Pia Toscano’s Debut Album: A Cross Between Sia, Kelly Clarkson & Rihanna (VIDEO)

By On 10/22/2012 · 21 Comments · In American Idol, Pia Toscano

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After a discussion of last week’s The Voice, TV Line’s Michael Slezak talks to American Idol Season 9 alum, Pia Toscano, about what’s ahead after her recent split with Universal Music Group.

She’s happily working on her debut album, signed to the producers she worked with at UMG–Harvey Mason Jr. and Damon Thomas. The team has only just started, but they’ve gotten a ton done already. Plus she gets to keep some of the songs she recorded at Interscope.

One of the songs she hopes to keep from the old label, she describes as “my story…powerful, strong, shows the grit in my voice.” She doesn’t want to tip her hand just yet with any song titles!

Pia characterizes the sound on her debut album as “really powerful, anthemic.” The record will hava a very pop and contemporary sound, while keeping her vocal power front and center. She says to expect “Sia meets Kelly Clarkson meets Rihanna.” She adds, “It’s got the edge, it’s got the power…it’s going to be so fun.”

Also, Pia will be singing the National Anthem at the European NFL game on October 28 at the Wembley.

Watch Pia discuss last week’s reality tv and her upcoming plans in the interview below

VIA TV Line

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  • thirdtime

    I really wish Pia lots of luck, but somehow I’m picturing a real yawn fest with this album. 

  • GaryOC

    Yesterday, Pia performed two new songs called “Indestructible” and “Crash and Burn” plus a new arrangement of her duet with Jared Lee of “Time After Time” at the Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times Halloween Carnival on the backlot of Universal Studios Hollywood.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbiP4yqXp1I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD0rYGb-dbw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj-AGgGXDc0

  • girlygirltoo

    Rihanna, Sia and Kelly Clarkson have very little in common in terms of musical style. That doesn’t sound like it will be a very cohesive sounding album, but you never know. I wish her luck with it.

  • http://twitter.com/raya4 raya

    The better question is will anybody still care by the time her album actually drops?   Don’t get me wrong in that I know she has fans and there are people who care, but at this point I expect several of the S11 idols to drop music in some capacity before she does.  Wouldn’t it would make more sense to aim for an EP just to get her out there already and test the waters?

  • MyDailyComment

    Artists no one has ever heard of relase new albums every day, so Pia who is moderately known doesn’t need to go back and do baby steps by releasing an EP.

    In comparing her to other people in her season, I think she is different and stands out because she will be bringing back Whitney and Mariah type power singing that no one else is doing, with her super strong voice.

    An EP would test the waters, but what if it fails?  It seems like you are suggesting she should just go somewhere and die.

    An EP failing is the same as an album failing.  No different.  You made music no one wanted.  That is why people have to put the best into whatever they make and go for it!  

  • MyDailyComment

     I think she means something like the sassyness of Rihanna, the danceyness of that Sia song, mixed with the strong vocals of a singer like Kelly Clarkson.

  • irockhard

    In comparing her to other people in her season, I think she is different and stands out because she will be bringing back Whitney and Mariah type power singing that no one else is doing, with her super strong voice.

    No one else is doing it because there’s no demand for it. Even Mariah, the queen of diva belters, isn’t doing it anymore and it’s not only because her voice can no longer reach the heights it used to.

  • http://twitter.com/raya4 raya

    Where do I suggest Pia go somewhere and die?  I don’t even suggest Pia leave the music business.  She should pursue music if that is her love.  That had nothing to do with my point whatsoever.  Of course new artists drop records all the time, but artists both established and otherwise also drop EP’s all the time.  I don’t consider an EP a baby step either.  If anything I’d think she would get more sales by releasing an EP since it’s generally cheaper and doesn’t require as much as a monetary commitment from music buyers.

    As a casual S10 fan, at this point it’s been so long since I’ve heard Pia sing that I don’t even remember what her voice sounds like.  My main point is while everybody needs fans beyond idol, to me it seems like they are seemingly squandering the “moderate fame” she does have since those folks will be long gone by the time there is anything to buy.  I don’t think there is anything wrong with keeping yourself out there and in the game.

    As for her standing out from others in her season by being a big voice so to speak, unfortunately for her we’ve also had at least two other female idols since that can also fall into this category in Jessica and Hollie, though Jessica is obviously more inclined to R&B.  Heck, Jessica is even working with the same producers as Pia. 

