'Idol's' Matt Giraud says he won't be idle for long

Matt Giraud is the history-making "American Idol" contestant who could never say goodbye. He was a Wild Card pick and the one person the judges chose to save two weeks ago when he was on the chopping block. But Wednesday night, his run finally came to an end. He talked to us this morning about having his confidence shaken and why he's sticking with rock music. (Just maybe not Coldplay.)

How have the last couple of days been for you, Matt?
Well, it’s been rough. Tiring. I got a couple of hours of sleep, couple of pancakes, I’m on my way.

What did you do when you got back to the house last night?
You know, I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I went and started packing up. It took me forever. I came with two suitcases, but I’m leaving with two suitcases and three boxes full of stuff.

What’d you get?
We got free Gibson guitars, which are awesome. I need to learn how to play. Lot of the outfits. Most of it is fan mail. I just couldn’t throw it away.Some of it was really touching.

What’s next?
Going to Miami and New York and all that stuff before I go home. Do all the talk shows and stuff. Back home for a week and then back for the finale.

What were you telling Adam when you two were standing there waiting to hear your fate?
I was telling him, ‘I hope they make me a good package for the end.’ And I told him to make me laugh so I don’t get emotional.

Did you get emotional then?
Yeah. It wasn’t for the fact I was going home, it was that everyone was so nice to me and positive. It was like, I can’t take it. Tell me I did horrible. It’s easier. They were all so sweet to me, the backstage crew was so upset. I think at this point anyone who goes is going to feel like that. I was hoping they were gonna save me again.

What’s next for you?
I’ve already had a couple of offers and a couple of singers who I won’t name who have expressed interest in working with me. I’m like, “Whaaaa?” That’s really exciting. So we’ll see what happens. I’d like to go on tour. I’d love to pay my dues in the music industry, put a band together, get on the road, maybe open up for a well-known band. I don’t think of myself as a huge headliner or anything yet. I’d love to work my way up that way. 

The judges had a lot of advice for you on the show, but now you’re on your own and you decide. Tell us who Matt will be.
I will be me. I will keep doing the more rock stuff. I won’t go all the way toward Coldplay stuff. I like to see myself as the lead piano player and like a band around me. Maybe not so glammed up. I just want to do good music that I would like to listen to.

Are you feeling sad? Are you OK with it?
I was actually pretty OK with it all day. After talking to my dad and he sounded so upset, and he’s so proud of me. He thinks I handled it with grace. I don’t think I let them down – he’d kill me if he heard me say this – but you do feel like you let everyone down a little bit. Your family and friends get so into it. Even more than you sometimes. I just didn’t want to let them down.

Was it hard to keep up your confidence week after week?
A little bit. In the beginning I had a little bit more confidence in my ideas. I thought they were good. But then when I tried things I’d just get slammed. "We hated that. That wasn’t you at all!" But my confidence is back up because after you’ve been at the bottom and after you’ve been saved, it’s like, I’m just going to start doing what I want to do. See how that works out.

After the save, I thought everyone got a boost from that.
I felt very confident. I felt like I needed to watch my game and step it up. And that’s what I did the next week. It was cool not to be in the bottom three that week. It was my dream to do jazz on the show and I’m really glad I went out on a good note. I don’t know what Kara was talking about saying I didn’t connect to my music because I was really connected to it. I really appreciated Simon’s comments.

Were you surprised by his enthusiasm?
Yeah. Kara usually digs that. I don’t really know what they wanted from me. I just kind of nod and smile. I really respect their opinions but I can’t go out there and try to please them.

Was it confusing?
I used to think I could read them, but I got to the point where I had no idea. I had zero idea what they were going to like. Like when I did “So Small,” that wasn’t soulful at all and they loved it. Then I do “Have You Ever Loved a Woman” and that wasn’t soulful, and was kind of similar in fact, and they couldn’t stand it. It was confusing. I’m just going to do music I love and if they hate it, they hate it.

What was your favorite moment?
Definitely the save. And definitely “Part Time Lover” was a really cool moment for me. Every moment I had I’m proud of.

Have you thought about what you’re going to do on the tour?
Going to get back to the keys. Maybe do a little “Georgia on My Mind.” I know a lot of my fans like that when I did that during Hollywood Week. Get some fast songs out there too.

What were you going to sing for Rock Week?
I thought about doing “Simple Man” on the piano, like a more bluesy, Lynyrd Skynyrd cover.

