With budding maturity, David Archuleta captures two years’ worth of introspection and reflection, dozens of songwriting sessions, long days spent in the studio and nights in the air, all leading to The Other Side of Down, his highly anticipated second album.
Not only the follow up to David’s 2008 self-titled debut, it’s a reintroduction to the American Idol runner-up with the angelic voice who 30 million television viewers fell in love with during season 7—now older, wiser, with faith still on his side and an eternally optimistic wide-eyed outlook. Hence, the album’s title. “For me, it’s about moving forward and making progress,” David explains. “I’m heading towards ‘the other side of down,’ which is ‘up.’”
I am so in love with the new CD “No Matter How Far.” So much so, that I am going to go out on a limb, shimmy all the way down to the end, and declare that this is my favorite David Archuleta album, to date!
For me, his voice comes through better in these songs, than on any of his other CDs.
David’s voice is consistently front and center, bringing us an intimate experience with the melody, lyrics, and his background vocals on each song. I don’t think I have ever heard them so clearly stand out! This CD was so beautifully produced! The songs flow seamlessly, resulting in a cohesive feel to the entire album.
I am thrilled with the song selections, because they are all such amazing songs! And for me, they are even more beautiful then ever on this CD. What is it? I am hearing things I never heard before!! Example…. the backup vocals that David sings on “Everything and More.” Oh My gosh! His voice (s) send shivers that travel straight up my spine, to the top of my head and into the hair follicles on my scalp. Seriously. It’s a natural physical reaction to what I am hearing and there is nothing I can do to prevent it. And then, just trying to breathe, but,(my) lungs shut down, when I listen to “Heart Falls Out.” This song has “hit” written all over it. But so does “Nothing Else Better To Do,” the one that takes me to my happy place, and leaves me there with a big contented smile on my face. Ooooh, and “Tell Me”!!? Well I’ll tell you!! It’s the song that began my search for the perfect pair of headphones.
The truth is, I just can’t get close enough to David’s voice. It doesn’t seem to matter that I finally found a decent set of ear buds to plug into the iPhone, or that I crank the sound up to “could cause deafness” volume. Somehow, I always end up pressing on the ear buds anyway, with both hands, to get the song and his voice into my head! If it were only possible tomorrow, to have tiny surround-sound top of the line headphone “ear implants” actually inserted into my head! That scene from Nandito Ako of Josh Bradley pounding on Anya’s bedroom door to let him in….that would be me at the doctor’s office, begging to undergo that procedure.
But for now, I am off, in search of the biggest, baddest noise elimination headsets I can find! Nothing but the best for David.
We are the luckiest fans in the world. David, thank you for this album, and your beautiful message, that we still hold a place in your heart, “No Matter How Far”.
It’s time to celebrate the release of the album, No Matter How Far by David Archuleta!! This is his third album released since he left on his mission. David’s current single “Don’t Run Away” is being played on radio and internet radio stations around the world.
Music video by David Archuleta performing Don’t Run Away and music video animation by Kylie Malchus. 2013 Entertainment One U.S., LP, DavidArchuletaVEVO. Published on Mar 24, 2013.
Join in the World Wide Trending Party Monday, 3/25/13 at 7 PM Utah time to celebrate and let the world know that David Archuleta’s archangels are waiting for #DA2014 and are here to stay!! ↓
#NoMatterHowFarDavidArchuleta
Billboard.com posted an article and hosted an album listening party and Twitter blew up! So many tweets and retweets!
When I made my first comment on The Voice on January 9, explaining—or maybe I should say, exclaiming—my discovery of David, both Abrra and Dayzee urged me to write him a letter. That was a novel thought. David was brand new to me, I knew nothing about him, and I had no idea what I could even say. I had never written a fan letter in my life, unless you count my letter to the Mattel Toy Company back in the late 1950’s thanking them for my Shirley Temple doll. So, I’m thinking, are they serious about me writing him a letter?
