11 September 2018
Newsdesk
Multi-platinum selling artist Adam Lambert covers the latest issue of Client Magazine. In the accompanying interview Adam discusses his journey from American Idol to fronting Queen around the world, as well as upcoming solo material and the changes he’s seen in the industry as an LGBTQ artist.
Adam is currently performing in Vegas with Queen on their 10-show residency ‘The Crown Jewels’. He is finishing up recording his fourth solo album. His last solo album, ‘The Original High’, was a top 10 hit in the UK,and took his overall worldwide sales to over 3 million units.
On his new solo material:
‘I’ve been waiting a long time to release new music, but I wanted to spend time on it to ensure that it was exactly what I wanted it to be, and also that everything was set up in the right way… It’s different from anything I have done previously - I didn’t feel tied to a trend or a genre and explored a lot more, so I think people might be surprised! I’m at a place where I really feel clear about who I am and what I stand for and I think that’s going to reflect in the music.’
On the LGBTQ community in the music industry:
“Obviously there’s still a long way to go, but there is a huge improvement. 10 years ago, there weren’t many openly gay pop artists, and in a lot of ways people weren’t ready and I got backlash when I wasn’t really expecting it – I was just being myself and of course sometimes you do these things to prove a point more than anything. Now though, there’s so many pop artists who are proud of their sexuality and the sheer number of us has improved the landscape”
On being asked to front Queen:
“I was very shocked, but beyond ecstatic. But at first, I was definitely a little intimated. What would fans expect of me? How do I follow the iconic Freddie Mercury? I never wanted to imitate him but at the same time I never wanted to change the tracks. But I felt super comfortable with Brian May and Roger Taylor from the outset, so as time went by it all became like second nature to me. It was an honour to be asked to carry the torch for Freddie and continue the phenomenon by performing timeless songs, with the men that were part of the best rock band there’s ever been.”
On the new age of ego, social media and reality tv:
“It’s a tough world out there, but it’s important that you remain true to yourself, otherwise there’s no point in doing it. Social media can be your best and worst enemy but you just need to do what you can do. I have learned not to read the replies or the hate. Reality TV isn’t all bad – I came from a reality show in a way, but it was talent based. I personally find other reality genres to be a real waste of time - glorifying mediocrity and the mundane. It’s really about doing what works for you and understanding who you are and what does work for you, and not getting lost in the noise!”
