Category: Entertainment

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Out Music: NIKO Drops Modern, Sexy “Light My Fire”

Out singer/songwriter NIKO shares his latest single, an intriguing take on the iconic “Light My Fire.”
NIKO drops new take on the classic hit, “Light My Fire)

Out singer/songwriter NIKO shares his latest single, an intriguing take on the iconic hit, “Light My Fire.” Originally released by The Doors in 1967, José Feliciano found his own groove with the tune in 1968. “‘Light My Fire‘ is one of my all-time favorite songs,” says NIKO about the classic song. “I wanted to reinterpret it in a modern way, but still be true to the romantic essence of the song, that talks about a deep connection between two people.” Melding a synth-pop sensibility with rich acoustic elements, NIKO brings his muscular vocal powers to bear as the track builds to climax. Billboard Pride contributor Jon ALi raves about the track comparing NIKO’s vocals (“a romantic and sensual vocal delivery”) to a young George Michael. I last featured the Milan-born artist back in October when he released “The One,” which also explored the intensity and exhilaration of sexual attraction. Fusing a European sensibility with a contemporary sound, the handsome Italian brings a sensual touch to pop music as he delves into both universal and personal themes. Based in New York City, NIKO is prepping for the release of his debut EP in 2019. Hit play below or check him out on Spotify here.

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Out Music: Bright Light Bright Light “Uh-Huh!”

Rod Thomas aka Bright Light Bright Light (image via Facebook)

Regular readers know I love me some Bright Light Bright Light. Check out the third track – “Uh-Huh!” – from Bright Light Bright Light’s upcoming EP, Tough Love. “With ‘Uh Huh!’ I wanted something much more fun and playful,” Thomas told Billboard. “It’s an upbeat, summery song about not overthinking.” You’ve got some serious George Michael influence (in a good way), and some sassy horn blasts in just the right places. Oh yeah, you’re gonna bounce. Get ready and hit play. Tough Love comes out Sept. 21, coinciding with a performance at Manchester Pride and a U.K. and Europe tour.

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The Cast Of “Dawson’s Creek” Reunites For 20th Anniversary

Hard to believe it’s been 20 years since we met the teens of the WB’s LGBT-friendly teen drama Dawson’s Creek.

The cast recently reunited for the first time since the series finale in 2003 for Entertainment Weekly.

Those of a certain age remember the series for its daring, often groundbreaking portrayals of gay teens — including a gay kiss between high schoolers Jack McPhee (Kerr Smith) and Ethan Brody (Adam Kaufman).

According to then-show runner Greg Berlanti, “the kiss” was a big negotiation between him and the network.

“I had to threaten to quit, basically because they wouldn’t let us have the characters kiss,” Berlanti recently told Indiewire. “At the time, there were shows that were fine to show lots of violence in network, but they wouldn’t allow a kiss between two gay characters. They asked me to run the show that year, and part of my agreement with them was that they would allow the character, Jack, to have a kiss. There was a lot of negotiation about that kiss.”

With so much talk of reboots of iconic series’ like Will & Grace and Roseanne, it was inevitable the idea would come up about Dawson’s Creek.

“It would have to be a reinvention of sorts,” offered series star James Van Der Beek.

Katie Holmes added, “What I love about this show is that it existed at a time pre-social media, pre-internet, and it was nostalgic when we were shooting it. So I really like it where it is, to be honest.”

“Dawson’s Creek was me expressing myself at that point in time,” says series creator Kevin Williamson. “And here I am, at another age, at another point in time. I don’t know what I could emotionally bring to the table. I can’t wait for someone else to do it. I don’t think it’s going to be me. But I’ll be happy to watch it.”

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Podcast: Ian Parks From “Where The Bears Are”

Ian Parks of "Where The Bears Are"
Ian Parks of "Where The Bears Are"
Ian Parks of “Where The Bears Are” (image via Instagram)

Since 2012, the creative team of Rick Copp, Joe Dietl and Ben Zook has made “Where the Bears Are” the comedy/mystery web series online accumulating over 40 million views since it’s premiere and winning awards like “BEST GAY WEB SERIES” award from AfterElton.com and Queerty. Continue reading “Podcast: Ian Parks From “Where The Bears Are””

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Happy Valentine’s Day From Olivia Newton-John & Jim Brickman

