Music

Altered Idol

Katharine McPhee's fans from 'American Idol' will discover a different side of the singer on her self-titled album.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published January 31, 2007

LOS ANGELES - It's been a whirlwind year for American Idol runnerup Katharine McPhee, who spent the summer on tour and the fall in the studio, where she learned the art of recording during a 2-month crash course.

The experience taught her new ways to use her voice, she said, and expanded her repertoire beyond traditional ballads.

Between bites of a grilled cheese sandwich at Mel's Diner in Los Angeles - and a pause for an autograph-seeking fan - McPhee, 22, talked about her self-titled debut album, released Tuesday, newfound fame and why she's enjoying indulging her "girly" side.

How has your sound changed since you left Idol?

I always wanted to just sing the kind of things that were a little bit more challenging, rhythmically challenging, like different syncopated kind of beats and stuff like that I didn't get a chance to do on Idol.

What should fans expect from this record?

It's not a record that I'm just trying to be like, "Oh, I want to be like everybody else." It's something I really relate to, and it's something that is a part of me. I think when you walk away from this record, you're going to feel like you know a part of me better - the girl who was in college or the girl who was in high school vs. the girl who was on Idol.

Your image is much sexier now. Was that intentional?

We didn't think, with this kind of music, a long gown was going to mix well together. That's definitely a part of me. What girly girl doesn't want to get dressed up and go to the prom and look beautiful? But for this kind of music, it was more the side of me who's a typical day-to-day jeans and T-shirt kind of girl with some cute high heels and a ponytail. The cover of the album is pushing the envelope. It's always about wanting to get people's attention and making a statement. You won't see me walking down the street with thigh-high boots and a little short shirt, but you'll definitely see a little bit more of the more comfortable Katharine.

Any downsides to overnight fame?

I've really enjoyed all of it. You do get tired, like everybody else, and sometimes you wish that the Internet didn't have a right to say all the things they want to say, but also there's the upside that they write and they publicize all the things that you want to have people know. I really don't feel like I have any complaints.

[Last modified January 31, 2007, 05:57:30]