Josh Groban’s Voice Is Changing
...But not in the way you think. For his latest album, the boy wonder whose songs are known to bring soccer moms to tears turned his focus inward. The result may alter not only his sound, but his image as well.
© PHIL KNOTT
“THE NEW BOY WONDER OF THE VOICE.”
The title of a 2002 New York Times article, written less than a year after the release of the then-21-year-old Josh Groban’s first album said it all. And what a wonder he turned out to be.
In less than a decade, the crooner with curly brown locks beloved by soccer moms everywhere has accomplished more than most musicians achieve in a lifetime. Bestselling recording artist of the year: check. Three five-time platinum albums: check. Performances at a presidential inauguration celebration and Nobel Prize ceremony and an appearance on the latest It show Glee: check, check and check.
And the mere fact that Groban’s music is so indefinable — Is it pop? Is it opera? Is it classical? How about pop-opera with classical influences? — makes his success more impressive than that of other artists of his caliber.
On the verge of turning 30, Groban is no longer the youthful, innocent pretty-boy he was in 2002 — the same year he was the “most requested guest” on The Oprah Winfrey Show. In fact, he is about to take his fans — so-called “Grobanites” — by surprise with his upcoming album Illuminations, coming out Nov. 15. For this more experimental, self-driven collection of songs (most of which he co-wrote), Groban partnered with producer Rick Rubin, the cutting-edge music legend known for working with artists as varied as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Run DMC and the Beastie Boys — groups that the classically trained Groban grew up listening to.
“I’m coming of age at 30, I really am,” Groban says. “I feel like 10 years into my career I’m starting to figure it out. I’m just grateful that I’ve had the time to do that. I’m feeling more confident as a performer, as a writer.”
BEFORE GROBAN WAS A WORLDWIDE HOUSEhold name, he was a “musical theater nerd” living at home in Los Angeles with his close-knit family of four plus Grandma Evy. His quick rise to fame was thanks in no small part to 15-time Grammy Awardwinning producer David Foster (of Celine Dion and Barbra Streisand fame). In 1998, Groban’s vocal coach introduced him to Foster, who promptly hired the 17-year-old as a rehearsal singer. One of his first gigs? Standing in for opera crossover star Andrea Bocelli in a 1999 Grammy Award rehearsal duet with Celine Dion. Faster than you can say “My heart will go on,” Groban had inked a deal with Foster’s 143 Records.
But even before his debut album, the self-titled Josh Groban, was released in November 2001, the balladeer had developed a TV following from his singing and acting appearances on Ally McBeal, playing the lovably awkward Malcolm — a character that helped fuel his good-boy persona.
Today, nine years later, this is an image he is ready to shed. “I was immediately forced to be a people-pleaser,” says Groban, sporting a bit more stubble than usual. “I think what happens when you’re trying to be all things to all people — or certainly all things to a very large group of fans — is you start worrying more about the dance and less about being yourself. It’s confining.”
Groban is anything but restrained when talking about all of the changes taking place in his life, not the least of which are a new producer, a new album and a new home in New York. It’s clear the once-naïve singer with the voice that almost seemed too big for him is all grown up — yet still a wonder.
YOU WENT IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT DIRECTION WITH THE NEW ALBUM BY HAVING RICK RUBIN PRODUCE IT. “Yeah, we were a bit of an odd couple when we started. We wound up meeting and having a long talk and it happened very naturally. It got to the point where I was writing a lot, and we started clicking so much on what we wanted to do as a project that he said, ‘Let’s do the whole record together.’”
WAS IT SCARY LEAVING THE RECORD IN THE HANDS OF SOMEONE OTHER THAN YOUR MENTOR, DAVID FOSTER? “It was terrifying. I was leaving my comfort zone. But at the same time, I trusted him so completely that, even with the frustrations of the album taking a long time, I knew that there was a light at the end of the tunnel. It was about two and a half years in the making. Rick is very picky — as he should be — about making sure that songs are A-list all the way. His way of saying it is, ‘This either sounds special or it sounds ordinary.’ Nothing ordinary was allowed.”
