Every month, BMI and W Downtown team up to present an intimate music showcase known as Symmetry Live. This month, Anoop Desai and Kevin Rowe are the spotlighted performers. Although they are both talented, raising, young artists, many are already familiar with Desai from his stint on season eight of American Idol. From his emotional audition to his sixth place finish on the popular talent show, Desai always maintained a strong legion of fans and accolades from the famous judges.
Now with the release of his first album, All is Fair, it is easy to see that all the buzz surrounding Desai is valid. Mixtape Atlanta recently spoke with the talented performer about his upcoming Atlanta show, what he learned from American Idol, and how mixtapes inspired his latest album. You’ve seen him perform on television, now see him in person at Symmetry Live on Thursday, October 21 at W Downtown’s Drinkshop; the event is free admission and 21+.
Symmetry Live is a very intimate setting. Do you like being that close to your audience or does it make you a little uneasy?
I love being up close to everyone. I’ve done a lot of shows at clubs and smaller venues and I always enjoy it. These songs all mean something to me and I love being able to talk about them; each time onstage it’s different.
Have you always been this open as a performer or is it a style you have developed?
This LP [All is Fair] has some of the first songs I’ve ever written and they all come from a very intimate place of mind. They are inspired by a lot of people in my life and experiences so I want to share as much as possible. It’s amazing to write a song about my life and have someone apply it to their life. Listening to a song is truly universal.
Which songwriters have inspired you the most?
I was very fortunate to work with my best friend David Mikush on the album. We share a lot of the same musical sensibility. It’s always great to write with friends and I hope continue to write with friends more in the future too.
How has the response been to touring since the release of All is Fair?
It’s been great, because all the fans from American Idol are all over the place promoting my shows. We’ve also been visiting radio stations and promoting the single [“All is Fair (Crazy Love)”] and the response has been good. I love performing in front of people and that’s really the best advertising.
Did American Idol help you with your vocal or performance training?
In terms of performing, the vocal coaches at American Idol helped me a lot as a singer and artist and there are still some exercises I do today that carry over. As for a performer, all of the Idol performances are based on performing to a camera, but I did learn a lot from the Idol tour and playing big arenas.
What do you think of the two new judges, Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez?
I’m sure it will be a different experience and will feel weird because Simon [Cowell] has been there forever. People have watched the show for so long and the contestants always change but from the audience perspective the judges were always the anchors.
Do you watch American Idol at all?
I try to catch it whenever I can. I miss it a lot because I’m usually running around touring, which is a good thing.
If you were making your ultimate mixtape, what one song would you have to include?
“If I Ever Leave You Baby” by Donny Hathaway would have to be on there. Actually, mixtapes kind of inspired All is Fair. I was in a relationship, where things just weren’t working out, and I created a playlist of songs to remind me of this girl as a way to get over her. I then took a lot of the elements from those songs that I liked and created my own. There is a common theme in my music and it’s mostly about self-vindication. “If I Ever Leave You Baby” has a little of that to it, but it is so guttural too. He is begging and pleading, and you can feel his emotion decades later.
Kim Burdges
