Entertain Me By Michael Shinafelt

Saturday, July 15, 2023

Update: David Archuleta

Photo:
Zach Schmitt

David Archuleta’s upward spiral continues with the official release of his brand new music video HERE for his latest single, “I’m Yours” HERE “I’m Yours” is a song I wanted to get people dancing and smiling to. It’s all about letting yourself go and being happy with a feel good, summery vibe. It was fun working with video director Brad Hammer and his team because they were able to bring all the bright colors I wanted to life while making things light, fun and unique. I hope you enjoy this video as much as I had fun making it” says David.

David recently spoke about what’s on the horizon musically with Entertainment Weekly – “Up” it’s kind of like the prelude. It’s meant to tie where I’m coming from, my past, my history — but it’s also coming from a place where I was at the bottom of that, at the end of that path. I’ve lived out the end of this, and I don’t know where else to go. This is continuing down a very dark place, and I need to get out of it now. So this is me saying, I’m accepting myself as I am, as a queer person, and letting myself be seen, every aspect of myself. And I’m just letting all of me be seen now. And not being so afraid of hiding myself and being afraid of what people will say if people find out. I’m just like, you know what, now they know! And now it’s just moving up, and I’m gonna have fun. There’s no need to hide anything anymore — just have a good time. There are some really fun songs that are gonna get people dancing as well, that I’m really excited about. And there are still some classic ballads. I feel like these songs are more about love, something that I always shied away from before because it was something I didn’t relate to. I don’t think I ever really experienced love the way everyone talks about in songs and novels and all that. I’m talking about what it’s like for me to experience it for the first time really and fully. I’m excited to share that, in fun ways, dance ways, and also in ballad-y ways. I’m excited to share this new chapter and these new songs with everyone. The first ones will be out the beginning of summer, leading to a full album release later this year.

In addition, David is set to perform at his first-ever Pride event this Sunday, July 16 in San Diego California alongside Saucy Santana and Princess Nokia - Event Info Here. ”As this will be my first formal pride performance (outside of Utah’s Loveloud last year) I am looking forward to connecting with the community and learning about what pride events are like. As this will also be my first time attending in a way outside of Loveloud, which is more catered to the Utah culture and community there.”

Follow David Here:

Saturday, July 1, 2023

"I'm Yours"

David Archuleta
Photo:
Brad Young

David Archuleta continues to spread his wings with more brand new music. His latest offering, “I’m Yours” is available today HERE and if this song doesn’t bring a smile to your face, not much will. ““I’m Yours” is a song I wanted to get people dancing and smiling to. It’s all about letting yourself go and being happy with a feel good, summery vibe.””says David. Check out the lyric video HERE

David spoke about what’s on the horizon musically with Entertainment Weekly – “Up” it’s kind of like the prelude. It’s meant to tie where I’m coming from, my past, my history — but it’s also coming from a place where I was at the bottom of that, at the end of that path. I’ve lived out the end of this, and I don’t know where else to go. This is continuing down a very dark place, and I need to get out of it now. So this is me saying, I’m accepting myself as I am, as a queer person, and letting myself be seen, every aspect of myself. And I’m just letting all of me be seen now. And not being so afraid of hiding myself and being afraid of what people will say if people find out. I’m just like, you know what, now they know! And now it’s just moving up, and I’m gonna have fun. There’s no need to hide anything anymore — just have a good time. There are some really fun songs that are gonna get people dancing as well, that I’m really excited about. And there are still some classic ballads. I feel like these songs are more about love, something that I always shied away from before because it was something I didn’t relate to. I don’t think I ever really experienced love the way everyone talks about in songs and novels and all that. I’m talking about what it’s like for me to experience it for the first time really and fully. I’m excited to share that, in fun ways, dance ways, and also in ballad-y ways. I’m excited to share this new chapter and these new songs with everyone. The first ones will be out the beginning of summer, leading to a full album release later this year.

Follow David Here:

Friday, May 19, 2023

David Archuleta Is "Up"

Photo:
Zach Scmitt

Why and where has singer-songwriter David Archuleta been hiding out the first half of 2023? Well, he hasn’t really. After months of show-stopping performances by the likes of Sir Elton John HERE, Tim Mc Graw HERE, Bruno Mars, Shania Twain HERE James Bay HERE, Celine Dion, Ed Sheeran HERE and more as the majestic and colorful Macaw on Fox’s hit tv series, The Masked Singer he no longer has to hide his identity as he was unmasked last night along with singer Bishop Briggs.

