David Archuleta - Eleven Months & Counting

As the music business struggles to identify financial models, artists are taking their career into their own hands.  It’s all about going with the flow and knowing when it’s time to stand up and claim the life that belongs to you. 

Presently David Archuleta is connected to E1 Music an independent record label in the United States.  It is widely regarded as the top independent US record label, having garnered the most Billboard hits of any independent record label in history.  Its four primary businesses are E1 Television, E1 Films, E1 Music and E1 Entertainment Distribution, which collectively represents film, television, music, and kid’s content.   E1 Music covers all musical genres from adult-contemporary to rock urban to country, children’s to classical.

E1 Music also streams on SoundCloud an online audio distribution platform that allows collaboration, promotion and distribution of audio recordings by users.  Its intention is to allow musicians to share recordings with each other and to distribute their music tracks.  It also allows artist to interact more nimbly with their fans.

Three elements that make music successful are a goal, a plan, and a team.  David seems to be on the right tract.

He will be prepared to bring it back with the same energy, passion and excitement that became his hallmark.  Wowing new and old fans in epic concerts that will show how he can have his artistry into a magnificent music machine.  It’s all David fans need to stoke the fires of their devotion.

His art form connects with fans and the demand for his music is always going to be present. His singing has the power to express love and you can hear this from his heart. 

His voice is so versatile that he can sing just about any genre including gospel, blues, ballads and pop.  Songs can tell the story of the lyricist but they also tell the story from the listener’s imagination.

I don’t have any other information except that it is going to beyond anyone’s imagination.  We will just have to wait a few more months for the unveiling to begin.  It will be time to continue his dream of music; hopefully he will be ready to give his fans what they’ve been missing.

While David takes inspiration from the past (AI) he lives for the future moving forward to greater things.  It just depends on what his life may bring surprises perhaps, the very least it allows fans to dream of what might to come.

The private David seems as he appears to the public; a quiet self-effacing young man who considers his singing abilities as strictly tertiary to his family and his faith.  He is widely respected for both his professional standards and the conduct in his personal life.  Occasionally someone like David comes along and won’t go with the flow and still prevails in spite of all the others who surround him and importune him to yield to their values.

David Archuleta is unique and the core of his significance as an artist is his amazing voice and emotional commitment to his songs.

It will be exciting to see what David has in store for 2014!

David Archuleta Retrospective Series Part Twelve: Something 'Bout Love

By Pamela Pike and Rosanne Simunovic

VIDEO

Pamela Pike's Recollections

“Something ‘Bout Love” is the official first single by singer-songwriter David Archuleta from his second pop album The Other Side of Down which was released on October 5, 2010. The music video for the song premiered on August 5, 2010.  Declan Whitebloom directed the video who also directed Crush back in 2008.

Something ‘Bout Love is an infectious up-tempo, modern heartfelt dance tune. This is exactly the type of song I love to hear on the radio a fresh upbeat tune that gets stuck in your head. Of course, David vocals you can always count on with a falsetto to die for.  It has a techno flavor added in with a pulsating beat, and has a great melody.

The lyrics give the song substance and as David promised in an interview with Billboard the songs on this album would contain more “lively grooves” than his previous album.  Something ‘Bout Love was age appropriate, spoke about love but not overly sexual like many songs by artists today. It’s a toe tapping catchy tune one that you want to replay over and over again.

David twittered about filming the video and noted, “The clip is plotted to have “young live and good times style concept.”  David had commented that “Most of the songs on the album represent thoughts and experiences that I’ve personally gone through, “he said. “I hope this album helps people understand more of where I’m coming from as an artist and as a person.  It’s about moving forward in life, making progress in accomplishing your goals and dreams while appreciating what life has given you.”

David sang the song with great ease and style with quality and versatility.  The song is easy to fall in love with.  It’s a very inspiring song that can make you laugh and cry; a very soulful and expressive song that has the power to give you strength and hope.

David is no lightweight he never loses touch with the source of the soul.  The dimensions of David’s own musical intelligence are quite evident and you can detect more of him in the mix this time around.

It achieved top 4 peak position at the Under Hot 100 and no. 48 at the US Pop Airplay. This single/video was the perfect song for David’s stunning vocals and the message that you shouldn’t give up on love is expressed in his emotions at every part of this song. 

I love this song and David’s message to take a chance on “Something ‘Bout Love.”

http://youtu.be/1-xf5PGPGIU

Rosanne Simunovic's Recollections

While watching the YouTube video performances of  "Something 'Bout Love", the first thing that immediately struck me about this number was its high degree of difficulty.

Yes, it is a pop song and it is upbeat, fun and contagious, but that does not diminish the the broad range within melodic framework. The song switches back and forth from upper to lower range; yet, for the most part, it sits right smack in the upper part of David's range.

I could almost sense David's little mind working as he meticulously navigated through his upper range with pitch perfect ease and clarity. His head voice during this number is absolutely spectacular, grounded by admirable diaphragmatic support.

And, when he added some chest voice to the mix, his vocal delivery sounded rich and vibrant. He is such a master of vocal projection and, in this number, has managed to meticulously balance his technical skills in such a manner as to heighten his innate, soulful style.

In both video performances, the passionate exuberance he exhibits on stage is just incredible.  He is just so musical, his body moving freely to the rhythmic pulse of the music.

Few artists can master the ability to fully immerse themselves in a song while maintaining control over their voice. David is one of those artists.

And don't even get me started on David's immaculate approach to the diphthongs in his lyrics. You know - those syllables with more than one vowel, such as in the word "right". 

Throughout the entire song, David employs the correct technical approach to these diphthongs, sustaining and focusing his voice on the first pure vowel.  In the case of the "eye" diphthong, David sustains his voice on the first vowel - "ah" - and, thus, achieves perfect focus. 

In classical singing, this is called the bel canto approach and allows a singer to master an even, seamless sound throughout his or her singing range. Additionally, the pitch is preserved and centered, very clean sounding.

Also, how I loved watching David's connection to the crowd. He engaged the audience so very well, in such a playful manner. He has such respect for his audience and has so much love and joy to share.  Such a huge heart!

Also, I would like to give kudos to his back-up musicians and vocalists. They were absolutely spectacular and mirrored David's gift for excellence. The harmonies, in particular, were "spot on"! 

And as much as I enjoyed this song, in the end, it was David's excellent performance of this number, that made it so special. 

Yes, there's "Something 'Bout David" and it can be summed up in one word - Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!!!


Rosanne Simunovic
http://www.masterclasslady.com