I mulled it over for quite a while, and then during one of many sleepless nights, I started it. False start. So I mulled it over some more and got back to it about a week later. This time it flowed pretty well. I told him I wanted to thank him for sharing his singing talent with the world and for serving a mission. Then like a good English major, I stuck to my two main points and kept it one page long. How can one page adequately thank someone for the profound effect they’ve had on your life?
Three days before Christmas, I had only the vaguest idea who David Archuleta was. Two days before Christmas, I became acquainted with him as I watched his performance with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Video credit MormonTabChoir
I was blindsided! The music was so compelling I couldn’t stop listening! When I could finally tear myself away from this Christmas concert, I found the Christmas concert from Chile and I was even more enraptured. A glorious voice had suddenly shown up in my life. It pierced my heart and saturated my soul with music. I was filled with light and I felt like fire was shooting from my fingertips!
Video credit Alejandro Angulo
This glorious voice came from David, who was a most endearing young man in the first concert, and a humble missionary in the second. In both concerts, he sang several songs celebrating the birth of Jesus. What struck me forcefully was that he wasn’t just singing the words, but that he believed what he was singing. His facial expressions, his emotion, his joy, and the power–and at the same time, the tenderness–of his voice, all revealed a devotion to God. This is what drew me to him, because I had just had a spiritual reawakening after years of depression, sadness, and slogging through life at half-power.
So, in my letter, I told him how his singing had come at the end of a year of physical, emotional, and spiritual healing for me. In one dramatic and very sweet moment, his singing had cleared my heart of the remaining bits and pieces of junk that were still in there. My heart had been healed and was now able to absorb light, and to give and to receive love. I believe anyone or anything could have finished healing my heart. But it was David who did it, and for that I am very grateful.
I thanked him for sharing his talent. Although David sings to the world, he also sings to the individual, which is the reason I have had this marvelous experience for myself. I have puzzled over what it is exactly that he gives the world. It took me awhile, but I have an explanation that works for me–love. As I was being healed spiritually and my heart was being opened, I was able to feel God’s love all around me. I believe this love is always there, but we have to be open to receiving it. I think David is very open to God’s love, absorbs it, and reflects it back to anybody else who is receptive. David’s music carries this love to the willing listener, with all sorts of favorable outcomes. In the past two months, I’ve read several accounts which are similar to mine. Burdens of sadness, despair, loss, any number of difficult circumstances, are all made tolerable or even healed by David’s music.
I also thanked him for serving a mission. My own healing has been facilitated by the love, concern, and teaching of several missionaries over the past year. As these young men have taught me, I have had to marvel at their maturity, their commitment, and the pure love they have for others. Based on my experience with them, I am able to imagine what Elder Archuleta’s life as a missionary is like. I am fascinated by this aspect of him, because missionaries have become very dear to my newly tender heart. I am positive Elder Archuleta is having an experience in personal growth that could not come in any other way. I didn’t tell him this, but I am in awe of the person he is now, and even more in awe of the person he is becoming. He will still be David when he returns, but a more refined and a deeper David. I can’t wait to hear the music that will come from him then!
I mailed my letter at the very beginning of February. If it got to Florida on time, it’s probably lost in a package of valentines and well-wishes for his new album. I have seriously wondered if he would even read my letter, but I’ve been assured that he does try to read everything he gets. That makes me feel sort of weird. Here I am listening to his music as I write this, and he might actually read my letter! I’m talking about the same person who, as a teenager, came in second on American Idol; who, as a sweet-faced young man, sings “Forevermore;” and who, as a very handsome young man, models in the Bench photo shoot (there are no words!). This person is famous and known by millions of people all over the world. I can’t fathom that he would actually handle the letter I handled—it’s too surreal. But the missionary currently serving in Chile, yes, I could see him handling my letter, reading it, and appreciating where I’m coming from.
Many are getting ready to watch American Idol and I’m happy that many continue to enjoy the show that brought us David Archuleta. I will eternally be grateful to them for that.
I haven’t watched AI since season 7. I have tried many times but I just can’t find any enjoyment from it. I confess that my ears only crave David’s voice and none other will do.
This young man stole my ears, heart and soul through the course of his run on American Idol with his voice, passion, soulfulness, humility, genuine character, smile and heart.