Triumphing over vocal powerhouses Pentatonix, Michael Bolton and Sara Evans among others throughout the season, David landed in the finale with stunning vocalist Bishop Briggs who ultimately took home the golden mask trophy.

David says of performing the Eric Carmen/Celine Dion classic “All By Myself”, “All By Myself” is a declaration to me. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking I didn’t deserve love or to be loved. And, I thought I had to learn how to be ok with it. I am done being alone though. I think it’s ok to say even if I am the way I am I don’t want to live by myself anymore. And, it’s ok to allow myself to be loved. And to love. There is no greater thing than that. I feel the pain of the history of feeling undeserving of that. But stepping into life and saying I deserve a chance to experience it.”

The Masked Singer

Performance after performance, David received the highest of praises from judges Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Robin Thicke and Nicole Scherzinger with Ken reminding David he has the “voice of an angel” and sharing a personal story how when David sang “Imagine” on American Idol in 2008 while Ken and his wife were in the hospital with their newborn babies (who were fighting for their lives) they’d tune into American Idol every week to listen to David sing – Ken further stating - “You are a ray of light to me, my wife and to my kids– thank God for you!” While fellow judge Nicole Scherzinger said, “Thank you for being so bold and showing us your heart.” Robin Thicke also stating David’s performance of Elton John’s “Your Song” was possibly “one of the best in the show’s history” and Jenny literally mesmerized week after week by David’s “empowering and inspiring” performances and vocal range.

On deciding to do The Masked Singer, David said, “I had a lot of anxiety going into the show because I wasn’t sure I could handle an environment of being judged again, especially with millions watching on tv, but being the Macaw made it a lot more fun than having to compete as myself. Becoming the Macaw has been exciting because it’s like I became a new person. It allowed me to show the colors I was too afraid to show and tap deeper emotionally into my performances. I’m now putting Macaw’s flair into my life moving forward. I’m no longer afraid to stand boldly in all my vibrant colors, take bigger risks in my career because if I can do it as Macaw, I know I can do it as me as well. Last night’s finale may have been the last night for Macaw, but he’ll live in me forever.”

To celebrate his newfound confidence (and performing unmasked again), David has announced he will be releasing his brand new single, “Up” on June 2. “This is about hitting what we feel is rock bottom in our lives and like there’s nowhere to go. You feel hopeless. The only thing to do from the bottom is get yourself off the ground and move up. It’s a song about finding the strength you didn’t know you had in you. And replacing any fear and hate with love. Especially self love.” he says. “Up” is available for pre-order now HERE

Earlier this month, David joined forces with CG5 HERE for a dazzling new single & animated music video, "IDONTUNDERSTAND." LISTEN to “IDONTUNDERSTAND” and watch the official music video HERE &

the making of “IDONTUNDERSTAND”HERE

Follow David Here:

Friday, September 23, 2022

"Faith In Me"

David Archuleta who made his first major foray into professional musical theater this summer starring as Joseph in the Andrew Lloyd Weber (Phantom of The Opera) and Tim Rice (Beauty and the Beast) musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat HERE has released the official video for his latest single, “Faith in Me” HERE & HERE.

David spoke in depth with Billboard Magazine –HERE about his new music and his recent coming out journey.

“Faith in Me” is the first taste of new music from David since having vocal cord surgery earlier this year and by far one of his more personal songs to date as he states here, “”Faith In Me” is about escaping and leaving all your worries behind and just going for a new adventure. Not caring about what anyone thinks- letting go and taking off. We actually re-wrote the song to accommodate where I’m at now as we originally began writing it before I came out. In the end, the main objective was to just go forward with someone and not care what anyone thinks. The sentiment is more than a specific stor.” says David. Video directors Kevin McHale and Justin Thorne stated, “We wanted to create an environment for David to perform freely. To evoke that emotional experience when you’re alone and excited and there’s no one watching. That definitely came out in his performance.”

Watch David’s powerful speech from the 2022 LoveLoud Festival - HERE

“Faith in Me”arrives on the heels of his two most recent single releases,”Beast” HERE and “Movin’” which featured not one, but two versions of the song. “Movin’” HERE also sports a special “After Hours” remix HERE.

