Instinct Magazine reports what Hint already knows

We love that there is this gay music scene on the rise. And even locally some bands are getting into the act of being out or GLBT friendly and it’s no big thang. But there is a pool of talent out there that a few outlets have truly tapped in to (Mandrake, Queer Music Heritage, OutMusic) and while we’re playing catch-up with them, we like to think we’ve offered some stuff up you haven’t heard before. Unfortunately, we’re not the kind of media outlet that gets the big interviews (cough..Brandi Carlile…cough cough) or gets the super cool kids invites to review concerts (ahem…Uh Huh Her…cough cough cough) but we’re committed like the others to spotlight those GLBT bands trying to make it big and celebrating the established artists who have. Fortunately for the music fans out there, Instinct magazine announced their upcoming Summer Entertainment Preview with lots of fab news on movies, music and more. But what caught our attention was this little clip.

We also look at the changing face of queer music in America and why more and more artists are getting in the business as out as they can be—and succeeding—introducing readers to three up-and-coming gay musicians who are making music on their own terms this summer.

Those three include broody folkster Jake Walden, non-threatening popster Levi Kreis and Tel Aviv’s (and cover boy) Yehonathan Gatro. All are impossibly handsome which befits Instinct’s demo but while we wish they would have been a bit more daring in their artist selection, we can’t help but offer ups to the mag for spreading the word on GLBT acts.

Unfortunately, none of the above are coming to Dallas anytime soon. What is up with the local GLBT scene here that doesn’t feel the need to bring these acts in? We luck out with bands big enough to tour here and stop at the Granada or Rubber Gloves but with big entities like Caven and ample clubs like Buddies II, you’d think we’d be getting more touring artists here. Guess we’ll just have to settle for our nightly drag shows. Thank goodness the ladies come through for those of us starving for a scene. Sue Ellen’s and Buddies II have done their part a bit but with those two venues and so many others, it just seems like so much more should be happening. 

Ummm…ramble much? OK, go read your Instinct now.

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See Antony and the Johnsons live on Pitchfork…or try to

Early last month, NPR Music teamed up with pitchfork.tv to create a partnership of some probably pretty smart music offerings. In doing so, they got off to an inspiring start by opening with a concert by Antony and the Johnsons. With a heftychunk of their European tour sold out, this delicate band is becoming quite the big deal. A & The J has been on the buzz side of things lately with a profile in next month’s Advocate, NPR’s All Songs Considered podcast, brilliant soundtrack covers or having a boyfriend hear them and then buy their CD and then rave about them (ahem).

Bob Boilen, host of NPR’s All Songs Considered, wrote about his experience last week here and then directed us to the audio version of the show, the concert and a video.  The thing is, we can’t seem to find the video. Pitchfork.tv doesn’t come up with anything for A & T J and clicking on the video from Boilen’s page only gives us an error. While it looks like we may miss out on our new favorite transgendered-led band, at the very least give both the concert and Boilen’s interview a listen via the NPR site or the iTunes podcast subscription. And it may not be as hip as Pitchfork but check them out on their network debut on Letterman below.

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Rapper Melange Lavonne not happy with Spin’s gay hip-hop piece

Yesterday, on her MySpace page, California rapper Melange Lavonne lashed out at mainstream media’s treatment of her brand of hip-hop. First The Tyra Show and now, Spin magazine. Spin’s article “Gay Rap: Straight Outa the Closet” details the struggles of the gay genre of music, a well-done article by David Marchese that apparently left out Ms. Lavonne. According to her at least. “After a 45 minute interview with…Spin Magazine, to my surprise I was excluded from March’s Issue in Spin. Why? I’m not sure, I can only assume. Perhaps Mr. Marchese feels my music is not the proper representation of the Gay hip-hop community, maybe he feels my musical content isn’t valid enough for mainstream. I’m not saying other artists don’t deserve recognition, but not even one openly gay female was mentioned in the article, and I gave him some names of female MC’s.”

Apparently, Tyra Banks wasn’t all that nice to her either. They allegedly call her up, invite her in and then snub Lavonne at the last minute. “This particular incident reminds me of the Tyra Banks show. How they found me on the afterellen website off an article and inquired about me coming on, and in the process they asked my manager for a list of other gay openly rappers, ” Lavonne mentions in her post, “After being back stage for a few hours waiting at Tyra Banks Show and having their makeup artist prepare me for the show, the production assistant Coreen decided that my story wasn’t controversial enough for the show. The last minute they sat me in the audience off to the side where the lights from the set-up didn’t even hit, you might think I am lying but this is the truth. I wasn’t even in camera view.”

