Exclusive Interview: Kris Allen Talks About Being a Mentor, New Music, and His Upcoming Christmas Tour

It’s been almost ten years since Kris Allen was crowned the winner of Season 8 of American Idol. Since his historic win, he’s released five studio albums, toured around the world, and was named Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Man of the Year. Along the way, he’s learned the ins and outs of the music industry, and now he’s instilling that knowledge in the next wave of Idols this summer as both the host and a mentor on the American Idol tour. We caught up with Kris ahead of his show in Westbury, New York to chat about hitting the road, his upcoming Christmas tour, and when we can expect new music.

PC: You’re currently hosting the American Idol tour. How did that come to fruition?
Kris: I don’t exactly know the answer! [laughs] I wish I did. They just asked me and we worked out the details. It seemed like a good role, maybe not so much the actual host role, but I know for me, I would have loved if we had someone on tour when we did ours to teach us things and to get us ready for what’s next. I’m enjoying that aspect of it the most.

PC: It’s one of the longer tours you’ve done in recent years. Was that a difficult decision given the fact that you do have a family now?
Kris: It was a really hard decision that we sat on for a long time. It wasn’t something that I immediately said yes to when I first heard about it because it’s different now. I’m married, I have two kids; it’s hard to leave for this amount of time. I’ve gotten accustomed to living in Nashville. I make music in Nashville, and when I travel, I try not to go too far away or for too long.

PC: You’ve done several tours over the years performing original music with a cover or two thrown in here and there, but on this tour, the majority of your setlist is covers. Was that a big adjustment?

Kris: I play three songs on the tour. The only cover that I do is a medley of songs that I did on the show. They’re covers, but sometimes they don’t feel like covers because people have wanted to hear those songs from me for a while. The other two songs that I do are my new single and one that I play all the time. The rest of the crew, they’re all doing covers, except for Maddie who’s also doing her single. It’s a different type of show, but it’s still an extension of Idol.

PC: Like you just said, one of the originals that you’re performing is your new single, “When All the Stars Have Died”. What was the inspiration behind that song?
Kris: It’s about coming to the realization that death is something that happens, but even if I’m gone, the love that I have for you will always be there.

PC: How would you compare this Idol tour to your first?
Kris: It’s different. The show was a different animal back then. I was telling the contestants from this year, not to diss ours because I thought it was great, but there are parts of me that enjoy the venues and the way that this show is put together more. Everyone is singing and playing on each other’s songs. On the other tour, I was sitting around until the very end of the show. I didn’t do anything until the last ten or fifteen minutes. Here, Maddie has the second song in the show. I enjoy the way this one is put together a little more.

PC: It’s been a few years since you’ve released an album. Is there new music on the horizon?
Kris: Yeah! I’m always working on new stuff, so there are definitely songs that I want to record. The plan was to get into the studio this summer, but that got postponed for the tour. This has been the longest period of time since I put anything out between records, though part of me is enjoying that. It’s giving me the time to figure out what I want to do next and where I’ll go with the direction and sound. I’ve never done that. My first record came out months after I won the show and I’ve been making records ever since. I’m giving myself the leeway to take some time and really put together something that I feel incredible about. That’s probably not what everyone wants to hear. [laughs]

Fan Questions

PC: Are there any plans to collaborate with any of the current Idols? Have you given them any advice regarding their post-Idol careers?
Kris: As far as collaborating, I would absolutely be down for it. I think there are some people that I obviously click with more musically than others, but I have a couple of songs that I’ve written and haven’t recorded yet that I think would sound great in this person’s voice. As far as the advice goes, I feel like that’s kind of what I’m here for. The great thing is, I think they know that, so they are willing to open up and ask questions. Cade and I were talking about touring things last night. It’s such an interesting time for them. They’re starting their careers in the weirdest way possible. I just want them to know that I’m willing to help them out.

PC: You’re stepping in as a mentor. Who was that person for you post-Idol or was there a person?
Kris: I don’t think there was and I wish there would have been. There were people who reached out to me and gave me their numbers. David Cook did that and Carrie, too, but I didn’t know them all that well so it felt a little awkward to call them up randomly and be like, “Hey, I have a random music business question for you.” It wasn’t my inclination to do that. I think it’s awesome that I get to be here for this year’s Idols.

PC: What can you tease about your upcoming Christmas tour?
Kris: I’m not allowed to say too much, but news about the tour will be coming soon. I’m incredibly excited about it. We started this Christmas tour last year and I loved it so much. I want to do it every year. There will be news about it definitely by the end of this tour.

PC: Will you be playing a lot of the same cities?
Kris: Some of the cities are the same. I don’t think we’ll be doing as many dates this time though.

PC: Do you have a favorite lyric or verse from “When All the Stars Have Died”?
Kris: I remember when I heard the ending of the first chorus. It was an amazing experience. It was one of those times where I questioned nothing about it, whereas with most of my lyrics I find myself questioning things. I also think the first couple of lines, “Have you ever known a love that’s lived after / A heart’s last beat or a lung’s last sigh / Well I think I found it”, are great. I try not to put out songs that I feel like have holes in the lyrics. I kind of love all the lyrics, but those are the ones that stood out to me when you asked that.

PC: If your kids wanted to follow in your footsteps, what advice would you give them?
Kris: That’s a great question! I’m not sure what advice I would give them but I would ask,“Can dad be in your band?” [laughs] They would absolutely say no to that and I wouldn’t want them to say yes.

PC: Are there plans to release another single before the new album drops?
Kris: That’s a very possible situation! There are a couple of songs that I haven’t quite recorded yet but am very close to. I could see a single happening with the way that music is being released these days. I love albums and I will always support that idea, but I’m not ignorant enough to say that I’m not okay with releasing singles here and there. That’s where it feels like things are right now and I’m okay with that. We didn’t test that with this last song but it kind of felt like that. This is just a song; there isn’t a precursor or anything. We’re throwing this one out there and we hope you enjoy it, and thankfully, people have.

PC: Any plans on diving into the world of acting?
Kris: That’s a good question! I have had people encourage me to do that before and I’ve tried out for some things. I tried out for the Rock of Ages movie, a long time ago. I didn’t get it. The person that came in right after me got the job. I’m sure I was so bad that they were like, “whoever comes in next is the person.” I also tried out for the Jesus Christ Superstar Live that just happened and I didn’t make that either. It’s not something that I’ve ever wanted to do. I didn’t do theatre when I was a kid. I was too shy to do all that stuff. I don’t have an infinity for it or a love for it. I love movies, but I don’t see it happening unless something crazy happens.

PC: Favorite Avenger?
Kris: After watching Ragnarok, maybe Thor.

Check out Kris Allen and the rest of the Idols on tour this summer. Official dates and locations on KrisAllenOfficial.com.

Photo Credit: Kevin Jan for Pop Culturalist.com