David's 2021 album Therapy Sessions featured an inside look into David’s internal struggle with himself - a battle he has experienced for most of his life. “I was going through therapy and trying to apply the steps it took to escape the barriers I had created for myself,” he explains. “Whether it was fear, loss, dwelling on the past, or anxiety. There’s a constant battle going on because so much of my mind doesn’t want to budge. The songs are a sort of a back and forth within the inner dialogue I have with myself." This new body of work represents a transparency that has not been present in previous releases. “Music has always been healing for me,” Archuleta goes on to say. “My mission with it is to heal, and then encourage to move forward after the healing takes place. I want people to find answers to their worries and doubts as they listen to Therapy Sessions .”

In addition, David has announced he will hit the road his “The More The Merrier” Christmas tour beginning November 18 performing many of the seasonal gems HERE from his two holiday releases, Christmas from the Heart & Winter in the Air. Link to purchase tickets HERE. David will also be featured on award-winning pop-violinst Lindsey Stirling’s forthcoming holiday album, Snow Waltz (Oct. 7). David lends his crystalline vocals on the uplifting ballad, “Magic,” which was sparked from a profound moment of Stirling’s life, when her sisters and mom shared loving and fun memories around her father’s passing.

“The More The Merrier” Christmas Tour Dates

11/18/22 Tuacahn Center for the Arts - Ivins, UT

11/19/22 Tuacahn Center for the Arts - Ivins, UT

11/25/22 Capitol Theatre - Salt Lake City, UT

11/26/22 L.E and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center - Pocatello, ID

11/29/22 Delta High School - Delta, UT

11/30/22 Logan High Auditorium - Logan, UT

12/14/22 Manti Theater - Manti, UT

12/15/22 Blanding High School Theater - Blanding, UT

12/17/22 Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall - Las Vegas, NV

12/19/2022 Antone’s – Austin, TX

12/20/22 Arlington Music Hall - Arlington, TX

12/21/2022 House of Blues – Houston, TX

12/22/22 Rialto Theatre - Tucson, AZ

12/23/22 Chandler Center for the Arts - Chandler, AZ

Follow David Here:

Friday, November 5, 2021

David Archuleta Is A "Beast"

David Archuleta has revealed his latest single & video, “Beast” HERE & HERE and it’s one of his more personal songs to date as he states here, “Beast was written after a frustrating time of seeing the relationship I was in going downhill because of my own internal battle. I normally consider myself a pretty cheery person even though I’m shy. I was feeling discouraged to see that no matter how I tried and who I was with, and how great they were it always ended by this other side of me coming out and dragging things down. My own internal “Beast.””

The new track comes on the heels of his most recent release, “Movin’” which featured not one, but two versions of the song. “Movin’” HERE also sports a special “After Hours” remix HERE. David explains, “Movin was a song I wanted to have fun with and challenge myself by literally Movin’ with some choreography. I wanted just a touch of Latin feel even though it’s not necessarily Latin music.” With “Movin’s”- After Hours mix David says, “I asked Nate Dodge, the producer, to see what we could do to spice up Movin’s original mix. In Nate fashion, he ended up coming up with something completely different though, lol. I loved the alternate feel, but it felt like a completely different song. I fell in love with both versions, couldn’t make up my mind, and decided I’d just release both. Because they both get me movin’. “ Watch the "Movin'" Video HERE

In addition, David released his first-ever Children’s book this month. Based on the lyrics of David’s popular and moving song, My Little Prayer HERE A simple story about the power of faith, friendship and prayer. Order the book HERE

David has also announced his rescheduled 2020 North American tour dates. See all rescheduled dates below. David is set to kick off the six week trek across North America in February 2022 in support of his Therapy Sessions pop album release. The tour, dubbed “OK, All Right” after his hit single HERE will begin on February 7, 2021 in Los Angeles, CA and weave through such cities as Boston & Chicago before hitting New York & Nashville in mid-March. Tickets available HERE

David's latest album Therapy Sessions features an inside look into David’s internal struggle with himself - a battle he has experienced for most of his life. “I was going through therapy and trying to apply the steps it took to escape the barriers I had created for myself,” he explains. “Whether it was fear, loss, dwelling on the past, or anxiety. There’s a constant battle going on because so much of my mind doesn’t want to budge. The songs are a sort of a back and forth within the inner dialogue I have with myself." This new body of work represents a transparency that has not been present in previous releases. “Music has always been healing for me,” Archuleta goes on to say. “My mission with it is to heal, and then encourage to move forward after the healing takes place. I want people to find answers to their worries and doubts as they listen to Therapy Sessions .”

David’s Exclusive Interview about his Spirituality & Sexuality with ABC News Nightline HERE

AXS TV - HERE

KTLA Channel 5 - HERE

Us Weekly -HERE

Yahoo Entertainment HERE

Follow David Here: