di Andy Morris, 11 giugno 2015 ─ fonte: Gigwise
traduzione in italiano di Claudio Tassone per Comunità Queeniana
Esibendosi per oltre 300.000 persone in tour coi Queen lo scorso anno, Adam Lambert ha affrontato platee decisamente più toste di un selezionato gruppo di giornalisti per un playback a West London.
La cosa che più impressiona è la sua eleganza: affronta le domande familiari, danzando con facilità sugli argomenti più impegnativi. In occasione della pubblicazione di The Original High questo mese, Lambert ha parlato dello stare con i Queen nel loro jet privato, essere un “intrattenitore per adulti” e del perché The Original High sia la cosa migliore che abbia mai registrato.
Adam Lambert parla...
traduzione in italiano di Claudio Tassone per Comunità Queeniana
Esibendosi per oltre 300.000 persone in tour coi Queen lo scorso anno, Adam Lambert ha affrontato platee decisamente più toste di un selezionato gruppo di giornalisti per un playback a West London.
La cosa che più impressiona è la sua eleganza: affronta le domande familiari, danzando con facilità sugli argomenti più impegnativi. In occasione della pubblicazione di The Original High questo mese, Lambert ha parlato dello stare con i Queen nel loro jet privato, essere un “intrattenitore per adulti” e del perché The Original High sia la cosa migliore che abbia mai registrato.
Adam Lambert parla...
…della sua amicizia con Brian May e Roger Taylor ─
«Brian è una forza. È così dolce e riflessivo. Quando proviamo a prendere una decisione, lui non ha reazioni: si ferma e ci pensa su per un secondo. È molto riflessivo. Lo è anche Roger. Ora loro sono assolutamente come una famiglia, e questo fa sentire molto a proprio agio. È bello. Gli ho chiesto decisamente un sacco di storie e folclore sui Queen».
«Tutti noi andiamo davvero d’accordo. Io e Roger abbiamo molto in comune in termini di stile di vita. A noi due piacciono le cose piacevoli, gli abiti belli, le feste, le cose buone da bere. Abbiamo legato sui tatuaggi. Ma Brian si lascia letteralmente andare. Facevamo un concerto, poi prendevamo l’aereo ─ non sono abituato a volare su un jet privato quando lavoro. Sono stato molto viziato da questa cosa.
Poi aprivamo una bottiglia di qualcosa, cenavamo parlando dello spettacolo di quella sera ridendo. Abbiamo avuto i nostri momenti in cui legare. Si facevano un sacco di discussioni su problemi, metà dei quali erano incentrati sulla politica del Regno Unito, della quale parlavano; quindi io stavo solo ad ascoltare e a imparare. Sono entrambi davvero intelligenti. È stato bello stare con uomini intelligenti e ben navigati. Senza darmi direttamente dei consigli, mi hanno fatto notare che dovevo pensare in grande, e non solo preoccuparmi tanto delle cose piccole, per fare in modo da assicurarsi che mi stessi divertendo per come le cose andavano, perché la vita è breve».
…della cosa più pazza fatta nel tour dei Queen ─
«Eravamo ad Amsterdam per il mio compleanno. Era diventata una situazione un po’ turbolenta. Lì trovammo un club e prendemmo una camera tutta per conto nostro: era molto “olandese”. Se qualcuno vomitava? No, sono persone di classe: queste sono delle rock star. Gli piace divertirsi, ma sanno come farlo. Nessuna sciatteria».
… se i Queen andavano nei gay club durante il tour, e di Freddie a proposito di Adam ─
«Ti dirò, penso che se fossimo stati da qualche parte dove l’unica opzione fosse stata un gay club, loro sarebbero stati della partita. Ovviamente conoscevano Freddie, hanno lavorato con Freddie, e il proprio stile di vita e le sue scelte non erano un problema per loro. Mi hanno raccontato un sacco di storie su di lui e sembra che si divertisse molto. Non volevo saperlo e non c’era niente di sconvolgente, ma era più che altro per farmi una idea del senso della sua personalità, e mi hanno detto: “Voi sareste andati molto d’accordo. Il vostro senso dell’umorismo è molto simile. Ve la sareste goduta insieme».
