It started with a YouTube video of his performance of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi.” Now, after scoring 50 million views and getting signed by Ellen DeGeneres to her new label, Greyson Chance has started on a road to stardom. His new video for “Unfriend You” premiered only last week as a sneak peak as what to expect for his upcoming debut album HOLD ON TIL THE NIGHT, out August 2nd. The Oklahoma native had this to say when he recently visited Toronto:
W h at was it like becoming a star overnight?
It’s been a crazy process and you know, this has always been my dream. Now I’ve been signed on with Geffen ele ven/eleven, so it’s been a crazy process but it’s been such an amazing journey, and I’m really focused on getting my point across with my music and just seeing where that takes me.
What’s the point you’d like to get across with your music?
I think the point is basically saying that when you’re a young artist, music doesn’t have to be, you know, “hip hop, turn the auto-tune up all the way to the right.” I think sometimes on the rad io right now music is just not there anymore, because I believe music is an art, and sometimes now with all the technology that we have music is kind of gone, so I just want to try and bring it back.
How is the album recording coming along?
It’s coming along really well, we’re looking to wrap it up, I would say. Kind of getting everything finished, crossing the T’s, dotting the I’s, but it’s going really well. I’m working with a different handful of producers and so they’re really helping me along the way and it’s just been an incredible journey.
What was it like meeting Lady Gaga?
It was an incredible experience, she’s such a great inspiration to me so meeting her was just incredible, and she’s just incredible. She’s very versatile, she loves and adores her fans like no other, I mea,n she’s so different and just so great and she makes amazing music.
Other than Gaga, who else influences you musically?
Coldplay, Paramore, KISS, John Legend, Elton John, John Lennon, The Beatles, anyone really!
How are you adjusting to LA life?
It’s going pretty well, I like LA. My parents switch off, my mom stays out [there] sometimes with me, and sometimes it’s just me and my dad, so it’s been really well. I have an amazing team behind me, they’re incredible. And Geffen [Records], they’re incredible, I just have the most amazing team behind me, so I’m just so grateful.
Other than making your album, have you got any other projects on the go?
Projects on the go… making music, I guess! That’s really the only thing.
What’s the inspiration behind your lyrics?
It’s from real-life experiences, it’s also from things that I want to be real life experiences. I write a lot, which is kind of interesting, I’m fascinated by love and hate, I write a lot from love and hate – the reason, I have no clue why but I write a lot of songs about that and um, I have a water droplet song that is completely random, I have just random, random music, just whatever’s inside of me.
If you could collaborate with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?
John Lennon, for the dead option, for alive I’d probably say Lady Gaga.
Thanks, Greyson!