WHAT WAS THE CREATIVE PROCESS LIKE? “Rick gives you the greatest gift that he can as a producer, which is actual responsibility. A lot of time is spent by yourself mulling over what you want to say, what you want to write, what you want to do. I think it’s important in the artist/producer relationship to have that separation time — to really feel like you’re on your own. You don’t want somebody holding your hand all the way because then it’s not entirely yours. One of the frustrating things, but one of the greatest gifts he gave me, was the chance to really feel a bit stranded in the best possible way.”
HOW DID THIS APPROACH DIFFER FROM FOSTER’S? “David Foster is — and he would readily admit this — someone who likes to have a huge amount of say and control. He’s like a modern-day Mozart. The problem is when you have that much control as a producer, you can’t help but put your stamp on something, whether it’s the artist’s vision or not. I think that David and I have such a great working relationship, almost a father-son musical relationship, that it’s easy to get too comfy and rest on your laurels a little bit. It was nice to be scared again.”
DID YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT THE ALBUM? “I’ve had a huge fear of failure in whatever capacity it is. Going in to make this record, people were saying, ‘Are you kidding me? This is not your world, get out of it.’ The worst moments for me in the last couple of years were sitting back and hearing something that we’d done together and going ‘maybe this isn’t right after all.’ That frustration winds up turning into ‘no, make it right.’ There’s something good about the fear.”
YOU CO-WROTE 11 SONGS, WHICH WAS QUITE A DEPARTURE FOR YOU. “Part of the responsibility Rick gave me was to write and write and write. We cut 15 covers, one after another, and some of them sounded really nice. He said, ‘I’d be perfectly happy to record an album with some of these great covers… but if you want to beat that, go write.’ It was my challenge to make songs that were more personal. But I’ve got a couple of covers.”
ONE OF THE MORE PERSONAL SONGS IS “BELLS OF NEW YORK CITY.” WHY IS NEW YORK SUCH AN INSPIRATION? “I definitely feel more like myself when I’m there. There’s a spontaneity, where you walk home at night and you’re enriched in some way. You met a person, or you had a conversation with someone, or you found an art gallery. I don’t know as many people in New York, but it doesn’t matter. I feel alive when I’m there. And I had just been talking to [songwriter] Dan Wilson about New York and what’s great about it. He said, ‘That’s neat; let’s riff on that and make a love song to New York.’ We wanted to do it in a way that wasn’t cheesy, but we wanted to make it melancholic and have the visceral reaction of how I actually feel when I’m in the city during the fall/winter.”
SHIFTING GEARS TO THE COVERS, WHAT MADE YOU INCLUDE “STRAIGHT TO YOU” BY NICK CAVE? “That was an oddball choice — Rick’s choice. I love Nick Cave. It took a long time to figure out the right balance with a song like that — not to get too bombastic. We found this happy medium, where now it’s this really interesting orchestral piece and the lyrics are so powerful, poignant, and esoteric in a great way. We cut it live with a 60-piece orchestra.”
SINCE YOUR CAREER BEGAN, IT’S NO SECRET YOU’VE BEEN BELOVED BY MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN. WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT? “It’s been an easy stereotype, a tongue-in-cheek joke. Anybody who’s been to any of my shows knows it’s really across the board. The biggest middle-aged lady craze started with my earlier music, when I was 17, 18, 19 years old. I started very commercial. I started as a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed kid with a big voice who was kind of thrown into a very organized and old-school system that then drew a very old-school kind of audience. And I was so naïve at that point. I was such a sheltered kid that I didn’t view it as a romantic thing. I was like, ‘Look at these lovely people; they really like my music; I’m so grateful to have these fans.’ And that’s primarily how I still view it.”
WHAT MAKES YOU CONFIDENT THAT YOUR OLD FANS WILL LIKE THE NEW ALBUM? “I’m a different person now… but I’m not going to cut off my nose to spite my face. I’m not going to make the mistake that I’ve seen other artists make, which is the whole ‘this is me now.’ And they actually go away from who they are. They’re just making a statement. I’ve never been out to make a statement. Rick and I said in the beginning that we’re not trying to prove anything. I know people think this is gimmicky, but all we want to do is make the most beautiful and honest music we can.”
