Award-winning out singer/songwriter Matt Zarley talks about his new album, The Estrogen Sessions, featuring his covers of his favorite music divas.
A Broadway veteran (A Chorus Line, Tommy, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Billboard charting recording artist AND People Magazine‘s first out “Hottest Bachelor,” Zarley recorded this collection of songs as a tribute to the divas who have influenced his recording career.
The hunky singer was honored with “Best Album” and “Best Single” accolades for his album, Change Begins With Me, at the 2012 OutMusic Awards.
I often hear folks in the LGBT community say, “Why aren’t there more out pop music artists? More really good out pop music artists?”
Well, here he is. Terrific voice, great acoustic arrangements of songs you know and love. What’s not to like?
If you like pure, mainstream pop music, hit the play button below.
Listen in as Matt shares his covers of hits by Whitney Houston, Sara Bareilles, Celine Dion, Dolly Parton, Pink and more.
If you want to skip right to the music, the first song, “Gravity,” starts around the 12:30 mark.
For more info about Matt, check out his official website at mattzarley.com.
Just in time for International Women’s Day, award-winning out singer/songwriter Matt Zarley releases his latest album, The Estrogen Sessions, in honor of the female pop divas most influential in his career.
The project, his first as producer, was born out of his web series, UnCOVERED, which features Matt reimagining popular songs, as well as filming a music video of each tune. Like many, Matt noticed he was not only drawn to, but relished, singing the hits of our female musical royalty.
“When it came to selecting the songs, it wasn’t easy,” admits Zarley. “I began choosing songs that had an impact on my life at some point, and artists that have either influenced or inspired me over the years.”
Stripped down and primarily acoustic, Zarley’s production work showcases the strength of the songwriting and his own effortless vocals. “As I began to arrange these tunes, I made a conscience decision to strip the songs down and reinterpret them with all live music, nothing programmed – real piano, organ, guitar, drums, bass and strings,” says Zarley.
The collection includes two duets: Tony Award winner Billy Porter (Kinky Boots) partners on the Des’ree hit, “You Gotta Be;” and YouTube sensation Jeb Havens joins Zarley for Pink’s “F**kin’ Perfect.”
“Billy and I have wanted to record together for years and we wanted to do a song with a powerful message, a message that felt relevant, and we did not want to do a ballad,” explains Zarley. “This was the perfect fit and it’s definitely one of my favorite songs on the album because I feel the 28 years of friendship between Billy and me in this song. I’m so thrilled that we have this moment forever.”
The entire album is imminently listenable. The emotional landscape is soulful and wide, with each track showcasing Zarley’s rich, fluid voice. He shifts from plaintive, affecting intimacy to expansive vocal brawn with equal ease.
Highlights include the Porter partnership, “You Gotta Be,” wherein the duo hold court firmly at the intersection of sass and soul; “I Look To You,” originally the lead single from Whitney Houston’s final album, finds it’s destiny in Zarley’s powerfully inspiring rendition; and the spare but expressive “Gravity” is it’s own quiet force of nature. Additionally, I love the harmonies throughout – check out “The Heart of the Matter” for an example of expert sonic backup.
Now, about that title. As offbeat as it may sound to some, according to Zarley, it just felt right. “At the very least, I think it will spark some curiosity and it’s 100% my sense of humor – as is the album’s cover art,” admits Matt. (Check the shadow behind Zarley in the cover photo.)
Track list for The Estrogen Sessions:
1. “I Will Always Love You” (Dolly Parton) 2. “That’s the Way It Is” (Celine Dion) 3. “Gravity” (Sara Bareilles) 4. “You Gotta Be” with Billy Porter (Des’Ree) 5. “He Used to Be Mine” (Sara Bareilles) 6. “Together Again” (Janet Jackson) 7. “Take A Bow” (Rihanna) 8. “Always On Your Side” (Sheryl Crow) 9. “F**kin’ Perfect” with Jeb Havens (Pink) 10. “I Just Had to Hear Your Voice” (Oleta Adams) 11. “Angel of Mine” (Monica) 12. “The Heart of the Matter” (India.Arie) 13. “I Look to You” (Whitney Houston)
Matt Zarley’s The Estrogen Sessions is available on iTunes and other digital outlets.
Award-winning singer/songwriter/film producer Matt Zarley
As part of my newly-launched companion podcast, I interview award-winning singer/songwriter turned movie producer Matt Zarley joins us to talk on the journey of his acclaimed musical short film, “hopefulROMANTIC.”
The film stars Zarley, Jolie Jenkins, Chuck Seculla, and TV icon/LGBT activist George Takei.
Accepted into over two dozen film festivals, the film is part music video, part Broadway musical and part romantic movie – in fact, it’s all of those things and more.
Zarley discusses the inspiration for the project, as well as the evolution of the film. Plus, he shares several songs from the movie soundtrack.
I enjoy the podcast/radio show medium – and why not? I get to talk even more!
After reading my posts for so long, don’t you want to tune in for a few minutes to hear what I sound like? 🙂
I was thrilled to have the chance to interview TV legend and LGBT icon George Takei for Queerty’s exclusive on the new musical short film, “hopefulROMANTIC,” by award-winning singer/songwriter Matt Zarley.
After spending months romancing audiences on the film festival circuit, the short film and the film’s soundtrack are available today on iTunes.
Out singer/songwriter Matt Zarley continues his UnCOVERED series with Whitney Houston’s final hit track “I Look To You.”
At the end of Houston’s career, her incredible gifts were somewhat diminished through neglect or abuse. Zarley’s voice soars here as the song finally seems to have found it’s true destiny. I fully believe that this is closer to what Houston would have delivered, if she had been able.
You’ve just gotta love a power ballad for #TBT, don’t you?
Out singer/songwriter continues his cover song series “UnCOVERED” with this sensitive reading of duet from A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera – “Say Something.”
