We played our first full show together about two years ago in the Ukraine for close to half a million people in a massive public square. That show scared the hell out of me. This past summer we toured North America and Australia and Asia to great acclaim, which strengthened my confidence and comfort with the material and the band. I was excited by the reaction we received after performing on The X-Factor and  the New Years Eve show. I think those performances warmed up the crowds and gave them a taste of what we were capable of with a full arena show in Queen’s motherland.

Yes! I’ve been spending a lot of time in London this year. I love the pop music coming out of the UK right now. Vulnerably soulful vocals and this house revival are turning my crank. I’ve always been drawn to British film and TV as well – there’s a great emphasis on witty banter and sarcasm.

I think I have crawled into the songs more. I am now able to toy with the melodies more than when I started. I also find myself more connected to the lyrics and have learned more about what inspired the band to write them. Now after four years of working together, I feel a stronger responsibility to the band, I’m closer to Brian and Roger and more comfortable with the intense expectations of the fans. The doubt and fear have faded and been overtaken with a deep joy.

When approaching the Queen arena tour I wanted to dive right into their reputation for theatricality and camp. To avoid or downplay that energy would feel sacrilegious. I approached it like I was co-curating a staged retrospective of the history of the band. One section of the show was my tribute to their 70s Glam period and I didn’t hold back! Fringe, rhinestones and platform heels felt only appropriate. In my opinion, this is all part of why audiences fell in love with the band in the first place. This kind of nostalgia was a major part of the design of the entire tour.

I definitely feel both a personal and professional evolution over the past five years. I think I’ve become more well adjusted to the strangeness of fame and more grounded in my personal life. I don’t overwork my performances as much as I once did; as an entertainer, sometimes less IS more. Personally speaking, I’ve tried to take a similar less is more approach to life. That being said, I still have extravagant tendencies but I think I’ve managed to balance things out a bit better. I’m still my own worst critic, but I’m giving myself better reviews these days. This has all lead to me feeling more comfortable in my skin and more willing to reveal a more authentic, honest self to the world. My personal style reflects this shift pretty clearly as well. I’m still drawn to glamour but in a much less flamboyant way. I’ve outgrown a lot of the looks I was working when I broke onto the scene five years ago – all that bullshit was a LOT of work and way too much getting ready time – I’m not patient enough anymore! And plus, my tastes have just changed in five years – just like anyone. We all have our phases, some fierce and some tragic! I definitely look back on some of my fashion choices and roll my eyes.

I was honoured and excited – and then the fear reared its ugly head. I thought, “yikes I don’t want to be compared to the incredible Freddie Mercury”. Who would? He’s a god in my book. I knew I could handle the songs but it would be a tricky balance between making them my own, and keeping their original integrity. At the end of the day, I chose to accept the challenge in hopes that it would lead to a growing experience. I’m very glad I did. I feel creatively revived and inspired.

I’ve been so lucky to share the stage with these legends and reconnect with audiences all around the world. I take great pride in our sold out world tour. It has been the ultimate outlet for my love of larger than life, glam rock, pomp and circumstance. This was some of the very reference material that inspired me at the start of my career in the music industry. For Your Entertainment was my modern pop take on glam rock. Stylistically, my new solo materials has moved in a different direction. I am looking forward to launching a new chapter that will explore another side to my personality. I don’t think of one taking a back seat to the other – they’ve coexisted beautifully. Our tour was a live collaboration, for which I was Queen’s grateful guest. Now that it’s over, I have my third album to release and promote. But this isn’t a goodbye to Queen at all. In fact, we are headlining Rock in Rio this September. For now though, my focus is shifting to my upcoming album.

This album was executive produced by Max Martin and Shellback and they helped me keep a very cohesive sound and mood throughout. Sonically it feels more contemporary than my previous material. It’s definitely pop but not bubblegum. We have avoided camp and theatrics and have favoured a darker, more grounded vibe, and at the same time, it will make you dance! Lyrically, it’s very very personal, the album has an overall bittersweet feel to it. Vocally, I think it’s my most tasteful, sophisticated work to date. With Max’s guidance, I approached a lot of it with more restraint than in the past. Instead of being overly specific, most of the songs are more esoteric and so they’re open to interpretation. I’m curious to hear about the individual meaning that people find in the songs dependent on their own situation.

The first single feels like the perfect introduction to The Original High. It establishes itself in a very earthy, vulnerable way and transforms into a hypnotic dream full of surreal imagery and set to a minimal yet massive deep house beat. The hook will worm its way into your ears after the first listen. Get ready!

Sometimes my candidness bites me in the ass but that doesn’t stop me from keeping it real (laughs). I’ve always been an open book. I think there have been moments of this on my previous albums but on The Original High, we have really cracked the book wide open for all to hear. It’s a little scary to be that vulnerable, but I’m ready to let people understand all that makes me tick, even the unattractive parts of me.

I think with social media as it is now, musicians are a lot more open and honest, and I think that’s what people expect and want.

In the past it felt like a lot of pressure. I’ve always said, don’t do what I do, do what you do. If my personal empowerment motivates someone to explore theirs, then I’m honored. I don’t consider myself a teacher or better than anyone else, I’m flawed and still trying to figure myself out.

I think there’s a simple power in being unapologetic and open about who and what you are and not letting it prevent you from getting what you want. In that way, I think I’ve made a statement. My wish is for gay to become less of a label, and more of just one of many great colours in the collective box of humanity. I’m not a separatist. I’m all inclusive.

It’s quickly changing along with society. I’m thrilled. We have entered a time with a much more level playing field.

I am a shopaholic. I love clothes. Playing ‘dress up’ has always been a favourite daily activity. I love the expression of it. Beautiful things make me feel good.

To have my music reach a broader, global audience. I can’t wait to share it!

Adam will release”Ghost Town” on April 21st with The Original High following later this year