DO YOU EVER FEEL FRUSTRATED WITH THE WAY THE PUBLIC PERCEIVES YOU? “Of course. You feel frustrated mainly because you say to yourself, ‘I’ll slip some day.’ Somebody’s going to hear me say the f-word in public. Somebody’s going to catch me drunk at some bar, and unlike the guy with the bad-boy image, they’re going to knock you off your pedestal and say ‘how could you?’ when in fact we’re all human beings. And I think fans would be surprised to hear that I have a love life or that I go out and party with my friends. Fans tend to view you as above human. I’m out here to make music. I’m not out here for fans to know whether I pick my nose or whether I date this person or that person. I don’t feel it’s any of their concern and none of their business. We’ve become such a TMZ nation now that it’s almost like an entitlement. People feel like, ‘How dare you not tell us who you’re dating or that you picked your nose on Sunday.’”
YET YOU’RE A BIG FAN OF TWITTER. HOW COME? “I love Twitter [because] you can control it. Twitter is actually a fun way to be provocative in 140 characters or less. There’s a lot to be said for brevity. There’s a vibe to Twitter that allows you to be different than you would be on a blog or on a song. For me, when I’m feeling a certain way and I’ve got a chance to say it in a small space, I find myself to be much more poignant. It also gives me a chance to be fun and more casual.”
DO YOU THINK IT’S A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO GET TO KNOW THE “REAL” YOU? “People view me as a really formal guy. I’m formal about my music, but I’m not formal as a human being. It gives me a chance to be silly and show the other side a little. When you’re on a talk show, you get three and a half minutes to sing. You don’t go do the interview and then show a clip of your movie. You’re performing, and that’s it. As somebody who doesn’t really do that many interviews, sometimes it’s hard for people to understand who you are. They develop this image of you based solely on the songs. That’s only half of an artist.”
Reader Comments
- Gah! Love him. (Posted on 02 Nov 2010)
- I think there are more fans than Josh realizes that are absolutely relishing in watching him through this transformative process, wanting him to be himself, creatively and personally, wanting him to have a life and be happy. We don't care that it's been however long it's been because we know that when he gives us a product, it's going to be his best. He is making some interesting music and as someone who is a music fan in general, I applaud what he is attempting and creating new styles, new sounds to hear. I think he's courageous for stepping out of his comfort zone and whether the fans like it or not, as long has he's proud of what he's done, that's all that counts. I think the fans like it though. ;) As for his personal life, I don't want to know. I think we'd probably be relieved to know that he has a love life--how could a guy that attractive in so many ways NOT have one?--and that he goes out with his friends and gets loaded now and again. How can you write about life if you don't live? (Posted on 02 Nov 2010)
- Josh is just wonderful. He is the most uniquely original artist out there, and I hope he gets the Grammy he's deserved for so long now. Also, I agree with him completely, it pisses me off when I hear fans talking about how Josh is keeping something from them, like who he's dating - like they're entitled to know. I think he's a wonderful person, but he's still just a really talented, normal human being. Thanks for the interview. (Posted on 02 Nov 2010)
- Josh i will love you no matter what you sing and i am one of the fans from when you were 20 .Be happy in what ever you do ,and your private life is your own (wish i could be in New York) but i will see you at Union Chapel !!! (Posted on 02 Nov 2010)
- I hope Josh knows I love him, but htere are thgs I can't see him do, or say, but I love him, I am medically linked to him bc his music makes me feel better when I'm sick, I don't listen just for romantic reasons. (Posted on 02 Nov 2010)
- You go Josh..welcoming the change, and behind you all the way... (Posted on 03 Nov 2010)
- You go Josh..welcoming the change, and behind you all the way... (Posted on 03 Nov 2010)
- Yeah Josh...you do whatever you want...I know you enough and I trust you. I will always love and support you. You are a true artist that evolves and doesn't get stale and stagnated. (Posted on 04 Nov 2010)
- Josh has always had something special but as time moves forward he has too. He has become more exquisite in his music. Josh's music IS worth waiting for. He always surprises us with the most unique, beatiful and touching music. It's a wonderful feeling to know that he has moved out of his comfort zone to provide something very special. It took great courage to step into a place of the unknown. Josh will always have fans like myself that will embrace whatever music he so eloquently gives us. Josh is an artist I have been waiting for to come along for some time now. His music isn't only beautiful but healing as well. That my friends is a true gift. One that I have NEVER personally experienced before Josh came to light. he has helped me through some extremely emotional health issues as well as illnesses and deaths in my family. He is a gift to the world.
