August 2, 2006
Tall Poppy Interview: Lukas Rossi, Rock Star:Supernova
Can a hard-rocking cat from Toronto’s seamy west end win over American TV audiences, impress three of the most jaded rock stars on the planet, and still keep his artistic integrity? Well, Lukas Rossi, Toronto’s contribution to CBS' “Rock Star: Supernova” reckons that he can.
For readers not fully acquainted with the CBS rock'n'roll oeuvre, “Rock Star:Supernova” is the followup to last years’ hugely successful “Rock Star: INXS”. This time the band auditioning for a singer is what Fox modestly calls a metal supergroup, comprising Gilbey Clarke, ex-Guns n’Roses, Metallicist Jason Newstead, and rock/porn/reality star Tommy Lee of Motley Crue. At this writing, 11 singers remain in the competition, with an admirable international representation (take that, American Idol), including starving artists from Australia, South Africa, Iceland, Puerto Rico, and of course, Canada.
Last year, it was tattooed Torontonian J.D. Fortune who beat out the competition to win fame, fortune and all the Fosters’ he can drink as singer for INXS. This time around, Lukas Rossi is looking to make lightning strike twice and prove once and for all that Canadians are just really cool.
We got in touch with Lukas via phone from LA:
Torontoist: Lukas. How are you?
LR: Hey, I’m good man. I’m actually just getting some ink done as we speak, so if my words are a little choppy, forgive me. I got this treble clef on my right arm, I just wanted to funk it up a bit.
(Pause while Torontoist ponders the efficiency of the CBS publicity machine, making sure Lukas doesn’t waste valuable time just sitting in the tattooist’ chair when he can also be doing interviews.)
Torontoist: I’ll make it quick, cause I know you’re short of time.
LR: Nah, I got all the time in the world, brother.
Torontoist: Then your publicity people lied to me.
LR: (laughs)
Torontoist: Anyway, can you talk a little bit about who you are, where you’re from, how you got into music?
LR: I grew up in the west end of Toronto, Jane and Lawrence. It was hard growing up, man. I got into music cause it kept me away from bad things, being from the street and that. I just found an outlet that kept me out of trouble, and I was in love with it. Music was my best friend, you know?
Torontoist: How old were you when you started?
LR: Ah…been doing if for 15 years, 16 years.
(The official bio says he’s 29 now.)
Torontoist: According to the website, you have a lot of different musical influences. How do you choose the songs that you’ve been singing on Rock Star?
LR: I choose songs to test myself. If we’re going to be doing cover songs, which I don’t really enjoy doing…
(Shouts) Hey! Sorry, brother, hit a sweet spot on my arm here, kills…
Sorry, man, I lost track…
Torontoist: I’ll start again. How do you feel about the song choices you’ve been getting so far?
LR: I try to relate the song in some way to my life so I can believe it and I want people to believe. I can’t perform something I don’t believe in, so I try to relate it to some part of my life, and I guess I been doing pretty well so far.
Torontoist: Who do you think your biggest influences are musically?
LR: Jeff Buckley was always one of them. I like classical music. To tell you the truth, I was never really into other people’s music. I was more into making my own sounds. The more I listened to other people’s music, the more it influenced me negatively, I’d just kind of be doing the same thing they would. Their music would end up in mine, and I didn’t like that, so I kind of did it my own way. Because everyone was right-handed, I had to learn how to play the right-handed guitar upside down cause I’m left-handed. So now I can play both ways which is cool cause I write different songs on different guitars.
Torontoist: Music is often pretty collaborative, bands and performers helping each other out. What’s it like on the show, competing head to head like that?
LR: I don’t see it as a competition, to be honest. 11 of us are auditioning, may the best man or woman win. I’m just here to do what I do best, and I’m not really concerned about what anybody else is doing on the show.
Torontoist: So all the people on the show, are you pretty tight by this point? You all get along pretty well?
LR: Some people less than others, but you know, they’re not really gonna be there for long.
Torontoist: The Supernova guys seem to like you.
LR: Well, I think they see that I’m the real deal, brother. Sure there’s television involved, absolutely, but at the end of the day…the other night I did Celebrity Skin (on the episode aired last night, Tuesday August 1) and forgot the lyrics cause I didn’t believe in the song and the performance. I would rather not pretend to a crowd and try and sell something that I don’t believe in. I mean, they’re not stupid and I don’t want to lie to their face. So I basically had my back turned the whole show. And you know I just try to be honest, because whatever fans I do have out there, I wanna give them my all and my best. Last night I was just off my game, you know?
Torontoist: On the web, the fan sites talk about how “real” you are, and I guess that’s the reason why. Given that, what made you decide to audition for “Rock Star: Supernova”? It’s pretty commercial.
LR: My band was having some problems at the time, and I really had nothing else going. I was in Montreal; I didn’t have a job and that. My friend called me and told me you gotta go out there and try out. I turned down the first audition in Toronto, and she calls me a couple weeks later and says there’s another audition in Vancouver. I said how am I going to afford it, and she says I’ll fly you out there. And now I’m sitting here getting inked brother, so I guess I’m doing something right.
Torontoist: People are seeing you anyway, so there’s no real downside.
LR: All we can do out here is be ourselves. Man, and the ones who aren’t, I’m sure people will see through that. Don’t lie to people who want to love you, just be yourself. A lot of people put on facades, but you don’t need to do that. People will love you for just who you are.
Torontoist: How do you like working with the guys in Supernova?
LR: I just think the guys are seasoned musicians and damn serious about the band, and I wouldn’t want to be in a band that wasn’t serious. Since I’ve been here, they just seem like great, down to earth guys, and I want to be a part of that.
Torontoist: It looks like it’d be a lot of fun too.
LR: (laughs) Oh, yeah, it’d be great fun, it’d be a great time. But there’s a time and a place for fun and a time and a place to just kill it onstage.
Torontoist: Do you think their music is a good fit with what you do?
LR: Absolutely, man. It’s exactly what I do. It’s kind of pop side to it…I hate the word pop, but it’s fun music. I feel it. I heard some of their new tracks, I was feeling it big time. You’ll hear, we get to put our own spin, our vocals on top. I did some already, in one of these clinics, got to put the melody and lyrics on one of their tracks, it came out pretty dope man.
Torontoist: Has that aired yet?
LR: I’m not sure…
(Interlude where LR and Torontoist try to remember what nights the show airs)
LR: Have you been watching the show?
Torontoist: Yeah, I’ve been watching. To tell you the truth, I think the people that have been kicked off were the right choices.
LR: Yeah, this is the real deal man. It’s not as diluted by television as I thought. That’s the reason I didn’t want to come out here, didn’t want to damage my musicality, because of the cover songs and just being under the microscope all the time. Which is fine, I’ll bring it whenever I have to. But I’m seeing that this isn’t bullshit, it’s a real band and real decisions are being made. So I want to be a part of that.
Torontoist: And the judges aren’t record company executives, they’re musicians.
LR: I think our show actually shut down one of those other shows, The One or something. (Note: The One was an ABC show that also showcased aspiring singers. It was pulled after only a couple of episodes.) We squashed it. The talent was probably… (tails off)
I would never do something like that. Not ever.
Torontoist: Any Toronto bands you particularly like?
LR: I’m not a big club-goer man. I can’t think of any off the top of my head.
Torontoist: Anything you miss about Toronto when you’re in LA?
LR: Yeah, I miss my friends. And I miss Toronto itself, I mean, it raised me. I respect that, I won’t ever forget it or put it second to anything.
Torontoist: The winner of Rock Star:INXS was JD Fortune, who was from Toronto, and had the same kind of street kid cred as you. If you win, people might think it’s fixed.
LR: Yeah, isn’t that weird?
Torontoist: Why do you think that Canadians do so well in this competition?
LR: Canadians don’t put up with anything. We bring it or we don’t come at all. Someone asked if I was gonna be JD this year, I didn’t really watch the show last year, I just heard about him. But I’m no JD, I’m Luke.
Torontoist: If you win the competition, would you still live in Toronto?
LR: Oh yeah, I’d love to, if I had a choice. But I’d probably be on tour.
Torontoist: Sure, but a place to come back to. You could buy a nice house next to Prince .
LR: (laughs) Yeah, on the Bridle Path there. Ohmigod that hurts.
Torontoist: Sounds like you’re having a lot of fun there. If, god forbid, you don’t win, what’s next for you?
LR: I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing. There are other opportunities out there. But I’m not really thinking about that right now. I’m just doing what I’m doing. Ohmigod.
Torontoist: That really hurts, huh?
LR: Oh yeah.
Torontoist: If you were going to give advice to someone starting out in the music industry, what would you tell them?
LR: Start right now if you haven’t started already. Keep that dream alive. Don’t let anybody tell you that you suck, and fucking kill it man. And turn the volume up really fucking loud, that always helps.
Rock Star:Supernova airs Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights on CBS and Global, and if that’s not enough you can find them on the web too .