What are you going to miss most?
I’m going miss hanging out with those guys. Performance nights, actually, were nerve-racking. It wasn’t like, "Yeah, I’m going to go out and do my thang.” Unless you’re one of the contestants that the judges loved week after week, it was nerve-racking. For me, I had a hard time. The best times were hanging with the guys, going out to eat, talking about music, laughing, playing around at the piano. I’m going to miss the people in the show.

What are you most looking forward to?
Taking a very long nap. Going back to my college, shaking hands with the people who really pushed me along. Shaking hands with the mayor.

-- Richard Rushfield and Denise Martin

Photo credit: Associated Press

 

Comments

[Jade]

Matt was so on point this week... He chose the hardest song and got slammed by Randy and Kara. I'm glad Simon said Matt is believable when he sings and "Brilliant"- Simon got it right. I really do hope that Matt gets out there, gets a back up band and blows us away.

[Rosanne]

Will miss seeing you in the Idol line up, Matt. Simon did get it right this time. Look forward to seeing your future work!

[Kimberl 88]

Matt will always be my American Idol! He's off to bigger and better things! We love you Matt! Can't wait for Idol's Meet and greet!

[willow]

great honesty, i appreciate that. i LOVED partime lover myself, one of my top favs along with lets get it on and so small..oh and course early on when he did georgia, i was hooked before that but that solidified it!...but i really loved them all...he can practically do anything.
i could tell he was confused by the judges after the first few weeks, heck i was confused...i thought 'hello, you guys are totally contradicting yourselves now"...made me feel bad for matt cause it's like "ookay, i'm totally lost as to what you want..so i guess i have to just close my eyes and pull something out of a hat - and hope it works". thats crazy must be so hard. he did amazing inspite of it. wow. though i'll miss seeing him on the show and all the behind the scenes hilarity...lol. put out a cd asap matt.. :)...i'm so glad you "won't be idle for long"

[crys]

Absolutely love this guy!

[june_antonette]

He's was one of the best and probably will be the best. I will miss him on stage of course. Every week I feel anxious and can't concentrate at work thinking what he might sing and that what will the judges say. He did good every week. Yeah, there's ups and downs but that's competition and nobody is perfect. I know how it feels when you're on stage with a zillion of people looking at ya. I know he will do great things after AI. An amazing talent with a great personality, it all sums up. I am glad that a lot of people wanted him to be a part of because I can't wait for his new CD. Good luck to you Matt!

[eve]

Matt was a great talent and definitely was a joy to watch.
I'm gonna miss him loads on AI! Hopefully, his career will end up great!

[TJ]

Matt is an awesome interviewee. So honest and matter-of-fact. He's the best TALENT this season of AI! I can't wait for his album and to see him on tour with his own band. He's amazingly talented and versatile. He can crossover all genres and be great! I hope the music industry embraces him and helps make him HUGE in the biz! I love you Matt G! Keep living your dream!

[Kaysi]

I've read some good interviews with him since Wednesday night but this is the best yet. Matt was my favorite contestant this year (in fact, he is one of my two favorite contestants EVER) and I will miss him so much these last few weeks of competition. I am SO thankful for Simon's positive feedback this week. It was certainly well-deserved and I'm glad Matt left with some encouragement! I think he is exactly right in saying he couldn't figure out what the judges wanted from him. I respect the judges but they really did seem to give him conflicting feedback in different weeks. No matter now, Matt has got a great future ahead of him and I cannot wait to see where he goes! Lots of love & prayers, Matt!

[For The Love Of ADAM]

ATTENTION: To All WORLD WIDE FANS Of ADAM!!! . . .We can VOTE!!! I read this post from Time: “I’m living in Peru and I figured out how to vote with an international telefonecard. Start asking around how you can make foncalls to USA. I’m technically not that talented, but I voted full 2 hours last week. My friend in USA just sent me a message when I could start voting and which telefonumber and it worked out great! I placed like 150 votes for Adam on 2 telefonlines! THAT may never ever happen again that an exceptional talented singer like ADAM finishes in the bottom 2. (even if I still think somebody is messing with us…) greetings from Lima. . .
I thank Labelle for this information. Please go out and buy those phone cards and tell your friends. But you need someone from US to text you when voting starts and the number of Adam. I’m relieved that as a fan from Hong Kong, I will be able to do something for the LOVE of ADAM!!!
We love Matt as well. Will miss you!

[JKRio]

I have seen exit interviews of Matt Giraud but this article is just so cool, honest and not biased at all. I like the questions thrown at Matt Giraud and I love how he answered it back. Matt is my American Idol even though he didn't win the title.
I can't wait for his single and the whole album.

Thanks for the great interview, I hope to hear read more articles about him on the future.