For his first Father’s Day as a dad, American Idol season four finalist Anthony Fedorov and his fiancee Jennifer Paz are spending the day in a unique way, releasing two singles, both inspired by their son Julian.
“I Poop” and “Shine” are co-produced by Fedorov’s fellow Idol alum, season four runner-up Bo Bice. “Bo and I share almost 10 years of friendship, going back to American Idol,” Fedorov tells The Hollywood Reporter. “As a parent, he connected with our music. He’s always been there for me and it’s great to be able to do this with him.”
Fedorov and Paz are releasing Every Little Thing, a six-song EP, this fall under the name Auraganix, a name they invented based on the organic and spiritual nature of their music. “Shine” is by Auraganix and “I Poop” is credited to Auraganix Kids. The latter is based on the couple’s real-life experiences. “When Julian was born, we loved the fact that he was going through his healthy progressions,” says Fedorov. “His poopy diapers inspired us. As a parent, all you want is for your kid to be healthy. I loved changing his diapers and Jen loved it, too. One day I was wiping his butt and I started singing this hook that got stuck in my head. That same day I picked up a ukulele and the song was born. I wrote it with Jen.
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“We’d wake up every morning singing it. We performed it for friends and everyone said we should write more songs. Julian got his immunization shots a few months ago, and he was so cool about it. He was barely bothered, didn’t even cry. So we wrote a song called ‘Doc Doc Doc, Give Me Your Best Shot.’ It was so funny, we kept writing more songs.” What started out as a hobby to celebrate the couple’s parenthood turned into the forthcoming EP that features arrangements by Atlanta-based producer Matt Garwood.
“We want to be able to celebrate parenthood with mothers and fathers all over the world,” Fedorov explains. “It is the most incredible and fulfilling experience in the world. It doesn’t matter what is going on with your job or anything else in your life, stop and appreciate yourself as a parent and that you gave life to a human being.”
As for “Shine,” written by Fedorov with Bill Grainer, the Idol singer says, “I wanted Julian to have a song that inspires him and other kids. It’s a message from parents to their children. Work hard, listen to your own heart and you can be anything. I want you to shine.”
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Fedorov and Grainer have been writing songs for other artists, including “Faithful” for Jai McDowall, the winner of Britain’s Got Talent in 2011. McDowall has also recorded Fedorov and Grainer’s “I Begin Again” and recently announced on YouTube that he planned to release the song as a single this month.
Meanwhile, Fedorov is looking a little different these days, having grown a beard and mustache for his role as Enjolras in a production of Les Miserables playing at the La Mirada Theatre in Southern California through June 22. “I don’t like all the facial hair,” he admits to THR. “Jen thinks it’s sexy so I’ll keep it. But I feel like I have a thousand spider legs on my face.”
Twitter: @Idol_Worship
