Tag: out musicians

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MIKA Drops New Music Video “Dear Jealousy”

International popstar MIKA drops his latest music video, "Dear Jealousy"

International popstar MIKA drops his latest music video, "Dear Jealousy" Popstar MIKA releases a new video, “Dear Jealousy” today. The video follows the release of his critically acclaimed fifth studio album, My Name Is Michael Holbrook. “This album has been a rich and intense journey,” writes MIKA about the new collection. “Inspired by life in all its glory and all its dark challenges. It’s also inspired by love.” “My intention was to write about life as it happened. A sort of album made in ‘real-time,’” added the artist. “It’s an explosion of joy, color and emotion even though it was born in one of the most challenging periods for my family and I.” “Writing and recording this album was a form of medicine for me and my family. It is so deeply personal but also universal. I have come to realize that the only things that matters in life are the people we love and the stories we tell.” MIKA dedicates the new album to “those people I love and to the notion that although we all hopefully grow with age, we should do so without losing our colors, our warmth or whimsy. I hope my ‘Tiny Love’ stories somehow touch you or transport you, even just for an instant.” Hit the play button below.

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New Music: Michael Longoria Wants To Kiss ‘Like They Do In The Movies’

Michael Longoria (image via Skollar PR)
Michael Longoria, best known for his star turn on Broadway as Frankie Valli in the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys, releases his new album today, Like They Do In The Movies. The collection of classic, romantic songs from movies also features the debut of an original song written by Longoria, “Kiss Me (Like They Do In The Movies).” This is the out artist’s third studio album following Broadway Brick By Brick (2016) and Merry Christmas Darling (2018). As a singer-songwriter, Longoria has performed his original songs at Joe’s Pub, The Cutting Room, CB’s Gallery, and Caroline’s on Broadway. The acclaimed artist has been nominated for Best Male Vocalist and Best Cabaret by The Glam Awards in 2016. I had a chance to chat with the handsome actor/singer about his new album as well as the process that goes into creating a new project. The Randy Report: You’ve written a terrific new song for the album – “Kiss Me (Like They Do In The Movies).” I expected a slow, romantic ballad, but instead, it’s a driving, urgent uptempo. What was the inspiration for the song? Michael Longoria: The lyric pleads, “Kiss me like they do in the movies. Like you would in the last row, come on, let’s go. You have to show me now.” When I was recording these amazing movie love songs, I found myself wondering if this kind of love exists in real life. There is a sense of urgency in the beat, mixed with the sweeping strings characterize musically the internal conflict we have when we expect things to be like we have seen played out on film, but in reality, it doesn’t always happen as a screenwriter might dream up.

TRR: I understand you grew up on Mariachi music. How did that, as a musical foundation, form how you listen to or approach music? ML: Because I didn’t speak Spanish, I had to learn Mariachi songs by hearing and emotion.  My parents would teach me how to pronounce the words and then explain the general idea.  The music and melody would reveal what the true meaning was without me knowing the words.  I somehow would know what to feel when belting out a classic Mariachi tune. TRR: Is there a favorite song on the new album?  ML: Besides “Kiss Me,” which is my favorite because it’s about my own life, I love singing “It Must Have Been Love” from the movie Pretty Woman.  It’s a heartbreaking song about being alone on Christmas after a breakup.

Michael Longoria releases his new album ‘Like They Do In The Movies’ (image via Skollar PR)
TRR: The song list for the new album is wide-ranging – how hard was it to whittle the list down? Was there a song you really wanted that didn’t make the album? ML: So many songs didn’t make the album but were on the long list.  I wanted to record “Cruel Summer” from Karate Kid. I find that song so sexy in its tragedy.  Another breakup song with an upbeat arrangement. TRR: Many of the songs on the album are so iconic and the performances by the original artists are embedded in our psyche (“Wind Beneath My Wings,” “I Will Always Love You,” “My Heart Will Go On”). Was it hard to disassociate the original? Or did the original serve as a springboard? ML: I was originally discouraged from taking on “My Heart Will Go On” and “I Will Always Love You.” But once I started to dive deep into the lyrics and storyline, the songs became about my life.  That’s the sign of a great song.  A lyric that tells a human experience and a melody that colors the emotion of that experience. The singer brings breath and sound to these words and then that sound stays in your head.  It’s amazing how music can move the human spirit.

