Photo credit: MEGA Man
“We need to make sure our minds are healthy”
David Archuleta was born on 28th December 1990 in Miami (USA). His mother is from Honduras and his father is of Spanish descent. He started singing at six years old and performing at ten. During his early teens, he was diagnosed with vocal paralysis crediting his faith in God for helping him overcome his darkest times. After achieving international fame in music with songs like “Crush” and “A little too not over you”, he took a break to join a two-year mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Chile.
In this exclusive interview, David opens up about his musical career, the causes he is passionate about and the advantages of therapy.
1. You made the transition from talent shows, most notably American Idol, to mainstream success. What advice do you give to aspiring musicians in the complex and demanding world of today?
I’d say decide what it is you want to accomplish with music. Have a purpose. It’ll help you be true and honest as an artist. It’ll help you know what to work hard for. Then just upload content and perform wherever you can because it will give you experience and get you comfortable interacting with audiences.
2. What helps you keep yourself centered and balanced when you are facing pressure or a difficult time? How do you feel your beliefs shape you both as a human being and a creative person?
Something I do every day is pray. I start each morning with prayer and it helps me stay focused. I grew up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and still am an active participant in my church. It has given me a perspective that creativity is divine, that we can channel that creative energy from the great Creator Himself, God. We can ask Him for inspiration and also guidance on how to best use gifts, including the gift of life. It has shaped everything I do both in front of people and when I’m not in the limelight.
3. You served as a volunteer for two years in Chile. Could you describe that experience in terms of how it changed your outlook in life?
Before my mission I was very lost in the sense of what I wanted to do with my career. It was interesting how talking a break for 2 years from it to serve others and serve God helped me refocus and come back with a direction to go with my music. It helped remind me why I loved music in the first place: to connect with people and with something greater than me (as I believe it as God), give people joy through music and also leave them feeling lifted and motivated to keep moving forward with their lives, no matter what point they may be at in their lives.
4. Your album “Postcards in the sky” has songs filled with hope, faith and love. Could you talk a little bit of that concept and what inspires you to write and create such enlightening and deep music?
I wrote from the new perspective I had now that I had served God and my chilean brothers and sisters for 2 years every day. It filled a part of me that was always missing. I realized I wanted to share messages that filled me with others. I’ve learned music is contagious. If I shared it maybe it would fill others. It seems like it has so far and I’m very pleased with that.
5. What are the social causes closest to your soul and what do you aim to achieve in the following years?
There are 3 that are priority to me. 1 is causes for children. Giving them a better start to their lives, giving them hope when their circumstances may not promote healthy growth in their lives. I want them to feel loved, supported, and encouraged to live well. 2 is emotional and mental self-care. I have gone to therapy for the last couple years and it has helped me so much. My new music will be about what I’ve learned from it. Almost everyone in my family has needed therapy and it shouldn’t be looked at as something bad. We need to make sure our minds are healthy just as we check on our bodies with doctors. 3 is spirituality and bringing people closer to God. That’s why I became a missionary. I feel like my work every day is tied to bringing people closer to Him.
Paula Gouveia