I didn’t know much about Josiah Leming as I entered Rockwood Stage 1 on the Lower East Side on Thursday August 5th but by the time I left, it was crystal clear that this 21 year old firecracker knew how to put on a show. The toe-headed Tennessee native was youthful, starting his show yelling “Everyone ready to get f-ing rowdy in here?” and yet mature in the sense that he seems to have been through a lot in his two decades. This former contestant from “American Idol Season 7” rocks a mock British accent and boasts that he was the only sibling of 9 to run to the keyboard as a child, and this has obviously payed off as he now has a busy tour schedule in addition to his September 14th first full-length album release Come On Kid.

When did you know you wanted to be a singer?

It’s more songwriter than singer, but it was when I was 13 years old.

What was the first concert you went to?

I can’t remember.

Who influences you musically?

Coldplay. I decided if I couldn’t try to sing as well as Coldplay then I shouldn’t bother.

How did you get your album title Come On Kid?

I talk to myself a lot and I always say this to myself.

Why does your song “Joy and Happiness” sound so sad?

I was being held up under a bridge in London a few years ago and I could have died. When I got home I asked myself what I would want most if I was about to die and I wrote this song in about 2 minutes.

Who would you collaborate with if you could sing with anyone?

Randy Travis. I love country.

If you could spend a day with one person who would it be?

My mom.

How do you start your day?

A jog and a shower or coffee and a cigarette.

What words do you live by?

Come on kid.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A singer/songwriter. I want to do this forever.