TVSquad Talks To "AI's" Andrew Garcia on 'Bromance' Buttons, New Album, and Paula

[JamesG]

"American Idol" Contestant Andrew Garcia on 'Bromance' Buttons and Meeting Paula Abdul
by Gabrielle Dunn
posted Jun 15th 2010


"American Idol's" Andrew Garcia wowed viewers early on this season with his awesome acoustic cover of Paula Abdul's 'Straight Up' during Hollywood Week.

Though his buzz eventually faded, Garcia became an early favorite to win the title and eased his way into the Top 10, where he ultimately finished in ninth place.



Since then, Garcia has started rehearsals for this summer's 'Idols Live' tour -- beginning July 1 in Auburn Hills, MI -- and also is working on writing songs for his debut solo album.

Last week, Garcia spoke to TV Squad while he was at tour rehearsals with his "Idol" cohorts, one of whom couldn't help but interrupt our conversation.



In our exclusive interview, find out which season 8 contestant Garcia wants to collaborate with on his upcoming record, what it was like for him to meet Paula Abdul and his thoughts on the 'Bromance' buttons that are currently being sold on the "Idol" website.






So both you and Paula Abdul were at the season 9 finale, and yet you didn't perform 'Straight Up' together. What gives?

Everybody's asking me that. I don't know why they didn't set that up. That would have been cool.

Everyone in the world is asking me that every time they see me. They're like, "Paula Abdul was there. You're there. What the hell?"




Did you get to talk to her?

Yes, I did. It was the coolest thing.

She was just like, "When I heard you do the song, I had a smile on my face from ear to ear. You touched America's heart and you touched mine, because it was amazing and I'm so thankful that you did that."

Oh man, it was crazy. I was like, "Wow." I love Paula. She's amazing.









How are tour rehearsals going?

Rehearsals have been going amazing. The band is amazing.
They're really cool. They're cool people to work with.




Do you know which songs you're doing on tour?

Uh, yeah. I will be doing 'Straight Up.' That's one of the songs I'll be doing.

I'm pretty excited for it. The other songs have a full production with the band and stuff.




Will your girlfriend and baby be visiting you?

Yeah.

Right now, they don't know which dates to fly in, but they'll be flying in for]some dates to see the show. That's gonna be cool.




Do you know the bunking situation on the bus yet?

No, I do not know, but I'm pretty sure it's gonna be a little crazy. I don't know.

People are going to want to pick their favorite and what spots they want -- stuff like that. Top or bottom bunk, I don't really care which one I get.









"Idol" is selling 'Bromance' buttons with you and winner Lee [DeWyze] on them. Did you know that?

Yeah, I just saw that. That was funny.

I didn't even know they had that, and then someone showed me and I was like, "What the heck?" But it was funny.

Yeah, that's my boy right there. He's cool, man. That's one of my best friends.









Have you made any big purchases since "Idol" ended?

No, not too big. Nothing crazy. Not really.
I got a new guitar. It's the one I played on the show.









Which city are you most excited to visit on tour?
Have you ever traveled like this before?

I'm excited to go everywhere -- seriously. Just playing shows for crowds that want to be there for you and support you and not judge you. [Laughs]

I'd never been on a plane until I got to "American Idol". It gave me an opportunity to travel and see great things, and it's really, really, really amazingly cool to do that.









You became close with Katie Stevens when you were booted together.
Did that happen post-"Idol" or were you already close?

We were partners in a group in Hollywood Week and she was just so cool. She's like the little sister I never had. It was just ... [to Katie] Oh, stop it! She's listening to me.

I'm embarrassed now! [Laughs] Yeah, she's so cool. She's amazingly talented and just to know her is just a blessing and it's cool.









Are you working on an album?

Yeah, I'm working on an album right now. There will be some collabs in there.
My boy, Lee. We always jam together, so hopefully that works out.




Will you be writing for it while on tour? Will there be any covers?

Yes, I'm going to be writing for it on the tour and it's gonna be cool. Usually, I play guitar first and then it comes to me and whatever I feel I just sing it.

I'll probably just do 'Straight Up,' but I have a bunch.




You met a lot of the former "Idol's" at the finale.
Would you ever collaborate with one of them?

It would be cool to collaborate with Matt Giraud. That would be sick.
They're all cool. They're all chill. I like them. They're dope each.

http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/06/15/an...ols-live-tour/