Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Interview with Leslie Jordan (Part 1)



Interview with Leslie Jordan (Part 1) by Earle Dutton
 
Leslie Jordan is an amazing comedian and actor. You may have seen him in ‘The Help’, ‘Will & Grace’, ‘Sordid Lives’ or even the new ‘Southern Baptist Sissies’. He also travels extensively for his own show “Fruit Fly’. He has been cast in American Horror Story – Coven, which will be showing tonight, Oct. 30th. Don’t miss it! 
 
You have been busy. What are you working on now?
I have so many projects right now. I am in New Orleans working on American Horror Story which is probably the most fun I have had in years. Jessica Lang is just a doll. As you know the show is very intense. I always try to go for the comedy but they reign me in. They are so secretive as well. Ryan Murphy won’t allow scripts. So we, the actors, get sides, which are basically just our scenes. Then they don’t shoot chronologically. Today I found out some more info about scenes I shot a week or so ago. I thought to myself, I would have made some different choices if I knew that back then. I know they have to keep it under wraps for the press and social media but the actors should know.

Do you know much about your character?
I don’t know the whole story but I know that it is about 300 years or so of magic and witchcraft. I play a very old warlock. My character is sort of a Quentin Crisp character in a black fedora. They don’t let us talk about the story lines at all. I am sure having fun though.


Are you staying in New Orleans the entire time?
People just don’t understand how I can complain about being stuck in New Orleans, but I have been on the road all summer with my own show, ‘Fruit Fly’. They are giving me $75 dollars a day here for food, like they are trying to fatten me up or something.

Are you trying to put a little Uncle Arthur in to your character?
That is so funny. Someone asked me that last night. That was Paul Lynde, right? He was the witch on ‘Bewitched’. I always think of his quote, “It is a rat race and the rats are winning.” I remember as a child he would come on TV and I would get sick to my stomach. Isn’t that weird? I had so much shame about being gay as a kid that when I recognized it in someone else, I was petrified. He was on ‘Hollywood Squares’ one time and they picked Paul for the block. His question was, “What did the Lone Ranger call his sidekick?” and he answered, “Beloved.” I had to get up and leave the room. It was just too much to take with my family all sitting there watching the same program.

To be continued…

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Interview With Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls by Earle Dutton

The Indigo Girls are performing at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle on July 30 & 31st. Tickets are still available click here.
The Indigo Girls have been writing, performing and entertaining with their music for 26 years. We spoke Amy Ray of this amazing duo. We talked about; touring, music, LGBTQ youth, the Supreme Court ruling, up and coming musical talent, families and maybe some new additions. It is really a great conversation and Amy is a complete delight.

indigo 

What are the top factors that you feel have contributed to the longevity of the Indigo Girls as a group?
We have a great audience that grew up with us. I would say that we established that audience pretty early in our career. It was at a time when people really stayed with bands for a long time and turned out to be a great window of opportunity for us. We established a strong root system when we were in college. We had time. We were young and weren’t rushed. We didn’t feel like we had to get everything done in a year. So that environment allowed us to establish a very solid following that grew really slowly over time and stuck with us through the years. We have a really good team of people. You can’t underestimate how important it is to have this sort of family around you. We have been with our manager and booking agent our entire career since we were 23. That has really helped us a lot. Then Emily and I give each other a lot of space. We write separately from each other. That gives us our own creative space. When we get together and do our arrangements, we have already had our solo time, and know this is our duo time. It is our process and we trust it. Along with the creative space, we give each other a lot of respect and personal space as well. We have our own lives and that really contributes to enjoying the times we have together and staying connected. All those things add up to longevity, I think.

What or who would you say are inspirations or muses? I guess these change over time don’t they?
Everything, all the time, it could be a band you are listening to and really like. A movie, a book, you know what I mean. Muses for me are everything around me. There is not one. I think you can find a song in a lot of different things. The trick is just to evolve be engaged all the time. You never run out of things to write about. I guess, you can run out of feeling that you want to write but there is always something that can inspire you if you are open to it.

I was listening to Beauty Queen Sister, the single, yesterday on a road trip and totally got a Scissor Sisters vibe from it. What do you think?
That didn’t occur to me. I can totally see that. A little rock and roll. I like that a lot.

Indigo Girls_2_0 

The Indigo Girls have performed with an amazing array of artist and talents. Who would you say was your favorite?
Oh god. I will just say one of my favorite collaborations was when we sang with P!nk. We sang on her record on a song named ‘Dear Mister President.’ It was really fun. Then she sang on one of our records. That was a really fun collaboration. We got to hang out and trade off. I don’t know, it just really meant a lot to me.


Who would you say you had the most fun with on tour?
Oh wow, we have toured with so many people that we love. It is kind of endless. They each have their own gifts that they bring. Everything can be fun for a different reason. It is never like I had so much fun with that other band, why can’t this one be the same. We toured a long time off and on with Brandi Carlisle. I guess 5 or 6 years ago. They were opening for us and we probably learned about 10 songs together. We had an acoustic trio with Brandi and even just played with her band several times. There was just so much collaboration, fun and respect. So the show became totally cross pollinated and a mixture of just everyone playing with each other. That was very satisfying to me. For the last year, we have toured with our opening band Shadow Boxer. They were opening for us then we decided to use them as our backing band as well. It is a great collaboration. We typically take our friends out on the road with us and do songs together.

Are there any emerging talents that you think we should pay attention to or watch for?
There are so many great bands, just so many. There is a writer that I really love. Her name is Lindsay Fuller. She is a singer songwriter but maybe of a different ilk. She is in that Nick Cave maybe Patti Smith kind of field. She is very gothic with amazing lyrics. Lyrically, she is one of the most amazing writers I have heard in a long time. Love her stuff. There is a band out of North Carolina on Merge Records that I really like called Mount Moriah. They are fronted by a woman as well. She is a great country singer but she is also a great punk rock singer. I met her when she was in a punk band but now she is doing this country music and it is really great. Then the Shadow Boxers, that I mentioned. Those guys are great. They are five guys from Atlanta. They do amazing harmonies. They do everything from Jackson Browne to Michael Jackson. Their musicality is just stunning. They have a new record out this year and are touring on their own as well as with us.

You have been in a long term relationship for over ten years, are you considering getting married? (BIG NEWS)
Ha ha, ha ha, we have been together eleven years and she is actually pregnant. I am going to be a Mommy in November. I don’t know if it is going to be a boy or a girl but it will be a baby human, I know that part. I know it is healthy and has all of it legs and arms, hands and toes. Don’t want to know the gender. I don’t know you know, we live in Georgia and am from a long family of Georgians. I kind of feel emotional about holding out until marriage is legal in Georgia. That may be a long wait. I feel pretty strong about that. I am really glad about the Supreme Court ruling, really glad. I cried and cried that entire day. I think it is a human rights issue. It is very important.

Do you have anything to say or advice to give to LGBTQ youth right now? I know that is a bit broad and there is a lot to say.
I probably wouldn’t give much advice. I would just offer to listen. People don’t take the time to listen very much these days. I think part of the problem is that we try to give people too much advice and not listen. Part of the thing that gay kids need is for someone to listen to what they are going through. Hear them and their unique experience from their perspective. Depending on where you live, your family life, if you have a family, if you have a home or live in the streets, what’s going on. A lot of times our queer youth need someone to listen to them and not judge them. A lot of kids coming up now are much more savvy and wise then I was at that age. I am fascinated by what they think. What they see for their future. I think if you are an activist in the queer movement and you are young it is important to keep in mind the broader picture of immigration rights, class issues, voting rights, and all those things that don’t seem to be a gay issue on the surface because they really are affecting LGBT rights everywhere and all the time. I think as we gain momentum in the queer movement we need to lend our support and build coalitions with other movements. I would very much encourage youth leaders in that respect. I think that is the gift of the young queer movement right now, they already understand these connections for the most part. Speaking to bullying, addiction and suicide, I think our queer youth need allies. I really try to give the youth that I know and interact with compassion much more than any advice unless it is concrete and I know of a great resource. Sometimes it could be an organization in a certain area or town or maybe even a great mentor that I think would be a good match. Compassion, understanding and listening would trump advice. Maybe let them know that they are okay, they are good people, they need to find their community, seek out allies so that you can be safe in the world.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

9/4/12 What a great day

The day after Labor Day 2012 has been a pretty good day. Lots going on in the world. Ellen DeGeneres finally received her Star on the Walk of Fame. It is also Beyonce Knowles, Damon Wayans and Wes Bentley's birthday!

McDonalds it opening two completely vegetarian restaurants in India. The Democratic National Convention started in Charlotte, North Carolina. The DNC also adopted a Pro Gay Marriage platform.  

On this day in 2002, Kelly Clarkson won the first season of "American Idol." Wowza, what a busy day of getting back into the swing of it after the long holiday weekend. 

