Cameron Hawthorn (photo: Matthew Holler)
Podcast: Chatting With Country Music Star Cameron Hawthorn
Out Music: David Hernandez ‘Kingdom’
I’ve long been a fan of American Idol alum David Hernandez and his latest single, “Kingdom,” does not disappoint. Continue reading “Out Music: David Hernandez ‘Kingdom’”
New Music: ONR, Clinton John, Kennedi, Seth Sikes
There’s definitely something for everybody in this round-up of new music from out artists. First up, rising Scottish songwriter and producer ONR (aka Robert Shields) returns with the powerful single “Must Stop,” featuring Sarah Barthel of Phantogram. The single features a catchy hook and production that takes you on a ride straight to the visceral, primal scream release. The 90s-inspired black & white/color music video is the perfect dramatic visual for the song as ONR repeats his mantra, “Must stop falling in love, stop falling in love…” “‘Must Stop’ is a song about being repeatedly hurt,” ONR says. “A desperation to be in love and to be loved by someone, anyone — and the blows you can take when you leave yourself so open.” Follow ONR on Instagram here.
Clinton John’s “Fresh” is exactly that – a fresh, exuberant take on the rush of new romance. “After my first break-up it was hard for me to imagine having feelings for someone else again,” says John. “I found myself comparing any new love interest to my previous experience and how everything after that just fell short.” “The next time I was interested in someone, it took me by surprise and definitely caught me off guard,” he adds. “It was almost like a light bulb went off in my head, letting me know I was capable of developing feelings again. That realization happened almost instantly, they were exciting and felt so fresh”. The ebullient pure pop bop is a comfortable earworm that definitely has me bouncing. Follow Clinton John on Instagram here.
In advance of her upcoming autobiographical EP self, out singer/songwriter kennedi drops the lyric video for her single, “Liquor Love.” The sensual synth-pop track offers an airy, vulnerable peek into the addiction that love can be. self is the first of a highly personal two-part project, set to be followed up by kennedi’s EP SABOTAGE in 2021. Having been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, kennedi created two EPs to distill both sides of her mental nature. Each carry their own unique tone and represent one hemisphere of her emotional state; self being the delicate light to SABOTAGE’s manic darkness. “The self EP is exactly what it sounds like — myself and all of the raw emotions that come with me,” says kennedi. “It’s a snapshot into how I felt in the moments during the time I was writing these songs. It tells the story of my journey over the past year — my relationships and life experiences. Honest and raw. That is self.” Follow kennedi on Instagram here.
After sending us musical missives from his summer on Fire Island, Seth Sikes returns to New York City and renews his love affair with the Big Apple via Stephen Sondheim’s “What More Do I Need.”
Celebrating the city and its singular energy, Sikes revels in how it has rebounded in style after the worst days of the Covid pandemic.
In the buoyant, breezy video (directed by Eamon Foley), Sikes is seen enjoying the best of the city: cavorting on the subway, riding a Citi Bike, fighting with neighbors, and traipsing through Times Square. It’s pure MGM movie musical happiness.
The message of the video: Even when you’re wearing a Covid mask, New York City remains the fabulous center of the universe.
News Round-Up: October 7, 2020
Steve_in_LA wants you to vote! (via Instagram)
• Pink News: A plumber working as a city contractor in Tulsa has been removed from his gig after being caught on a home security camera directing homophobic insults at a gay man and his partner. • Get Out The Vote II: Mark Ruffalo and more Hollywood stars have an important message for you about voting by mail – so they got naked. Pay attention now…
• Cook Political Report: The Senate race in South Carolina between Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Jaime Harrison has been moved to ‘Toss Up.’ “It’s a jump ball at this point,” said one South Carolina Republican strategist. “Jaime is peaking at exactly the right time and he’s got a deluge of money. [Harrison] is blocking every pass there is from Republicans.” • Out Music: Indie singer/songwriter Skyler Cocco invites us into her dream-like world as she takes a drive to clear her mind in the music video for her pop-synth single, “The Drive,” which Uproxx called “effervescent.” “The music video is meant to feel as though you’re looking through a colorful lens at an intimate moment of self reflection,” Skyler writes. “I wanted to illustrate the time spent alone with my thoughts while driving down empty roads and wandering through flower fields, knowing you’ll need to face some things when you get home.”
