When pursuing musical opportunities, Leslie Hunt sometimes doesn’t even mention that she gained a certain degree of fame from making the “American Idol” top 20 in 2007.
If she does mention it, the Ukrainian Village-based singer-songwriter often qualifies the reference: “You might remember me from such monstrosities as ‘American Idol,’ ” she’ll say, “where I hilariously made it to 17th place.”
Yes, despite the show earning her devoted fans in Korea and Sweden, Hunt’s not particularly proud of her experience on the TV juggernaut — for which she calls auditioning “a silly decision.”
Whatever. Hunt, 27, is now on to brighter things with the release of her official full-length debut, “Your Hair is on Fire,” a sophisticated blend of heartfelt pop (just try to listen to “American Dream Man” and not hum it all day) and gloomier tracks like “Down Day.” The record certainly reflects the light and dark sides of Hunt, who, with the same people but in different costumes, also plays in the prog-rock group District 97.
Before her CD release show, an eight-months-pregnant Hunt checked in to chat about life after “Idol” and how expectant mothers make more energetic performers.
How self-conscious are you on the CTA? Do you assume everyone is
trying to remember why you look familiar?
It’s funny. It’s been a couple years now, so I’m kinda used to it. But I get that a lot, where it’s like, “Oh my gosh! Did you go to school in Miami? Were we in the same sorority?” People just come up with these things. “Do you work at Applebee’s?” [I’m] just like, “No. Do you watch TV though”? “Yeah.” “Do you watch ‘American Idol’ “? They’re like, “Oh, my God!” It usually takes a couple memory jogs on my part.
How does the Leslie Hunt on “American Idol” compare to
Leslie Hunt now?
When I was on the show, I wasn’t really sure what kind of a record I would have made. I had been writing, but I didn’t have a product and I wasn’t very clear about my artistic image, or the general direction or sound that I wanted. I was kind of disillusioned and thought maybe I was a soul singer. The producers would say, “So, what kind of a record would you make if you won?” And I’m like, “I don’t really know.” And they were like, “Red flag! Red flag!” So I think that they didn’t really show me as much because they were just like, “Oh, she’s not the rocker or the big diva that will wear a boa and a long sparkly gown.” How I’m different is I know what it is that I’m doing and I’ve got the confidence now and the experience and the wherewithal and the good humor to put on a really damn good show.
What makes your live show great?
I’m out of my mind, and I’m totally out front dancing around. Even though I’m pregnant, it doesn’t matter.
You’re still able to go as crazy as ever?
In some ways I have more energy. When you’re pregnant you’ve got more blood and more oxygen and you’re on this natural high all the time. Your mood is very stable, because you’re never randomly drinking or randomly having cigarettes or crashing from caffeine, because you’re 100 percent sober all the time.
How do you describe your current sound in five words or less?
Progressive indie-pop in a dress.
Would you rather be Kelly Clarkson or
Katy Perry?
Katy Perry. I don’t know, though, because Katy Perry is all shtick and Kelly Clarkson actually has a really incredible voice. … I appreciate Katy Perry’s balls, and I think this is a really powerful, wonderful time for women to be in rock and women to be performing, because we can pretty much cover whatever subject we want. … I’m more into Lady Gaga to tell you the truth. I feel like she’s hip as hell right now.
Tell me something random about yourself.
I’m always out walking my dog, pretty much all the time. That’s how I come up with my songs; I walk around. I’ve never really written a song sitting down before.
Does your dog get a writing credit?
My husband is really, really mad at me that I didn’t credit [my cocker spaniel Maya] on the liner notes, because she’s a huge part of my life. I didn’t really thank her because … she knows without me having to put it into words. We have a connection.
Leslie Hunt
When: 8:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Subterranean,
2011 W. North Ave.
Tickets: $5, 773-278-6600
Leslie Hunt’s Chicago
personality test
Fave bar: Cleo’s
Best vegan restaurant: Chicago Diner (3411 N. Halsted St.), Karyn’s Cooked (738 N. Wells St.)
Fave Chicago celeb: Billy Corgan
Local tourist attraction not ashamed to love: Navy Pier fireworks
Hunt’s word association
Music: Love
Party: Headache
Hilarious: Abs
Ugly: Hatred
Delicious: Artichokes
Crazy: Gnarls Barkley
“American Idol”: Hell
Paula Abdul: Retarded
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Matt Pais is the Metromix music and movies producer.
mpais@tribune.com