… su come essere il frontman dei Queen abbia contribuito a ispirare la sua fiducia ─
«Ero abbastanza instradato prima che tutto questo iniziasse. Ero pronto all’esperienza successiva, ma non ero sicuro di come sarebbe venuta. Essere sul palco con i Queen di fronte a un pubblico che ama la band così tanto e che ama così tanto le canzoni è stato davvero gratificante. Mi ha dato assolutamente una buona spinta di fiducia. È stata una bella sfida. Non ero sicuro di come si sarebbe sviluppata. Non ero sicuro di come sarebbe stata accolta. Ogni sera mi sono sentito come se avessi dovuto mettermi alla prova. La maggior parte del pubblico era pronta a lasciarsi andare, ma in giro ce ne erano di scettici; se ne stavano seduti con le braccia incrociate. Poi dalla terza o quarta canzone incitavano con il pugno in alto. È stata una sfida ogni sera, cosa che faceva bene al mio spirito».
… su come si è abituato agli alti e ai bassi del lavorare con i Queen ─
«Personalmente non mi sento mai per niente soddisfatto come artista. Mi sento sempre affamato dell’esperienza successiva. Mi chiedo… mi pongo la domanda “Quando ne avrò abbastanza? Quando sarò soddisfatto di tutto?". È qualcosa che si fa per ricordare a me stesso di essere riconoscente verso quello che raccolgo. È assolutamente facile non esserlo. Il picco delle mie esperienze ─ essere sul palco della O2 con il tutto esaurito, è stato come dire “Aaaaaaahh! MIODIOQUANTOÈMAGNIFICO!”. E poi dovevo tornare all’ordinario e mettermi a letto la notte stessa. Ho avuto questi pazzeschi momenti topici e dopo dovevo mettermi a dormire da solo a letto. Sono cose estreme, di sicuro».
[La parte seguente con il finale dell’articolo è stata volutamente lasciata in lingua originale, ndt]
… His thoughts on The Original High
"The album turned out really fucking good I think. I'm really proud of it. I feel like it's my best album that I've done. Vocally it shows the most range and different tones and colours. I think we've nailed these concepts. The songs are totally personal and things that I've been through in my real life but I feel like we've found ways for me to connect with the public - because they are things everyone goes through. Very universal but done in a specific way.
I think the big running theme throughout the album is the pursuit of happiness. Some of my previous work and my life in my early twenties was like most people, trying to figure out who I was and a search for identity. Now that that's pretty much established I feel like the next chapter in my life is figuring out what works for me, what makes me happy and what I want out of life. I think that's what most people want: that's the natural progression. That thing that makes you feel high: whatever that is for you. Some people it's love, some people want adventure, they want adrenalin, some people want sex, some people want parties, some want power, wealth. I think you get to a point in your life when you start figuring what works for you and what doesn't.
Each song on the album looks at a different part of that journey: and the album never really claims to have all the answers because I certainly do not. I'm still learning. I'm still figuring it out. It's about this journey and longing and desire. Conclusions? I still don't fucking know."
… how 'Ghost Town' shows a different side to Adam
"I have my moods and my ruts that I get in. And I wanted to write about those ruts. The times where I felt a little big lost. And that's where "Ghost Town" the single where that comes from. In searching for the thing that makes you feel good and alive if you get to a point where the thing is either taken away for you or a thing breaks up with you or the thing leaves you really hungover. It's that feeling of being empty and kinda lost. In greater terms you have to stop and revaluate your beliefs and think what those things are.... I don't have the answers. One of the things that makes us all happy is love. Everybody wants love and everyone wants to be loved back. It's not that dry obviously it can be tricky relationships. Everyone wants their heart taken care of."
… on his personal life
"I've been single for more than two years. Some parts of it are fun. I think I'm getting to a point now where I'm thinking 'Yeah I could fall in love again. That would be nice. I want that deeper heart connection but I'm travelling a lot. It's very difficult. I'm dating my album actually. We're in a monogamous situation. Would I try online dating? That's a little scary. I have no judgement against it. I have friends who have met online that are together for years. I have really bad game to be honest with you. I can't tell you how many times I've been in a social situation like a dinner or a party I've met somebody who I think is cute. I'm pretty outgoing when I'm speaking to a room full of people about my music or I'm on stage. But if I think someone's attractive I get a little bit shy. So I won't say anything but just be like 'Ahem' [nods]. Or I'll say something and just be very friendly. I don't make it obvious that I'm into them. So my game is wack. I'm working on it."
… Madonna also releasing a song called 'Ghost Town'
"That was fun! I was in Mexico on a little four day vacation. I opened my laptop and saw her tracklisting had come out. I thought 'What? How on earth does she also have a song called Ghost Town. What are the chances? We'd already picked the song as the first single. It was already mixed and ready to go. I asked some questions: how does everyone feel about this? We talked about it. I hadn't heard the song yet but I didn't feel an outside event should be changing my plan. I just stuck to my plan and my instincts on this should be the first song from my album. Then when I heard the song - which is a great song - they are so different it really ellivated my concerns. I've not heard from Team Madonna but I'm a fan. The only thing I was concerned about was that people would think I was coming for her. It's not like that at all. I did not want a fan war. That was the last thing I wanted."
