We first met bubbly singer Haley Reinhart during season 10 of “American Idol,” where she captured both the hearts of many and the third-place slot. After that Miss Reinhart went on to become an internet sensation by singing lead with the hipster collective known as Postmodern Jukebox. The group’s swing jazz version of the Radiohead song “Creep” got a kagillion (it’s a word) views/streams.
For her latest CD, Miss Reinhart takes an unexpected music travel back in time to the ’60s with “What’s That Sound?” a collection of the era’s greatest gems sung with a fresh take and musical passion by the twentysomething.
Miss Reinhart will play both The Fillmore Silver Springs Nov. 13 and Soundstage in Baltimore Nov. 14. The singer discussed how she discovered the music of the ’60s and her “American Idol” roots.
Question: I know you are about two hours from showtime. Do you have a pre-show ritual?
Answer: I like to take my time and get ready. Get some warm tea if I can. Then do my crazy vocal warmups that sound a bit like a mermaid going out to sea.
Q: What does a mermaid going out to sea sound like?
A: I guess it is somewhere between a mermaid and a screaming banshee. Sort of like “eeewww.”
Q: That’s very whale/dolphin like.
A: (Laughs) For sure.
Q: Why did you decide to do an album of 1960s songs?
A: I realized that this was kind of the music I grew up with my whole life. My folks and their band have been performing these songs for decades now. I just love the era and the whole free-spirited nature of it all.
I didn’t know that this album was something I was going to do at any point in my career. I’m happy that it’s my third album. It kind of turned out to be my dream record since we recorded live to tape with a live band — all of us recording at once at Sunset Sound, which is a legendary recording studio in L.A.
A lot of the artists we were covering actually recorded there. It’s pretty full-circle.
Q: You are only in your twenties, so what do the ’60s mean to you?
A: I feel like it was such an expressive time. Everything from the vibrant, fun psychedelic style to film. I feel like everything had this new wave of consciousness to it, and people were standing up for what they believed in and getting messages across peacefully [by] doing things in a kind way.
I’m a big fan of the whole hippie movement for sure.
Q: How did you decide what songs to cover?
A: We started by doing ’70s soul stuff and it morphed into the ’60s. I realized there were a whole lot of tunes I grew up with that were instilled in me from a very young age. We thought, “This is going to be fun and easy to reimagine these tunes” while paying tribute to the icons of the ’60s.
Q: Were there any songs you wanted to do that didn’t make the record?
A: I did want to do “You Don’t Own Me,” but there was a girl who put out a cover at the same time, so I scrapped that one. “Going Up the Country” is another one I really wanted to do.
Q: There are also three original songs. How did they fit in with the covers?
A: I really pushed to do originals. I wrote those three before I knew we were going to do this record, and lucky enough, they kind of sound of the era. So I’m glad it worked out.
Q: Do you look back at your time on “American Idol” fondly?
A: Most definitely. Happy everything happened the way that it did. I’m even happy about getting third place. “Idol” was a beautiful part of my journey, and I have a family for life.
Q: How do you feel about the show coming back?
A: I’m glad. It was a sad and bittersweet feeling to see it go. I had a big feeling it would be coming back; I just didn’t expect it so soon. I’m glad, because you never know how long these singing competition shows will last.
Q: What can people expect when they come out to see you live?
A: I’ve got a really amazing band. We come with great energy. People can hear a lot of sweet sounds from the ’60s, originals and a couple of covers that I’ve done over time that got me my first gold record with “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Expect a good time.
Q: That cover and your cover of “Creep” with Postmodern Jukebox had people calling you an “internet sensation.” Does that mean anything to you?
A: It’s crazy to me. All these things have come through other projects and collaborations, and they have seemed to hit. It is really cool when you have things come your way that you don’t and can’t anticipate. I’m really happy to be a part of all those projects.
Q: What is the one thing you need on the road to stay sane?
A: Man, I’m still trying to find that. (Laughs) Just kidding. Good company I guess. I try to pick out my band with that in mind. I really want to have a positive vibe around myself and all of us. I like to create a safe and comfortable space around us. If we can add little things on the bus like lights to make us feel at home, then that’s great.
Q: How will you spend your downtime in D.C.?
A: I not only really enjoy sightseeing and walking around, but I also love the food. A lot of good tapas and stuff like that. Hopefully the boys and me can have a really nice meal and take a walk.
Haley Reinhart plays The Fillmore Silver Springs Nov. 13 and Soundstage in Baltimore Nov. 14. Go to HaleyReinhart.com for ticket information.
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