"Biding his time Michael Buble believes in love, hard work and making great music. Just forget all that celebrity stuff."
July 20, 2007
BY MIRIAM DI NUNZIO
To paraphrase the title of Michael Buble's chart-topping album from 2005, has the singer's time finally arrived?
The 32-year-old Canadian has spent the past 10 years singing his way into the big time, carving a niche for himself as the next generation of bon fide crooner. And even if he's still not a household name,
he's on the brink, he muses on a recent July afternoon. Time is definitely on his side.
Buble's out on the road touring behind "Call Me Irresponsible," (Warner/Reprise) which debuted in the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Traditional Jazz chart in May. The new album is a combination of jazz and pop, with inventive covers of classics such as "Me and Mrs. Jones," which features some vocals from Buble's
longtime love, actress Emily Blunt ("The Devil Wears Prada"), a gospel-choir infused "That's Life" and a swingin' good time on Mel Torme's "Comin' Home Baby."
Those familiar with Buble's concerts know he's a veritable hepcat onstage, backed by 15 big band pieces. There will be lots of singing and plenty of dancing in the aisles, so bring along your dancing shoes for his three-night Chicago gig beginning Monday night at the Auditorium Theatre.
Q. How cool is it to sell out three nights at the Auditorium Theatre?
A. You have no idea. I remember I played the Chicago Theatre when I was on my first tour several years back, and there's what, like 3,000 seats there? [Laughs] I think I filled 1,100. We had to add shows on
this [Chicago stop]. That is an incredible feeling. But I still feel like I'm the underdog, and that's a good thing.
Q. How so?
A. It really makes you keep challenging yourself. I'm not the flavor of the moment. I'm not in every magazine every week or in the tabloids in some ridiculous photo op. I'm not a famous model or party animal. I live in Vancouver, not L.A.
I make records. And that's the way I like it. I've been quietly building momentum over the past five years, a lot of it through word of mouth, and it's working just fine. But I think the mayhem will eventually surface.
Q. What's Michael Buble like at home?
A. Speaking of home, I just bought one here [in Vancouver]. It's nothing fancy. I'm not into fancy things. I like doing nice things for other people or treating them to a nice dinner at a great restaurant. I'm basically stay-at-home guy. I ride a Vespa. I don't have time for all that celebrity gossip crap.
Q. You obviously have time for your music, and for romance, judging by your new album.
A. I'm totally in love. But the record is about both sides of the spectrum. It's my take on the state of love. [Laughing] And before you ask, it's not about me and Emily. I would never push that part of
my life onto people.
Q. So what does love mean to you?
A. When people say the word love, they quickly associate it with being sentimental, weak in the knees and tears of joy and all that. But what about those absolute moments of crushing heartache and bitter regrets? Falling in love is the most irresponsible thing we can do, to put ourselves in that vulnerable of a position. But when it's right ...
Q. You made some interesting choices of material for the new album. Any trepidation?
A. Of course. A lot of people bought my first two records and I didn't want them to feel like I'd gotten too big for my britches and abandoned what they had helped me achieve. But I had to show that I've grown as an artist. I'm much happier now, much more comfortable in my skin. [Laughs] I don't reek of the desperation I once had.
Q. You've written two songs on the album. Is songwriting something you want to pursue in earnest?
A. I find it a lot easier writing a song than, let's say, building "That's Life" into what you hear on this album. I have these songs swirling in my head, and I write them out or have great lyricists help out, and when it's done, nobody can compare it to anyone else. Cover songs are judged immediately. I will do them, but they are completely my own by the time I'm done with them.
Q. You've got this huge grass-roots fan base, multi-platinum albums -- when do you think people will finally know that your name is pronounced BOOblay and not bubble?
A. [Laughing] I think it's just a matter of time. I work my butt off, there's integrity in what I do, and I put on a great live show -- it will happen. I believe that good things really do come to people who work hard and believe in themselves and what they do. I've walked the red carpet at a few major [industry] events and I see some of these stars, and honestly I have no idea what they're famous for. No one is ever going to say that about me. I don't want to be famous for where I partied the night before. I want to be known for my music. That may not be the fastest way to the top of the heap, but it's the only way I want to get there.
"Biding his time Michael Buble believes in love, hard work and making great music. Just forget all that celebrity stuff."
July 20, 2007
BY MIRIAM DI NUNZIO
To paraphrase the title of Michael Buble's chart-topping album from 2005, has the singer's time finally arrived?
The 32-year-old Canadian has spent the past 10 years singing his way into the big time, carving a niche for himself as the next generation of bon fide crooner. And even if he's still not a household name,
he's on the brink, he muses on a recent July afternoon. Time is definitely on his side.
Buble's out on the road touring behind "Call Me Irresponsible," (Warner/Reprise) which debuted in the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Traditional Jazz chart in May. The new album is a combination of jazz and pop, with inventive covers of classics such as "Me and Mrs. Jones," which features some vocals from Buble's
longtime love, actress Emily Blunt ("The Devil Wears Prada"), a gospel-choir infused "That's Life" and a swingin' good time on Mel Torme's "Comin' Home Baby."
Those familiar with Buble's concerts know he's a veritable hepcat onstage, backed by 15 big band pieces. There will be lots of singing and plenty of dancing in the aisles, so bring along your dancing shoes for his three-night Chicago gig beginning Monday night at the Auditorium Theatre.
Q. How cool is it to sell out three nights at the Auditorium Theatre?
A. You have no idea. I remember I played the Chicago Theatre when I was on my first tour several years back, and there's what, like 3,000 seats there? [Laughs] I think I filled 1,100. We had to add shows on
this [Chicago stop]. That is an incredible feeling. But I still feel like I'm the underdog, and that's a good thing.
Q. How so?
A. It really makes you keep challenging yourself. I'm not the flavor of the moment. I'm not in every magazine every week or in the tabloids in some ridiculous photo op. I'm not a famous model or party animal. I live in Vancouver, not L.A.
I make records. And that's the way I like it. I've been quietly building momentum over the past five years, a lot of it through word of mouth, and it's working just fine. But I think the mayhem will eventually surface.
Q. What's Michael Buble like at home?
A. Speaking of home, I just bought one here [in Vancouver]. It's nothing fancy. I'm not into fancy things. I like doing nice things for other people or treating them to a nice dinner at a great restaurant. I'm basically stay-at-home guy. I ride a Vespa. I don't have time for all that celebrity gossip crap.
Q. You obviously have time for your music, and for romance, judging by your new album.
A. I'm totally in love. But the record is about both sides of the spectrum. It's my take on the state of love. [Laughing] And before you ask, it's not about me and Emily. I would never push that part of
my life onto people.
Q. So what does love mean to you?
A. When people say the word love, they quickly associate it with being sentimental, weak in the knees and tears of joy and all that. But what about those absolute moments of crushing heartache and bitter regrets? Falling in love is the most irresponsible thing we can do, to put ourselves in that vulnerable of a position. But when it's right ...
Q. You made some interesting choices of material for the new album. Any trepidation?
A. Of course. A lot of people bought my first two records and I didn't want them to feel like I'd gotten too big for my britches and abandoned what they had helped me achieve. But I had to show that I've grown as an artist. I'm much happier now, much more comfortable in my skin. [Laughs] I don't reek of the desperation I once had.
Q. You've written two songs on the album. Is songwriting something you want to pursue in earnest?
A. I find it a lot easier writing a song than, let's say, building "That's Life" into what you hear on this album. I have these songs swirling in my head, and I write them out or have great lyricists help out, and when it's done, nobody can compare it to anyone else. Cover songs are judged immediately. I will do them, but they are completely my own by the time I'm done with them.
Q. You've got this huge grass-roots fan base, multi-platinum albums -- when do you think people will finally know that your name is pronounced BOOblay and not bubble?
A. [Laughing] I think it's just a matter of time. I work my butt off, there's integrity in what I do, and I put on a great live show -- it will happen. I believe that good things really do come to people who work hard and believe in themselves and what they do. I've walked the red carpet at a few major [industry] events and I see some of these stars, and honestly I have no idea what they're famous for. No one is ever going to say that about me. I don't want to be famous for where I partied the night before. I want to be known for my music. That may not be the fastest way to the top of the heap, but it's the only way I want to get there.