American Idol winner Iam Tongi headed back to Hawaii and working in the studio
American Idol winner Iam Tongi will return to Hawaii this summer to perform two shows at the Turtle Bay resort. The concerts are set for July 1 and 2 and will also include Kapena, Likkle Jordee, Paula Fuga and Natural Vibrations. Turtle Bay resorts is where the singer played to thousands for his hometown visit.
In the meantime, Iam shared a few of his thoughts on his American Idol experience and his hopes for his future musical career.
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Iam told American Songwriter that he’s written a lot of songs “some of them not so good,” he confesses. But he calls songwriting a process. “The more you do it…the better you get…the more creative thoughts you have.”
“I’ll Be Seeing You” writer Francisco Martin “really touched” Iam’ heart “He’s such an amazing writer.”
He considers his winners single, “I’ll Be Seeing You” a very good song and says that American Idol 18 alum, Francisco Martin, who wrote the song, “…listened to my story.” Iam added, “I’ve just got to give thanks to him because he really touched my heart and he’s just such an amazing writer.” He described the song, which is about feeling his late father’s presence wherever he goes as “almost like a conversation.” He feels his dad’s presence all the time, especially when they go to places that he loved.
Francisco also co-wrote second runner-up, Colin Stough’s song “I Still Talk to Jesus.” Iam and Colin met in New Orleans, where they both auditioned in front of the judges. He’s also close to runner-up Megan Danielle and would have been happy if she had taken the crown instead.
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“Yeah, I formed a relationship with them a long time ago,” Iam told Country Now. “‘Cause Colin, I met during auditions because he was in the same city that I auditioned in and yeah, I’ve just been close with those guys ever since the show started.”
Iam cried when Colin Stough performed “I Still Talk to Jesus” in rehearsal
“I wish everyone could have seen Colin perform his single live because man, while we were rehearsing (for the finale), he performed that live and everyone, I’m telling you, there was not a single dry eye,” Iam shared. “Everyone was crying. I went upstairs and I locked myself in my room for like 30 minutes and was crying there.”
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Iam’s late father Rodney used to tell him that he didn’t have the best voice, but that he has “the talent of touching people, of reaching out and connecting with others.” Iam said, “And that’s what I try to focus on. Katy Perry said I’m a great storyteller so it’s just a lot of, you know, what my dad said. My dad always believed in me, but when those guys were saying it, I was like, my dad was right, you know what I mean?”
Iam admires Jack Johnson and thinks his style could be a hybrid between Island and country
His dad introduced him to country music and it’s his favorite genre. “Island people call me country. Everyone else says I sound like Island.” But how he would describe his own style? “To me it’s more like songwriter. More like Jack Johnson. I want to make music kind of like him. But I also love country. I’m trying to see what I can do inbetween.”
Currently, Iam told American Songwriter that he is working on a song. “It think it will be a cool song,” he said adding, “That’s all I can say!”
However, Iam did post a photo from inside the studio on his Instagram. “Back in the studio with some new music, Yessah @olivierbassil and @whoisclever.” Olivier Bassil has produced chart topping hip hop acts like Young Boy and Rod Wave. Clever is a songwriter and artist from Alabama.
Next, Iam is set to appear with 7 fellow American Idol alums at The Valentine in Nashville ahead of the CMA Festival. During the fest, Iam will greet people at a scheduled meet and greet.
