A young Idol embraces his maturity

Ashante Infantry, The Star
Published: Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Kalan Porter's all growed up and he's got the angst to prove it. Along with his songwriting and violin-playing prowess, the second season Canadian Idol winner showcases a pensive side on his sophomore disc, Wake Up Living, which hits stores today.

It's a hard-won maturity, accelerated by a fretful period the 21-year-old Toronto-based musician spent back home in Medicine Hat, Alta., last year, as his mother battled breast cancer.

But mom's doing better and it's time to try to recapture the glory of 2004's 219 Days, which garnered three Juno nominations and a MuchMusic Video Award.

With Wake Up Living's empowering lead single "Down In Heaven" already climbing the charts, the Star caught up with the thoughtful, soft-spoken singer at his record label's headquarters. Fans can catch him Sept. 29 at the Mod Club.

Q: How did the making of this album compare to the first one?

A: It was a completely different experience. The first record was made in about six weeks and it definitely didn't have that much creative input. Canadian Idol gives you the opportunity to get out to people really fast, but I don't think it's known for its ability to create great art. It was kind of my job to go back and really make a record that shows me as an artist. I spent about a year writing and went to L.A. and recorded over four months. And I had creative control over the whole thing.

Q: Some of the tunes are really dark and personal.

A: I wasn't sure what I was going to write about. I'm a young guy, haven't had a lot of life experience, haven't had a lot of relationships that have gone badly. Then, almost right away when I started writing, my mom was diagnosed with cancer. I tried to stay in Toronto and keep working, but it was really important for me to go and spend that time with my family. It was a rough year or so, but it really brought our family closer. And in the end, I think it got the creative juices flowing, because there was so much to draw on.

Q: Are you trying to shrug off that cutesy image you had on Canadian Idol?

A: Not specifically. Some people who've listened to the record say I'm going to lose a lot of the younger fans, because it has an older sound. That's the way it goes. The last year or two, I tried to be so many things: I straightened my hair, I even dyed it a darker brown. I wanted to be anything but what I was. I realized I just have to be who I am and if people like that, fine. When I got into the show I was so young and unsure. I was worried about saying the right things. Now, I'm more comfortable showing humour and personality. I'm more secure and I think the record shows that.

Q: You seem to have reconciled your apparently reserved nature with the demands of showbiz.

A: In the last few years I really had to live my life out of my comfort zone. I'm always pushing myself; interviews, videos and all that stuff are not really natural, but I'm slowly getting better at it.

The music is what I really love doing, and the other stuff I do because I know it's important.

Q: Like talking about your mother's health scare?

A: It was such a huge part of the album and I was torn about whether I wanted to bring it up (in the promotion of the record). But I hope people who listen to the album will relate if they're going through similar things. That's what music has always been to me: communicating to people.

Q: How do you feel about returning to perform on Canadian Idol (Sept 4. broadcast)?

A: When I got out I kind of wanted to distance myself from it and become my own artist. I've kind of come full circle now in that I embrace that's where I came from. I'm excited to go to back to see a lot of the crew and people behind the scenes. And it's an amazing opportunity to get my music out to a whole lot of people.

Q: You're slated to be in (Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation/CIBC's) Run for the Cure on Sept. 30, but you just don't seem like the athletic type; how far can you run?

A: I don't know. It's called Run for the Cure, but hopefully it's like walk, or light jog for the cure. I'm not the most physical guy, but if something good can come from it, I'll do my best.