Olivia Newton-John sings "Valentine"
Olivia Newton-John sings “Valentine”
Happy Valentine’s Day! Celebrating with the perfect song for the day: “Valentine” by Jim Brickman and exquisitely sung by four-time Grammy Award winner, Olivia Newton-John. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10156064011507145
Olivia Newton-John sings "Valentine" with Jim Brickman
Olivia Newton-John

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Music Video: Matt Zarley & Jeb Havens “Dear Future Husband”

Check out the sassy new music video from out singers Matt Zarley & Jeb Havens (both favorites here on The Randy Report) as they share their take on Meghan Trainor’s “Dear Future Husband.” Dig the awesome arrangement and tight harmonies. Totally fun. The duo recently debuted their new show “Works of Heart” in Puerto Vallarta and Los Angeles and plan to tour later this year. p.s. Jeb will be singing “now and forever husband” as he married his longtime bf, Steven, yesterday in Los Angeles. Congratulations to happy couple!

 

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Out Music: Justin Utley “Survivors”

I remember discovering out singer/songwriter Justin Utley’s music in 2011 when he was nominated for several Out Music Awards for his debut album, Nothing This Real.  I was totally blown away then, and with his latest single, “Survivors,” he reminds that he’s the real deal. The uptempo, dance-centric track features Justin’s trademark muscular vocals and empowering lyrics that remind us we have the power to overcome obstacles when we live the best version of our authentic selves. This track took Justin into serious contention for the Eurovision competition for 2018.

Glad to see Justin making new music. You can read my 2012 interview with Justin here. Oh, and did I mention Justin’s also very easy on the eyes? 🙂

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Out Music: Bright Light Bright Light “New York Pretty”

Singer/songwriter Rod Thomas, recording under the moniker Bright Light Bright Light, explores and celebrates the streets of New York in the new bright and bouncy music video for “New York Pretty.” The track is from the upcoming EP Tales of the City to be released July 7. Thomas sets the tone from the get-go, opening the track thusly: I hope that everyone can see me now Now that I feel so much better about myself Now that I feel better about myself With Pride Month in full swing, Thomas whirls and swirls throughout gay NYC including visits to three iconic gay bars: Stonewall, Julius, and Williamsburg’s Metropolitan. Thomas describes the feel of “New York Pretty” on his official website thusly:

‘New York Pretty’ came out of the blue one sunny say in New York winter. It’s inspired by the Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin movie ‘Big Business’ and the idea of spending a long time in a place that’s not quite right, eventually moving to the city and feeling like you finally belong. It’s no secret that New York is my place for that, and also inspired by RuPaul and the incredible RuPaul’s Drag Race, I wanted to write a song about self-empowerment and self-belief, and this is what emerged. Musically, it’s a mix of inspiration from Broadway, Queer As Folk’s UK gay scene and Kylie’s ‘Light Years’ which all had a large influence on my music taste growing up.

Watch the upbeat, Pride-worthy music video below.

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A Lovely (Underwear) Party

Lony Pizarro

Boy Culture‘s Matt Rettenmund recently attended the official NYFW Chulo Underwear Party, and has the pics to prove it. About Chulo Underwear:

“CHULO is a new a line of clothing and gear that is culturally-relevant to today’s marginalized youth of color. Our mission as a company is to inspire young people to invest in a brand that invests in them. Each time a young person buys the brand, s/he is having a direct and immediate impact on his/her own community because proceeds are reinvested back into a local CBO, scholarship program or charity that services these very same youth. “To do this, CHULO partners with local community centers to identify, educate, train and ultimately hire young people to be part of the CHULO design team as artists, designers, writers, promoters, vendors and/or promotional spokespersons. ​ “The CHULO brand is now one-year old. We have partnered with the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance (BAAD), Uprose Brooklyn, and Tropical Images’ GKOTS (Get Kids Off The Street Program. We have also donated to several other programs including El Museo del Barrio, the American Indian College Fund, the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Scholars Program, the Loisaida Center, El Maestro Boxing Club and Cultural Center, the LGBT Arts Program of the Church of St. Luke in the Fields, the Caribbean Cultural Center, and the GED Program at Taino Towers.”

Venezuela-born Lony Pizarro (above) was just one of the underwear models who chatted for charity. Head over to Boy Culture for many, many more pics from the evening.

Underwear can certainly be sexy and fun, but it can also represent issues in our lives sometimes. In another post, I wrote about a gay ex-Mormon man who made the decision to lose his ‘magic underwear.’