From Idol to Indie: Kris Allen Talks Creative Journey and the Making of His New Album, ‘Pole Vaulter’
Kris Allen, the humble singer-songwriter from Arkansas, skyrocketed to fame after winning the eighth season of American Idol in 2009. Since then, he has crafted a career defined by authenticity, musical exploration, and personal growth.
Now, with a new album, Pole Vaulter, on the horizon and a show at Mill Valley’s Sweetwater Music Hall just around the corner, Kris sat down with Backstage Sonoma’s Steve Roby to discuss his journey, influences, and the creative process behind his latest project.
Discovering His Sound: A Melting Pot of Influences
Kris Allen’s musical influences are as diverse as they are deep-rooted. “My parents were listening to a lot of The Eagles and Journey records,” Kris reminisces. “And then also nineties country was a deal... My first show was Reba McEntire, and my dad was obsessed with Garth Brooks.” Growing up in a household that cherished various genres meant that Kris had a broad musical palette from an early age.
As he ventured into his musical discoveries, Kris found himself drawn to the grooves of R&B and the power of early hip-hop. “When I first started finding my own music, it was artists like Michael Jackson, or Boyz II Men, that sort of thing,” he shares.
This eclectic mix of influences—from country and classic rock to R&B and even early hip-hop—has been a defining factor in the evolution of Kris’s sound.
Kris’s willingness to explore new musical territories has kept his music fresh and unpredictable. “I try not to shy away from that when making my music,” he says, embracing the myriad influences that shape his work. His journey as a musician is one of continuous growth as he delves into new genres and sounds. For instance, he’s recently been captivated by a Japanese band called Lamp, known for their intricate melodies. “The music is unbelievable,” Kris says, even if he doesn’t understand the lyrics.
Kris Allen (courtesey photo provided)
A Serendipitous Leap of Faith: The American Idol Experience
Kris’s decision to audition for American Idol was, as he puts it, “a last hurrah” before he gave up on his music career. “It was kind of just on a whim,” he admits. “My brother and I decided the day before to go up and try out for the show. I wasn’t banking on anything. I wasn’t expecting anything from it.” Yet, that whim turned into a life-changing moment.
Winning American Idol was a pivotal event that catapulted Kris into the spotlight and pushed him to grow as an artist. “I just feel grateful... I don’t know where I would be without doing that,” Kris reflects. It’s clear that the experience not only launched his career but also provided him with the confidence and platform to evolve as a musician.
Show Info KRIS ALLEN / WALKER BURROUGHS
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 Doors: 7 pm Show: 8 pm
Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley - Tickets here
Crafting Pole Vaulter: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Kris Allen’s latest album, Pole Vaulter, is a project five years in the making. “After COVID, I had a lot to say, so I started recording some songs and writing during that time,” Kris explains. The pandemic gave him the space to reflect and create, leading to an album that feels deeply personal and introspective.
For Kris, Pole Vaulter represents the culmination of years of musical and personal growth. “I put out some songs... but I didn’t feel like we finished the thought,” he reveals. This sense of unfinished business drove Kris back into the studio, where he could finally complete the narrative he had started. “I feel like I said a lot of things that I’ve been trying to say for a long time,” Kris says with a sense of fulfillment.
The title track, “Pole Vaulter,” is the album's centerpiece. Co-written with help from Canadian songwriter Madeline Slate, the song encapsulates the themes of the album—perseverance, ambition, and the struggle to balance reality with lofty dreams. “The song's chorus is, ‘I’m a pole vaulter setting the bar too high. My feet are on the ground, but my head’s up in the sky. I’m a pole vaulter wishing I could fly,’” Kris recites, highlighting the metaphor that ties the album together.
The Art of Songwriting: Letting the Music Lead
Kris’s approach to songwriting is as fluid and organic as his influences. He describes how the feel of a song often dictates its genre. “I try to listen to what the song is asking for,” he explains. “Sometimes the guitar or what inspires the song will make me figure out, like, ‘Oh, this is a folk song,’ so let’s write it like a folk song.”
This intuitive approach allows Kris to traverse multiple genres within a single album. For example, one track on Pole Vaulter began as an acoustic folk song, only to evolve into something entirely different during the recording process. “You start out a song a certain way, and then maybe it doesn’t feel right when you’re recording it that way, so you have to record it differently,” Kris says.
Collaboration plays a significant role in Kris’s creative process. Working closely with producers and fellow musicians, Kris constantly refines and reshapes his music until it feels just right. “It’s a collaborative process,” he emphasizes, acknowledging the contributions of those who help bring his musical vision to life.
The Balancing Act: Family, Music, and Touring
As Kris Allen continues to navigate his career, he is also deeply committed to his family life. Balancing the demands of being a musician with the joys of fatherhood is no small feat, but Kris is determined to make it work. “I love being a dad. I like being at home. I like cooking dinner. I like coaching my daughter’s basketball team,” he shares.
Kris has adopted a new touring strategy to maintain this balance, performing in short stints rather than lengthy tours. “We’re trying something new where I’m gone for short stints, maybe once a month,” he explains. This approach allows him to stay connected to his family while pursuing his passion for music.
Kris Allen (courtesey photo provided)
Live Shows: Creating a Shared Experience
Kris’s love for live performances is evident in how he describes his upcoming tour, particularly his show at the Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley. He sees each performance as an opportunity to connect with his audience more deeply. “I try to ask a lot of the crowd because I want them to feel like they’re a part of it,” Kris says.
For Kris, the goal of every show is to create a shared experience where the audience becomes an integral part of the performance. “I love crowd participation... it pulls everybody into the same thing,” he explains. This interactive approach makes each show unique and strengthens the bond between Kris and his fans.
As Kris Allen prepares to take the stage at Mill Valley, he does so with the confidence of an artist who has indeed come into his own. From his humble beginnings to his American Idol triumph and now to the release of Pole Vaulter, Kris’s journey is one of growth, resilience, and unwavering dedication to his craft. For fans old and new, his upcoming performance promises to be a memorable experience—one where they’ll hear his music and feel part of the story he’s been telling all along.
Playlist: “Live Like We’re Dying,” “Guinevere,” and “More Than Ever”
