Blake Lewis enjoys quiet success after American Idol

NWP welcomes American Idol, First Runner-Up BLAKE LEWIS

Anyone who tuned in to season six of American Idol knew to expect the unexpected of Blake Lewis. The Washington native, who admitted he hadn’t watched a single episode before auditioning in Seattle, arrived in Hollywood without a hint of a plan, other than to be himself. Yet through talent, instinct, creativity and unapologetic brashness, Blake managed to make it all the way to the finale as the first runner-up to Jordin Sparks, each week showcasing a different side to his endlessly eclectic musical identity. His performance of “You Give Love A Bad Name” currently has nearly 3 million YouTube views, and is considered one of the most popular performances in American Idol’s history.

Two years later, the beatboxing extraordinaire released a fully realized follow-up to his 2007 debut, Audio Day Dream, which sold more than 350,000 copies. Heartbreak on Vinyl, Blake’s first album for groundbreaking label Tommy Boy, blends his intrinsic pop sensibility with a love of electronic and dance music, which began taking shape long before he hit the Idol stage. “This is me trying to bridge the gap and make a record that I’m truly proud of,” he says. “I’ve got my 80s side and my indie side, my super pop slant and the electronic music that I love. I wanted to make happy, feel-good music.”

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