Ferras Interview With NewNowNext! Not Just for American Idol Rejects!

This time around, American Idol losers won't hear about their "bad day" on their way out; they'll get a simple reminder that "Hollywood Is Not America," courtesy of newcomer Ferras. The Illinois-native's single will premiere tonight on American Idol as the earlies hit the curb. Daniel Powter's "Bad Day" became a chart smash after its Idol exposure, and Ferras is certainly primed for the same.

His debut, due April 1 via Capitol, is called Aliens and Rainbows; so when he's not telling Hollywood hopefuls to "put their blue jeans back on," Ferras is touting the misfits and outsiders of the world. I spoke with Ferras yesterday at the MTV studios about his own Hollywood experiences, playing Elton John and why the gays will like his sound...

The rainbow reference aside, do you think your music's message will appeal to a gay audience?

It could sort of pertain to anybody, yeah. It’s more about people who feel misunderstood or different or like a misfit or an outcast … I grew up in a really small town in southern-Illinois, and my whole life I kind of felt like I didn’t belong, and I couldn’t figure out why. You know, I was kidnapped as a child, I’m half-Middle Eastern, living in a completely white neighborhood. ...

So I felt like I didn’t belong, and I had come up with this concept that maybe I was an alien. Whenever I would get in a fight, or something, or felt weird - I would run outside and yell up at the sky for the aliens to come and take me. I know that sounds really bizarre. It’s kind of just … an escape, when you go in your mind - more about people who feel misunderstood. So I can definitely see that having a connection with a gay audience. Totally.

I read that a few major queer artists inspired you – like David Bowie and Elton John – what about them drew you in?

It was just an element of … being able to emotionally connect that those specific artists had that I kind of really felt like ... 'I could do that.' I could say those things. There’s definitely that element running through my music; it’s an emotional connection.

I know your fan base is about to go way up and probably change, but would you say you have a gay fan base so far?

Well, I have a lot of gay friends –laughs- who are my fans. I love the gays.

I definitely feel the theme of disillusionment with Hollywood in your music. Did you have your share of rejection or just … bad experiences?

Well, I’m 25. When I decided I wanted to be a singer, I was 17. And I basically had almost five record deals negotiated and sort of dropped and never sold. It was a really long process that was really sort of disillusion-ing.

I mean Hollywood is a very, very interesting place. I think it’s gotten out of control. Hollywood is based on illusion. It’s always been that place that wasn’t really real, but you could go and create your own reality. And that’s what I love about it; it’s almost like this magical oasis, and you can just go there and be anybody you want and make some really bizarre dreams come true.

Yeah – and people do it.

People do it every day. You know, it’s great but I think there’s also a whole other element of getting really caught up in the bull-sh*t and that’s really not knowing who you are and not being strong. And there are so many young people who move out to Hollywood and get totally caught up in lots of things – and I’m not preaching – there’s a whole element of ‘get anything you want right now,’ and that’s not healthy.

How old were you when you moved to L.A.?

I was 17 - and that’s another part that I really identified with for the first single; there’s parts of me that have lived that.

What were your non-music pastimes in small-town life in Illinois?

Oh, I was always writing music - literally always, always writing music. I would lock myself in my bedroom for six hours a day sometimes. But I was always playing things and doing shows and, you know, I was always very active in musicals…I’m a total music geek…

You weren’t a misbehaver or anything?

No, that happened when I moved to L.A. –laughs- I was a really good kid - too good. And it all -points down and makes a farting noise- went downhill in California.

Did you do any really small or weird gigs in Illinois?

Yeah, me and my friend Emily - she’s my best friend - we would write crazy Simon and Garfunkel rock-opera type music. It was so bizarre. I mean, it was really good, but we had this notion that we’d be the next Simon and Garfunkel. We played at like – Neiman Markus for weird parties and played at funerals and churches …

So tell me about all these tattoos! How many do you have?

-He counts- Seven.

When did you get your first one?

When I was 17 – when I moved to California. –laughs- I think they call it a 'tramp-stamp'; it’s just pointless – it’s just some tribal scroll or something. That’s getting covered up.

You won’t be showing that off?

No, I don’t think so - unless I come out naked on stage.

So I know Fred Durst from Limp Bizkit was your first big connection. How did you meet him in the first place?

I did a show on Fox called Performing As; it was like…this reality show, and they cast me as Elton John. And aside from wearing a pink boa and a black-and-white striped suit and having my teeth blocked out. –points to his front teeth- No, it was really fun.

I did that show, and the vocal coach on the show actually happened to be Fred Durst’s vocal coach as well. He asked me if I had a demo, so I gave him my demo and four days later, I got a call from Fred, and he was like, ‘I want to see you perform.’ I was like, ‘All right.’

... But it didn’t go so smoothly after that: I was going to sign to his label, but it didn’t work out. And then Fred took me to three or four other labels, and they didn’t know what to do with me - which I can understand. –laughs- Then finally, we got the call – actually it was Virgin – and then Capitol and Virgin merged, and I ended up getting signed.

Very cool. And lastly, who are you listening to right now?

Ooh, there’s this guy Trevor Hall. I don’t know much about him; my agent gave me his record – we have the same agent – but I think he’s kind of a guitar player, kind of like reggae-influence. But he’s like 20, living in San Diego. It’s really, really awesome music. … That’s my latest -in a southern accent- 'discovery.'

Ferras also performed on The Today Show this morning ... and you can hear a few Aliens and Rainbows tracks via his Myspace.

Comments

[Ky]

Well, I've requested to be added to his myspace twice and denied both times. I've left a couple of messages, asking if there's a problem, but no response. Despite this interview, he lost this fan!

[media girl]

Baby girl dont let myspace get you down. Myspace is funny like that. I'm sure ferras is on a world wind media tour.I know if you dont check in 2 weeks your request gets deleted . I'm sure he doesnt have it out for you. I think Ferras is great. he has made a huge fan out of me. myspace aside. I first hear about him on Markusisthedrug.com

[media girl]

Baby girl dont let myspace get you down. Myspace is funny like that. I'm sure ferras is on a world wind media tour.I know if you dont check in 2 weeks your request gets deleted . I'm sure he doesnt have it out for you. I think Ferras is great. he has made a huge fan out of me. myspace aside. I first hear about him on Markusisthedrug.com

[Zucchini Much?]

He's gay.

He "tramp stamped" himself all over Santa Barbara.

[lexi]

Does anyone know if he's gay??
Cause there's nothing about him being so but.....