Men on Monday: Singer Anoop Desai

Tell us about yourself – where did you come from, and how did you get to where you are today?

I grew up in North Carolina, went to college at UNC Chapel Hill, and was just starting a master’s degree in Folklore and Cultural Studies when I decided to audition for American Idol. Most of the rest is pretty well documented, but after finishing sixth on the show’s eighth season, I set out on my own to make the music I’ve always wanted to make. The result is my debut EP, All is Fair.

Was music your first love, or did you dabble in other arts first?

I was always a student first and a musician second, although music was always my biggest passion.

Just as authors are influenced by other writers, musicians are often influenced by other musicians. Who are your musical influences?

I listened to a lot of pop music growing up, but was particularly influenced by R&B. BoyzIIMen and Michael Jackson were always in my Walkman. Later, as I began to really study music, I came to be deeply influenced by Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, and a lot of the classic soul and R&B singers.

Even the greatest songwriters begin by playing other people’s music. Is there a song you’ve covered that you’re especially fond of? Is there a song you’d love to cover, but haven’t?

I’ll Make Love to You by BoyzIIMen was a song that I always covered as part of my time with the Clef Hangers, an a cappella group at UNC Chapel Hill.

Especially for newer artists, touring is an important part of building a career. Do you enjoy life on the road? What aspect of it most appeals to you? 

I do enjoy life on the road. Constant travel gives me the sense that I’m really accomplishing something by sharing my music. Plus, I’m single, and I definitely want to take advantage of the fact that I’m not bound to any one place because of a family or other obligations. Gotta do it while I can. But I also love being in the studio. I’m a really hands on artist, so I’m in there for most stages of mixing, of production, of editing, etc. I want to make sure that everything I put out is as close to my vision as possible.

At some point in their careers almost every musician finds themselves collaborating with another. Who would you absolutely love to collaborate with, and why?

I’d love to do something with will.i.am. I really dig his production style.

Confession time: when you’re NOT working on your own stuff, what tunes are cranking out of your iPod? Give us your top five?

Right now:

1. Bulletproof- La Roux
2. Your Love- Nicki Minaj
3. Find Your Love- Drake
4. Need You Now- Lady Antebellum
5. Sleeping with a Broken Heart- Alicia Keys

Visit Anoop online at AnoopDesai.com to hear samples of songs on his current EP All is Fair and buy a copy.