Don't forget to visit www.glbtyp.com and you can follow us on Facebook and/or Twitter @glbtyp 
glbtyp.com

 

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Voice Your Opinion

It is election time and the rhetoric is flying everywhere. Obama didn't do this. Romney did that. If you step back for a moment it sounds like a third grade playground. There is quite a bit going on and a lot at stake. How many people will actually stand up for what they truly believe and cast a ballot based on an informed decision? Not many, I suppose.

Not all of the LGBT community is liberal. This community covers a huge spectrum of different people in different cultures with varying beliefs and ideals. There are large and powerful groups like the Log Cabin Republicans that are LGBT and strongly driven. There are also large groups of Democrats such as the Stonewall Democrats on the other side. And, wow, there are a lot of people in the middle that aren't necessarily activist but have strong beliefs in our government but feel completely disenfranchised by both major parties.

Politics is politics and will always be a dog and pony show. They say they are putting their best candidate forward and the public will decide. Hmmm, do you really think that every elected official is the best person for their job? Seems more like a popularity contest.

One thing I don't understand is as a community, the LGBT community, why would we give our vote and power to anyone taking away our rights or not representing us. There are people on both sides of the aisle that feel we all deserve marriage equality. There are even more that know that we are discriminated against personally, professionally and by the government. Do we need more dialogue? Do we get too caught up in the media bias? BTW I love how certain people say they aren't biased as media. YEAH RIGHT! They wouldn't be in business without the ratings to drive their advertising. I think everyone needs to look at all the sides and get a broader view to stay informed. Do you like Obama? Do you like him strictly because he is a democrat? Do you feel the same about Romney? Or do you dislike one of them solely based on their political affiliation?

I am just a small business owner with a wide range of friends and family with many different beliefs. I don't discount any of them. I may not believe the same thing. I might not even argue with them every time they bring it up. I do want what is best for the LGBT community and small businesses in this country. I want to walk down the street proud and know that I might have made a difference. Don't you?

Monday, July 30, 2012

Wow, July has been a whirlwind month...

Can't believe it is the end of July already. Where has the month gone? Been to Dallas, San Antonio, Portland, Eugene, San Francisco, Astoria, Phoenix and Austin. Glad to be home for a couple of days and relax. Met lots of nice people long the way. Still deciding where to expand to next. Working on Seattle, Dallas, Phoenix and New York right now. Still getting lots of email from fans that love the site and want us in their area but need to move forward in an intelligent manner. Any suggestions?


Thursday, June 28, 2012

Letter to my Uncle

My uncle sends those emails, you know the ones, bash bash bash, all the United for Family and such emails. He is very political and very opinionated. Last night I received the last of those emails that I choose to read. I did not reply last night. I decided to be calm and collected and do so this morning. This is an edited version of the letter but you get the gist.

Uncle,

Thank you for being up front and sharing your opinions so freely. I would like to take a moment to share mine. I am gay. I own a Gay and Lesbian company. I work hard every single day. I have to put up with people that share your beliefs in my professional and personal life every minute of the day. I will not stand by and put up with them in my family life as well.

There is nothing wrong with me. There is nothing wrong with being gay. There is something wrong with people being persecuted for something they cannot change. Yes, it would be easier some days to "act" straight and blend in with the masses. On those days, when I feel that way, I want to punch myself. I was not raised to lie and hide. I know you as an honorable person with grand opinions. I would hope that you can see that there is nothing wrong with my opinions differing from yours. I am not a "leftie" or even a liberal. I have very strong opinions and core beliefs that make me who I am.

I understand that "Gay Pride" might seem weird and unnecessary. It is neither. It helps a lot of people realize that they are not alone. That they are worthy of loving and being loved. It is a celebration of hope. Have you heard about all of the gay and lesbian teens killing themselves right now? Take a look at the Trevor Project. It is terrifying and sad that they end their lives not knowing that things get better. Look at Ben Cohen a very straight and world famous rugby player that started a foundation to help these people.

If you would like to know more, I would happily welcome intelligent discourse. I think our family has enough issues and enough people with issues that this should no longer we one of them.

Stepping off the soap box now,

Love always

Monday, June 18, 2012

Pride has arrived LGBT Seattle

Well, Pride is here again. Another year with so many changes for our LGBT community. There is a lot more to Pride than just a festival and parade. Many people work, fight and pray for our rights every year. Yes, it is a time to celebrate but also a time to consider all the things that have happened to our community over the last year. Laws, births, deaths, marriage, divorces, loves, business successes and failures are just a few. Please take a moment to reflect on why you are proud and maybe what would make you proud this year. Hope to see all of you at some of the celebrations! Happy Pride!