Today's AI Now exclusive live chat with season eight "American Idol" finalist Matt Giraud was, in one word, epic. Our thanks to Matt for spending so much time talking with us and his fans. And, our thanks to all of you viewers for record breaking attendance and participation. Today's chat was quite encompassing, covering dozens of topics and questions. But, let's be honest, the first thing you want is the scoop on his debut album right? Well we have it!

Since the tour Matt has spent a considerable amount of time rehearsing, writing and preparing for his upcoming shows, which are almost sold out by the way. But, Matt has also found some time to work on his music. In Los Angeles, Matt recorded two songs which he says he will be performing soon. And, he will be going to Nashville in a few days for more recording and writing.

Matt is collaborating with some of the greats including Marcus Hummon, who co-wrote "God Blessed The Broken Road." Matt said, "It's such an honor to work with these people. They are brilliant songwriters and I learn a lot."

Even though Matt hasn't signed with a big label yet, he is far from giving up on his dreams. In fact, Matt is taking a very smart approach to the situation. Matt explained, "I'm not in a hurry for that kind of pressure yet anyway. I'm working on an album just like I have a label waiting. I want the right deal and I think after they hear the stuff I'm working on, they'll be down." He added, "This business is tough and people get chewed up and spit out sometimes but I'm confident that people haven't seen nothin' yet! :)" And, of course Matt addressed the infamous "SignMattGiraud" campaigns on twitter saying, "I wanna say thanks to the people that push that. They take notice."

So what kind of album will Matt be releasing? He's one of the few artists who can't give a one word answer to that question. Instead, Matt says, "It's like Gavin [DeGraw], it's like Jamie Cullum, it's like Alicia Keys, it's like John Mayer. I let all music affect me. I mean I'm going to be doing a Imogen Heap medley at my upcoming shows. Maybe some Disney! Haha, Go The Distance." And, Matt warns the media and his fans alike not to put him in a box with regard to what type of artist he is, because, in his words, "I might jump out!"

More scoop you say? Okay, how about a song title? Why not three! Matt has been working on songs called "I Will Carry You," "Gimme A Break" and "Motel."

For a complete summary see below the break. The summary features some really great stuff including: a funny untold tour experience, his reaction to recent Idol releases, his outstanding response to Chris Sligh's blog, his dream collaborators, a hilarious high school music class story, and the plan him and Kris never got to utilize. Intrigued? Keep reading!

And, to watch the entire chat again, click here.

Here is your point by point summary. No fluff, just our question and his answer!

How much of the “Idol” experience has actually sunk in? "When I came home and laid in my bed again I asked myself if was all a dream ya know? Red carpets to singing on stages in front of thousands. It was amazing. I mean to come home and see 6,000 people waiting just to see me blew my mind. I used to know all 20 of my fans by name!"

Would Matt have done anything differently on "Idol" if given a second chance? "I prob would have played piano on My Funny Valentine and really showed em what I can do with the keys :). Other than that I wouldn't be so nervous and just rock[ed] it! I would also try and show more of [my] personality but its sometimes hard when you have 20 seconds and you have to plan what you're going to say. I'm better off the cuff."

What does Matt think of the changes made to the judging panel for season nine? "I think it's great. Obviously Paula is the bomb diggity...Wow I just said that. BUT I think Ellen is the best choice and she will be funny. She also is a huge Idol fan and she's super smart...Plus she got on the piano when I sang to her which is cool points."

You're dying to hear about a memorable and untold tour experience aren't you? "Once someone came and knocked on Scott's door one night and he opened. They asked if it was cool to take a pic. We all JUST woke up and it [was] a BAD time...He just said no and slammed the door [and] then called me tell me [to tell me] all about it, I love that kid. It's just not in his nature but I laughed."

