The last time we saw Joe McElderry he was gearing up to take on the star role in a one-night-only production of classic rock musical Tommy.
The X Factor winner has enjoyed a varied career since winning the show in 2009. Heās released four albums, won Popstar to Operastar and starred on the West End stage. For his latest venture heās team up with the Royal Mail Choir for a charity release of Abide With Me.
We had a chat with Joe to find out all about the single, talk about how he got involved and find out what heās been working on in the studio.
The last time we saw you, you were days away from Tommy. What have you been up to since?
Iāve been in the studio writing and recording. Iāve also just finished recording the single with the Royal Mail Choir, Abide With Me. Itās been quite busy. Iāve been in the studio a lot actually since February writing lots of new material for the new album.
Tell us about Abide With Me. How did it all come about?
Basically the Royal Mail Choir have recorded Abide With Me with me. Royal Mail and Prostate Cancer UK have joined together and the aim is to raise Ā£2 million. That will fund 50 specialist prostate cancer nurses. The song is available from 14th April to download and the Royal Mail will donated Ā£1 to Prostate Cancer UK for every download. Itās quite big.
Iām just hoping that everyone will get behind it and support it. Itās such an important cause and itās not a very highlighted type of cancer. Itās not well-researched and people are quite embarrassed to talk about it. When I heard it was going to be for this cause I jumped aboard. Being a young male you never know when Iām going to need this kind of charity. I think it needs to highlighted and some awareness raised about it.
Have you had any experience with family or friends that have had prostate cancer?
Iāve done a lot of stuff with cancer charities before and visited wards when Iāve been touring. Iāve seen how it affects people and Iāve seen friends of friendsā family members that have suffered from it. Itās a devastating disease and affects much more than just the individual going through it, which is bad enough. It affects so many other people.Ā These kinds of charities provide help and support. Itās a really great cause. Iām always of the mind that if I can help and use my profile for something then Iām always willing to do it if itās possible.
Why did you decide to record Abide With Me?
Royal Mail had already selected the song. They were interested in me vocalling it. Abide With Me is such a timeless song and the lyrics are really emotional. It makes people feel something when they hear it whether that be patriotic or some kind of emotion. The lyrics are very emotional. Itās been used in huge sporting events. Itās a well-used song. Itās fitting to use it and raise awareness for this cause as well.
You mentioned that youāve been spending a lot of time in the studio. What kind of sound have you been working on?
Iāve been working on some stuff that Iāve not done for a while. Iāve written some dance tracks, a few uptempo, a few midtempo poppy tracks. Iāve written some ballads too so itās been very varied. Iāve written about three or four songs that people wouldnāt expect to come out from me and thatās quite exciting. Iām just hoping that everyone will get to hear them. Iām going to take them in to play to the label and see what they think. Itās been quite nice to get back in there and do some stuff thatās not expected.
Is it nerve-wracking when you have to play your songs to the label?
Itās a working relationship with the label. I can take anything in and we bounce off each other so itās a matter of opinion. I get nervous playing my music to anybody. You can spend a lot of time playing it to a select three or four people around you. I always get nervous when I hear my song on the radio because you never know what people are going to think of it. You spend so long working on it that you get protective over it. When I go to the label I have to distance myself from the song so I can constructively pick at them and make them better.
You said before that youāve been doing a lot more songwriting and last time we saw you, you mentioned you wanted to do more of that. Have you been getting stuck in?
Iāve been writing since January this year. I wrote a lot for the album and Iāve been really getting into it. I was in the studio yesterday doing some and I was in there last week. Iām always writing and Iām one of those people that sits on trains, planes or wherever Iām travelling singing into my phone. People must think Iām a right idiot! (laughs)
Letās talk about your experience with Tommy. How was that for you?
It was probably one of the most stressful things Iāve done because we had such a short amount of time due to my schedule with the album. All-in-all I had about two and a half weekās rehearsal. I was doing shows then racing back to London to do rehearsals. I had to learn a full musical in two and a half weeks so it was the most stressful ever. I had one of the best times though. The music is so epic with the band. The cast I worked with was incredible. I was lucky to be on stage with them all. It went down well. I was nervous what everyone was going to think about me playing a rock hero (laughs) but it seemed to go down well.
It just showcases your versatility, something youāve done throughout your career so farā¦
Yes. It was a big role to take on because the only other person thatās done it, and made it huge, was Roger Daltrey. Roger and I have very different singing styles so it was quite a challenge for me to take it on and make it my own. The director I worked with was great and it turned out really well. We got some great feedback on it.
Has it given you the itch to do anything else on stage?
Definitely. If the role was right, and the timing was right schedule-wise then I would definitely do something. Thereās something about being part of a cast thatās really special. Iād never felt that kind of gel on stage before. Iāve got my band, and weāre great friends having a blast on stage, but thereās something about being on stage and being in character with that many people. Itās a great feeling.
Moving back to your charity single with the Royal Mail Choir, why should people go out and support it?
I think the song is a great song. This is not a fun song; itās for a serious cause. One man dies every hour due to prostate cancer and 1 in 8 men will get it. Itās a huge deal. Itās not anywhere near as highlighted as it should be. Iād urge everyone to get this single and help highlight the cause and raise money for this charity.
Abide With Me by Royal Mail Choir with Joe McElderry is out now in aid of Prostate Cancer UK. Watch the video below: