Billy Klippert, the Lucky Wanderer: Interview with the Rocker, by Jean-Pierre Peddle
"All rock music is good as long as it has passion and feeling." - Kurt Cobain
"We write about ourselves because we know about ourselves." - Layne Staley
Last year on Canadian Idol, a very special contestant, by the name of Billy Klippert, broke several boundaries in this pop-driven competition with his revolutionary brand of rock, trailblazing the way for other unique rockers, such as Jacob Hoggard, and giving Canada a diverse musical edge over its American pop counterpart. To this day, Billy remains one of the most memorable and beloved Idol competitors in our nation, and has since secured a recording contract with Universal's Orange label. Billy's Levon video is currently #3 on the Much More Music Countdown, while his awesome self-titled debut album is available in all record stores, and every music lover shouldn't be without a copy of this amazing CD. If you live abroad or just want a copy delivered straight to your door, simply click the link of Billy's album cover on the Beavers On Idol homepage for Amazon.ca, and purchase the album online. I just had the amazing pleasure of interviewing Billy for Beavers On Idol, and what follows are his thoughts and insights on everything from Kazaa and his current tour plans, to why he decided to compete on the show and where he was when the big 2003 blackout gripped Toronto. Read on for the full scoop on all this and more!
Jean-Pierre Peddle: First off, congratulations on all your success! You really rocked the Idol world and proved that it's more than just a pop competition. Kudos to you and everything you strived for!
Billy Klippert: Thanks. It was the best time I've ever had and it definitely changed my life.
Jean-Pierre Peddle: You have a unique and powerful voice, and the ability to move the audience with your performance. Besides the singer, who is Billy Klippert and why did he compete for the title of Canadian Idol?
Billy Klippert: It's funny to think that I didn't really even want to try out for the Idol show. My sister waited in line for me, I felt bad for her and finally took my place in line. I'm blessed with a wonderful family. I've never really spent much time thinking about who I am. I guess some might think of me as a lucky wanderer. I've done university, held countless jobs, none of which have anything to do with each other. I've lived in many different places under many different circumstances. Six months before the Idol show, I was living on the streets, busking in Australia.
Jean-Pierre Peddle: What was a typical day in the life of a Canadian Idol competitor? From the point after each elimination night until the following performance night, what did you do to prepare yourself?
Billy Klippert: By far, the hardest thing to endure on the show was watching one of your friends being eliminated. It was never really a competition between us. We just had a lot of fun putting on a great show. Song selection was really difficult because you had to do it on the night you could be eliminated. There was never enough time to make careful thought out decisions. I have never really listened to pop music, and many of the songs I sang on the show, I had never heard before. Most of the week was spent doing press and filming show filler. I especially enjoyed living in a mansion, and then later, in my own luxury condo. They even took us to Vegas!
Jean-Pierre Peddle: Cool! During the run of the show, you met several celebrities, such as The Temptations, Ruben & Clay, Mariah Carey, and Celine Dion. Out of all the guest stars you met on the show, who was your favourite and why?
Billy Klippert: The bass singer from The Temptations was pretty cool. We had a great night out on the town, and even though he wasn't one of the original singers, he had a lot of good insight on the music business.
Jean-Pierre Peddle: Do you still watch Canadian Idol and do you have a favourite among the current contestants?
Billy Klippert: I really didn't watch the show much this year, but the few times I saw it, I thought they were all really good.
Jean-Pierre Peddle: How do you feel the talent of this year's Canadian Idol Top 10 compares to that of the original Top 11 from last year? Do you feel they have it easier or harder than you guys from the original group?
Billy Klippert: I think there were a lot of contestants competing for the same spot this year. It seemed more pop driven, with Jacob being the exception. Last year, I think there was a little more variety amongst the voices. The Idol show is pretty hard for anyone to endure. I think it was harder for the producers and directors the first year, but probably the same for the contestants.
Jean-Pierre Peddle: How do you feel the talent of our Canadian Idol contestants compare to that of their American Idol counterparts?
Billy Klippert: Canada rocks!
Jean-Pierre Peddle: Great answer! What sort of advice would you give to struggling musicians trying to break into the music industry, and people who audition for Idol, but get eliminated before or during the Top 32?
Billy Klippert: If you work at anything long and hard enough, you'll get a break. I've tried everything musically for years, who would have thought that an alternative rocker from Calgary would get a break from a pop driven TV show.
Jean-Pierre Peddle: Do you have any regrets? Anything you would have done differently on the show had you a second chance?
Billy Klippert: I often think that if I had sung a different song on the My Own Idol themed show, I might have gotten further. I don't think I'd be happy singing an album of songs that were written for me. By coming in third, I was able to make the album and hire the personnel I wanted, rather than have them appointed to me.
Jean-Pierre Peddle: I listened to your album. I liked it so much that I got a copy. Where and how do you get your inspiration for your songs?
Billy Klippert: I write about things and feelings I experience. When I sing my songs live, I know what they're about and how I felt when I wrote them. Music is a wonderful thing to vent frustrations, and embrace good feelings.
Jean-Pierre Peddle: Billy, do you see yourself venturing into other musical genres, or perhaps television and movies in the near future?
Billy Klippert: Didn't you catch me on Instant Star? I would love to branch out into all kinds of things. Making the Levon video was absolutely fantastic. I actually acted a bit, sort of. I have another video coming out soon for the song Again. I love acting; even though I never have done it professionally, I could see myself doing more as time goes by, sure, why not.
Jean-Pierre Peddle: Do you have a favourite song on your album? If yes, which one and why?
Billy Klippert: I like Reckless Beauty; the lyrics are very true to the way I feel and what I'm going through.
Jean-Pierre Peddle: Being a hardworking musician, what are your feelings on sites like Kazaa, and the fact that people can download entire albums worth of music for free? Is there anything you would like to say to people who download your music illegally?
Billy Klippert: It used to be, if you heard a song on the radio that you liked, the only way you could get a good copy of it was to go to the store and buy the entire album. The Internet is killing the music business. Record sales are so low that almost all of the major record companies are being forced to merge. Lots of people are losing their jobs. It's just a mess. Without labels making money, they can't afford to sign any new acts, or produce good videos, or back bands on tours. I know a guy that worked the same job at BMG for the past 16 years, who recently just got let go. I think if people knew the effects of downloading, they would be a little more hesitant about it. If people want to continue enjoying music, they should at least pay the 99 cents it cost to download a song.
Jean-Pierre Peddle: With your amazing self-titled album available in stores all across the country, do you have any current plans to go on a nation-wide tour? If so, when would you be planning to do one?
Billy Klippert: We've been looking at a few different options. My hope is that it happens sometime in late October, but I'm not certain. There will be a tour that's for sure.
Jean-Pierre Peddle: International exposure is always an excellent way to expand an artist's fan base. Do you and the people over at Orange Record Label currently have any plans to market your self-titled album in the United States and abroad?
Billy Klippert: It will take some time.
Jean-Pierre Peddle: What hobbies and interests do you like to do in your spare time, and what is your favourite website to visit?
Billy Klippert: I enjoy wakeboarding, fishing, Grand Theft Auto (this is a video game), and cooking. I spend time on the Much More Music video site, occasionally voting for my video. Orange has a great site, check it out, and I guess I'll plug my site, too, while I have the chance, billyklippertonline.com, and, of course, I love this site.
Jean-Pierre Peddle: Thanks! Where were you when the big blackout occurred last summer and did it affect you or any of the other Idols? What was your first thought when the lights went out, and what were you doing at the time?
Billy Klippert: I was in the Idol mansion; I believe my first thought was Osama. It was great being in a huge spooky old house, but it kind of sucks that we didn't get to perform at the Ex.
Jean-Pierre Peddle: That was a bummer. Did you get to attend the giant SARStock concert last summer with the Rolling Stones and AC/DC? If so, what did you like the most about the concert?
Billy Klippert: No, my brother did. He got a spot about the 5th jumbotron back from the stage, so like about 1 km away. Wish I could've gone, though. AC/DC rocks.
Jean-Pierre Peddle: They sure do. I've noticed that you are into leather and sunglasses. Do you have a store where you shop for clothing? How do you define your fashion style?
Billy Klippert: I am a romantic cowboy vampire with sunglasses. I do most of my shopping at Kensington Market in Toronto.
Jean-Pierre Peddle: What is the most important thing in your life at this moment?
Billy Klippert: My career and personal relationships.
Jean-Pierre Peddle: If you had the chance to meet any rock star in existence, living or dead, whom would it be and why?
Billy Klippert: Kurt Cobain & Layne Staley because they were a major influence on my music.
Jean-Pierre Peddle: Thank you very much, Billy, for your time. You rock! It was an honour and a pleasure interviewing you. All the best to you and your career!
Billy Klippert: It was my pleasure. Rock on!
For more information on Billy and his music visit his site at billyklippertonline.com or the Orange Record Label homepage.
Originally posted on the Canadian Idol ezine, Beavers On Idol, on Wednesday, 29 September, 2004.