Ex-'Idol' coming home to St. Charles with new record

Former "American Idol" contestant Leslie Hunt will play two shows in her native St. Charles this month in support of her new record, "Your Hair Is On Fire."

The album, to be released Tuesday on Ellenel Records, is Hunt's second since she was a finalist on the starmaker Fox program in 2007.

"It's pretty much the most exciting thing I've ever done. I've never been so proud of anything in my life," Hunt said.

In the works for two years, the record features high-caliber studio musicians who have played with the likes of Frank Zappa, Herbie Hancock and Stevie Nicks.

Hunt said she drew on "a lot of life-changing experiences," including the death of her sister last year, for songwriting inspiration.

"It was such an artistic experience for me to have an overall concept and just chisel away at it," she said. "It's pop music but it's way more complex than your regular pop music. I wanted to explore all different sides of myself."

To celebrate the release, Hunt is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Riverside Roadhouse, formerly Chord on Blues, at 106 S. First Ave., in St. Charles. Admission is $5.

Hunt also will do an in-store performance at Border's, 3539 E. Main St., also in St. Charles, at 7 p.m. Aug. 13.

As for touring, any plans are on hold until after Hunt, who is eight months pregnant, delivers a baby girl due in early September.

Surprisingly, Hunt said, her pregnancy hasn't hindered her ability to perform.

"I was expecting to shut down, but I've got more energy," she said. "My life has this new meaning now. It is amazing how it's translated. I've never been such an in-depth performer."

Hunt lives in Chicago but is a native of St. Charles, where her family is known locally for its work in music and the arts.

Her new record is available for purchase at lesliehunt.net.