… Whether he still stood by his quote: "I'm an entertainer, not a babysitter" and whether he was prepared to become an "adult entertainer"
"Adult entertainer? i'm not interested in that field. [Laughs] I don't run a daycare centre. I'm not a babysitter. I think that came out six years ago: I was responding to a specific thing that I was getting some heat for some choices I made on stage. Looking back I don't have any regrets at all but I also learned a lot about how I can relate to the public and what works and what doesn't work as well. I'm in a different space now. This album has darker themes on it and deals with real life stuff you experience in adulthood yes. But I also think it's not irresponsible in its storytelling. I don't think it would put any wrong ideas in any kids head."
… Going beyond camp on his new record
"What I've done in the past and my image - even with doing a lot of the Queen stuff I was doing - a lot of very theatrical, flamboyant, stylised and over the top. And it's been fun. It's great to make people smile with that kind of music. But I felt like I had done a good amount of that camp angle. It was just time to try something new, strip that back and be real. Not be a character, not be a persona but be an actual person who goes to the same things you do and lives a real life. I think sonically the album sounds more like real life than what I've done in the past. This is the kind of music I listen to when I'm going out, going in the car or running on the treadmill."
… Whether he's now more comfortable within himself
"I think so. The Pop Idol thing happened so fast that you're like 'Woah!' The whole idea of what a celebrity is when you're not used to that. There's a lot that comes with that that's strange. It's exciting and it means I have a platform where I can do what I want now on a grander scale. But it throws your personal life into a bit of a tailspin. It's been six years since that and I'm now finally at a place where I'm like OK I'm comfortable I know who I am. I'm comfortable with the opportunities I've been given, the fame thing. The ups and downs of the entertainment industry. When I first started six years ago I thought 'This is going to be easy." No. I think I'm just more comfortable. Like anyone growing up I don't feel the need now to please everybody as much as I used to. I think that's what your Thirties are about. I feel less is more."
… How America (and the music industry) has become more accepting of gay people
"It is a different world, especially in America. Here it's always been a little more forward. In the States we're catching up. I think the powers that be, the people that were running the industry started realising it doesn't matter to the people buying music. They're more open than they thought they were! And that's really nice to see. I like that's it's moving towards a place which is 'post gay mentality' - where it doesn't have to be the thing that defines you, it can just be one of the facts and details about you as an artist. I don't really think it makes any sense to be called 'Gay artist Adam lambert' because what I'm singing about is for gay people, straight people, black people, white people: it's not specific."
… The best rumour he's ever heard about himself:
"I read I was dead once. It was like 'Oh really? I think I'm alright.' It was on Twitter. I think my Mom said 'Are you dead?' My heart's a ghost town but I'm not dead."
The Original High is out 15 June.
«Brian è una forza. È così dolce e riflessivo. Quando proviamo a prendere una decisione, lui non ha reazioni: si ferma e ci pensa su per un secondo. È molto riflessivo. Lo è anche Roger. Ora loro sono assolutamente come una famiglia, e questo fa sentire molto a proprio agio. È bello. Gli ho chiesto decisamente un sacco di storie e folclore sui Queen».
«Tutti noi andiamo davvero d’accordo. Io e Roger abbiamo molto in comune in termini di stile di vita. A noi due piacciono le cose piacevoli, gli abiti belli, le feste, le cose buone da bere. Abbiamo legato sui tatuaggi. Ma Brian si lascia letteralmente andare. Facevamo un concerto, poi prendevamo l’aereo ─ non sono abituato a volare su un jet privato quando lavoro. Sono stato molto viziato da questa cosa.
Poi aprivamo una bottiglia di qualcosa, cenavamo parlando dello spettacolo di quella sera ridendo. Abbiamo avuto i nostri momenti in cui legare. Si facevano un sacco di discussioni su problemi, metà dei quali erano incentrati sulla politica del Regno Unito, della quale parlavano; quindi io stavo solo ad ascoltare e a imparare. Sono entrambi davvero intelligenti. È stato bello stare con uomini intelligenti e ben navigati. Senza darmi direttamente dei consigli, mi hanno fatto notare che dovevo pensare in grande, e non solo preoccuparmi tanto delle cose piccole, per fare in modo da assicurarsi che mi stessi divertendo per come le cose andavano, perché la vita è breve».