Here are some of my favorites.
What were some of your favorite David Archuleta American Idol performances?
David fans are the best gifters ever. Most of the time they want to remain anonymous. We want to thank them all who have so selflessly gifted. Here are a couple of thank yous we’ve received; not all sent them, but as long as they are loving David Archuleta and his music, all is well.
English Translation
Hey guys, it’s Georgette here! Haha, sounds familiar? Well seemed like a good way to start this email since that’s how David begins his video blogs every time he makes one, and I love how he does that.
I became an “Archie” or “Arch Angel” as I watched the episode of Hannah Montana on Disney Channel 2 years ago. I felt an incredible connection with David and his way of being caught my attention, so I searched for him in Google (as anyone who wants to know a little more about someone LOL) and what I liked the most is that David has Latin family! wow! That shocked me very much, so I quickly went to YouTube and looked for videos of David speaking in Spanish… I was shocked! Not only by his way of speaking, but by its simplicity, humility, passion and all the feelings I noticed when David speaks, sings or simply expresses himself.
I also noticed that David participated in American Idol and came in second place, so I looked for the songs that he sang and all performances on YouTube. What else did I do? Download all the songs obviously! I converted to an Archie at around September, a little before the release of The Other Side Of Down. I remember it very well.
On http://www.DavidArchuleta.com page there was a countdown marking the days until 5 October. After downloading his songs I looked up the lyrics and I learned them very quickly. The connection I felt with David was very deep… he was not only “David Archuleta” he had become everything and more than I thought. I remember feeling inspired with the lyrics of his songs from TOSOD.
For me David is one in a million. The simplicity and modesty that he shows are a great inspiration for many people. Not many artists are like this. I’m in love with the fact that David sings because he loves singing and music, not because he is interested in fame or anything else that comes with it; He only sings because the music is his life. David can’t imagine doing anything else that is not singing, and I can’t imagine listening to different music than that of David.
It’s as simple as this, if there is no David, there is no Georgette because David is part of me and I see him as a very important person in my life. The things that he taught me cannot be counted with a finger and I am really thankful for it all. I sometimes think, “how can there be people who don’t like David? Or, people who like David, but don’t feel as inspired as I am? Don’t they feel his music like other Archies? It is not easy to say, but I’m sure that if they stopped a moment to listen to any song, the words, it will be an inspiration because what you feel when David sings is contagious… you can see in his eyes, his way of expressing that he has a message behind each song and I am proud to say that I know that message. I now understand the message better.
When David announced that he would leave on a mission for the Latter Day Saints Church, my heart broke… but I couldn’t be happier! David would be serving his church for 2 years preaching the word of God, the person who has taught me many things I know and I give thanks to him for putting David in my path and now David will reach more people. Wow that is incredible!
To make a long story short. I give thanks to The Voice for all that you do for the fans. Thank you for sending me a copy of Forevermore and the amazing bracelet … David: You’ve become part of my soul.
-Georgette, Venezuela.
Original in Spanish
Hey guys, it’s Georgette here! Haha, sounds familiar? Bueno me pareció una buena forma de empezar este email ya que así empieza David sus video blogs cada vez que hace uno, y amo la forma en que hace eso.
Yo me convertí en una “Archie” o “Arch Angel” mientras veía el episodio de Hannah Montana en Disney Channel, hace 2 años. Sentí una conexión increíble con David y su forma de ser me llamó mucho la atención, así que lo busqué en Google (como toda persona que quiere saber un poco más acerca de alguien LOL) y lo que más me gusto es que David tienen familia LATINA! wow! Eso me impactó mucho, así que fui rápidamente a YouTube y busqué vídeos de David hablando en español… Quedé impactada! No solo por su forma de hablar, sino por su sencillez, humildad, pasión y todos los sentimientos que noté en David al hablar, cantar o simplemente expresarse.
También noté que David participó en American Idol y que quedó de segundo lugar, así que busqué las canciones que cantó y todas sus presentaciones en YouTube. Qué más hice? Descargar todas sus canciones OBVIAMENTE!!! Me convertí una Archie al rededor de Septiembre por lo que faltaba poco para el lanzamiento de The Other Side Of Down, lo recuerdo muy bien.