  • http://twitter.com/OzzyBonjour ??EvHeaD??ozzy??

    I am listening to the new song indistructible right now and to be honest, I really REALLY think that her ‘Sia+Rihanna+Kelly’ was a very accurate description… Big big vocals like kelly, and kind of similar-ish sound… The chorus kinda reminds of Sia songs, and just something feels like Rihanna, but I can’t decide what… The sense of mainstream in it? It’s really nice :D

    Edit: Listened to Crash and Burn as well… Not exactly as good as Indistructible, and still remeniscent of Sia, though no Kelly or RiRi this time haha :D If she has an album of songs with these kind of songs, with good productions, like the ones she said she’d be keeping, it will be a fine album worth buying %100

  • justmefornow

    I wish Pia lots of luck too, especially after Interscope strung her along for over a year. I don’t know how marketable she’ll be, depends on the music.
    I think Melanie from XFactor, Jessica from AI11 and Pia may all be in the same boat music -style wise. I don’t think any of them are going to burn up the charts, but Pia is a very pretty girl so that definitely helps her a lot.

  • girlygirltoo

    Mariah and Whitney both have music out and it isn’t doing all that well, so it doesn’t seem like people are all that interested in having that style of music make a comeback right now. Mariah even tries to move away from the big voiced diva! music to try and sound more current, which less than great results.

  • songsungblue

    Well.  On the plus side, she sounds good. She looks pretty. She’s definitely using the ‘sweet’ spot of her voice so she’s not doing that shrill thing she sometimes does.  But after listening to Indestructible, it just points out what Pia’s real problem is:  She isn’t terribly original. The song is kind of a poor man’s Skyscraper, but without the honesty and pain.  I would bet money she’ll name the album ‘Indestructible’ and her talk show circuit will be about how Interscope couldn’t break her ya da ya.  Oh and something about how she was asked to ‘change’ by a boyfriend or someone in the industry but she stood her ground. ;)

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/XDQP2Y46M5B3OHOKALDDGDHQCM Leandro

    So, Pia is the new Melinda  Dolittle of TV Line? Good she found a job. Melinda is way more clever and funny but Pia is more enjoyable to watch ;)

    that girl in the middle is incredibly similar with Pia. Alessandra?

  • Montavilla

    As a co-host, Pia comes off as very likable.  She’s no Melinda Doolittle, of course, but she’s friendly and nice.  These things shouldn’t matter, but I liked her look.  She’s so naturally beautiful that putting on a lot of make-up is overkill.  When she wears less, she looks like Aly McGraw.  

    I’m guessing that Michael is using other co-hosts because Melinda is busy with Smoky Joe’s Cafe.  It’s good to bring in other Idol girls (or guys), because it always reminds me how cool these people are as people.  But I hope we get back to Melinda, because she is the Queen.

  • SullyD

    Pia is stunning and very sweet, but I really hope that doesn’t mean we won’t have Melinda on Michael’s idol recaps anymore :(

  • halo9125

    Pia did a great job filling in for Melinda!  She was relaxed, very comfortable and a complete natural.

    She shouldn’t, and won’t, settle for anything less than a complete album. She is fortunate  to be working with Harvey Mason Jr- I fully expect a phenomenal album because neither of them will settle for anything less.

    Thanks Gary_OC for sharing your videos- they are quite incredible ;)

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matteo-Rodrigo/1340430528 Matteo Rodrigo

    Probably lots of Pisa who?

  • http://twitter.com/Reggie31307 Reginald

    So excited and proud that things are finally coming together for her. Wish Pia nothing but the best because she truly is one gifted singer and a beautiful kind hearted person. I know I’m pumped for her album!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Bug-Menot/100003601718986 Bug Menot

    “Pia characterizes the sound on her debut album as ‘really powerful,
    anthemic’…Pia will be singing the National Anthem at…”

    That struck me as funny. In all seriousness though, “Indestructible” struck me as anthemic. For that reason I think it needs more than an acoustic guitar for accompaniment.

    I noticed the banner behind her was for 104.3. Pia fans might want to check that website later for a high-quality recording. They were the host the night Haley debuted “Free” at the Hard Rock Cafe and they later produced a video of it with audio taken from a direct feed.

  • roarpen

    Does she plan to self-release said album? And how is she paying her producer? 

  • http://twitter.com/SallyEffendi Stefani Djuang

    I have high hopes for her album, contrary to most people, I really liked “I’m out tonight” and “This Time”.