Idol Chatter & Voice Views

David Archuleta has accomplished a lot in the year and a half since he finished second on season seven of American Idol.

He released a pop album last November that debuted at number two on the Billboard charts and quickly went gold.

He released a holiday album in October that debuted at number two on the Billboard holiday album chart, behind only Bob Dylan. It still ranks among the top 10 holiday releases.

And young David, who will turn 19 three days after Christmas, has toured extensively. He’ll be at the Lyric Opera House in Baltimore Tuesday, Dec. 15, for a show that he says will be part pop, part holiday music.

He talks about the show and the trick to recording holiday music in the middle of summer in the audio above.

When Idol Chatter caught up with David prior to a show at Brigham Young University-Idaho on Friday, I was most interested in hearing about David’s next endeavor, a new album due sometime in 2010.

He made it clear he’s looking forward to proceeding at a more relaxed pace this time around. Remember, that first album hit stores less than two months after the season seven Idol summer tour ended.

Here’s the Idol Chatter interview with David Archuleta.

Chatter: I’ve read some indications that you’re working on your next album. How it that going?

David: “I’ve been working in Nashville and in L.A. on writing, and it’s been a lot of fun. Me writing my own songs, it’s really cool. I’m able to tell my own stories, say what I want to say and show people my personality, what things are on my mind and my ideas. It’s been really neat.

After tour, I’ll be really focusing on it. We’ve kind of just started to get the feel of it. And kind of loosen myself up with my brain because my brain is pretty blocked all the time with writing. I’m just really looking forward to working on the songs. I’m so stoked. It’s been really fun so far.”

Chatter: Now you didn’t get to do much writing for the first album. I think you have a co-writing credit on two songs. Is that something you plan to do more of for this upcoming album?

David: “Exactly. Actually, I wrote more songs than that, but you never know what songs are going to end up on the album. In Nashville, I wrote and recorded six songs, but you never know.

“I know not all the songs will probably make it because I still have a lot more writing and working to do. It’s not like I’m a number-one hit-making machine. But I feel what’s more important than that is having a connection with your music. I can say, ‘Yes, this is me. This is my story. This is what I want to say to people.'”

Chatter: Is there a timetable for the album? When are you hoping to release it?

David: “Just sometime next year. I guess. You never know how everything is going to work out. But it’s been nice because it’s not like: ‘You have to release it in three months, and you only have this much time to work on it. And, by the way, you have to do all these other things while you work on that.’

“It’s so nice. It’s like, wow, I don’t have to stress and worry about getting everything done. I can take my time. I can enjoy the process. I can enjoy writing and not worry … ‘Oh, this song isn’t a number one hit, so let’s stop writing it.’ It’s more like, ‘Let’s finish the song. This song is me.’ That’s what’s been fun about getting to do this.”

Chatter: Some people are going to hear Nashville and think you’re coming out with a country album.

David: “No, no. Nashville, it’s not really that country. They have a big indie scene there. Paramore’s from there. And Kings of Leon. (The album) will be pop.

“I just want to show more of who I am. And I feel like the more you show people who you are, the more people can respect you because you’re not trying to be something you’re not. You’re just trying to be you and share who you are with other people.

“I think that’s how you get the greatest connection through music. You tell your story. You share your feelings, whether they’re happy, weird, whatever. It’s just a matter of being honest with your music. And I think that’s what people will appreciate the most.”

There you have it, David’s plans for album number three.

In the meantime, here’s a link to more information about that Dec. 15 show in Baltimore, including ticket details.

Still want more David?

Well, his music will be featured on a virtual concert to benefit Toys for Tots. It will be aired on PlanetCazmo.com on Dec. 18 and Dec. 19. Jordin Sparks will also be featured.

And David has released a new singing game for your iPhone. You can try your hand at singing Christmas songs like “Joy to the World,” “The First Noel” and “Silent Night.” Players are scored on pitch and rhythm.

Time ran out on my interview with David before I could ask him if he has tried the game and how he’s done. After all, there were more interviews to do. And a concert that night at BYU-Idaho.

Judging from his Christmas album (review here), David was pitch perfect.