist - an artist who appeals to a bigger audience than just the young crowd. He's definitely gifted and shows signs of greatness. Good luck Greyson! You're awesome! :)

By Cloe

Greyson is sooo cool.And i think tht its sweet how he wants to stay single tht way he wouldnt be able to hurt the girl he loves by leaving her and being around tons of other girls.

Tuesday 03 May

By :P

:O What? Greyson, you do have a BIG fan here. I'm honestly Obsessed with you. (No joke) And I hope I meet you someday...
I HOPE I MEET YOU SOMEDAY. SOMEDAY BEFORE I DIE. (:

Page 1 of 1