En su página www.DavidArchuleta.com había un conteo regresivo por los días que faltaban para el 5 de Octubre. Luego de descargar sus canciones busqué las letras y me las aprendí muy rápido, es que la conexión que sentí con David era muy profunda… no solo era “David Archuleta”, él se había convertido en todo lo que pensaba. Recuerdo haber sentido una inspiración muy fuerte con las letras de sus canciones desde su primer CD hasta TOSOD. Para mí David es uno en un millón, su sencillez y modestia que expresa son de gran inspiración para demasiadas personas y eso no lo tienen muchos artistas. Estoy enamorada del hecho de que David solo canta porque ama cantar y la música, no porque le interesa la fama o cualquier otra cosa que venga con ella; él solo canta porque la música es su vida, no me imagino a David haciendo otra cosa que no sea cantar y no me imagino escuchando otra música que no sea la de David.
De una manera más sencilla: No hay David, no hay Georgette; porque David ya es parte de mí y lo considero como una persona muy importante en mi vida. Las cosas que él me ha enseñado no se pueden contar con un dedo y estoy realmente agradecida con todo. A veces pienso, ¿Cómo existe gente a la que no le gusta David? O, a la gente que le gusta David, ¿se sentirán tan inspirados como yo? ¿Sentirán su música al igual que otros Archies? No es fácil decirlo, pero estoy segura de que si se detienen un momento a escuchar cualquier canción de él y entender las letras, lo sentirán porque la inspiración es contagiosa al igual que los sentimientos que siente David cuando canta… se puede ver en sus ojos y en su forma de expresarse que él tiene un mensaje detrás de cada canción, y estoy orgullosa de decir que sé cuál es ese mensaje. Y ahora mucho más conozco el mensaje.
Cuando David anunció que partiría en una misión para la Iglesia de los Santos de los Últimos Días, mi corazón se partió… no podía estar más feliz!! David estaría sirviendo para una Iglesia por 2 años predicando la palabra de Dios, la persona que nos ha enseñado muchas de las cosas que sabemos y le doy gracias a Él por poner a David en nuestro camino; y saber que ahora David llegará a mucha más gente?? Wow eso es increíble!!
Para no hacer esta historia más larga me despido agradeciendo a The Voice por todo lo que hacen por los fans, gracias por enviarme una copia de Forevermore y el increíble brazalete… David: Te has convertido en parte de mi alma.
-Georgette, Venezuela.
English Translation
Hello, first of all I want to thank you TheVoiceDavidArchuleta and Blueberry Ice from CA, thanks to you I have this wonderful FOREVERMORE Cd and also to SandyBeaches from Canada for the beautiful bracelet she gave me. INFINITE THANKS!
DAVID JAMES ARCHULETA MAYORGA… MORE THAN AN IDOL
For me DAVID is more than an Idol, why? Because he is simple and humble despite being a famous artist, he has never changed and remains as who he is. I love his personality, so humble and generous to all, it is really admirable.
David is the best singer for me because he has an ANGELIC voice that not many have, his songs are very beautiful and meaningful. He inspires me so much.
For me he is a winner. He worked hard to get to where he is and he remains the same: the same sweet guy. Nice, humble, simple, charismatic, lovable and cute. I watched him on ‘American Idol’ in 2008 and I became a fan of David.
David Archuleta is without a doubt a complete artist! In addition to a great human being < 3!
- ALWAYS smiles.
- ALWAYS delivers the best in every interpretation.
- ALWAYS supports his friends.
- ALWAYS is proud of his Latin roots. <3
- ALWAYS cares for those around him.
- ALWAYS attends to his fans and talks with them.
- ALWAYS is attentive to everyone.