TRR: With years of experience on stage in long-running shows and concert work, do you approach studio recording projects differently? If so, how? ML: Yes! When I’m recording a song it’s just me and an engineer after we record the band. I’m in a small sound box singing my feelings all alone with an amazing engineer recording my every breath. It’s a very intimate and emotional journey when you record like that.  When you listen to Like They Do In The Movies, you are hearing into my deepest emotions. It’s not a performance I’d give under pressure for a 2,000 seat theater. It’s more of a one on one singing just you and me vibe. TRR: This is your third studio album. With that experience now, is there any advice ‘2019 Michael Longoria’ would tell ‘2016 Michael Longoria’ about recording an album? ML: Keep writing! Tell your story. Someone will need to hear what you are going through and it will let them know they are not alone. Like They Do In The Movies, produced by Grammy nominee and 12-time Emmy Award winner Michael Croiter, is available now in stores and online. Longoria celebrates the new release with concerts in New York (last night at The Green Room 42), and in San Francisco on October 16 at Feinstein’s At The Nikko. Follow Michael Longoria on Instagram here.

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News Round-Up: October 8, 2019

L-R Sean Hayes of Will & Grace and Olympian Gus Kenworthy (image via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • Will & Grace: Out Olympian Gus Kenworthy shared the pic above with W&G star Sean Hayes as he shares the news he shot an episode for the upcoming final season of the iconic sitcom. Congrats, Gus! • Washington Blade: 133 LGBTQ activists were arrested outside the U.S. Supreme Court building today as justices heard oral arguments regarding whether federal civil rights laws protect LGBTQ people in the workplace. • Politico: Since taking office, Donald Trump has continually suggested asking White House staffers to take lie detector tests. The Donald has ramped up the idea again as two whistleblowers have come forward with clear information about his phone call with the Ukrainian president. • Netflix: The Fab 5 jet off to Japan for a four-episode Queer Eye mini-season. Streaming giant Netflix premieres the bonus installments on November 1.

• KIT212: It’s Tennis Tuesday over at Kenneth’s place where he always finds the hottest tennis players to showcase. Last week’s specimen will be pretty hard to top… 🙂 • Washington Post: The Senate Intelligence Committee, a Republican-led panel that has been investigating foreign electoral interference for more than two and a half years, said in blunt language that Russians worked to damage Democrat Hillary Clinton while bolstering Republican Donald Trump — and made clear that fresh rounds of interference are likely ahead of the 2020 vote. • New Music: Halsey drops the music video (nearly a million views in 6 hours) for her single, “Graveyard,” which has already amassed over 65 million streams since its release. The music video, featuring Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney, begins in Halsey’s bedroom but evolves into a sweet same-sex romp at a carnival. Stereogum praised “Graveyard” as a “strong pop song about depression and co-dependence” and noted, “Halsey… can sing about stark internal stuff and still make the songs sound like they belong in an arena.”

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Out Music: Cameron Hawthorn ‘Oh Hot Damn!’

Cameron Hawthorn (via Instagram/photo: Fredrick Broden)
After making a splash with his oh-so-romantical music video, “Dancing In The Living Room,” out country singer Cameron Hawthorn’s follow-up single takes the action from a living room two-step to busting a move in a barroom line dance. Continue reading “Out Music: Cameron Hawthorn ‘Oh Hot Damn!’”

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News Round-Up: September 30, 2019

InstaHunk Dan Tai (via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Ok, who knew hottie Dan Tai (above) even owned this much clothes??? Btw – Dan shares in his Instagram post wise words about cherishing the moment you’re in. Follow him here. • Billboard: Rapper Lil Nas tells CBS This Morning’s Gayle King he knew he was gay early on and used to “pray, pray and pray.” When King asked what he prayed for, he said, “That it was a phase.” • CNN: The latest polling by SSRS shows 47% of Americans support impeaching Donald Trump and removing him from office, up from 41% who felt that way in a CNN poll in May. Opposition stands at 45% in the new poll, down from 54% who said so in May and the lowest point in CNN polling. There’s equally bad news for Trump in the latest Quinnipiac (47% support) and CBS News (55% support) polls. • Buffalo News: Rep. Chris Collins (R) – most famous as the first member of Congress to support Donald Trump’s presidential campaign – resigned from Congress today after pleading guilty to criminal insider trading. • LGBTQ Nation: Abrahm DeVine, a 23-year-old collegiate swimmer who came out as gay in a 2018 interview with Swimming World magazine, says he was kicked off of the Stanford University swim team due to “systematic homophobia.” DeVine is a member of the U.S. men’s national swim team and was an NCAA champion at Stanford. • Out Music: Peter Thomas drops his latest single, “If You’re Happy Now,” about the aftermath of a breakup. “Heartbreak has been replaced by a less intense heartache,” explains Thomas. “I find myself wondering about you. Are you okay? Do you have someone new? Are we in the same time zone? Maybe we’re not ready to talk yet, and maybe we won’t end up together, but I still care. I’ll always care. And I want to know if you’re alright.” I have stood in the center of that emotional landscape. Hit the play button below.

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Music Video: Tom Goss Explores Domestic Violence In ‘La Bufadora’

Tom Goss and Daniel Franzese in “La Bufadora”
Out singer/songwriter Tom Goss’s new video, “La Bufadora,” features Goss and actor Daniel Franzese (Mean Girls, Looking), as a couple in crisis in Mexico. La Bufadora is a blowhole just south of Ensenada, Mexico. Goss shares that the song was written “after a tension-filled weekend in Mexico with my husband.” “I couldn’t help but notice the similarities between La Bufadora (exploding in the middle of the serene ocean) and our emotions (constantly bubbling and ready to explode, just under the surface),” says Goss. In the video, Goss and Franzese are vacationing in Mexico, but tensions build to physical conflict. “As humans, we can be so volatile or wounded at the drop of a hat,” Goss told HuffPost. “Sometimes it is a choice we make, sometimes it is the deep-seated triggers that live within our bodies and minds. Just like La Bufadora, we ebb and flow, rest and explode.”

HuffPost notes that recent research by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control found that 26% of gay men and 37% of bisexual men have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. For lesbian and bisexual women, those rates are 43.8% and 61%, respectively. Proceeds from the video will be donated to help support The National Domestic Violence Hotline and the LA LGBT Center’s Intimate Partner / Domestic Violence Outreach.

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Out Music: Cazwell “Duo Lingo”

Screen capture from Cazwell's latest music video "Duo Lingo"

Screen capture from Cazwell's latest music video "Duo Lingo" Out rapper Cazwell‘s new music video, “Duo Lingo,” featuring Tom Bike and Mad Science, is a veritable Latin go-go buffet. Cazwell says the inspiration for the collaboration came after “using the Duo Lingo app on his phone trying to learn Spanish and failing miserably.” He’d been chatting with Tom Bike about working on a project together and thought a Spanish/English rap would be cool. Filmed in West Hollywood’s FuBar, the music video features thong-clad adult performers like Beaux Banks, Fernando Figuero and Abel Pirela. “I wanted to make sure the bar looked like a hole-in-the-wall dive bar, as grimy and as ratchet possible,” says Cazwell. “We all have a hustle. Some people get their hustle on social media or on the go-go box and some people do it on Wall Street. I respect everyone’s grind. These boys have a lot of discipline and work very hard.” I previously covered Cazwell’s “No Selfie Control” music video here. Hit play but note – totally not suitable for worktime viewing 🙂

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Indie Artist Morgxn Remembers Childhood Wonder ‘A New Way’

I’ve been meaning to share this acoustic version of “A New Way” by alt/pop artist Morgxn for a while now. While he dropped the full studio version of the song and music video back in late June (you can view it here), it was this stripped down, reimagined iteration that captured my attention as he ruminates on the theme of childhood innocence lost and reframes the storytelling in the most charming way.

I don’t know how I got lost, don’t know how I got caught I don’t want to feel anxious anymore And I want to feel like we’re young, want to feel like we’re bold I don’t want to feel anxious anymore

In the song, Morgxn mentions two ages – 14 and 19. Earlier this year, he shared the significance of those times in his life with Billboard:

Fourteen was an age where I was wistful and naive. I played with toys in the bathtub longer than I should ever admit in an interview [laughs]. I wore a Superman cape to school not on Halloween, at an age that is probably not safe to admit either. That was where 14 came from, I felt youthful and that anything was possible.

Nineteen was the first time I was living on my own and I was all like, “I’m 19 and living on my own, this is fucking awesome!” And it was, because I was finally able to come out at 19, but I was finally able to honestly look at myself and say, “You might be into boys.” They were just two places in my life where I wasn’t so concerned with anything except for living my best life.

I’m quite taken with the acoustic version of the song and the music video. Charming, wistful, pensive and open. Who wants to help build a cardboard castle? (And yes, that is his real brother at the end of the video…) Find more info on the rising indie pop artist by clicking over to his official website here.

