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<< Previous   of   Next >> Associated Press  (click to enlarge) Blake Lewis   ADVERTISEMENT   Blake Lewis with Lionheart 9 p.m. Friday, 21 and over, Jet Bar and Grill, 800 164th St SE, Mill Creek, $20 at the venue or $25 through www.brownpapertickets.com   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, July 24, 2008 A birthday performance by Blake Lewis Blake Lewis, 2007's "American Idol" runner-up, has performed for millions, but on Friday, he plans to play for just a few hundred at an intimate show in Mill Creek, celebrating his 27th birthday. Q: You've said you were pleased with your debut album, "Audio Day Dream," but were you stung when your label let your contract lapse? A: Oh no, not at all. I was wanting and waiting for it. … They didn't release my record in Europe, but my record is very synth pop, rooted in the '80s. That's a problem. They just didn't promote it. I could go on for days. Pretty much it's a good thing. Q: You're living in the Lynnwood area now. Do you ever hit Alderwood mall? A: I go there pretty much every other day. Q: Do you get noticed? A: All the time. Q: How's that? A: It depends on the approach and who notices me. People have been really respectful and really nice, and the support's been amazing. The only time it's not nice is when you've got a lot of drunk people in the bar and they're hanging on you and want to talk for 90 minutes. Q: With all the publicity you've had, why live in this area instead of Los Angeles? A: I don't like L.A. at all. I'm allergic to L.A. Q: You spent the last year on a treadmill, going from "American Idol" to touring to promoting your album. Are you taking some downtime? A: I don't know what to do with downtime. I got a little depressed when I had the downtime. As soon as I got my studio up, I've been working every day on this (follow-up) record. I'm at home, working and relaxing. Q: So did "American Idol" pay you a lot? A: Oh no, you don't get any money from "American Idol," ever. You only get money from television, like your union. … I had to borrow a bunch of money from my parents to be a part of the experience and sustain my life. Q: Do they pay for room and board? A: Yeah, they do. They pay for your room. And they have really (crappy) catering during the day. Q: If you could go back in time and give advice to yourself before "American Idol," what would you say? A: I don't know what I'd tell myself. "Good luck. Have fun." That's what I did. I knew what I was getting myself into. Andy Rathbun, Herald writer, arathbun@heraldnet.com, 425-339-3455

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