Thanks to his efforts. He has endured adversities but has been able to overcome :’)
The truth for me, and I dare say that for many of his fans he is an example to follow and a being that inspires us a lot. :’ (D)
Waiting for David Archuleta…
Lizbeth
Original in Spanish
Hola, primero que nada muchas GRACIAS a TheVoiceDavidArchuleta y a Blueberry Ice de CA, ya que gracias a ustedes tengo este maravilloso Cd FOREVERMORE y también a SandyBeaches de Canadá por la hermosa pulsera que me obsequiaron. J ¡INFINITAS GRACIAS!
DAVID JAMES ARCHULETA MAYORGA… MAS QUE UN ÍDOLO
Para mí DAVID es más que un ídolo, ¿porque? porque es humilde y sencillo a pesar de ser un famoso /artista nunca cambio y sigue siendo tal como es, amo su personalidad tan humilde y generoso con todos, es realmente admirable.
El mejor cantante para mí porque tiene una voz ANGELICAL que no muchos poseen. Sus canciones son muy hermosas y significan tanto, me inspiran mucho
El para mí es UN TRIUNFADOR, lucho MUCHÍSIMO para llegar a donde el esta , y sigue siendo el mismo: el mismo chico dulce, simpático, humilde, sencillo, carismático, adorable, lindo que veía en el programa ‘American Idol’ aquel 2008 que es desde allí donde me hice fan de David. :)
David Archuleta es sin duda un artista completo! Además de un gran ser humano<3!
- SIEMPRE está sonriendo.
- SIEMPRE entrega lo mejor de sí en cada interpretación.
- SIEMPRE apoya a sus amigos y cercanos.
- SIEMPRE se muestra orgulloso de sus raíces latinas. <3
- SIEMPRE se preocupa por los que están a su alrededor.
- SIEMPRE atiende a sus fans y conversa con ellos/as.
- Es atento con todos.
Y todo lo que ha logrado ha sido gracias a su esfuerzo, al igual que cualquier persona ha tenido debilidades y adversidades pero las ha sabido superar :’)
La verdad para mí, y me atrevo a decir que para varias de sus fans, es un ejemplo a seguir y un ser que nos inspira muchísimo. :’D
Posted by Angelica on Saturday, September 22, 2012
You may think I’m crazy to make an entire post inspired by a tiny gif of David doing the Dougie. Unless you know that, though I LOVED his voice, my “what just happened?” moment came not with “Imagine” or “Shop Around” or “Heaven” but with this right here.
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This was my Waterloo. The thing that sealed my fate and began my four year odyssey into ODD. I don’t know why. I never even questioned it. It just was. I mean, what the heck is he doing? LOLOL!!! But I knew the laugh was on me and from that moment on, I was his fool and a fan for life. As for the much later Dougie, it was obvious from the complete video that he had never done that particular dance before. But he picked it up in minutes. Not just picked it up but, well…more on that later. Suffice to say, it gives credence to a theory I have long held: that some day, David will dance. Really dance on stage. Not just for a brief fa la la or a few seconds, causing screams to erupt and then bashfully stopping. But really let loose and have fun with it. The reasons I think this are as follows:
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1. His mother is a professional dancer.
2. He has been raised and taught to dance with his mom and other relatives all his life.
3. He was the only male contestant on idol who even attempted to dance in group numbers.
4. It has been reported that an uncle and other of David’s relatives have told some fans that, when it comes to dancing, “David is holding back…way, way back.”
5. He has natural rhythm and grace that often result in sublime moves that I think are completely unconscious. I submit for your approval exhibit A: Wichita Pink Ribbon Performance, “Works for Me” aka “Mr. Confidence.” Note the transformation.
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And exhibit B: Grand Rapid “Barriers” aka “Spicy Nacho.” He ain’t even trying folks.
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6. He has stated more than once his admiration for Michael Jackson, for the passion he brought to his performance, whose dance skills are legend.
7. He is Latino and has a heritage and culture of dance that is in his blood, heart and soul.
8. In a 2012 interview, he admitted there are some songs that he just can not sit still through. Taio Cruz’s Dynamite is one.
I have always been fascinated by the way some dancers, Betty Grable for one, MJ for another, have a gift for the art that makes it seem so effortless. No movement is wasted or unnecessary.
