Tag: out musicians

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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: Eli Lieb “Next To You”

Randy Report favorite Eli Lieb drops his latest single, “Next To You.”

Creative use of video projections here as the woofy object of Eli’s affections doesn’t even see the handsome singer.

As always, top-shelf production and a strong hook make this another winner from Eli.

I’ve shared Eli’s music often on The Randy Report – check out more of his music here.

Watch below.

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Out Music: Kim Petras “I Don’t Want It At All”

Check out the music video for out trans popster Kim Petras’ debut single, “I Don’t Want It At All,” a pop-y “shop-til-you-drop” anthem that features a special guest appearance by Paris Hilton.

Via press release:

Since her childhood in Cologne, Germany, Kim has been in love with pop music. It was a window into the bigger world outside of her little town. Kim notably began transitioning with female hormone therapy following her twelfth birthday before making worldwide headlines as the youngest person to receive gender reassignment surgery at the age of 16. Her experiences and bravery are subtly present in her music and her undeniable debut single perfectly showcases her imaginative artistry and unique brand of escapism.

“Pop was always my biggest obsession,” Kim affirms. “I spend so much time looking for new music online. As a kid, music videos were my escape from the little town I was living in, because nothing happened there. I want to provide that kind of escapism. It’s unapologetically pop.”

Great to see the release was noticed by big mainstream sites Ew.com and Idolator.

Watch the video below.

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Out Music: George Michael “Fantasy” Featuring Nile Rodgers

As I reported yesterday, the late George Michael’s mega-hit album, Listen Without Prejudice Vol.1 is set for re-release on October 20 and the documentary George Michael: Freedom will air this Saturday/October 21 at 9pm ET/PT on Showtime.

In celebration of the out artist’s body of work, take a look/listen to “Fantasy.” a reworked single by George Michael featuring Nile Rodgers currently on A-list rotation on BBC Radio 2.

Featuring a melange of “George Michaels” over the years, the track is exactly what you would expect of the pop superstar.

Take a look below, and click here to pre-order.

Also available for streaming here.

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New Music: Eli Lieb “Kissing Your Tattoos”

Out singer/songwriter/producer Eli Leib contrasts a tentative, halting verse with a chorus that explodes with a visceral tribal drum beat in his latest single, “Kissing Your Tattoos.”

Considering the intimate perspective of the lyrics, it’s powerfully spot on.

Yeah I think it’s just a one night thing
Sorry if you wanted more of me
Maybe just a midnight rendezvous
But I’ll stay here kissing all of your tattoos

I think I know several folks who can relate to the moment.

Whether it’s the unbridled exuberance of his “Zeppelin” or the tender “Safe In My Hands,” Lieb always finds the sweet spot in his achingly personal musical creations.

I’m a longtime fan of Eli having featured him several times on The Randy Report. Check out more posts on the talented Mr. Lieb here.

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Out Music: The Hound “Can’t Let You Go”

Check out “Can’t Let You Go”, the new music video from LA-based out musician John Constantine (aka The Hound).

The intimate video features Constantine and model Aram Giragos working their way through a bad breakup.

Speaking to HuffPost, Constantine had this to say about being an out artist in today’s music landscape:

“I think it’s still very difficult to be a gay musician. A lot of times in the mainstream market you are told to keep your queerness as an afterthought and market yourself in a heteronormative way, or risk being labeled as a parody or not taken seriously. Meanwhile your straight contemporaries can be as honest, intimate and sexual as they want to be without any hesitation of it hurting their career. So, I want to keep writing and performing without compromise, stay true to myself, and be queer AF without fear.”

Constantine goes on to admit the inspiration for “Can’t Let You Go” came from a personal heartbreak which he says “all led me to where I’m at now.”

Watch the video below:

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Out Music: Sam Smith “Too Good At Goodbyes”

Sam Smith drops his first new song in two years - "Too Good At Goodbyes"
Sam Smith (image via Instagram)

“Too Good At Goodbyes” is out singer/songwriter Sam Smith’s newest release since his Academy Award winning James Bond theme, “Writing’s On The Wall.”

“The song is about a relationship I was in and it’s basically about getting good at getting dumped,” Smith said in a press release. “It’s been a long while since I’ve put any music out and I feel that this first single sets the tone of what is to come.”

Variety reviews the track:

For the first minute of the song, Smith’s voice is joined only by the sparsest and most basic piano chords, along with some finger-snapping. Eventually a light beat kicks in, then a gospel choir, as if to almost mock Smith’s romantic lamentation by raising it to the level of spiritual battle. Those extra production elements drop out as easily as they drop in, though, until it’s finally just piano and fingers again, then a sobby, a cappella closing line.

Maybe you’d also like a majestic bridge that never arrives; that may be the missing element that leaves “Goodbyes” shy of being a pop classic. But Smith’s magical, tragical voice is its own kind of classicism, melting you with its vulnerability even as he tries some swagger on for size as part of his exit strategy.

4.5 million views in one day.

Listen below. Let me know in the comments what you think 🙂

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Podcast: White House Preps Trans Military Phase Out; Will & Grace Already Renewed For 2nd Season; Gay Short Film Charms Millions

In this week’s podcast:

• The White House has approved guidance for booting transgender service members out of the U.S. military

• NBC not only adds four more episodes to the Will & Grace reboot, but has already renewed the iconic sitcom for a second season

• Animated queer short film In A Heartbeat charms millions in only four minutes

• The acclaimed film Call Me By Your Name gets first official trailer

• Matt Joyce of the Oakland A’s suspended for shouting anti-gay slur at fan

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

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Out Music: Superfruit “Vacation”

Mitch Grassi and Scott Hoying, 3-time Grammy Award-winners with Pentatonix, continue to add color and flavor to this summer’s queer musical landscape as Superfruit.

The pop pair keeps dropping music videos for their new EP, Future Friends, Superfruit’s new two-part debut studio album. And we couldn’t be happier.

Future Friends—Part One is available now; Future Friends—Part Two will debut on September 15.

Formed in 2013 as a side-gig when not performing with Pentatonix, the colorful duo’s videos have racked up over 350 million views.

Describing the different musical approaches, Grassi told OUT, “With Superfruit, it’s a little more gay-friendly and a lot more open, more sexual, more liberated.”

In “Vacation,” the boys are clearly putting style above surroundings. And why not when you can bop on a budget with a gay groove like these two?

Watch the guys “vacay in their own way” below.

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Music Video: Eli Lieb Is Awash In Intoxicating Kisses In “Shangri La”

Perfect for Hump Day!

Out singer/songwriter Eli Lieb has just dropped his new music video, “Shangri La.”

Having recently relocated from Los Angeles to Iowa, the talented Mr. Lieb appears to be awash in the memory of intoxicating kisses, and a cocktail or two.

Romantic longing becomes naked, exposed emotion.

I’m definitely a fan, having previously featured Eli on The Randy Report here and here and here and here.