Voice & Verse Podcast

Graham Colton's seen it all in the business: In college, he developed a fervent grassroots fanbase (aided by the advent of file-sharing), and soon was plucked from pubs and coffeehouses by Counting Crows' Adam Duritz, who'd go on to serve as one of his two musical mentors. From there, Colton formed the aptly named Graham Colton Band, released a major-label album filled with radio-ready pop-rock (2004's Drive), and began a high-profile romance with pop star Kelly Clarkson. Along the way, he enjoyed a hit single ("Best Days," from 2007's Here Right Now), which would launch him onto Letterman, Leno, and American Idol – just to name a few. Colton now takes his career into his own hands as an independent artist; his new album, Lonely Ones, is a collection of neo-psych-inspired pop that's among the best music of his career, and he's also the co-founder of Fanswell – an innovative new platform that allows artists and listeners to come together to create intimate concert environments. I caught up with Graham to chat