Idol Chatter & Voice Views

She was the top-finishing female on season eight of American Idol and released her first album, “Just Like You,” in December.

Now, just over a month after her 18th birthday, Allison Iraheta is about to embark on her first national post-Idol tour. And not just any old tour. She’ll be the opening act for season eight phenom Adam Lambert’s Glam Nation Tour, which will also include Orianthi.

That tour kicks off Friday night with a sold-out show in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and includes about 50 dates through September.

Don’t have your tickets yet?

Too bad.

The Wilkes-Barre show is sold out. So is a June 27 show at Rams Head Live in Baltimore and a June 28 show at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C.

Idol Chatter caught up with Allison recently to talk to her about her career to date and the upcoming tour.

She also has a new single — “Don’t Waste the Pretty” — coming out Tuesday, also featuring Orianthi. You can hear more about that in the audio clip below.

Idol Chatter: So how did you wind up on tour with Adam Lambert and what do you think it will be like touring together?

Allison: It’s crazy. It all kind of just worked out. Musically, I think we both rock on stage. We have the rock stuff going for us. But it’s a bit different. He has the glam, sort of stuff going on. I think it’s going to work out. I’m super excited. I can’t wait.

Idol Chatter: Now, have you worked out the logistics? How long you’ll be on each night? How many songs from your album you’ll be able to do?

Allison: There will be a 20-minute set. In some shows where Orianthi won’t be playing, I’ll be doing 35 minutes, I think.

Idol Chatter: The press release announcing the tour said you’d be participating in select shows. I supposed there will be some you won’t be part of?

Allison: Only because I think there are some you have to be 21 and over. Bummer for me.

Idol Chatter: Which songs from your album do you think come off the best live?

Allison: “Holiday” is a good rocking one. It’s upbeat. It’s one that catches the attention of people, a great starter song. “Robot Love” because it has crowd participation. “Beat Me Up” is also a fun one. “Still Breathing” is one we just started doing live and it’s an anthem, sort of crazy awesome, arena song. It’s dope. I love doing it. I’m just going to say all my songs are awesome live. That’s all.

Idol Chatter: Now, most of the songs on your first album were written by other people, but are there any songs on “Just Like You” that you feel like you relate to more than others or that has a message you can relate to more than others?

Alllison: “Scars” is definitely one of them, being that, I myself as a human being have made mistakes in the past as well as anyone else out there. You learn from those mistakes, and they help you build up to be the person you are today. “Scars” is one of them that really hits me. That’s one I relate to more than others. “Don’t Waste the Pretty” is another one.

Idol Chatter: Is there anything you want to do differently when it comes time to record the next album?

Allison: I want to write more. I want to be able to write on all of them. (She co-wrote one of the 13 tracks on “Just Like You.”)

Idol Chatter: Do you have any older songs you’ve written that we might see on an upcoming album?

Allison: Hmm, noooo. The songs I’ve written, maybe because I was young and just starting are so not quite … good. I’m planning to write some new kicking stuff.

Idol Chatter: You’ve accomplished a lot career wise in a very short period of time. Is there anything you haven’t done musically at this point that you want to do?

Allison: When I think of everything I’ve done, it’s pretty much all I’ve ever asked for. Being in front of like thousands and thousands of people. Being on these (TV) shows, singing my songs. I mean I guess the next step would be headlining my own tour. That’s the next one I hope to do soon. It’s so crazy, because I’ve accomplished so much. This is all I’ve ever wanted, for real. I’ve just got to keep going. Headlining my own tour would be the next step.

[windowsmedia]http://w2.yorkdispatch.com/mark/AllisonIraheta.wmv[/windowsmedia]