Photo by Danny Moloshok/Blue Pixel.
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Nice to know he's as much of a bubblehead on phone interview as he is on TV. Thats keeping it real. What band was he in while in Toronto?
Thank you, that was awesome. Though I have to say, Lucas is not my first choice. I could listen to Dilana for hours, she's my favourite. And I think Storm really kicks ass too.
Oh, he was in Cleavage. I knew I knew that guy.
For a second I thought the first sentence of this interview was about Strombo....
He has a HUGE forehead
Brother, man. Real, brother. Man.
Brother.
Haha, nice one, Ron!
The ONE was an AMERICAN show (the US version of a reality show that had already prove succesful in Europe) hosted by a Canadian.
There is still some chance the CBC will produce a Canadian version of it.
G.
G - Thanks, you're right, and that's what I originally wrote. For some reason, after a night of drinking, I got it in my head that it was produced here. Maybe it was George S prescence; I don't know. My bad.
The good thing about the web is you can always fix your mistakes.
No probs.
-G.
Lukas is the best. He's hot and looks so natural on stage. I love his preformances. I hope he wins.
I think Lukas is a beautiful person with a beautiful talent. Kepp rockin Lukas we want to see more of you here in th US!!!!
I used to play in Cleavage with Lukas, and he WAS the real deal then. He's about as talented a musician and songwriter as he was a singer, and THAT was back in '94-'95. He can bring it as well as anyone I've ever seen. I actually think he's holding back a bit, because he hasn't shown nearly as much energy on this show as I've seen him put forth on even the worst gig we ever played (the 360)!!!
heyy people, I love that lukus is his self on stage.Lukus is so awsome on stage ...not just his siding but his looks to..
........hope ya wins lukas.....!!!!!!
To the people out there that like to make comments about Lukas and his forehead...
Let it go, the man can rock. I think they all have talant,Lukas just has that little extra we all wish we could have.
To Lukas I have loved your singing from the get go...keep going man your AWSOME !!!
Oh, the kid can sing.
But he's still a bubblehead. Hell, Hitler was a brilliant performer. Not that Lukas is Hitler, but...
oh why are ppl haters.. Lukas Rossi is killing the competition..!! We all have favorites obviously lukas,dilana,storm and toby~ but Lukas is totally rockin it every night!! killer job canadian thats why!! yea
After I seen Rebel YEll I was like whaattt hes winning!!! havin fun rockin
the winner.
You are an amazing singer ; i hope you win
much love
Lukas is the only one with enough style AND talent to front this band. He is almost better than them I think ! He makes me proud to be a canuck - go Lukas....
I knew this guy looked so familiar - he went to the same elementary school I went to - St.Bernard's catholic school in T.O. Back when he was in Grade 7 or 8, he was more of a B-boy
I think all the trash talking towards Lukas Rossi is just jealousy. Lukas has done a great job and his old friends from Jane / Lawrence are all watching and supportive of his accomplishments. Win or Lose, he impressed the SH!T out everyone. Good job Lukas!
Lukas has an amazing voice hes such a talent!! I really hope he wins!! Canada is behind him 100%! GOOD LUCK BABYY!
It's awesome when people can't handle a little criticism, so they urge their sycophantic glee club to support them. It TOTALLY vindicates the original criticism.
You really think any of the others will win ? No chance, there is no competition.
Come back the day he is crowned lead singer of Supernova and leave some feedback then....
:-)
luke rocks.
he knows it.
he looks stunning too.
his voice melts my face.
he is the winner.
i already know it.
muah!, luke, muah!
sincerely,
your #1 fan from san antonio, tx
A potentially unintentional concrete poem comment (look! it's half a face?!?). This rules.
he fuckin' rocks ok? and if you don't fucking think so, fuck you.
does anyone know if Lukas actualy reads these blogs?
Lukas if you do read this just know i got your back though i can't be there cheering you on in the croud i always vote for you,KEEP ROCKEN MAN!
The comments in this thread are very different from those found anywhere else on Torontoist... Sincerity is the new irony, after all.
I guess that's what you get for being the second Google hit for "Lukas Rossi."
Lukas better win it all the way but even if he doesn't he is going places and doing big things!! he's fuckin hott and really knows what he is doing! i love him!! he rocks!!
hee hee hee!!! too funny.
I wouldn't know if he's "hott" or not. I do know that he kind of looks like a pug that got into mommy's hair gel, the cute little scamp.
But I like pugs, so...
