When I review music, I love listening and picking CDs that I think you guys will like. The hardest part comes next when I have to put my feelings about the music into words. Sidonie Gabrielle once said that “Music is love in search of a word.” It struck me that idea matches Jon Peter Lewis’‚ new album, Break the Silence, perfectly.
Set for release July 22nd, this album pulls at heartstrings, evoking personal memories of tears and heartbreak, of hugs and true love. Every song on this album brings out something deeper than the listener was prepared for. This is quality music, the kind you rarely find these days.
Jon Peter Lewis was first discovered on American Idol Season 3 as he sang his way into the Top 10 taking 8th place. His debut album, Stories from Hollywood, was released in 2006 and received a great response from the rock scene. Break the Silence he says though “is less rock and roll and more melody driven—it’s a lot more specific on who [he is] as an artist and what people can expect from [him] in the future.”
Jon was kind enough to answer a few questions for me about his new album, his climbing fame, and even what he looks for in a girl! Check out his stats and a couple Q&As!
Age: 28
Eye Color: blue/green
Hair Color: brown
Height: 5’7
Horoscope: Scorpio
Favorite Movie: Rushmore
Favorite Ice Cream flavor: Carmel Cone (Hagen Daas)
Single or Taken: Single
What you look for in a girl: A good heart and a nice smile.
GL Lauren: What were some of the inspirations for this album?
Jon: God, the devil, sinners, saints, life, love, happiness, bitterness, anger, depression, failure, success. You know, ever since the show I’ve been under the microscope and I’ve been forced to be open about all that I feel and all that I am whether I like it or not.
GL Lauren: What was the hardest emotion or feeling for you to put into words for your new album?
Jon: Vulnerability. It’s a dog eat dog world and sometimes it’s hard to allow people inside to do whatever they want with who you are.
GL Lauren: Is there a certain song on the album that means more to you than the others? Or are you attached to the album as a whole?
Jon: I love the whole album and am very proud of it. “Tonight” is pretty special to me. I wrote that one when I was nursing a broken heart.
GL Lauren: You were going to school to be a medical student. Do you think you will ever go back to that dream or is music your new dream?
Jon: No, I probably won’t ever be a doctor. Just after Idol, I moved in at my aunt’s house and I started writing songs for the first time. I had never felt so fulfilled in all my life and I realized then that that was what I wanted to do forever.
GL Lauren: Frankly, you are adorable and in major danger of becoming a heartthrob. What has your reaction been like to this development? Do you think it will distract you from creating your music?
Jon: I never considered myself to be in that category and it makes me smile to think about it. I’m sure it isn’t going to be any kind of distraction—just an added bonus.
GL Lauren: What has been the hardest part of your musical journey? The best?
Jon: The hardest part of my journey has been the believing. So many people want to tell you that you can’t do something for some reason and when things are tough it’s easy to buy into. The hard part is to believe in yourself when others don’t. The best part is that I get to be in music. That I get to help people forget their 9 to 5 and have fun.
GL Lauren: What do you hope this new album will achieve?
Jon: Well, I hope it does well and that people like it and that a lot of people get to hear it. I guess that’s pretty normal, right? I’m not really trying to change the world or anything, I just hope people like the songs.
Break the Silence will be in stores July 22nd! Check out Jon’s new album—you won’t be disappointed.
—Lauren Linhard
POSTED ON 7/21/2008 4:26:00 PM