With the Christmas season fast approaching, David Archuleta took some time out of his schedule to talk to The Daily Universe about his newly released holiday album, “Christmas from the Heart,” his rise in the pop world and his upcoming tour, which kicks off in Salt Lake City later this month.
“It’s always fun to perform back at home in Utah and be able to give back to them, the people who have given me so much in my life,” Archuleta said. “I am the way I am because of everyone in Utah.”
During this tour, which is largely in support of his holiday album, he’ll be traveling across the country through Dec. 20. The recording of his release, which features one original song, “Memories of Christmas,” provided the opportunity for Archuleta to let listeners in on his personal beliefs.
“What I want to do with this album is share my testimony of this music and I hope that you can feel what I am trying to say in this and why it’s so important for me to sing about this,” Archuleta said. “You can always go more poppy and radio friendly with the music, and that’s easy to do and more appealing in the pop world I’m in right now, but I want to make sure it’s reverent and sacred.”
Growing up in a Latter-day Saint home, Archuleta’s faith is pronounced through the 13-song album.
“Christmas music is something that everyone relates to and has a connection to,” Archuleta said. “It’s my way of saying this is something really important to me and I really want to share it with people, about Christ and His birth.”
His tour will feature some of the pop hits that helped Archuleta rise out of his American Idol-bred stardom, but fans should expect a Christmas-laden set list.
“What I did with the album I want to do with the shows too and kind of lead people with that spirit of Christmas and the spirit of the music,” Archuleta said. “It’ll be fun.”
Considering all that has been handed to him over the last few years, Archuleta has received his fame graciously. The exposure received from Idol, he describes, was largely unexpected.
“When I went to [American Idol] audition I wasn’t expecting to be on tour and making albums a year later,” Archuleta said. “I was just thinking, ‘I guess I’ll go audition to see what it’s like.’ It’s crazy now, working on a third album; I never thought that would happen.”
Although he grew up performing and even appeared on several episodes of Star Search at age 12, Archuleta wasn’t always sure about his future as a musician.
“I seriously would always joke with my friends, ‘You guys are all going to be geniuses; you’re all so smart and I’ll be behind McDonald’s trying to sing for my food,’” he said.
Until his touring begins at the end of the month, Archuleta is spending time in Los Angeles writing for his forthcoming album. He described the process as more personal and self-involved in comparison to his first self-titled release.
“I feel like people will know me a little better,” Archuleta said. “It will be so cool to have songs that came from me and from my own experiences. I think that’s so cool being able to share that in my music.”
As Archuleta has become a successful pop artist worldwide, he continues to push forward and expand his fan-base with each album.
“It’s been a great experience for me because it’s kind of pushed me to go beyond what I thought were my limits,” Archuleta said. “It’s refreshing to know because sometimes you don’t believe in yourself as much. You don’t believe in your potential as much as other people do. It’s cool for me because I feel like, I guess the Lord definitely believed in me more than I did. That’s been the biggest lesson for me in all of this is trusting in Him. Because even though it’s like, ‘Well I don’t see how I can do that,’ I guess because I’ve been given this opportunity, I guess someone up there believes in me and someone up there trusts in me. The fact that that person can trust me, as powerful as He is, I guess I can do it. That in itself is motivating.”
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This is what David Archuleta's true, loving and devoted fans want to hear. We love this part of David's world. If he for some reason ever decided to just sing inspirational, gospel music we would NOT mind at all. His voice is sooooo GLORIOUS all the time but when he is singing this genre he takes you to a peaceful place and makes your heart swell!!
Having said that, I can't wait to hear his 2nd Pop CD and look forward with great anticipation sometime in the near future - sooner than later - a Spanish CD.
Thank you so much for a great interview.
This is a very amazing young person. Yet he is an old soul. Thank you for this nice article. It is really nice to hear David speak out about his testimony. It does not seem that he able to do that in some venues, I am glad that the Daily Universe could give him that opportunity to express his true feeling of his love for The Lord.
Thank you for this great interview of David Archuleta. It is especially inspiring when he talks about how God's trust in him has motivated him to transcend his limitations, make him believe in his own potentials. David and his music reminds me of the existence of God on a daily basis. I believe that's his mission, to give God back to people. I'm very lucky to have his music in my life. The world is lucky to have him.
Thanks for a great article. I'm hoping that David Archuleta realizes all of his potential. I'm a big fan of what he's done so far and can't wait to hear the rest of his musical history.
David Archuleta is an AMAZING musical talent with an AMAZING spirit! His Christmas From the Heart album is mesmerizing..yeah..it's THAT AWESOME! You should buy it as a gift for yourself!!
From the beginning, David not only captured his audience with his beautiful singing, but also with his deep abiding faith, humility, and a graciousness so rarely seen today, let alone in someone only 17 at the time. This is why he stands alone in his age group with fans that range from 8 to 100, his example has been inspiring. That last paragraph says it all and is another example of his wisdom. Thank you for the interview.
David is not just an amazing performer but moreso an amazing person. One could easily get a positive vibe just from watching him, hearing him or simply reading interview articles of him. With all these craziness in the bizz, I feel good that there is still an artist like David who, inspite of where he is now, remains grounded , humble and natural. I love his being "simply David".
Thanks so much for the nice article about David Archuleta! He is an amazing young man. I love his new Christmas cd "Christmas From The Heart"!! You can definitely tell that he sang all the songs from the heart. He made the traditional songs sound new again and he sang 3 songs in different languages. "Pat A Pan" was sung in French and was one of my favorite songs on the cd. I really enjoy "Melodies of Christmas", which he co-wrote. It has a pop feel to it but it is very joyous. I really liked the last paragraph of the interview/article where David talks about being pushed beyond his limits and trusting in the Lord. David Archuleta is talented, humble and down to earth! Many young artists out there today don't have any of these traits.
Thank you for this great interview with David. I love that he was comfortable with this interview enough to mention the words such as reverent, sacred, testimony and Christ. He does radiate the gospel through his music, especially these beautiful Christmas songs. He is a blessing to those who listen to his music. His music is comforting and healing.
Thanks again.
That was a very touching and inspirational article, thanks for interviewing him.
David is a joy to listen to. Whether you hear him talking, listen to his CD's, or go see him live.
This young man continues to amaze me with his wisdom, impeccable taste, and he's a musical genious to boot!
i have tremendous respect for david archuleta - as a singer, and as a human being... he is a breath of fresh air in the pop music scene, and my wish is to see him continue growing into the person and artist he was intended to be - a great one.
his christmas cd is simply superb in its orchestration, and musical arrangements, and with david's rich, pure, clarion vocals just soaring throughout, it's an experience everyone should give themselves over to this holiday season, and beyond.
he is a truly gifted singer, one his youth belies, and gives hope and promise to his fans the world over that he will be around for many years, entertaining and sharing with us his marvelous voice.
I love that David takes his faith seriously. It's reflected in his music, his attitude towards his fans, his interaction with everyone he meets and in his charitable works. He is an inspiration to me and a wonderful role model for this generation.
Thank you so much for this article about David! I simply love this young man - what a great example he is and it's nice to hear him more confident! Keep up the hard work David - and yes it is clear that someone up there believes in you!
Thank you for this wonderful interview of this humble young man. Not only does David sing beautifully. But he sets such an example of the Gospel that some of his fans are investigating the church. Go buy his Christmas album you won't be disappointed.
He is such a gem! Love his Christmas album. I will be watching his growth as an artist in the business. When everyone tries to get attention by acting weird, he is always himself grounded, gracious and humble.