This is officially my new favourite TOist thread. The comments are hysterical. And I can't even make fun of the fangirls, cuz I'm sure I was once like that, too.
Fucken right this is the most egalitarian thread on the site.
He so does not look like a pug! Not to me anyway. I think he's hot!
YOU ROCK,MAN.
I seriously doubt if he reads these, but just in case....
And Crystal,AMEN. love ur comment! =p
Lukas is too busy to read these comments because he's working hard making music. I hope he realizes how many fans he has. He is SO COOL!!!
If Supernova doesn't grab him, some other lucky band will. People will flock to see/hear him perform. He's captivating,genuine and easy on the eyes. His voice moves people. Shakes them to the core. Isn't that what it's really all about?? He is fabulous and I can't wait until he performs tonight. God bless you Lukas!!!!! Keep it up, keep it real, and keep smiling. You have made it. I hope to see you on tour one day soon.
- Laura
Hey lukas, man those tv people were harsh i
watched them interveiw you very interesting hard questions but you handeled it well good job. considering you found out other peoples thoughts about you, ouch
Amy
Its just too fun to resist:
"he's working hard making music"
I'm not saying he's not capable of working hard, but what he's doing is pretty much a vacation with the possibility of a job at the end. It's not work staying in nice hotels, getting drunk(that was too funny as well) with models, and playing other peoples music.
Lukas was a little wannabe with too much attitude 10 years ago, and he still is to this day. PUT THE BEER DOWN, BROTHER MAN!!!!!!
Let's be real. Second winner from Toronto in a row? Nah. Ryan has shot up recently, Dilana is always the favorite, Storm is always in contention and Toby is the male to beat.
Has anyone ever wondered why Lukas hasn't "opened up" like Jason has asked? Take it from me... HE CAN'T!
BTW, I liked the way Lukas talked when he was known as Hulk Hogan!
Its going to come down to Dilana, Ryan, Magni and Lukas. Ryan and Magni don't have the appeal, they are not as entertaining to watch. Dilana - she is great to watch but I get tired of her vocals fast and couldn't imagine listening to an entire CD of her. That leaves Lukas whom I adore, I can't wait to see him perform - my 4yr old loves him. He was professional during the interview's, good for you Lukas for keeping your dignity and walking out on that blonde b i t c ..! I am not crazy about the makeup and don't see that style fitting well with "supernova" BUT it's just makeup, your talent can't be covered up. I hope you win ... you deserve it.
My god, this thread is still going!
Everytime I see a hit from this thread on my site, I come and look...and then I read something stupid, and I'm too tickled to resist commenting...it's a vicious circle. Sorry Ron...
I love u Lukas! :)
(just to tickle brokenengine summore aheh)
but seriously, I was hooked too from Rebel Yell. the guy's a born performer with one hell of an X-factor. u got to be blind not to see it. he knows who he is and he rocks without even trying.. unlike some of the others.. reminds me a bit of Prince and a bit of The Cure. my type totally. uh.. hmm, guess I like sexy men in make-up :-o
I too think Lukas can sing without really trying, but I also think that he is going to have to give a little it more and go out there and kick some serious ass. Which we all know he can do. He may be saving the best for last but it may be too late by then as some of the others are starting to shine on. Be carefull Lukas and good luck, counting on yah.
Linda from Ottawa
Lucas totally ROCKS the house everytime he performs. I believe, Dilana and Lucas are the only two left that have NEVER made it to the bottom three...Lucas is one of the most captivating performers I have ever seen and his voice OMG! Amazing! I don't think I need to wish him luck cause he's already got it in the bag! So, best wishes to him and America knows we will see him soon, one way or another.....Rock On!
Yeah Linda, I hope he'll extra-peak at the right time too but I somehow don't get the feeling he's the sort who strategises or is even treating this as a competition, more of an audition. He'll do his thing and if they like him, cool. If he doesn't feel like going all out, whatever. The guy has my respect either way. Think Tommy digs him too :)
Hi LUKAS ROSSI
I have no idea whether you will be able to get this message or not but hell no that is not gonna stop me from sending rite? Well you might not even know but this message is coming straight to you from NEPAL, do you even know that there does exist a country called Nepal and we do get to see all you wonderful rockers. And I am your "the greatest fan." I never ever miss a single episode of rockstar supernova. I know its definitely gonna be you cos I know you have that somethin in you and most of all, my day and night prayers are gonna make you win this thing.
So rock on Rossi
Peace,
Rachelle
Well, look at that! There does exist a country called Nepal! I do not even "know."
lukas iam your pakistani fan i sure u got the supernova as a band member best wishes for u you are amazing men i pray for u.
