Tag: out musicians

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Pride Music: Trey Pearson “Love Is Love”

Out singer/songwriter Trey Pearson dedicated his 2017 music video, “Love Is Love,” to LGBTQ safe spaces.

Pearson made international headlines in 2016 when he came out after years as the lead singer of Christian rock band, Everyday Sunday.

From The Advocate:

“‘Love Is Love’ has become a mantra in the LGBTQ community that stands up for the right to love and be loved, fully. This love song, and this album, represent that freedom for me,” Pearson told The Advocate.

“I wanted the music video to be a tribute to all LGBTQ sacred spaces. Gay bars and queer spaces have been a refuge for me over this last year, and it is where I have been able rebuild my life after losing so much when I came out. I’m overjoyed to be able to make a video about a gay love song that takes pride in these spaces that mean so much for our community.”

Speaking to Billboard, Pearson described the track as “an anthem celebrating the freedom to love each other, without fear, because all you need is love.”

With a solid pop hook, top shelf production and Pearson’s soaring vocals “Love Is Love” is a worthy solo debut effort.

Listen below and check out the album on iTunes here.

Here’s Pearson’s appearance on The View where he discusses coming out:

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Pride Music: Sam Smith Covers Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know”

Back in 2014, out recording artist Sam Smith debuted his new cover of the Whitney Houston hit “How Will I Know” while visiting the SiriusXM Studios yesterday.

I love when folks slow a song down and we discover a whole new side to the writer’s work.

Gorgeous idea here.

(h/t JMG)

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Pride Music: ROZES “Call Me”

As we celebrate our strength and resilience of not just surviving but thriving as a community during Pride Month, it’s also important to remember even the strongest among us might need a word of support.

Out singer/songwriter ROZES drops her new single, “Call Me,” a soulful, solo piano anthem with a heartfelt hook.

“Just know that you can call me, and I’ll always be there.”

With over 1 billion-plus streams, she has been praised by folks at Entertainment Weekly, Pitchfork, Paper Mag and Marie Claire, and clocked appearances on CONAN, Good Morning America and more.

Known for her recent single “Halfway There,” the “Official Anthem of the 2019 Women’s March,” the Philadelphia artist intentionally worked with an all-female team to produce the new track.

(photo credit: Adam Contiello)

The song sounds the alarm in support of mental health, an important topic close to the talented artist, who says “our mental health is not a burden.”

“I think it’s important that we do not underestimate the power of a phone call,” shares ROZES regarding the inspiration of the song. “The courage to reach out can change a life, and maybe it’s your own. It’s honest about mental health and offering hopeful hand to those in the thick of it.”

Sensitive, passionate, and candidly emotional, “Call Me” falls right in the sweet spot for the multi-platinum artist.

An artist worthy of your attention.  If you like Alicia Keyes or Adele, hit the play button below.

I like.

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Pride Music: Mika “Ice Cream”

Out singer/songwriter Mika drops his perfect-for-summer new single, “Ice Cream,” in advance of his upcoming album, My Name Is Michael Holbrook.

The Lebanese-born artist calls the song “a daydream fantasy” that was borne during a sweltering August in Italy. “It shimmers like a mirage, and makes me feel like anything is possible,” adds the 35-year-old singer.

The song came to him near the end of a two-year writing period. After musically exploring some serious, personal issues in his writing, Mika says he felt “lighter and freer” and escape was on his mind.

“I wanted to run away to the sea, or just about anywhere,” says Mika.

Instead, Mika sat down and dreamed about “summer flings” and “the other person I always wish I was during the summer.” But with no air conditioning, Mika mainly recalls the heat, the sweat, work deadlines and bee stings – all of which gets referenced in the bouncy bop’s lyrics.

Mika (photo: Peter Lindbergh)

With a solid bass beat and a hooky, falsetto-filled chorus, “Ice Cream” sounds like the sonic lovechild of 90s George Michael and Prince tunes.

The lyric video is a groovy melange of bold, playful graphics that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Released at the beginning of Pride Month, the timing couldn’t be more perfect as Mika wants his fans to “dare to be the more proud version of yourself.”

“Dare to be a sensual man, dare to express out loud the desires you always keep inside your head,” says the UK-based artist.

Mika first grabbed the spotlight in 2007 when he released his first album, Life in Cartoon Motion. The first single, “Grace Kelly,” went to number one in the UK and eleven other countries, and earned him a Brit Award and a Grammy nomination.

Since then, he’s been certified Gold and Platinum in 32 countries worldwide.

My Name Is Michael Holbrook, Mika’s fifth studio album, drops on October 4. Mika will follow its release with a world tour beginning in London on November 10.

Check out the new track below and let us know what you think in the comments.

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Pride Music: Starley “Love Is Love”

Today’s Pride Music comes from Australian artist Starley, whose deeply personal single “Love is Love” was released in June 2018.

“Love is Love” was the follow-up to Starley’s global smash hit “Call on Me” which went 4x Platinum in Australia, #1 in Sweden and the Top 10 in more than 30 countries.

Along the way, all that fan love added up to more than 1 billion streams globally.

Using an earthy mix of rhythms and a sound that feels authentic and personal, the singer from ‘down under’ finds the center of her music. And in doing so, connects with the singer.

Even the approach to artwork for her music is has to have a true connection.

“The cover for ‘Love is Love’ is not to be about me,” said Starley. “Although, this song is my personal story, it’s a song for everyone, so I felt like a heart was the perfect way to go.”

“I feel like there should be a flag that represents love in all forms – interracial, interfaith, gay, straight, bisexual, trans, and so on,” she adds.

“Until that exists, I’ve chosen to use the colours of the bisexual flag because they relate to my personal journey,” says the Aussie singer regarding the inspiration behind her single artwork.

And while I have your attention, check out Starley’s debut single, “Call On Me” below.

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Oscar Nominee Sufjan Stevens Drops New Music For Pride Month

Sufjan Stevens

Singer/songwriter Sufjan Stevens has released two new songs for Pride month – “Love Yourself” and “With My Whole Heart.”

Stevens is probably most famous today for his songs he contributed to last year’s queer coming-of-age movie, Call Me By Your Name. The track “Mystery of Love” garnered an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song and a Grammy Award nod as well.

The new tracks are available now on all digital platforms and will be released in late June as a limited-edition vinyl.

The 43-year-old artist says “Love Yourself,” a euphoric synth-pop bop, is based on a musical sketch he wrote 20 years ago. Stevens plans on including the 1996 demo on the vinyl release as well as a short reprise.

“With My Whole Heart” is an entirely new song that came from a personal challenge: “to write an upbeat and sincere love song without conflict, anxiety, or self-deprecation.” Definitely more bouncy, the track is a retro, lo-fi affair with lots of layered vocals leading to a vibe-y, chill guitar solo.

In addition to the two tracks, Stevens has also designed a limited edition t-shirt for Pride month.

In addition to buying music you enjoy, purchasing the tracks will also aid two organizations that help LGBTQ homeless youth. A portion of the proceeds will go to both the Ali Forney Center in New York City and the Ruth Ellis Center in Detroit, Michigan.

A post shared by M A R I A N A 🌊 (@marianbuschmann) on May 29, 2019 at 6:40am PDT
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Out Music: Billy Porter & Matt Zarley Cover 90s Anthem “You Gotta Be”

Billy Porter

Billy Porter (Golden Globe nod – FX’s Pose, Tony Award winner Kinky Boots) has teamed up with two-time Out Music Award winner Matt Zarley to record their take on the empowering 1995 Des’ree hit, “You Gotta Be.”

All of the proceeds from the single will benefit the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Youth Center.

Close friends for more than 30 years, the two artists had been looking to collaborate on a music project and found the message that “love will save the day” particularly resonant in these challenging times.

Matt Zarley and Billy Porter

You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold
You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard
You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm
You gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day

Matt Zarley

“Billy and I are both passionate about all LGBT causes, particularly ones that involve our next generations,” said Zarley, who also produced the track as well as directed and edited the video.

“We wanted to help raise awareness for this invaluable organization and the work they do,” It’s incredibly important and is helping save the lives of the youngest and most vulnerable members of our community.”

A postscript to the music video shares the sobering fact that there are roughly 1.7 million homeless youth on the streets of the United States, and a disproportionate 40% identify as LGBT. In Los Angeles alone, there are roughly 3,500 LGBT youth living on the streets.

And speaking of ‘community,’ that’s exactly what’s front and center in the music video for “You Gotta Be.”

Zarley and Porter are joined by dozens of friends grooving, twirling, lip-syncing for their lives in solo and same-sex couplings.

After ruling the red carpet during this past awards season, Porter is currently shooting Season 2 of the acclaimed FX series Poseset to return to the airwaves June 11.

Zarley’s latest project is an album titled The Estrogen Sessions,which pays tribute to some of pop music’s most prolific female artists (Dolly Parton, Celine Dion, Sara Bareilles, Whitney Houston) featuring the songs they made famous. “I Will Always Love You,” “That’s The Way It Is,” “Gravity,” and “I Look To You” are just a few of the tunes featured on the set.

Check out “You Gotta Be”with Billy Porter and Matt Zarley below.

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Out Music: Heather Strange “Ruthless”

Chris Kittrell as ‘Heather Strange’ (photo: Adrian Stucker)

Chris Kittrell’s new solo project Heather Strange debuts with this first track, “Ruthless.”

Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter & artist Chris Kittrell drops the lead music video for his latest project, Heather Strange.

The track, titled “Ruthless,” is produced by Chris Hines and Dave Sitek (who’s previously worked with Jay-Z, Beyoncé and Yeah Yeah Yeahs).

Part EDM with hints of classic Human League, if you’re a fan of The Smiths/Morrissey this will be right up your alley. And let’s face it – who doesn’t like some shiny, pretty things to look at?

Kittrell says the inspiration for the song came to him “at a low point in my life.”

“I had insecurities and doubts about where I was going, and the world around me,” he shares. “It was rough, but I kept holding on and pushing myself forward, creating music and art. Perseverance is so important. If you hold on and put energy into the things you love, life will balance out.”

After years as the frontman for Baby Alpaca, Kittrell is looking forward to the new solo project.

“Heather Strange is my stage name, inspired by the street where I first started writing the music in Cold Water Canyon, Los Angeles,” says the six-foot-five artist. “I like the name because it’s something bigger than me, something I can create and become a character in front of my audience.”

Music critics have gushed about Kittrell’s fearless alt-pop aesthetic for years.

Reviewing his 2016 track “Teenage Wasteland,” Vice’s Kim Taylor Bennett described Kittrell’s sound as “slinky, soulful crooner pop,” and the track “sparklingly beautiful.”

Vogue’s Jacob Brown fell in love with Kittrell’s “hypnotic” voice which “somehow made time itself seem to slow down.”

Check out “Ruthless” and let me know what you think in the comment section.

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Out Music: Sons Of An Illustrious Father “Don’t Cha”

Sons of an Illustrious Father

Out actor Ezra Miller and his band, Sons of an Illustrious Father, were recently out at a sexy, queer party in Nashville while on tour. As the story goes, heterosexual folks started dropping by the shindig as it was the coolest thing in town that night.

Miller’s band mate, Lilah Larson, says the straight folks “were sort of uncomfortably ogling the frolicking queers — including us — in a way that belied their envy and lust.”

But when the Pussycat Dolls’ hit, “Don’t Cha,” came up in the music cue, the band realized they needed to cover the track, from their own perspective, as a way to “encapsulate this common experience.”

Wearing black leotards, dancing to a slowed, time-warped version of the song, the music video is an animal all unto its own.

At first, I didn’t know what to think.

I still don’t – but I watched.

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Adam Lambert Drops Groovy Goodness “New Eyes”

Adam Lambert drops the lead single, “New Eyes,” from his upcoming album Velvet, and it’s a groovilicious affair.
Adam Lambert

Adam Lambert drops the lead single, “New Eyes,” from his upcoming album Velvet, and it’s a groovilicious affair.

The mid-tempo track has a definite pop/funk vibe with a dash of soul that feels like a throwback to glam-rock of the 1970s.

The music video mirrors that with funky retro style and a bit of psychedelic alchemy as Lambert hands out late-night party favors to strangers.

It’s all very much a departure from the EDM/synth-pop of Lambert’s 2015 album, The Original High.

“I wanted my first single to reflect my current state of mind and to bring listeners into a romantic, earthy vibe,” said the singer. “‘New Eyes’ is a love letter to innocence and to finding new passions.”

According to press materials, the new video (directed by Miles and AJ) is the first installment of a multi-part short film that leads up to the album release.

In the four years since The Original High release, the 37-year-old has been touring extensively as the frontman for iconic rock band, Queen, as well as making a cameo appearance in the Freddy Mercury biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody.

Lambert is scheduled to perform “New Eyes” on the season finale of his old stomping grounds, American Idol, this coming Sunday. He’s also snagged a prime summer appearance on the Good Morning America concert series on June 28.

Check out the new single from Lambert below.