Josh's personal life is his. I get extremely aggravated with his so called fans that feel they have the right to know everything about his life. His love life is his own. Josh has every right to do what he wants without someone tearing him or someone that he's with apart. I Those "fans" (yeah right) need to learn some respect for him as a human being. He gives his fans so much more than most and if that's not good enough for certain fans then so be it. They need t sit back and take note as to what they are really expecting in hopes that a realization hits them. His private life is NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS!! I commend Josh for telling it like it is. I'm sure Josh is aware of his true fans out there like myself that would never presume that his private life is ours too. Hey if he wants to go and tie one on why not??? Josh is a wonderful man with feelings and needs like any other man. People seem to forget that. Well.... people air up!!!
No matter what Josh does he will always have me, my respect and love as a fan. That will NEVER change. Josh is an intelligent, witty, caring, giving man...ok I could go on and on but you get the idea.
I am here for the entire journey of Josh's career. I embrace the changes Josh is making with it as well. I have said this before and will say it again he is like a rose.. it's beautiful as a rosebud however as it blossoms it has becomes more majestic than ever. That is how I see Josh and his carer. You will always hae my support Josh.
With much love and respect to you Josh,
Shirley Newton aka irishgirl127-fojg
(Posted on 04 Nov 2010)
- I totally agree with everything in the first comment above(nov2). Loving the songs we are hearing so far from the new album and anxiously awaiting to hear them all. Many of us are rooting for you! (Posted on 07 Nov 2010)
- This is the most amazing album! I love everything on it! I've been a fan since he first started and every album his voice gets better and better..if that's possible! His love life is no one's business but his own. I just wish him happiness when the time is right for him to settle down. I agree wholeheartedly with the above post (Nov. 4) (Posted on 13 Nov 2010)
- Gee, I have been a huge fan since I heard him sing in the movie ET. He has a very special gift and it is only natural to try something new BUT I can only say: Go back to what you do best, Josh. I love you too much to say the critical things I feel about "Illuminations" (Posted on 15 Nov 2010)
- I have been a fan since Ally McBeal and yes, I am a middle aged woman obsessed with this man's voice. Josh blogs with his fans and keeps them informed on so many levels -- he is probably more in contact with his fans than any other singers (still waiting to hear from Mick Jagger!). The majority of FOJG members do think they have a right to know everything he does, and that in the end, will ruin the club. But, for now, I just love the man's voice -- it doesn't matter what he sings, it's all so good! So, Josh & Co, just keep doing what you do and everyone will love it! And do it the way you want -- sing and they will come! I am glad for the new songs and the new concert venues! Serus21/FOJG member (Posted on 03 Dec 2010)
- I love the new CD.At first I had my doubts .I have two regular and one special addition.I was priviliged to see Josh in Conneticut and have him sign a picture for me after.That is my second time meeting him,third time seeing him perform.He is really nice.My 17 year old daughter also is a fan and loves his music.Looking forward to the big tour.In the words of my generation Josh DO your own thing!You are an amazing talent.As far as your personal life keep it that way.Good luck in the future.! (Posted on 29 Dec 2010)
- I love that Josh is shedding his "perfect" image. Who could live up to that, or want to try? And when the real person is so talented, smart, and humble, why bother to idealize him? The new album is stunning. He's taken some criticism from fans for leaving behind the soft-focus camera and over-produced music, but I love the clean, honest sound and heartfelt lyrics of his latest work. Great job taking such a huge risk, Josh--in doing so you've proved to be not only an immensely talented vocalist but also a gifted musician and songwriter in your own right. Keep doing your own thing! (Posted on 30 Jan 2011)
- Oh Josh, you should feel free to go ahead and slip. You seem like someone who's been willing to take more and more chances as time goes on--good on you for that! It's made your music that much more interesting. So go ahead and pick your nose, and don't worry about what anyone has to say about it. (Posted on 26 Feb 2011)