News Round-Up: September 20, 2020
Some news items you might have missed: • NewNowNext: RuPaul (above) has made Emmys herstory by snatching her fifth consecutive Emmy for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program. RuPaul’s Drag Race is nominated for Outstanding Competition Program during this year’s Primetime Emmys, Sunday, September 20 at 8pm ET on ABC. • Edge Media: A gay couple in New York recalls the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg officiating their wedding. • KIT212: Check out Kenneth’s weekly round-up of the latest in LGBTQ publications like South Florida’s Hot Spots! (below) featuring Pose star Billy Porter. 
(image via Hot Spots Magazine)
Bright Light Bright Light Takes You To ‘Fun City’
Bright Light Bright Light (aka Rod Thomas)
Robby Hart Scores With Euphoric Debut Single ‘The Song Of The Summer’
Singer/songwriter Robby Hart
The Randy Report: “The Song of the Summer” totally captures that ebullient sense of fun and freedom during summer. Did you have a specific sound in mind going into writing and producing the song? Robby Hart: The writing of it was quick. Like 15 minutes. I had an original beat I cut the vocal on a while back. But it didn’t seem like the right “home” for the song. I wanted something familiar yet fresh at the same time. So I worked with this amazing producer remotely out of London. To give some subtle tones of unity, I wanted it to sound a bit global as well. So I think collaborating across continents hopefully helped contribute to that. 
TRR: What do you do outside of music that contributes to your creativity? RH: Great question! Hmmm…prior to the pandemic I loved to travel. On tour when possible I would add an extra day onto my travel to actually experience the city I’m in. I love listening to stories about people that are unlike myself. Sans travel I’ve really been into podcasts lately…Maybe it’s subconsciously replacing that feeling of social connection in some way? Heh. TRR: What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? RH: Show people how you want to be treated in life, and you live your life for you. Not anyone else. TRR: What’s next on the horizon? RH: More music! Lots and lots of new music is coming out soon, stay tuned! 🙂
“The Song of the Summer” is now available on all streaming/digital download sites. You can follow Robby on Instagram here. In addition to his new single, Hart has curated a most excellent Spotify playlist titled – what else? – “The Songs of the Summer.”
Cameron Hawthorn’s Pensive, Personal New Single “To Break Hers”
Rising country music star Cameron Hawthorn (photo credit: Lindsey Patkos)
News Round-Up: September 2, 2020
Paleontologist and Crossfit athlete Francesc Gascó (photo: Lee Faircloth)
ARIZONA – Joe Biden 49% Donald Trump 40%
NORTH CAROLINA – Joe Biden 50% Donald Trump 46%
WISCONSIN – Joe Biden 50% Donald Trump 42%
• Washington Blade: Openly gay Mayor Alex Morse of Holyoke fell short in his attempt to unseat longtime Congressman Richard Neal. In the weeks leading up to the primary, Morse became the target of an ugly, homophobic smear campaign. • New York Times: Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, will travel Thursday to Kenosha, Wisconsin, to visit a city still reeling from the Aug. 23 police shooting of a Black man, Jacob Blake. The Bidens will be meeting with Mr. Blake’s father and other family members during the trip. During Donald Trump’s recent visit, the president did not mention Mr. Blake, who was paralyzed in the shooting, or speak with his family. • New Music: Out artist Michael Fairman’s music video for “Other Side” depicts some of the biggest social issues of 2020 including the Covid-19 pandemic, the call to stomp out systemic racism, domestic violence, LGBTQ equality, and the rights of the disabled. A new artist to me, Fairman’s packing some serious vocals (and biceps) here.
Bright Light Bright Light Celebrates Gender Expression “It’s Alright, It’s OK”
Bright Light Bright Light (aka Rod Thomas)
Did you come as a boy or a girl? Or did you come as yourself, even better If you want to be part of a world where your heart doesn’t hurt Say the word and we’ll make it there together
The video stars gender-fluid drag performer and activist Glow Job coping with life in lockdown by getting all dolled up to stay home and live her best life complete with an apartment stripper pole and rooftop stage all to herself.
On Instagram, Glow shares the astounding news that she was hit by a motorcycle while riding her bike to a protest in July resulting in a broken leg and clavicle just weeks before the video shoot. “Pole community, don’t judge too harshly,” jokes the queen decked out in regal red. “But the song isn’t about what I am physically able to do, but how I am simply able to be,” added Glow Job. “Able to be me in whatever way that looks. What you are seeing is my life. That is my home. This is my expression.”