Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Dalton Rapattoni on the red carpet at the American Idol Season 15 finale. (FOX Photo)

The 20-year-old from Texas plans to head into the studio Sunday to start work on an album.

“Right now, we don’t have word back from 19’s people whether they are going to pick up my option or not,” Dalton said in reference to a recording contract with 19 Entertainment.

“But work must go on, so I’m considering it as of right now to be an independent release. Luckily I have a big team backing me. We’re going to be able to produce some really good music.”

As he proceeds with that project, Dalton said he’ll keep in mind the biggest lesson he learned from American Idol’s judges — to find music he can connect with lyrically.

“When I write songs I make sure that i believe them 100 percent,” he said during a Friday conference call with the media. “I don’t write anything that I don’t feel deeply.

“Anything coming out in the future, which will happen soon, it’s going to be the exact same philosophy that I had on the show. It’s going to be 100 percent me, just trying to talk to people.”

Already a veteran of stints in a boy band called IM5 and an alternative rock band called Fly Away Hero, Dalton has also worked with the School of Rock back in his hometown. It’s an affiliation he said he plans on continuing in some fashion.

“I think it’s an incredibly important program because there aren’t really as many music programs in schools as there used to be because the funding is cut,” he said.

“That’s why School of Rock exists. It’s for the kids that don’t want to play soccer, or don’t want to play football. Everyone needs that something outside of school. I think it’s a really really important cause. I’m always going to be involved with it.”