…della cosa più pazza fatta nel tour dei Queen ─
«Eravamo ad Amsterdam per il mio compleanno. Era diventata una situazione un po’ turbolenta. Lì trovammo un club e prendemmo una camera tutta per conto nostro: era molto “olandese”. Se qualcuno vomitava? No, sono persone di classe: queste sono delle rock star. Gli piace divertirsi, ma sanno come farlo. Nessuna sciatteria».
… se i Queen andavano nei gay club durante il tour, e di Freddie a proposito di Adam ─
«Ti dirò, penso che se fossimo stati da qualche parte dove l’unica opzione fosse stata un gay club, loro sarebbero stati della partita. Ovviamente conoscevano Freddie, hanno lavorato con Freddie, e il proprio stile di vita e le sue scelte non erano un problema per loro. Mi hanno raccontato un sacco di storie su di lui e sembra che si divertisse molto. Non volevo saperlo e non c’era niente di sconvolgente, ma era più che altro per farmi una idea del senso della sua personalità, e mi hanno detto: “Voi sareste andati molto d’accordo. Il vostro senso dell’umorismo è molto simile. Ve la sareste goduta insieme».
… su come essere il frontman dei Queen abbia contribuito a ispirare la sua fiducia ─
«Ero abbastanza instradato prima che tutto questo iniziasse. Ero pronto all’esperienza successiva, ma non ero sicuro di come sarebbe venuta. Essere sul palco con i Queen di fronte a un pubblico che ama la band così tanto e che ama così tanto le canzoni è stato davvero gratificante. Mi ha dato assolutamente una buona spinta di fiducia. È stata una bella sfida. Non ero sicuro di come si sarebbe sviluppata. Non ero sicuro di come sarebbe stata accolta. Ogni sera mi sono sentito come se avessi dovuto mettermi alla prova. La maggior parte del pubblico era pronta a lasciarsi andare, ma in giro ce ne erano di scettici; se ne stavano seduti con le braccia incrociate. Poi dalla terza o quarta canzone incitavano con il pugno in alto. È stata una sfida ogni sera, cosa che faceva bene al mio spirito».
… su come si è abituato agli alti e ai bassi del lavorare con i Queen ─
«Personalmente non mi sento mai per niente soddisfatto come artista. Mi sento sempre affamato dell’esperienza successiva. Mi chiedo… mi pongo la domanda “Quando ne avrò abbastanza? Quando sarò soddisfatto di tutto?". È qualcosa che si fa per ricordare a me stesso di essere riconoscente verso quello che raccolgo. È assolutamente facile non esserlo. Il picco delle mie esperienze ─ essere sul palco della O2 con il tutto esaurito, è stato come dire “Aaaaaaahh! MIODIOQUANTOÈMAGNIFICO!”. E poi dovevo tornare all’ordinario e mettermi a letto la notte stessa. Ho avuto questi pazzeschi momenti topici e dopo dovevo mettermi a dormire da solo a letto. Sono cose estreme, di sicuro».
[La parte seguente con il finale dell’articolo è stata volutamente lasciata in lingua originale, ndt]
… His thoughts on The Original High
"The album turned out really fucking good I think. I'm really proud of it. I feel like it's my best album that I've done. Vocally it shows the most range and different tones and colours. I think we've nailed these concepts. The songs are totally personal and things that I've been through in my real life but I feel like we've found ways for me to connect with the public - because they are things everyone goes through. Very universal but done in a specific way.
I think the big running theme throughout the album is the pursuit of happiness. Some of my previous work and my life in my early twenties was like most people, trying to figure out who I was and a search for identity. Now that that's pretty much established I feel like the next chapter in my life is figuring out what works for me, what makes me happy and what I want out of life. I think that's what most people want: that's the natural progression. That thing that makes you feel high: whatever that is for you. Some people it's love, some people want adventure, they want adrenalin, some people want sex, some people want parties, some want power, wealth. I think you get to a point in your life when you start figuring what works for you and what doesn't.
Each song on the album looks at a different part of that journey: and the album never really claims to have all the answers because I certainly do not. I'm still learning. I'm still figuring it out. It's about this journey and longing and desire. Conclusions? I still don't fucking know."
… how 'Ghost Town' shows a different side to Adam
"I have my moods and my ruts that I get in. And I wanted to write about those ruts. The times where I felt a little big lost. And that's where "Ghost Town" the single where that comes from. In searching for the thing that makes you feel good and alive if you get to a point where the thing is either taken away for you or a thing breaks up with you or the thing leaves you really hungover. It's that feeling of being empty and kinda lost. In greater terms you have to stop and revaluate your beliefs and think what those things are.... I don't have the answers. One of the things that makes us all happy is love. Everybody wants love and everyone wants to be loved back. It's not that dry obviously it can be tricky relationships. Everyone wants their heart taken care of."