Lukas Rossi.
Is amazing. When he sings I can't keep my eyes off of him. Everyone in our house is in silence when he sings. When Tommy Lee said "cheque please" after he sang the other night, I got butterflies in my stomach. It sounds retarded but I am in love with this guy. I'm pretty sure Gilby, Jason and Tommy already have chosen inside their head who they want. Tommy obviously wants Lukas. Gilby clearly wants Dilana and I'm pretty sure Jason wants Magni. Ryan is annoying. He was all acoustic and shit at the beginning and now hes like a Lukas wannabe. Lukas fits in with the band the best. I hate Dilana with a passion. Yes, to all of those Dilana fans out there --- SHE SUCKS!. I mean obviously she has a good voice, though they all do, otherwise none of them would be there. But every single song she sings sounds the same. She talks shit about Lukas because she obviously finds him a threat. And she should feel that way because Lukas is way better than her. She just irritates me and i can't stand her. And the band also has to think of money. Who is the main group of people in this world that buys cds? - Teenage girls. Who do teenage girls like to listen to? Hot guys. Don't get me wrong, there are extremely talented female artists out there who sell millions of records. A band like supernova needs a little more harshness than, in my opinion, any girl can offer in this competion. Dilana has a harsh voice. But thats it. She basically has no range whatsoever.
Anyways I've said enough.
It would be fucking awesome if Lukas read this.
Lukas i love his voice and is is very hot 2. him being from Toronto and J.D. being from Nova Scotia (then moved 2 toronto his home town is New Glasgow Nova scotia) it makes me soo happy 2 be living in Canada.canada has the BEST rockers. Lukas will win if not he will still be come a Rock Star. Dilanna is very jealous of him she says those mean things at her interview that made me hate her ALOT. i do like Ryan aswell and she said mean things to Ryan and i was pissed off then so i really hate her now. Super Nova should know, if Dilaunna wins i will NEVER buy the c.d or go 2 a concert. if lukas wins i will be buying the tickets and the c.d in advance!!!! i hope lukas wins. also be awesome if 2 canadians are the rockstars.
Lukas i love his voice and is is very hot 2. him being from Toronto and J.D. being from Nova Scotia (then moved 2 toronto his home town is New Glasgow Nova scotia) it makes me soo happy 2 be living in Canada.canada has the BEST rockers. Lukas will win if not he will still be come a Rock Star. Dilanna is very jealous of him she says those mean things at her interview that made me hate her ALOT. i do like Ryan aswell and she said mean things to Ryan and i was pissed off then so i really hate her now. Super Nova should know, if Dilaunna wins i will NEVER buy the c.d or go 2 a concert. if lukas wins i will be buying the tickets and the c.d in advance!!!! i hope lukas wins. also be awesome if 2 canadians are the rockstars.
that G.B is rite J.D is NOT from Toronto he auditioned in toronto but his home town is in Nova Scotia canada.
Lukas if you actually read this omg.. Lastnight you were amazing. There was somthing wrong with the website but I didnt give up I voted 10 times and thats all I could do in 2 hours....best of luck
#1 fan in Buffalo!
To Be Honest, the only reason I watch the show is because I'm Canadian and there's an awesome rocker who's Canadian. If He wasn't canadian, I'd think he was good...but i wouldnt care about him. I care about him because he's from canada. he puts all of those gay canadian stereotypes to rest. I'm already proud to be canadian..cuz its a beautiful country and the NHL is all canadian and we've got so much talent. But he makes me more proud to be canadian. if he doesnt win then im never watching this show again honestly.
omg i love this show i watch it every time its on.. its got to be my favorite! Lucas is soo beautifull!!
And Lukas, I'm from MALAYSIA! You have fans all over the world! :) Woo-woo-woo!
I want to jump his bones till I have hip displasure.
YOU ROCK LUKAS!!!
Lukas is soo cool!!Hes The best and he will win!!!
lukas u are so dead sexy,u make me faint every time i see u on the show, your pipes are awesome,good luck u sexy babe, u rock my heart,
I hope u win, and i now u will, u deserve it u've trained for this your whole life, it's yours,
xox:)
I'm still in love with Zayra.. Got to admit she was the only one worth watching (plus the best voice.. check for yourself.. http://www.zayraalvarez.com/notanaddict/notanaddict.php).. But Toby's going to take it.. Lukas, don't feel bad.. Gilby Clarke wasn't really in G'N'R anyways.. and Jason Newstead is clearly a loser.