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Exclusive: Milan Gianni’s Soulful Take On “How Do You Sleep?”

Out singer/songwriter Milan Gianni drops his new music video, a rich, soulful cover of the Sam Smith hit, “How Do You Sleep?” Gianni’s earliest musical influences include Michael Jackson and Prince, but you can definitely hear some Beyoncé in his approach to R&B/soul. After attending the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Gianni is now in the recording studio working to release his debut EP later this year. We chatted with the handsome artist about the new single, his musical inspirations and how his training comes together in approaching the recording process. The Randy Report: Congratulations, Milan, on the debut single, “How Do You Sleep?” – what was the inspiration for recording the song? Milan Gianni: The inspiration came when I woke up super early one morning. Usually in the morning when I first wake up I go listen to new music. That’s when I seen that Sam Smith had just released a new music video for his single “How Do You Sleep?” and I was taken away to another place. A place where I visualized myself having a breathtaking music video on a beach and shooting it with male dancers in a similar style to Sam but with my own spin on it. I was so inspired and the fire was ignited. I instantly connected with the overall message of the song. I’ve been though a lot of situations dealing with relationships so I could relate to this on some many different levels. Also, I felt It would be an amazing song to showcase my voice. I told myself I’m gonna commit to record the song and shoot my own music video right away.

TRR: How would you describe your sound? MG: I would have to say at the core it’s all about smooth, buttery vocals that express intense emotion accompanied with tracks that have heavy chord and drum progression. Vocal arrangements are everything to me, so making sure I have backgrounds that add lots of texture and depth to my sound is a must. TRR: From start to finish, how long did this first track and music video take to bring to fruition? When did you know it was ‘done?’ MG: To bring this creation to life from start to finish it actually took  one month. I got the idea for the music video on July 11th, recorded the song the last week of July  and then shot the video on August 11th. After more than 12 hours of editing with my amazing videographer and it couldn’t have came out more perfect. I was in love. This was my first music video so it was super important to me for it to be just the way I envisioned in my mind. I knew it was officially done because I remembered specific angles and movements I did when we shot so I knew when I had all the shots  I wanted. I don’t know a lot about effects, lighting and things of that nature, so with the help of my director & videographer we collectively came together as a team and made the final decisions.

TRR: What’s your favorite part of making music? MG: My favorite part about being an artist is being able to perform live and create stories that people can relate to. It’s always been my dream as a little boy to have my own huge budget music videos so it felt super amazing and empowering to finally shoot my first of many to come. It hasn’t been a easy road to get here so I’m just so thankful to have such amazing support around me. It truly keeps me going. I feel being a recording artist is a special gift, and I just want to touch people and let them know that they’re not the only ones who experience certain things. We are all people and we go through the same things. That’s what brings us together. TRR: You have a background in musical theater – how do you think that impacts your approach to recording/making music? MG: Yes, having a musical theater background definitely influences every part of my artistry. The way I think, breathe, and move. The way I write my songs, record my songs, come up with music video and live performance concepts, etc. I really dive deep and use my acting training to ensure I’m being true to the character and moment that I’m portraying. Really understanding my intention. I learned all of that from musical theater. TRR: Who were your collaborators and how did you decide who to work with? MG: When it came to my collaborations it was a super easy process. I’ve been in the process for about the past 2 years of recording my debut EP, so I’ve been building my team. My sound engineer [Kay’Vion] he’s so amazing and always in such high demand, but he did me a huge favor and gave me an emergency session so I could get the track recorded. Next, I contacted my choreographer [James Alonzo] and he’s been with me basically since day one when I moved to New York City and started this journey so he was an obvious choice. He’s taught at all of NYC’s prestigious institutions. Then I had reached out to my videographer [Danny Simeon] we had already discussed working on a project, so we just secured the dates. He has such an amazing eye when he shoots and can capture anything and bring it to life. My director, Lauren Miller, has a lot of experience in the industry as a performer in front of the camera, but this is her debut taking a step behind it. Then theres my hairstylist/ Bestie/ Boss babe [Ashlyn Shaw] who was an obvious choice because the way she lays her clients and handles her business – I knew I had to have her on board. We were back forth and forth back regarding my hair so it was very interesting process lol. We definitely made an amazing choice though. The look we were going for was “If Pocahantas had a brother.” Then last, but not least, I can’t forget my amazing PR team [Cierra & Shania] who both have been such a huge missing part of the puzzle for me. They have a natural instinct to be on trend with what’s the best strategic move I should making next. It’s super crazy and can be a lot being an independent artist so I truly appreciate all of their efforts to help run this machine I’ve built. TRR: Who are your music inspirations? What artist would you love to collaborate with today? My first love was Michael Jackson, and then I discovered Beyoncé when she was in Destiny’s Child and I just fell in love. The way they just got on stage and could literally transform into this super hero almost made me fall in love. It was like they were introverted in their real lives and on stage so loud and in command and one with the music, stage and production. As I grew as a vocalist I searched for people who had similar tones and textures to their voice as mine, and I fell in love with Brandy and Tank. The way they connect their soul to each and every riff run and word. You feel it and it hits you different. I then dove into studying them. I also have a deep love for Lady GaGa, Prince, Rihanna and Missy Elliot. Always pushing the edge with their images and keeping you guessing what’s next. They really create iconic fashion moments with each song and it’s a lifestyle when they have a look they’re going with. Creating musical sounds so innovative and that are way beyond their time. Never afraid to press the envelope and setting the trend for artist for years to come. This is where my inspiration comes from and what I aspire to be. When asked what artist I would love to collaborate with I definitely have a long list for sure, but my top choices would be Missy Elliot, Summer Walker, Stefflon Don, Aboogie, JoJo & 6black. Check out the music video for ‘How Do You Sleep?’ above, and make sure to follow Milan Gianni on Instagram here.

