Elliot Yamin, the beloved third place runner-up for Season 5 of American Idol recently performed for U.S. military men and women stationed overseas. Many people also know Yamin for his commercial radio hits, “Wait For You” and “Fight For Love”.
OurStage caught up with Yamin in Guam, the first stop of his USO-sponsored Pacific Rim tour, and asked the Gold & Platinum-selling R&B singer about life before Idol, his experience on the show and what life as an indie artist has been like since the season wrapped.
When you have the privilege to perform in paradise, as was the case when Clarias performed at the Top of the Mar, it is easy to feel as if nothing can go wrong. However when you are sleep-deprived and performing at Oktoberfest for the Navy, it’s safe to say problems will arise. Touring bands can be built or broken by their ability to troubleshoot when chaos ensues.
For show number two in Guam trouble means a PA system and backline compromised by pilfering past bands combined with heckling by drunken soldiers, not to mention the lead singer’s blown vocals. Presuure mounts as the night’s challenges present themselves. When Clarias takes the stage to perform for a room of service people who are drinking and dining, it remains to be seen if fans will be made.
The band starts big, playing several of their most popular and louder songs. But this is not the best idea when the type of performance needed is really background music for diners. So it’s no surprise that many people leave after dinner although a few people realize the band is worthy of more attention. By the close of the first set, Clarias is frazzled by the audience’s ambivalence and Mike’s ailing vocals.
Backstage, we gather to determine a game plan on how to deal with the hand we are dealt. The solution is to play two more 30 minute sets largely structured to be acoustic with Mike backing off the high notes and the rest of the band mates helping to carry harmonies and banter. Luckily, our refiguration pays off; attendees are still in dining and conversation mode but are quickly becoming a more captive audience.
During the second set break, we decide to have the band play a longer instrumental intro, fire off the power songs minus one song and close big with “American Girl.” The band really steps it up onstage, by attempting some of Mike’s vocal leads as well as assuming a greater presence performance wise. Lead guitarist Paul Lipp is dubbed the evening’s MVP, as he lead the band in a rocking improv that completely captured the attention of the room; winning the crowd (both sober and not-so-sober).
All in all, the evening is a success. Clarias learns some valuable lessons, such as the inherent need to assess each venue/audience and structure a set to best suit said venue/audience as well as the need to troubleshoot vs. submitting to defeat when problems arise. In reality, any touring band could benefit from Clarias’ s experience. The sooner, the better.
We arrive in Guam at 3 a.m. after 30 hours of traveling and 1 lost piece of luggage (belonging to me, of course). Clarias is scheduled to play this same day even though we are worse for wear. The show is to take place at an outdoor venue called Bamboo Willies on the Anderson Air Force Base; set between the North Pacific Ocean and the volcanic cliffs of Guam (How’s that for astmosphere?). As we arrive for load-in, Air Force soldiers relax with a game of volley ball.
Instinctively, the band wants to head to the beach but they soon return to mix and mingle with the soldiers. I previously had given Clarias the “assignment” to make friends with their audience in order to prime for the evening’s performance. Anytime a band goes into a unknown market it is advantageous to get to know the locals because these new friends will be the support team when the band hits the stage. In Clarias’ case the pre-show relationship building assignment paid off.
Anderson A.B. in Guam
By the time Clarias takes the stage, they had already won over the majority of the 500+ audience members. In fact, by the end of their first song it’s vident that this is going to be one of their best shows ever. There even is a cluster of screaming teenage girls who are leading the charge. And the band continues to earn the girls’ adoration song after song. Since I have been mentoring the band for several weeks, this is an exciting moment in the band’s evolution to witness.
As their set draws to a close, lead singer Mike Giordan raises the bar even higher by lifting audience members on to the stage for the last song, “American Girl.” For touring bands with limited exposure, the inclusion of one or two covers in their song repertoire is a great way to break the ice with audience members who unfamiliar with a band’s original material. It is also nice to end a show with a familiar song so the audience can get involved with the finale. Petty’s classic is the perfect choice for this audience, who sing along before giving the band a standing ovation.
The band signs autographs for over an hour after their set. They actually are the opener for past American Idol contestant Elliot Yamin. And while the crowd is clearly full of Yamin fans, many convert to team Clarias due to the band’s efforts to build relationships before they even took the stage.
By the time you read this, I will be on my way to Guam with a pop rock band from Boston called Clarias. In my past music industry life I was the Director of both the Boston Music Awards and NEMO Music Festival, and as such I would run into the band from time to time. The band fell off my radar for a spell but they got my attention when they ranked number one in the “MTV Best Breakout Artist–Boston” music channel on OurStage (although Gentlemen Hall ultimately took home the MTV win).
The track that they entered into the contest—”Wonder/Wander”—is hooky as hell with the polish of seasoned talent. Some of the track’s secret ingredients come courtesy of the experienced production skills of Matthew Ellard, who produced and engineered Clarias’ third studio release, The Days Of The Getaway. Matthew and I have been friends ever since he produced recordings for a couple of bands I managed several years ago. I got in touch with Matthew to compliment him on the track and share the news of the band’s success on OurStage. It was at this time that he asked—well maybe pleaded—that I meet up with the band and give them some advice on what to do with their new recording, a project that he was very proud of. I immediately agreed to do it.
When I met with the band, it didn’t take long to realized that Clarias—like many others in their position—needed direction. Years of hard work resulted in nothing more than spinning wheels and career plateaus following spikes of success. During our conversation I couldn’t help think about how many times I’ve had this same conversation with an emerging artist, and how I wish I could sit down every new band and spell a few things out for them.
A lot of artists seem to get overwhelmed with the business side of their art even though some things are common sense. I think many bands would greatly benefit from some frank industry discussions, tough love as well as encouragement. As I left my initial meeting with Clarias I said to myself, “I’m going to offer to mentor this band and I’m going to film all our meetings so I can share the insights with other bands in their position.” So that’s exactly what I am doing. Don’t know when or in what format the footage will air but the cameras are rolling.
Clarias and I have been getting together on a weekly basis for the past six weeks or so. As time went on, I was able to pinpoint a few reasons why the band had yet to reach the next level. While we are on tour, we are going to work on some of their “weaknesses” such as the live SHOW (they are great performers but that is not enough—people want to see showmanship) and the ability to make fans. These are key components in any artist’s success but many musicians take these two aspects of their artistry for granted. So while Clairas is on tour they will be in rock ‘n’ roll boot camp, and I will be the drill sergeant (minus the motivational screaming).
It’s getting late and I have an early morning flight. If you want to read a little more on the behind-the-scenes antics, go HERE. Otherwise I hope to blog post performance at Anderson Air Base.
And remember, the ultimate goal is that by mentoring one band I can virtually mentor others. Will share the things I’ve learned along the way.
Elliot Yamin, the beloved third place runner-up for Season 5 of American Idol recently performed for U.S. military men and women stationed overseas. Many people also know Yamin for his commercial radio hits, “Wait For You” and “Fight For Love”.
