Javier Colon, the first winner of “The Voice” and Adam Levine’s “all time favorite blind audition” of the show, recently hit the road on tour for his latest album, “Gravity.” The artist had quite a journey before the show and it’s been quite a journey since. We caught up with Colon to find out what life has been like since “The Voice” and what we can expect from him next. Do you think “The Voice” prepared you for your life as a musician now?
Before the show I was at a crossroads in my career. “The Voice” was really my last shot at making it in the industry. I had never done a TV show or anything like that before. I didn’t even want to do it at first. My brother and friend had to convince me to audition. I thought it would be good to gain a few fans and many get me a few gigs. Never thought in a million years that I would win. Related: The top 10 performances to ever take place on ‘The Voice’ What is the biggest thing you took away from your experience on “The Voice”?
I had a record label before I went on the show, but I felt like [the label] wasn’t allowing me to be my true self. I always tell people it’s so important to be true to who you really are. “The Voice” allowed me to be myself, to be authentic, and I never wanted to lose that. Related: How ‘The Voice’ coaches got their start What was the inspiration behind “Gravity” and what do you hope people will get out of it?
“Gravity” is really about life, and more specifically about relationships. There’s a story about a man who loses a relationship with a woman and he talks about how every breath after that is a breath of regret and he wishes he could just go back and make things different but he can’t. I feel like a lot of people can relate to that feeling. You wrote, or co-wrote, most of the songs on the album. What was that experience like for you?
It was my first time producing. I got to listen and pick the sound, choose the melody and make a lot of choices to make sure it was exactly what I wanted. I wasn’t forced to do anything I didn’t want to do. I love to write. I write a lot or at least try to. I keep my phone on me and jot down every thought I have, or feeling, or verse that comes to my mind and try to incorporate that later when I’m in the studio. I use my phone a lot actually. What is your personal favorite song on the album?
Oh gosh, that’s such a hard question. Every song resonates with me. But if I had to choose one, I’d say “Gravity” really pulls me in. Right after we recorded it, that was the song I had on repeat for a while. Another song that hits home personally is “My Perspective“ because it’s how I feel every time I have to go to LA to work on an album and my wife and kids are back home in Connecticut, and I want to be there but I can’t. I’ll try to call but I get back to the hotel late and it’s like 3 a.m. for her and it’s just a bad time to call because she’s got to get the kids up at five in the morning and get them to school. So that song really portrays that feeling. And it’s my wife’s favorite song on the album. New York City
April 26, 8 p.m.
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Javier Colon on life since winning ‘The Voice’
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