(images via screen capture/YouTube – some editing was made for clarity)

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John Duff Skewers ‘Influencers’ With New Music Video “RICH”

The very easy-on-the-eyes John Duff (above) recently dropped his latest music video, “Rich,” which takes aim at pop culture’s obsession with so-called ‘social media influencers’ or online celebrities. Duff says the inspiration for the mid-tempo hip-hop track came to him when he was trying to come up with “the most obnoxious song I could think of about being famous for being rich.” The song’s lyrics poke fun at how seriously some social media mavens (and their followers) take themselves.

Train our waists And pad our hips F*ck your plans Let’s plump our lips Plastic products out here sellin it Hate on me – it keeps me relevant B*tch, I know you wish  

The music video includes viral internet celebs like the ‘human Ken doll,’ Justin Jedlica; Chris Crocker of ’Leave Britney Alone’ infamy; and self-proclaimed ‘c*ck destroyer’ Rebecca More. Along with several swipes at plastic surgery, the video also parodies ad campaigns for ‘Keeping Up With the Kardashians.’ Back in February 2018, Duff told Instinct, “We need more real bitches. I can’t stand the curated ‘influencers’ who think they are cool – it makes me so uncomfortable and it helps no one. Making an ass out of yourself – that helps people.” And in August of last year, Duff dropped his over-the-top homage to his pop music divas, “Girly.” In a recent Instagram post, Duff admitted that he’d planned on releasing “Rich” sooner, but he “wasn’t prepared.” Saying he felt “lost in other people’s perception” of him, he also shared that making “‘light-hearted’ work in such dire times” seemed selfish.

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My new song and video, “Rich”, drop this Friday 9|13. The video was set to release last year, shortly after “Girly”, but I called it off. I wasn’t prepared. Mentally, emotionally, physically – I was a mess. Of course I was happy with the reception of “Girly”, but success does not equate to wellness. I got lost in a persona – lost in other people’s perception of me I was stuck. Stuck on “why”. Why am I doing this? Why am I here? Why? I felt selfish in my pursuit of art – especially making “lighthearted” work in such seemingly dire times. I’ve learned a lot in this past year, but I think the most important thing is: Whatever you bring to the table is good enough. Your only job is to show up. Not everyone is going to Mother Teresa – and that’s ok. That was her mission, maybe not yours. We’re pretty helpless creatures, but everyone is worthy of their own star in the sky. Being imperfect does not mean that you don’t deserve to take up space. You are here. Create. Be seen. You’re worth it. Any way, back to me: Enjoy the show, dolls.

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Having moved through all that, his mantra now is, “Create. Be seen. You’re worth it.” Today, Duff is all about “holding a mirror to what it is that we do every day, as a culture – what we worship, how we consume, how we cope.” Check out John Duff’s ode to the infamous, “Rich,” below; and follow him on Instagram here. https://youtu.be/6Z7jNYHwtjA (lead image via Instagram)