… on his personal life
"I've been single for more than two years. Some parts of it are fun. I think I'm getting to a point now where I'm thinking 'Yeah I could fall in love again. That would be nice. I want that deeper heart connection but I'm travelling a lot. It's very difficult. I'm dating my album actually. We're in a monogamous situation. Would I try online dating? That's a little scary. I have no judgement against it. I have friends who have met online that are together for years. I have really bad game to be honest with you. I can't tell you how many times I've been in a social situation like a dinner or a party I've met somebody who I think is cute. I'm pretty outgoing when I'm speaking to a room full of people about my music or I'm on stage. But if I think someone's attractive I get a little bit shy. So I won't say anything but just be like 'Ahem' [nods]. Or I'll say something and just be very friendly. I don't make it obvious that I'm into them. So my game is wack. I'm working on it."
… Madonna also releasing a song called 'Ghost Town'
"That was fun! I was in Mexico on a little four day vacation. I opened my laptop and saw her tracklisting had come out. I thought 'What? How on earth does she also have a song called Ghost Town. What are the chances? We'd already picked the song as the first single. It was already mixed and ready to go. I asked some questions: how does everyone feel about this? We talked about it. I hadn't heard the song yet but I didn't feel an outside event should be changing my plan. I just stuck to my plan and my instincts on this should be the first song from my album. Then when I heard the song - which is a great song - they are so different it really ellivated my concerns. I've not heard from Team Madonna but I'm a fan. The only thing I was concerned about was that people would think I was coming for her. It's not like that at all. I did not want a fan war. That was the last thing I wanted."
… Whether he still stood by his quote: "I'm an entertainer, not a babysitter" and whether he was prepared to become an "adult entertainer"
"Adult entertainer? i'm not interested in that field. [Laughs] I don't run a daycare centre. I'm not a babysitter. I think that came out six years ago: I was responding to a specific thing that I was getting some heat for some choices I made on stage. Looking back I don't have any regrets at all but I also learned a lot about how I can relate to the public and what works and what doesn't work as well. I'm in a different space now. This album has darker themes on it and deals with real life stuff you experience in adulthood yes. But I also think it's not irresponsible in its storytelling. I don't think it would put any wrong ideas in any kids head."
… Going beyond camp on his new record
"What I've done in the past and my image - even with doing a lot of the Queen stuff I was doing - a lot of very theatrical, flamboyant, stylised and over the top. And it's been fun. It's great to make people smile with that kind of music. But I felt like I had done a good amount of that camp angle. It was just time to try something new, strip that back and be real. Not be a character, not be a persona but be an actual person who goes to the same things you do and lives a real life. I think sonically the album sounds more like real life than what I've done in the past. This is the kind of music I listen to when I'm going out, going in the car or running on the treadmill."
… Whether he's now more comfortable within himself
"I think so. The Pop Idol thing happened so fast that you're like 'Woah!' The whole idea of what a celebrity is when you're not used to that. There's a lot that comes with that that's strange. It's exciting and it means I have a platform where I can do what I want now on a grander scale. But it throws your personal life into a bit of a tailspin. It's been six years since that and I'm now finally at a place where I'm like OK I'm comfortable I know who I am. I'm comfortable with the opportunities I've been given, the fame thing. The ups and downs of the entertainment industry. When I first started six years ago I thought 'This is going to be easy." No. I think I'm just more comfortable. Like anyone growing up I don't feel the need now to please everybody as much as I used to. I think that's what your Thirties are about. I feel less is more."
… How America (and the music industry) has become more accepting of gay people
"It is a different world, especially in America. Here it's always been a little more forward. In the States we're catching up. I think the powers that be, the people that were running the industry started realising it doesn't matter to the people buying music. They're more open than they thought they were! And that's really nice to see. I like that's it's moving towards a place which is 'post gay mentality' - where it doesn't have to be the thing that defines you, it can just be one of the facts and details about you as an artist. I don't really think it makes any sense to be called 'Gay artist Adam lambert' because what I'm singing about is for gay people, straight people, black people, white people: it's not specific."
… The best rumour he's ever heard about himself:
"I read I was dead once. It was like 'Oh really? I think I'm alright.' It was on Twitter. I think my Mom said 'Are you dead?' My heart's a ghost town but I'm not dead."
The Original High is out 15 June.
RSS Feed
