Out Music: Wrabel ‘good’

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Wrabel

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Wrabel
Acclaimed singer/songwriter Wrabel
Out singer/songwriter Wrabel drops his latest single, ‘Good,’ which urges the listener to let go of past disappointments and be present in the here and now.

Let a good thing be good… Don’t you let a good thing go bad

The piano-driven track serves up soaring, soulful vocals by Wrabel accompanied by a rich and earthy gospel chorus. And it’s impossible to miss the artful songwriting skills at hand as he deftly crafts the storytelling through not just the lyrics but the emotional musical build and release of the song. As with his previous hits ‘The Village‘ and ‘11 Blocks,’ Wrabel journeys through an earnest exploration of those personal aspects of life that can be scary and unsure.

A tender moment from the music video for Wrabel's "Good"
A moment from Wrabel’s new music video, ‘Good’
“I feel so lucky to have worked with (video director) Carlos Asse on this video,” Wrabel says. “We wanted to build off of one of my favorite lyrics in the song – ‘I know you still see him in your apartment , let me in i’ll paint the walls’ – following a couple as they move into a new space – like a fresh start.” “Whether it’s anger, resentment or hurt, sometimes it’s the smallest disagreement that can send those feelings from the deep – down to the surface,” adds the artist. “The smallest thing can turn a good thing bad. But leaning in and trusting can keep a good thing good.” American Songwriter hailed Wrabel as “one of Hollywood’s finest songwriters for a decade” as the extensive list of his collaborations include artists like Kesha, Pink, Backstreet Boys, Louis Tomlinson and many more. ‘good’ prefaces Wrabel’s upcoming debut album scheduled for release later this year. Hit play below, and you can follow the artist on Instagram here. I really like this.

Out Music: Wrabel “Since I Was Young” (With Kesha)

Out singer-songwriter Wrabel shares this new collaboration with Kesha, “since i was young.” “Kesha is like a sister to me,” the artist shared in a statement. “She’s changed my life and changed the way I want to create and showed me what it means to be an artist and what it means to celebrate life, for all of its ups and downs and all-arounds.” “This song was basically just a conversation on that,” he added. “It’s rare to get to work with someone that’s seen you as so many things and in so many phases. From drunk and sad, to sober and still sad, to sober and in-love and happy.”

I’m a big fan of Wrabel’s work. You can find my previous coverage of his music here.

View this post on Instagram

“ since i was young (with @iiswhoiis) “ is out everywhere now ! ( link in bio ) writing this song really was a dream come true . with two of my best friends, kesha and @stint__ . it was our first day all together and i’d been messing around with the idea at home on my toy piano . i sent stint a voice note of it and by the time we got to the studio , he had almost a full on track built up that was so inspiring and powerful . the lyrics kind of just fell from the sky . kesha is like a sister to me . she’s changed my life and changed the way I want to create and showed me what it means to be an artist and what it means to celebrate life for all of its ups and downs and all arounds . this song was basically just a conversation on that . it’s rare to get to work with someone that’s seen you as so many things and in so many phases . from drunk and sad to sober and still sad to sober and in love and happy . i cherish the day we started this song and i am so proud to share it . BIG THANKS to @zanelowe @beats1official @hookdegan @applemusic for kicking things off this morning ❤️💙💜💚💛

A post shared by wrabel (@wrabel) on

News Round-Up: August 20, 2019

InstaHunk Alex Abramov says the world is not enough - BUT it is such a perfect place to start! Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Woofy Alex Abramov (above) says “the world is not enough – but it is such a perfect place to start!” • Washington Blade: VH1 has ordered two more seasons of the Emmy Award-winning, dragtastic series, RuPaul’s Drag Race. We can definitely plan on seeing Season 12 of RPDR, as well as a fifth season of, All-Stars. • The Atlantic: Just weeks ago, Donald Trump told the media he supported “meaningful background checks” for gun purchases after the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton. But it appears he has called National Rifle Association (NRA) CEO Wayne LaPierre to say he won’t pursue the issue, even though polls show Americans support the idea by 80+ support. • Vogue: A fan of Mayor Pete Buttigieg, designer Tom Ford reached out to offer some sartorial advice. While the White House hopeful demurred, Ford wasn’t upset. “Obviously he can’t wear my clothes. They’re too expensive, they’re wrong, they’re not made in America. And besides, whatever he’s doing is working. So does anyone need to fuck with it?” • Washington Post: You must read the latest essay from super-smart guy Michelangelo Signorile on Donald Trump’s devastating record on LGBTQ rights. • Out Music: We already know singer/songwriter Wrabel has the ‘magic’ touch when it comes to penning hit songs having written for major artists like Kesha, Pink, and the Backstreet Boys. So its no surprise this soulful new pop bop from the talented music man, appropriately titled, “Magic,” is a fun, easy on the ears track. And it’s definitely a departure from his more serious songs like “The Village” and “11 Blocks.” From his upcoming EP due out next month.

Pride Music: Wrabel “The Village”

In August 2017, out musician Wrabel released his powerful music video for "The Village" as a sign of solidarity with the transgender community in the aftermath of Donald Trump's 'out of nowhere' decision to ban trans military service members.

In August 2017, out musician Wrabel released his powerful music video for “The Village” as a sign of solidarity with the transgender community in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s ‘out of nowhere’ decision to ban trans military service members.

Beginning with this quote, “In nature, a flock will attack any bird that is more colorful than the others because being different is seen as a threat,” the video follows a young transgender man’s journey into self-acceptance.

Wrabel sent this message to the LGBTQ community via social media over the weekend:

“To anyone that feels like an outsider, the problem isn’t you, it’s the village. I don’t know how else to raise my voice than in a song. And so, I wrote a song for you. #transrightsarehumanrights #thevillage”

The mournful tune focuses on issues of isolation that arise with the exploration of one’s sexuality and identity.

The lyrics urge the listener to remember there is nothing wrong with them. The issue is with those who treat them differently.

Watch below.

At the time of the video’s release, Wrabel tweeted:

Podcast: Antiretroviral Meds Prove Zero Spread Of Infection; President Trump Gets Push Back On Trans Military Ban; Philly Gay-Basher Claims “Self-Defense”

In this week’s podcast:

• A new study shows hiv+ men who take antiretroviral medication on a regular basis have pretty much zero chance of spreading the infection to others

• President Trump gets plenty of pushback on his proposed transgender military service ban

• Out singer/songwriter Wrabel releases powerful anthem of personal empowerment and community, “The Village,” in response to Trump’s trans military ban

• Convicted Philly gay basher Kathryn Knott now says she was acting in self-defense when she shattered the jaw of a gay man in 2014

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

Out Music: Wrabel “We Could Be Beautiful”

Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Wrabel has dropped his 5 song We Could Be Beautiful EP, which includes the title track as well as “11 Blocks” (one of my favorite tracks for 2016) and “Bloodstain.”

The five songs feel like a journey through his personal diary. From the awareness of proximity to a former love (“11 Blocks”), to love coming around again (“We Could Be Beautiful”) to contentment (“Poetry”).

Wrabel’s writing presents a window into how he handles dating life:

“I tend to be silent when I need to talk the most,” Wrabel told Out.com in April. “I push people away when I need them the most. I break my own heart to save another’s, but I would rather love truly, wholly and completely, and hurt, than not love at all.”

Check out “We Could Be Beautiful” below, and head over to iTunes to check out the rest of the EP.

Music Video: Wrabel “Bloodstain”

Out musician Wrabel shares his newest music video, “Bloodstain,” calling the track metaphorically autobiographical.

Been in and out of love since I was nineteen,
Opening my heart has left a bloodstain.
And I don’t know how to make a man stay,
Maybe I been putting my heart out in the wrong way…

“In relationships, I tend to be silent when I need to talk the most,” Wrabel recently told OUT. “I push people away when I need them the most. I break my own heart to save another’s, but I would rather love truly, wholly and completely, and hurt, than not love at all.”

Via press release:

Wrabel calls it his favorite feeling in the world: that moment just before a song comes into being. “When the Rubik’s Cube of the song hasn’t quite clicked, and it’s about to,” he says. “You can feel it —everything turning to lock this thing in.” It’s a feeling he’s chased for years, since he began writing songs as a teenager. Songs of his —like “Ten Feet Tall,” recorded by Afrojack—have been heard by millions of people around the world. But that feeling of fresh discovery remains.

Wrabel specializes in music that telescopes small moments into songs with big impact. On tracks like “11 Blocks” the drums may get huge, but the feelings are deeply personal. This is pop music rooted in the singer-songwriter tradition, and it all starts with Wrabel sitting at a piano, fighting for self-expression and survival.

I’ve featured Wrabel’s music in the past on The Randy Report here and here.

The track is available on all digital download vendors. Watch the video below.

News Round-Up: March 10, 2017

Some news items you may have missed:

• Don’t forget to turn your clocks forward early Sunday morning. Of course, I have my own thoughts on the subject above.

• Arnold Schwarzenegger is trolling President Trump with rumors of a possible run for U.S. Senate in 2018.

The Washington Blade, which the New York Times rightfully calls the “newspaper of record for the LGBT community,” is set to launch a west coast sister publication, the Los Angeles Blade.

• The Office of Government Ethics isn’t happy with the White House deciding to let Kellyanne Conway off with just a slap on the wrist after promoting Ivanka Trump’s merchandise line at Nordstroms.

• With a shortage of Catholic priests, the Pope signals he may be open to allowing married men be priests.

• Out singer/songwriter Wrabel follows up his hit “11 Blocks” with new single, “Bloodstain:” “I’m used to wearing my heart on my sleeve but this time it’s bleeding. I would rather love and bleed than never feel love at all.” Watch the lyric video below.

Out Music: Wrabel “11 Blocks”

Out singer/songwriter Wrabel drops the official video for his new single “11 Blocks.”

Currently on tour with multi-platinum artists Gavin DeGraw and Andy Grammer, Wrabel is riding the strength of his single “11 Blocks,” as it powers its way to Top 10 at Hot AC radio and was added to iHeart Radio’s prestigious On The Verge program.

NYLON magazine says Wrabel is “stocked with the soulfulness of a Sia or Sam Smith, and a melodic pop DNA that throws back to icons like Paul Simon…”

Wrabel first made a splash on the world stage in 2014 with his debut single, “Ten Feet Tall”. Grammy Award®-winning DJ and producer Afrojack reached out to Wrabel to record his own version of “Ten Feet Tall” which was featured during Super Bowl XLVIII on a Bud Light commercial. The VEVO video for “Ten Feet Tall” has more than 65 million views to date.

Speaking to iHeartRadio, Wrabel shared that the song is not only personal to him, but actually straight out of his own life.

“It’s a very literal story, which is frightening. I wrote it about the first person I fell in love with moved 11 blocks away from me in California. In New York everyone is 11 blocks away. I’m there [in NY] a lot and I kind of notice. You have a subway, or whatever. But LA is so spread out. I find myself taking the really weird long route to Whole Foods just to kind of be like, ‘Are you there?’ And so it just felt way too close. And I don’t drive because I think cars are scary, people are scary, and then there’s engines. So I’m walking a lot and I count, it’s literally 11 blocks. And I drew the little map, which is now tattooed to my arm. It’s a real song about a real person, two real people, and that’s really weird. I keep saying weird. It’s just bizarre to me because the night it came out I called my manager and I was like, ‘I kind of want to call Mr. iTunes and be like, ‘Can you take it down actually? Like I’ve made a big mistake.’ It’s too much. The map. I traced it off Google Maps. It’s so dark.”

Adding to the personal expression of this public release, Wrabel posted this to his Facebook this weekend:

tonite i quite literally set the past on fire.

ready to move on.

ready for change.

ready for new.

ready to leave for this tour and ready to share these songs and these stories and my head and my heart with whoever will listen.

hehe this is a bit dramatic.

but sometimes it just has to be.

I really like this. I hope you do, too.

I’ve previously written about out singer/songwriter Wrabel when he dropped his remix of “I Want You.”

Here’s Wrabel’s “Ten Feet Tall” with Afrojack (66 million views):

Music: Wrabel “I Want You” (Bobby Blanco & Dim Jim Remix)

Music man Wrabel has been busy-busy of late with performances at 2015 Palm Springs Pride Festival, Los Angeles Pridefest, Good Morning America, VH1’s Fashion Rocks and at the Ultra Music Festival in Miami.

He shares this new remix by Bobby Blanco & Dim Jim of his “I Want You” just in time to bounce and boom off to the weekend.

You’ll recall his song “Ten Feet Tall” premiered in early 2014 thanks to Bud Light’s Super Bowl commercial. Nice way to get your music in front of 100 million people.

You can find him on iTunes here.