So what is up with Lavonne? Is it sour grapes or does mainstream media have something against her? Lavonne may not have that harder edge that rap is identified with song titles like “Gay Parenting” or “Gay Marriage” but it’s somewhat interesting that her side of the spectrum wouldn’t be mentioned. Marchese’s article is a good read but if what Lavonne said is the case, was she merely edited out or wasn’t she hard enough like featured artists Captain Magik and Last Offence?

Either way, Lavonne sounds like she’s over it and has targeted her sites with her next album, “I’m constantly having to prove myself, … having to compete for a spot for something, or someone, or some award, and I’m the underdog that gets thrown the scraps. Nevermind my message, my struggle, my purpose, I am well beyond paying my dues so you can’t tell me nothing. I’m about to be a straight up asshole in a minute, seriously. You think my last album “The Movement” was a statement…it’s about to get a lot deeper, fasten your seat belts because I’m lyrically going to destroy careers, corporations and egos. It’s my time to bring out the gloves.“

Oh snaps! We hope we’re on her good side.

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Mandrake FM gives up some Fat Tuesday mixtape action

Oops, Mandrake actually calls it Fat Electric Mixtape but nonetheless, they are celebrating the holiday before the ashy day with some sweet fat bass action. Fat bass – Fat Tuesday…see the connection now?

So hit up Mandrake FM to get your Fat Tuesday started the right way. We’ve been at it already for hours.

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Oak Lawn Records Memories

Between VVV Records and Oak Lawn Records, my underground dance music education began in the late 80s. While VVV intimidated my musical naivete a bit more, Oak Lawn Records on Congress held my interest with their small but well stocked collection of dance music, 12″ remixes and super-co0l imports.

I remember distinctly feeling oh-so in the know when buying CCCP’s “American Soviets” and MCL’s “New York” 12″ LPs. They weren’t overly spectacular in packaging, a bold color and white lettering only but both had ‘Oak Lawn Records’ on the label. I didn’t quite know how things worked back then but I immediately thought how great it was that I was buying something put outby OLR. On top of that, they were songs and mixes I had heard on late night radio DJ sets and out at clubs like Stark and The Cave (no, not The Wave). And no one else in my high school had this shiz.

So, while at Half Price Books, I happened to see the CD titled Retro Club Classics. Thinking it was more C+C Music Factory, I checked it out only to find all my old faves and more in one place. Almost like the records, the CD is simply designed but upon hearing these old pre-techno classics, they still sound fresh and much more clever than many a dance song today.

I snagged the disc for a mere six bucks, dashed to the car and played that sucker and sure enough, I was back in the days of my Girbaud jeans and Robin Hood booties and it was heaven. I was kind of hoping that I had found something rare just like way back then, but alas, it’s all over the Internet. No matter. I got my copy.

LISTEN: CCCP – American Soviets

-Rich Lopez

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Rumor Mill – She-Dick returns to Dallas

First of all, sorry we’ve been so quiet over here. Some mayjah technical difficulties had us out of pocket for the past few days. However, it looks like we are back up and running. Whew!

Now, back to the rumors. A little bird mentioned that local drag band favorites She-Dick will might be coming back to Big D from their new home in New York. Yep. They could be making the stops here in town as they head to Austin for SXSW but it depends on if they can book shows here and where those will be.

Cross your fingers! We are!

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Men We (Used To) Love – Kevin Costner

Some of us here used to have huge crushes on Kevin Costner. OK, one of us. And this was back in the early 90s. But really, who couldn’t resist the noble hero of  Dances With Wolves? Scruffy good looks made for a classic leading man and the butt shot in the movie wasn’t so bad either. He kept our interest with more heroics in JFK and somehow had us watching Robin Hood.

Then he divorced, married a younger chick, started making bad movies and lost his heroic demeanor. He became 2nd rate. He became the male Sharon Stone. And now he’s apparently become the one thing all of us dread. The Hollywood somewhat-icon has gone into music. Yep, Costner does country-rock. Or perhaps its a bit bluesy. All we know is that he’ll be playing his tunes with his band Modern West at the Granada here on February 6.

Does anyone forecast a train wreck up ahead?

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Queer Control Records recalls ’08 w first podcast

The peeps and bands over at Queer Control Records made good on their promise to deliver video podcasts. Last week they debuted Podcast 1 with label mates Pariah Piranha, Box Squad, Tough Tough Skin and Eight-Inch Betsy and some of the staff remembering the year that was for each of them. And a good year it sounded like. Hear them wax not so poetic but oh so fun about their tours, recordings and whatever else pops out.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

more about “Queer Control Records recalls ’08 w f…“, posted with vodpod

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Post-show interview with Yo! Majesty

The rap duo Yo! Majesty got their shiz on this past Friday over at Hailey’s in Denton. We had been in contact with them about doing an e-mail interview with them prior to the show. We sent them a dozen questions, both silly and serious, to respond and received those yesterday. Oy. So, while it may seem a bit irrelevant now, we couldn’t just let it go by the wayside. Instead of incorporating their answers into an article per se, we’ll just post the responses, verbatim and sic, for you to enjoy. Actually, we think they are just Shunda’s responses but no matter.

At any rate, give them a listen. We think they are pretty outstanding.

You’ve gotten some great reviews in Europe. What has your reception been like here in the States being from Florida?

People love Yo Majesty everywhere we go…they love our ass’!!!

What would you say is the musical goal of Yo! Majesty?

Yo Majesty is to be a leader to da nations of people and teach them dat God loves them jus the way they are. Yo Majesty is to encourge the people to stop making excses and get up off their asses and make it happen as all excuses was nailed to the cross!!! Yo Majesty is to be a guiding light in that we use our musical abilites for the benefit of the people, not to tear them down!!!

“Kryptonite Pussy” is a slammin’ song seemingly made for the dance floor. Do you prefer the groove of hip-hop or the beat of dance music when writing your songs?

Im open to music period. Music has its own language, so I dont discriminate!!!

Do you get a little TOO many comparisons to Salt n Pepa?

Im honored to be compared to those girls as they made history. Now it s Majesty Time, time to tell herstory!!!

How the heck does your throat survive “Fcked Up”? Sounds like you might need some lozenges after.

Lol…dats a Jwl B solo track. Her lungs are pretty strong  :   )

It might be easy to say YM’s niche is “black lesbian rap duo”. How do you transcend that? What makes you more than those labels?

Call me wha chu will. I know dat I was created to be a leader to the people and now that dat time is at hand…whose gonna stop me now??? NOBODY!!!

How big does the term “lesbian” play into your music?

Oh, dats jus what people call 2 women who are in a relationship together. Its not dat big of ah deal!!!

How do you see the state of gay musicians and artists? What’s the future you think?

If they dont get on whats real, they be left behing jus like all da fake ass artists out there now!!! No matter what kind of artist you are and what you sexual orientation is, you have to be able to talk about more then yourself. People dont wanna hear about chu all the time, they wanna hear about what the hell they going thru and want you to be able to answer and fix all their damn problems through your music.

Musicians have a great responsiblity to the people and its time for all talents to take their places in this music industry and start producing quality music again. Music dat inspires and motivates the people.

Do you mind us gay guys listening to your music?

Yo Majesty is about love and love is love. It doesnt have a gender. Thanks for being ah fan!!!

Has there ever been a fight over the same girl?

Yes, but I really dont wanna get into it…next question please???

Who comes to your concerts?

Ok, here we go!!! lol Everyone from elementary school principals to 7 year old kids, whose mother snuck them into da venue, come to Yo Majesty shows’.

I’m kind of wimpy. Will I get my ass kicked at your shows by chicks?

Naw, its all about da love…remember???

– Rich Lopez

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Mandrake FM’s podcast with The Aluminum Group

By all means, head over to what we consider our brother in blogging, Mandrake FM. Even though they’ve been doing it longer and better. Mandrake’s podcast chat with The Aluminum Group is enlightening and entertaining.  Here’s a tidbit of what you’ll read and listen to.

We discuss the collaborators on their latest project, Little Happyness, as well as musical inspirations, MySpace, working your music while holding down the j.o.b, and what’s it like working with your gay brother.

We love us some Mandrake FM and get inspired by what they are doing for the landscape of GLBT artists and entertainers. You go!

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