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Not that i think it's "central" to any singer/songwriters, but are their any gay artists that you listen to? As an aspiring singer/songwriter i'm often conflicted about blantantly saying "I'm Gay" in songs or in performance. In some cases it's advantageous and in others record execs are like, "Well, we don't know how to market you because mainstream america won't like you" Artists like Elton John are openly gay but he doesn't write his lyrics. Any thoughts? i just finished my 6 song ep, i'm based in new york, www.myspace.com/nickydeutsch
I have no idea what will happen in the future but i'll probably continue skirting around the issue in public because part of thinks it shouldn't matter, the other part of me feels the need to connect with other lgbt folks.

The Scissor Sisters, and Elton John come to mind. I also like a couple of Sylvester's songs (he is now deceased). Tchaikowsky is one of my favourite composers.

To be honest I don't care about a musician's personality (including sexual orientation) just his/her musical talent. He could be a total bastard for all I care (e.g. Wagner or Beethoven).

The Hidden Cameras: what if Pet Sounds was recorded not by manic Brian Wilson, but by a gay man who gets around town. It is pop perfection.

MunchingZombie saidThe Hidden Cameras: what if Pet Sounds was recorded not by manic Brian Wilson, but by a gay man who gets around town. It is pop perfection.

Thanks for the suggestion, I will see if they are on ITunes to sample their sound.

Get their album {i]The Smell of Our Own[/i], it is their best album.

Victor K is the bassist for Camper Van Beethoven, one of my favorite bands. He's a mo, and it makes him even cooler to me that he plays the music he does.


I've had multiple straight people tell me "You play the coolest music for a gay guy," or "For a gay guy you fuckin ROCK."


I know what they mean, and I don't hate on them for it, but it's not really the nicest thing to say. They just don't really realize that it's a DUMB thing to say.

Camper Van Beethoven! Wow that is a blast from the past. "Take the Skinheads Bowling" is one of my favourite quirky alternative pop songs (right up there with "Balloon Man" by Robyn Hitchcock).

I forgot to mention one of the most famous gay songwriters and singers, Michael Stipe from REM. I have always loved REM, and I thought Michael Stipe was very sexy when he was in his 20's. Sensitive artsy face with long dark blonde curly hair. Yum.

I need to fan myself now, I have gotten very hot all of a sudden.

Heya, Nick,

I think you're a strong songwriter. That's some nice singer/songwriter stuff on your page.

I think you should drop all consideration of the gay/straight thing when you write. Write it as you feel it and then re-write it if you must make it somehow gender free, with different pronouns, or write in second person (which you've done).

You got a wonderful timber to your voice. Check out a group called the Waterboys, you're right in there with their singer. I forget his name, but his voice was perfect for his songs (look for "Whole of the Moon"). Your pitch falters here and there but you got a real natural feel and know right where to harmonize. Try to be a little less concious of yourself when you're singing and if you're not multitracking, you should. When recording, don't try to play and sing at the same time, it might reduce some of the cry in your voice. I'm assuming all the voices are you.

If you get the op, take these songs and flesh them out with a whole band.

I'm impressed.

McG

I'm a big fan of the way Rufus Wainwright writes his music. It's quite obvious that he's gay, as he openly sings about men in some of his songs and alludes to glbt themes on occasion; however, he doesn't make "coming out" songs or sing about his sexuality. He just never apologizes for using past lovers or relationships and doesn't use ambiguous personal pronouns.

DARREN HAYES OF SAVAGE GARDEN

hmm, that's all very interesting and thanks for the compliments and the pointers and such. I guess i meant someone more along the lines of "john mayor" as being gay. I mean do you think straight guys would buy records from a gay artist? who knows, i mean people do buy elton john and rem but they are both considerably older. I'm more interested in a trail blazer in his 20's, haha, i guess it will just have to be me! ,one day, thanks for the comments y'all

lead singer of Sigur Ros,
Michael Stipe
Jay Brannan
Hidden Cameras
George Michael


Lead singer of Bloc Party
Magnetic Fields lead singer

all gay.

Pansy Division are fantastic as well.

Melissa Ferrick is pretty awesome.

By far Eric Himan is my favorite artist. Acoustic and a good voice. GREAT song writing. Just released his new album this month. You should check him out (he's on iTunes and myspace.com/erichiman).

KD Lang... I like Jake Spears

Mika! I don't think he caught on too much in America, but he is such good, high-energy fun.

When I saw his show in DC, he introduced the song "Billy Brown" (the only song blatantly about gay love on his record), and said something along the lines of "FU to all the people who said we could never release the record in America with this song on it..."

Love him.

Rob Halford (Judas Priest) has said repeatedly that a lot of his lyrics are about being gay. Which is funny because the PMRC got all confused about accused him of being demeaning to women.

Other artists that don't seem to have an issue with bring up their sexuality:
Bob Mould (Husker Du, Sugar, Solo)
Imperial Teen
Pet Shop Boys


But come one how does someone confuse Halford for straight?

let's see, i listen to

hidden cameras
kd lang
b-52s
beirut, aren't they gay?
Morrissey & The Smiths...

hey! dont worry about it, if you have a good voice or a big talent, the people will love in the same way! Maria Callas had a great voice and her voice had a great soul and too much colours, she have been the gratest lyric singer and she had a very complicated life.
But every gay singer/songwritters of today starts whitout make mention of their "gayttitude". You can make The same. don´t telll anything and then in the top of fame you can tell that freely

Rufus Wainwright, I really like him. Also Morrissey (sp?).

tegan and sara are twin lesbian sisters, but I don't think that's what your looking for heh

Erasure Erasure Erasure!.....try the album "nightbird"..........
The Associates:Billy MacKenzie/ the best innovative band and lead singer of the eighties.

Marc Almond of Soft Cell.


Antony and the Johnsons.

Oh,boys,.....listen up! ;)

Great stuff Nick. I really liked "Oh My Friend" and "If I Could".

The lead singer of The Feeling, Dan Gillespie Sells, is openly gay. Judging by your influences on your myspace, I think you'd like their music. Dan doesn't make a big point of announcing he's gay and I think all of his music is written gender ambiguous.

http://www.myspace.com/thefeeling

don't forget our own sacha sacket

stunning lyrics, voice and personality!

Levi Kreis

http://www.levikreis.com/live/



The Ditty Bops

http://www.thedittybops.com/



Tegan & Sarah

http://www.teganandsara.com/



(I wish I could say the same about Evan & Jaron, LOL)

The Dresden Dolls (probably, but they're LGBT supporters for sure)
Panic! At The Disco, just rumors though.

check out SF's singer/songwriter Garrin Benfield....

http://www.myspace.com/garrinbenfield

I can't believe no one has mentioned one of the greatest figures in rock history: Freddie Mercury!

Although people remember his campy on-stage persona, many of Queen's songs are hard-rock oriented: we will rock you, fat bottom girls, another one bites the dust, etc. I think he's best remembered for his amazing talent, not his sexual preferences.

But if I were you, I would wait to tell the world about your personal life. That is something that Mika (a singer a previous guy mentioned) is doing. His performances are very campy and his mannerisms are not the most masculine. He has already been pressured to state his sexuality before and he has declined mainly because he doesn't want to be labeled as a "gay artist".

In the US, I think many people would unfaily not give you a chance if they knew right off the bat that you're gay. I think the best way to approach it would be to show off your talent, and then come out if that's what you want to do. If people like you're music, they probably just look past your sexuality.

It also has to do with the type of music that you play. If you're doing bouncy pop like Mika does, some straight guys will not listen to it. If you do rock like Freddie Mercury, they will.