Ending where I first began, here is the gif of David dancing the Dougie. I watched it one day and was mesmerized. I still find it hard to look away. What is it about the way he moves that is so engrossing? Even in an amateur video that shows him just learning how to do the dance for the first time, there is in it something so compelling, so entrancing, that it calls for, no…demands your attention. Try to look away in less than a minute. I dare ya.
BEGIN. It’s only a week that I have it in my possession and it’s already in my head, under my skin and coursing through my veins. I want to devour it, memorize the lyrics, phrasings and melodies until it becomes a part of me. I can’t get enough of this album. David’s vocals have a more mature sound on these songs that is very appealing. The more I listen, the more I crave and the more I crave, the more I listen. It’s fascinating, intoxicating and captivating. Last week, all ten were my favorites; I could not single any out that I liked more than the others. Now I notice that there are a few that are getting more plays on my IPod than others. My favorite is “Don’t Give Up”. I didn’t know this song existed before BEGIN. although I did sneak a peak on YouTube when I heard it was on the tracklist. It wasn’t a song that I fell in love with but I knew that would change once David got hold of it. I just didn’t realize how much I would love it! The depth and maturity in David’s delivery of this song shows how much he has grown as an artist.
So my top five are:
1. Don’t Give Up
2. Broken
3. Everybody Hurts
4. Somewhere Only We Know
5. Angel
The one I keep avoiding is “Pride” but I know that will change because that’s the progression I go through with David’s music. I start out loving all the songs, then narrow it down to the ones I absolutely adore and the ones I avoid. Ultimately it goes back to loving each and every song.
What are your favorites and why? Can you pick one? Can you pick five? Do you find yourself skipping any of the songs? Let’s discuss.
There is no one I can thank more than my Father in Heaven. He is my light, and illuminates those hard paths to take so that I know how to get through them. Some people may not understand why I have made the decisions I have chosen to make, but that is the reason why I made this album. I did my best to let people understand where I try to come from through this album.
The next group I’d like to thank are the very talented arrangers/producers/musicians. Kurt Bestor and John Hancock, thank you for having such great attitudes about this. I know it has been alot to handle in such a small amount of time, but you guys have been such troopers. John with your cool choices and ideas you always keep things interesting. And for Kurt, your humor always gets to me. The heart you bring to a song is magical. This would not have been possible without the two of you. I also want to thank Mike Green and Blair for helping out in the studio.
I’d like to thank Gina Orr for helping make things happen, and keeping me in the direction that I feel good about. Thanks for always being caring in how things are done and decisions are made. Also thanks to Kari Sellards for your hard work, helping me stay on track and keeping on top of things. It makes things so much easier to get through with an easy-going personality like yours. Thanks for helping me make sure I have everything I need, too! I also want to thank Jon Hunt for helping me finish up more music. It’s been awesome getting to work on music with you and you’ve helped me be able to stick to who I am not just as a person, but also musically as an artist. Thanks to Steves Rodriguez, Howard Siegel and Kim Tauber for helping things run smoothly, and to the DA official website team, and Roslyn Pineda for all that you do for me. I want to thank my family for being willing to listen and give their input and for being my best supporters.
I want to thank Sheri Dew! Bob Ahlander and everyone at Highway Records for helping make this all possible even while I move on to the next phase of my life. Thanks for being a great support! I’d also like to thank Ron Gunnell and Mr. Mac for your help as well in helping get things started and arranged at the beginning!
Last, but not certainly not least I want to thank all the fans! Thanks to all of you who have supported me these past years and for your dedication. It has meant so much to see your support as I take on this next journey and experience in my life. I hope you know that I never wanted to leave you guys without music and empty-handed. I want you to know that I won’t stop music and will continue when I get back. Thanks to those of you who are reading this and for your support of this album! It really comes from my heart and I did my best to help you all know where I am coming from on my mission decision. While I can’t always [say] what I want to say using words, I hope that these songs will help you know. ~ David
The Voice David Archuleta has received a donation of 10 itune cards for gifting. Please email TheVoiceDA@gmail.com if you are not able to purchase BEGIN. They will be gifted to the first 10 replies.
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Nothing but the best for David.