Things got a bit more serious when we asked about his music and what he has been up to. "I've been rehearsing and writing and preparing for my shows coming up that are almost SOLD OUT, which is great! :) I've been in LA, recorded two new songs which I'll be performing soon. Headed to Nashville in a few days for more recording and writing with some greats. Like Marcus Hummon who co-wrote God Blessed The Broken Road. It's such an honor to work with these people. They are brilliant songwriters and I learn a lot. "

Has Matt signed a record deal just yet? "No big label yet. I'm not in a hurry for that kind of pressure yet anyway. I'm working on an album just like I have a label waiting. I want the right deal and I think after they hear the stuff I'm working on, they'll be down. But I SO appreciate the signmattgiraud campaign and I wanna say thanks to the people that push that. They take notice...This business is tough and people get chewed up and spit out sometimes but I'm confident that people haven't seen nothin' yet! :)"

What should we expect from Matt's album? "It's like Gavin [DeGraw], it's like Jamie Cullum, it's like Alicia Keys, it's like John Mayer. I let all music affect me. I mean I'm going to be doing a Imogen Heap medley at my upcoming shows. Maybe some Disney! haha Go The Distance. Don't put me in a box, I might jump out!  Just don't want to sell out and I want to continue my dream of traveling the country and playing music for people everywhere."

Matt revealed some recent song titles as well. These include "I Will Carry You," "Gimme A Break," & "Motel"!

Will Matt be releasing some music before his album comes out? "I might. I'm not sure about that one. I'm still learning the biz myself. I'm looking into management right now so they might have a whole plan for me ya know? S[o] hopefully I don't have t[o] make EVERY choice myself!! As for music, I wanna make sure it's quality and that might take time. But I'll have it out soon as I can."

What is music about for Matt personally? "People always say music is about them and their self expression but for me music is about what I can do for someone else.  Move them, inspire them, take them somewhere in their head that they love to be. Thats what music does for me."

Dream collaborators? "Jamie Cullum, John Mayer, Johnny Lang, Jesse Langseths bro...James Morrison would be awesome, or even Paolo Nutini That would rock!...Noop would be cool and Alli are such good vocalists. If I ever sang with J Hudson, I'd die."

Ready for a shocker? "Kris and I said we were gonna start a band if we didn't get far. Then he went off and won! haha...[Also,] we were planning our top 4 performance. The duets! Me on the piano, him on giiiitar, lol, woulda been cool."

Musical influences? "Ray Charles...MJ, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong. Kirk Franklin, Michael W. Smith. So many."

Celebruty crush? "Haha umm Lea Michele from Glee. LOVE her. She follows Adam on twitter... I'm jealous of that."

Matt's response to Chris Sligh's controversial blog? "Yes I read it and he should shut it. Haha I kid! Yeah I read it. At first it was depressing and I kind of thought about it a lot. But then I thought I'm much better off then I was before Idol and after Priscilla Presley had me play her party and I played another for the Beckhams in Napa Valley..I thought I'm not doing so bad. So I won't pay much attention to him. If he wants to piano duel, I'll show him what's up haha... I actually liked his recordings and bought his album but I'll always remember him for that blog. Some of the advice was good but not for me. I have more to offer than a little fame. I'm an artist. That's all. Not someone desperate for fame or anything else."

How does Matt learn to play new songs without being able to read music? "I sit down with headphones and follow the base line (the low note) and I build the chord from that. Thats how I make every song my own. I don't usually care the 100% percent correct way to play it unless I'm with a band. There is no art it that. That's like science to me. I play it the way that feels best and what I think is best for me. I've always been like that... I got a B in a piano class in high school and couldn't read a note. I went off in the corner and played to myself and my piano teacher liked what I did so passed me :)...This one student, who had been playing for years, was like...You're not supposed to be able to do that :) it was second week of piano."

Does Matt read his tweets? "I read most of my replys on twitter, I don't like to miss em. It's like Christmas when I have a few hundred to read. People who tweet me the same thing three hundred times I usually ignore but I like to reply to the genuine questions sometimes without tweeting too much. See there is a science to it."

What does Matt think of his fellow Idols' recent releases? "I love Kris's song. I love Adams song and I love Alli's tune. IC them making music! Mind you I've already heard most of their music while it was coming together on tour. It's so cool to know that so many from this season are ding great!...Adam's "What Do You Want From Me" is still in my head haha."

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites