What's Happening in Atlanta Music

Florida’s 30A Songwriters Festival includes diverse gay performers

1/5/2012 11:00:00 PM

Music fans looking to escape Georgia’s cold snap can look south to the Florida Panhandle, where the 30A Songwriters Festival promises to heat up the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend with a diverse slate of performers that includes several popular lesbian musicians.

The three-day weekend of “hooks, lines and singers” is set for Jan. 13-15. It features more than 125 artists in more than 250 performances at 20 venues along a 15-mile stretch of Highway 30A in Rosemary Beach, Seaside, Alys Beach, Santa Rosa Beach and Grayton Beach.

“What sets the 30A Songwriters Festival apart from others in the country is, one: we create listening rooms in truly unique beach resort venues and two: we book musically diverse artists,” says Russell Carter, event chair and president of Russell Carter Artist Management, whose clients include Indigo Girls.

The list of performers reads like a who’s who of nationally recognized and up-and-coming songwriters, with plenty of Atlanta ties.

“South Walton is Atlanta’s beach,” Carter says. “We welcome many attendees and artists from Atlanta. We’re proud to have had Atlanta’s Shawn Mullins as a festival headliner since the first year. We also had the Indigo Girls full band year one, Emily Sailers performed year two and we’re are pleased to bring back Amy Ray this year. We’re also delighted to have Michelle Malone joining us again this year.”

Openly lesbian performers this year include Ray, Malone, Chely Wright, lesbian-inclusive “alterna-grass” band Roxie Watson, veteran Atlanta Pride performers Antigone Rising, Mary Gauthier and more.

Gay musicians and music fans alike can feel welcome at the festival.

“We have talented musicians and songwriters of all backgrounds and everyone comes together under a common love of music,” Carter says. “I think the testimonials from the participating artists say it all.”

Wright, who in 2010 made headlines as the first mainstream country singer to come out, is returning to the 30A Songwriters Festival this year.

“I can’t think of a better way to spend a long weekend — great songs, great songwriters, beautiful beaches, good food and the best hospitality I’ve ever experienced at any music festival. Bar none,” Wright says.

‘Warmed by the music and stories’

The 30A Songwriters Festival benefits the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. Tickets are $125 for general admission to all shows if purchased before the week of the festival, or $150 during the festival if it is not sold out.

Venues seat anywhere from just over 50 to about 2,000 and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so attendees are encouraged to arrive early for must-see shows.

At press time, the exact schedule for performers had not been released, but the festival’s website reminds attendees not to be too concerned about who is playing where when.

“One thing we can tell you now is that no matter where you end up, you are guaranteed to hear some amazing music by songwriters of all levels of notoriety and experience,” the site states.

“The 30A Songwriters Festival is as much about discovering new music as it is about hearing a long-time favorite artist, and we promise that you will always end the festival weekend with a new favorite,” it says.

The schedule will be posted online the week of the festival, and organizers also encourage attendees to download a free mobile app created by 30A.com and TownWizard. The 30ASWF app will include schedules and musician profiles, as well as weather forecasts and maps to festival venues.

“The 30ASWF app will help festival attendees instantly find all of their favorite performers and venues,” notes Jennifer Steele, executive director of the Cultural Arts Alliance and event organizer for 30A Songwriters Festival. “It will be the essential 30A Songwriters Festival companion.”

A long weekend at the beach may sound ideal to Atlantans chilled by the season’s coldest weather yet, and festival leaders promise attendees will “be warmed” regardless of the actual temperatures in South Walton.

“Weather is always a unknown in January,” Steele says. “Right now, the month-long forecast shows clear skies and highs in the low 60s. With so many featured venues, attendees can always find a cozy spot to get comfortable and be warmed by the music and stories.”

Top photo: Chely Wright, who in 2010 became the first mainstream country singer to come out, will perform again this year at the 30A Songwriters Festival. (by Shelly Swanger Photography / 30A Songwriters Festival)

Songs of the season

11/24/2011 11:00:00 PM

Concerts by two of Atlanta’s gay choruses over the next few weeks promise cheer and beloved holiday music, each with its own particular spin.

OurSong, Atlanta’s gay and lesbian chorus, will perform its holiday concert “Shout Out to Heaven and Earth” next weekend, Dec. 2-3. According to Artistic Director Dr. Robert Glor, the musical program is a reflection on those natural elements that make the holidays a special time of the year.

The concert will feature favorites such as “Let it Snow” and a jazz version of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” as well as selections by composers Morten Laurdisen, Kevin Memley and more.

“We have a reputation for doing very modern music, very accessible, with spirituality as well,” Glor says. “We also like to put spins and twists on music and do things differently — we don’t repeat very much.”

Two of the centerpieces in the 19-number repertoire are “Ave Maria” by Memley and Swedish composer Gunnar Eriksson’s “To the Mothers in Brazil.” Originally an instrumental work, “Mothers” has been redone to accommodate voices. Glor says the number is an homage to the mother figure and indicative of Brazilian culture, with drums part of the performance.

The first night’s performance will be at The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the second will be at Spivey Hall.

Glor is thrilled for the chorus’s first performance at Spivey Hall.

“It’s a true concert hall,” he says, “meant to see and hear music.”

OurSong has an almost equal mixture of men and women in its chorus, Glor says.

Performances are at 8:15 p.m. on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3. Tickets are $20.

‘Bells in Boyland’

The weekend after “Shout Out to Heaven and Earth,” the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus stages its annual holiday concert at its long-time home, The Cathedral of St. Philip. This year it’s titled “Bells in Boyland,” a reference to the collaboration with the Atlanta Concert Ringers, says Kevin Robison, artistic director of the AGMC. Shows are scheduled for 8 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Dec. 10.

“They are a very fine handbell choir who last performed with us on my first concert with the AGMC, called ‘Bells, Brass & Beyond,’ in 2007,” says Robison. “Also, the chorus did several successful shows called ‘Babes in Boyland’ a few years before I came on board. We liked the merging of the two.”

One of the new aspects this year is the addition of a Hanukkah piece.

“Programming to include music for the Jewish holiday is one of my favorite challenges,” says Robison. Much of the annual show, however, remains familiar.

“Our processional and recessional has been standard since I became artistic director in 2007,” Robison says. “It is a rousing, majestic arrangement of an ancient plainchant. In keeping with that tradition, the men will enter in silence and perform the chant in the aisles. We then process to instrumental music to the front and perform the full text. To end the concert, the chorus recesses and sings the final notes, enveloping the audience.”

The Saturday matinee ice cream social is also a favorite.

The Atlanta Concert Ringers will bring in four of their own pieces and will perform with the chorus on two, including “Silver Bells.”

Tickets to “Bells in Boyland” range from $20 - $40.

Top photo: OurSong (top) and the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus  over holiday concerts in early December. (by Laura Douglas-Brown)

Songs of the season

11/24/2011 11:00:00 PM

Concerts by two of Atlanta’s gay choruses over the next few weeks promise cheer and beloved holiday music, each with its own particular spin.

OurSong, Atlanta’s gay and lesbian chorus, will perform its holiday concert “Shout Out to Heaven and Earth” next weekend, Dec. 2-3. According to Artistic Director Dr. Robert Glor, the musical program is a reflection on those natural elements that make the holidays a special time of the year.

The concert will feature favorites such as “Let it Snow” and a jazz version of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” as well as selections by composers Morten Laurdisen, Kevin Memley and more.

“We have a reputation for doing very modern music, very accessible, with spirituality as well,” Glor says. “We also like to put spins and twists on music and do things differently — we don’t repeat very much.”

Two of the centerpieces in the 19-number repertoire are “Ave Maria” by Memley and Swedish composer Gunnar Eriksson’s “To the Mothers in Brazil.” Originally an instrumental work, “Mothers” has been redone to accommodate voices. Glor says the number is an homage to the mother figure and indicative of Brazilian culture, with drums part of the performance.

The first night’s performance will be at The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the second will be at Spivey Hall.

Glor is thrilled for the chorus’s first performance at Spivey Hall.

“It’s a true concert hall,” he says, “meant to see and hear music.”

OurSong has an almost equal mixture of men and women in its chorus, Glor says.

Performances are at 8:15 p.m. on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3. Tickets are $20.

‘Bells in Boyland’

The weekend after “Shout Out to Heaven and Earth,” the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus stages its annual holiday concert at its long-time home, The Cathedral of St. Philip. This year it’s titled “Bells in Boyland,” a reference to the collaboration with the Atlanta Concert Ringers, says Kevin Robison, artistic director of the AGMC. Shows are scheduled for 8 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Dec. 10.

“They are a very fine handbell choir who last performed with us on my first concert with the AGMC, called ‘Bells, Brass & Beyond,’ in 2007,” says Robison. “Also, the chorus did several successful shows called ‘Babes in Boyland’ a few years before I came on board. We liked the merging of the two.”

One of the new aspects this year is the addition of a Hanukkah piece.

“Programming to include music for the Jewish holiday is one of my favorite challenges,” says Robison. Much of the annual show, however, remains familiar.

“Our processional and recessional has been standard since I became artistic director in 2007,” Robison says. “It is a rousing, majestic arrangement of an ancient plainchant. In keeping with that tradition, the men will enter in silence and perform the chant in the aisles. We then process to instrumental music to the front and perform the full text. To end the concert, the chorus recesses and sings the final notes, enveloping the audience.”

The Saturday matinee ice cream social is also a favorite.

The Atlanta Concert Ringers will bring in four of their own pieces and will perform with the chorus on two, including “Silver Bells.”

Tickets to “Bells in Boyland” range from $20 - $40.

Top photo: OurSong (top) and the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus  over holiday concerts in early December. (by Laura Douglas-Brown)

Lesbian-led band Disappear Fear brings new album to Decatur

11/10/2011 11:00:00 PM

When sisters Sonia Rutstein and Cindy Frank formed the band disappear fear back in the mid-1980s, Ronald Reagan was president, “trickle down economics” was the buzzword, gay couples were not allowed to marry anywhere in the United States, and there were no out pop music stars.

“On one side there was ‘Women’s Music’ (which we felt was sweet but boring) and there was rock and dance,” recalls SONiA, a Jewish lesbian who prefers to go by just her first name, complete with creative capitalization.

“Today countless singer songwriters and fans approach me and say, thank you — your strength and courage gave me the courage to be true to myself and my life,” she says, while adding, “I am glad to be the medium for such light and healing. It is not me — it just comes through me.”

Quirky and smart, a poet with a guitar, SONiA is a master of crafting songs that make you want to simultaneously dance, sing and change the world.

“Many people term my songs ‘protest’ songs, where actually what I write about is love and moments of inspiration and stories,” she says.

Founded in 1987, disappear fear featured SONiA and Cindy singing powerful, socially conscious songs backed by SONiA’s guitar and harmonica. Cindy left the band in 1996 to focus on her family and kids, though she occasionally contributed backing vocals on some recordings. Now, the sisters are back together and on tour for disappear fear’s new tribute album to folk legend Phil Ochs — a tour that brings them to Decatur’s Eddie’s Attic on Nov. 20.

Asked what it is like to tour with Cindy again after so many years, SONiA answers like a typical sister.

“Cindy stays up late watching TV and doesn’t turn the TV off —that drives me crazy. And she reads magazines all the time when she is not texting her friends. So, we are really different,” she says.

“And yet, still after raising two boys she loves my songs and singing with me, so it works out. Politically we agree and that is a strong connection. We have not really done the tour yet, so there may be a meltdown,” SONiA says. “We were in our late 20s when we started disappear fear.”

More than two decades since the band formed, their songs continue to resonate, from the ongoing struggle for LGBT equality to the current Occupy Wall Street movement.

SONiA married her partner, former Atlantan Terry Irons, in California before Proposition 8 repealed marriage equality there, and praises the recent legalization of same-sex marriage in New York as “as big and great as walking on the moon.”

“One vote for New York equals one gigantic message to the country. … The more we as gays are just honest about ourselves, sharing ourselves and not segregating ourselves, the more we will lose the archaic stereotypes and with it the shrouds of misconception fade and fall and then the fear is disappeared,” SONiA says.

She also expresses solidarity with the “Occupy” movements that are highlighting the disproportionate wealth and resources of the country’s richest one percent.

“We are calling this mini disappear fear tour the ‘we are the 99 percent tour,’” SONiA says. “I am thrilled to see folks around this country and abroad speaking out for fairness … we really ARE the world.”

Tribute to a folk legend

The timing of disappear fear’s Phil Ochs cover album, titled “Get Your Phil,” may be particularly apt. Ochs died in 1976.

“Most of the songs on the ‘Get Your Phil’ CD were written by Phil Ochs between 1963 and 1967, at that time he was speaking to the effect of the Vietnam War and war in general as the choice for our government’s survival,” she says. “While most of what Phil Ochs wrote is perfectly and sadly still true, there have happily been some great advancements.”

These days, SONiA describes herself as “against war” but “pro soldier,” citing the Ochs song “Is There Anybody Here,” which she covers on the new album and on the 1994 self-titled album, “disappear fear.”

“To give your life to what you believe in, there is nothing I respect more than that. However, it is good to look inside and see what drives us too,” she says. “We all reach out to survive … some by gun, some by guitar … and that defines us and that is the road we walk.”

SONiA says she has always been drawn to Ochs’ music, which inspired her own career.

“His songs make you think and touch your heart, make you realize you have a heart and that makes this planet a better place to be,” she says. “My religion says I am supposed to leave where I have been better than how I found it so, that’s what and why we are doing the 99% Tour.”

‘Moments of magic’ in Atlanta

As for what Atlanta fans can expect from the rare SONiA and Cindy show, SONiA promises “a beautiful night” and quotes from the Ochs song “Changes,” included on the new album: “Moments of magic will glow in the dark all fears of the forest are gone.”

The show will include songs from “Get Your Phil,” as well as other disappear fear songs including “Who I Am,” which won an Out Media award for Best Out Single. SONiA also promises beloved older songs like “Box of Tissues,” “Washington Work Song,” “Me, Too,” “Postcard from Texas,” “Who’s So Scared,” and “Sink the Censorship.”

SONiA’s ties to Atlanta go beyond simply performing here through the years. Irons, who is also her manager, lived in Atlanta and served as entertainment coordinator for Atlanta Pride back in the 1990s. The two have now been together for almost 15 years.

She fondly recalls previous Atlanta shows — “My gigs in Atlanta at Eddie’s, at the Variety Playhouse, at Pride...there have been so many really awesome moments!” — and also other places she loves to visit.

“I used to also like Stone Mountain for nice walks and shopping around Little 5 Points— got some cool stuff there, a sequin cardigan and a wild belt,” she says. “Makes me smile.”

Top photo: SONiA, a Jewish lesbian who prefers to go by just her first name, formed the band disappear fear with her sister Cindy in 1987. Cindy left the duo to focus on her family, but the two are back together for a new album and tour, which comes to Decatur on Nov. 20. (Courtesy photo)

Lesbian-inclusive band celebrates new album with Atlanta show

10/28/2011 12:00:00 AM

Girl in a Coma is an all-female trio from Texas signed to Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records. They started when lesbian best friends Jenn Alva and Phanie (pronounced “FAWN-ee”) Diaz joined with Diaz’s baby sister, Nina, and began playing together.

The girls of Girl in a Coma are set to promote their fourth album, “Exits And All The Rest” (available on iTunes on Nov. 1) with a CD release show at The Masquerade on Nov. 7.

The GA Voice spoke with bassist Jenn Alva about their music, illegal immigration and kicking Shane’s ass (from “The L Word”).

Shannon: You’ve got a new album coming out entitled “Exits and All the Rest.” Tell us all about it.

Jenn: It’s our fourth album. We’ve really grown as musicians. This album is more raw. We recorded it in analog. And personally, all three of us girls were going through a lot at the time. This is an album that we really put our all into. I think it’s a great album and I hope everybody checks it out.

The title is unique.

We just thought that with everything going on in our lives that sometimes you get wrapped up in what’s not really that important. The big things like a death or losing your job or a big change in your life… those are what really matters. They are the exits. Everything else is just “all the rest.”

You all have the respect of a lot of big names. Joan Jett personally signed you to her label. You were hand-picked by Cyndi Lauper, Tegan and Sara, Sia and Morrissey to open for them. And just recently, you got to play with The Go-Go’s?

Yeah! That was a fun tour. We were so excited about it. We were with them on the West coast and down into Texas. They’re sweethearts and were so good to us.

What’s the best thing about touring?

Meeting so many cool fans on the road and just meeting different people. I love traveling.

What’s the worst thing about the road?

Getting disconnected from family, missing the things that happen with friends.

Have you ever lost a girlfriend over it?

Of course! It’s hard to tell somebody to wait for you while you go for two months. To me, it’s as honorable as being in the military and being sent off. There needs to be music and bands.

That makes me wonder: Are there lesbian groupies?

Yes! (laughs) It happens, of course. Phanie and I are both single girls. It comes in waves. Sometimes there’s a bunch and sometimes there’s none.

There was an incident in Arizona a few years back where you were all just hanging out in a bar and an off-duty cop misjudged a disagreement between your singer and another guy. It resulted in a small bar fight with the cop. How did that get resolved?

We had to get a lawyer but the charges were dropped. We knew they would be because we were just defending our friend. Looking back, if things do happen for a reason, then it was for a reason because it made us see what was important and how to behave. We’re not dirty punk-rockers trying to start chaos. We’ll defend ourselves when necessary but we don’t go looking for it.

We spoke at a show here in Atlanta a few years ago and you told me a story about meeting Kate Moennig (who portrayed “Shane” on the Showtime lesbian drama “The L Word”). It cracked me up. Could you please tell it again?

We were at this party and she was there looking all “Shane” and my drummer said, “Hey, go tell her your idea for the show (The L Word).” I went over to her and said, “Hey, I have this idea for you about the show…” and before I could tell her my joke, she snapped and said, “the show is OVER!” and was really rude and cut me off.

I thought, “What a bitch!” I had too many girlfriends at the time who were in love with her so I was just going to joke with her and tell her that they should have my band on and that Shane and I could get into a fight and I’d kick her ass. I thought that it would make her laugh but she was super rude and didn’t even let me finish.

Sounds like she needed a good ass-kicking. Is Girl in a Coma, in any way, a political band?

Nina [Diaz, lead singer] likes to write songs for people to, like, get away and escape. So we’ve always sort of steered clear of politics. But this new album has a song called “Hope” on it and it deals with what’s going on in Arizona with immigration and the laws that they’ve passed. That’s our new thing.

You three are Mexican-Americans, right?

Yes, we are. Our country is taking steps in the wrong direction. It’s not moving forward to have those [anti-illegal immigration] laws. It’s horrible. A lot of these families are being separated. Some of them are being deported back to Mexico and they’ve never even been there. They were born here.

There’s got to be another way. We need to work to help them and see what brilliant compromise that we can establish. They’re our neighbors and we should help them.

Top photo: Girl in a Coma features Phanie Diaz on drums, Nina Diaz on vocals and guitar, and Jenn Alva on bass. (Photo by Josh Huskin)

Take off with Leisha Hailey and Uh Huh Her

10/14/2011 12:00:00 AM

As the super-loveable character “Alice” on “The ‘L’ Word” and now as a musician in the lesbian power-duo Uh Huh Her, Leisha Hailey has endeared herself in the hearts and minds of the LGBT community.

Now on the new “Keep-A-Breast” breast cancer awareness tour with Uh Huh Her, Leisha and band mate Camila Grey bring their electro-indie music to Vinyl in Atlanta on Oct. 21 in an all-ages show.

The GA Voice was originally scheduled to chat with Leisha Hailey on Sept. 26. The call was postponed, however, when Hailey and Grey, who are also a couple, were evicted from a Southwest Airlines flight Sept. 25 for kissing. Hailey complained about the incident on Twitter, which sparked national headlines and drew statements from both the couple and the airline, which sponsors several gay rights organizations.

The airline said passengers complained that the women’s affection was “excessive” and their reaction to being asked to stop was “aggressive.”

Countered Grey and Hailey, “We want to make it clear we were not making out or creating any kind of spectacle of ourselves, it was one, modest kiss. We are responsible adult women who walk through the world with dignity. We were simply being affectionate like any normal couple.”

Hailey wouldn’t discuss the Southwest incident when the GA Voice caught up with her a few days later, but did discuss Uh Huh Her’s new album, “Nocturnes,” her influences and a special Q&A quick- fire.

Shannon: Your new album, “Nocturnes,” was just released on Oct. 11. Tell me a little bit about that.

Leisha: We got dropped from our label over two years ago and we also left our management and so Cam (Camila) and I were left trying to figure out how to restart this band and make records without any support.

We rented a studio and we spent the whole summer writing this album. When it hit a point of production ceiling that we couldn’t go beyond with our equipment, we played it for Wendy Melvoin from Prince and the Revolution fame. … She was so wonderful and she offered the use of her studio when she wasn’t using it. We’d meet her very late at night or really early in the morning and we spent the next nine months completing the album.

Did the name “Nocturnes” come from the late night recording sessions?

Yes! A lot of it was done at night. Even the subjects of the songs are darker for us. It was a hard, difficult time and it was full of personal struggles for both of us. There was a whole theme of darkness that surrounded this record.

Your tour, the “Keep-a-Breast” tour, is sponsored by the Keep-A-Breast organization. I love it because they reach young people through ways like art and music and get them to make good choices.

They’re a fantastic organization. They are all about prevention of breast cancer so they gear their message towards teenagers and younger adult women. They have a message of prevention through lifestyle changes.

Considering both acting and music, who have you worked with that you had amazing synergy with that brought you to your best place as an artist?

My original band started with my best friend so the synergy between us was incredible because we were inseparable as people. With Cam, I feel that she brings out in me all of the things that I would never challenge in myself. An example would be that I’ve learned two instruments that I’ve never played before. I’ve learned to write differently. I always wrote songs sitting down on a couch with a guitar.

With Cam, I’ve learned a lot about production where you start a song by laying down a drum loop and you put your synth pads down — it’s been a totally different way of creating...

You mentioned both synergy partners being linked to music. Does that mean that music is your true passion over acting?

I can’t answer that because it’s just where I’m at in my life now and I’ve done it for so long that it feels like a part of me. When I was on “The L Word,” I stopped music for four to five years and it just felt like a part of me died. That’s why I started this band. I needed music back. It’s beyond a giant passion in my life. But so is acting. I can feel just as inspired playing out a scene.

Any acting projects on the horizon?

This past year, I just wanted to give this band my full attention because I hadn’t prior to that. I was trying to balance two careers. So right now, I have nothing but the band going on.

Who do you think killed Jenny [character on “The L Word”]?

I’m going to call suicide on that one.

I thought it would be fun to play a little game with you. I’ll give you a word and you tell me the first thought that pops into your head. Do you want to play?

Sure. I’ll do my best.

Touring: Fun.
“Nocturnes”: Passionate.
Sexy: Life
Alice (her “L Word” character): Lover
Camila (her band mate): Adorable
Twitter: Powerful
Dream girl: Dream girl?

Yes, dream girl. If you said “dream girl” to me, I would respond with “Andie MacDowell” or “Angelina Jolie”. What would you say?

I’ve met her.

What? You met Angelina Jolie?

(Laughs) No! I’m not saying I’ve met Angelina. I’m saying I’ve met my dream girl.

Baby: Maybe
Problem: Getting solved
Marriage: Never again! (laughs)
Love: Purpose

I’ve got one more...

Oh darn! This is so fun…

Here it is: Atlanta: Great city. I love it!

Top photo: Uh Huh Her features girlfriends Camila Grey and Leisha Hailey; the duo released their new album Oct. 11. (Publicity photo)

Pride: Diverse musical line-up includes new acts, familiar faces

9/30/2011 12:00:00 AM

The entertainment line-up at this year’s Atlanta Pride ranges from new acts making their ATL debuts to fan favorites who’ve called Pride home for years – and in one case, decades.

James Sheffield, Atlanta Pride executive director, is particularly pleased with 2011’s slate.

“We are so excited to have such a diverse group of talent to present this year,” he said. “Booking talent was a thoughtful process with the intent of offering something for everyone. I believe we have accomplished just that and would encourage our guests to come and spend the weekend at the park enjoying acts on both the Coca-Cola Stage and the Bud Light Stage.”

Area acts include Michele Malone, Alexis Jordan, Nubia Soul GODdess, Gurufish, The Sexual Side Effects, Michel Jons Band, Promise, Slick and Rose, The Orkids and Hannah Thomas. Non-Atlanta musicians joining them this year include musician Justin Utley, who is coming in from New York, two time Pride performer Demizes, and Beverly McCellan from “The Voice,” who is from Los Angeles.

In booking music each year, Sheffield said the goal is to make the schedule diverse and different.

“While we may book fan favorites over multiple years, for the most part Atlanta Pride tries to offer new and different talent each year,” he said. “We make an effort to find the balance between well known acts and up-and-coming local artists. It’s a way for us to offer support to artists who support the community and the event.”

Pride must schedule entertainment on a limited budget for the free event to remain sustainable.

“The important thing to remember is that our team does a really good job at offering quality programming on a very limited budget,” Sheffield said. “We work really hard to bring the best talent possible while keeping the cost at a point where the event can remain free to our guests. This is something that will always remain a priority.”

Variety of styles

Although there are fewer acts than in previous years — when Atlanta Pride used to open on Fridays and the stages ran until 11 p.m. each night — the variety makes up for that.

Sheffield feels that each artist in this year’s schedule brings individuality.

“Demizes made a huge impact last year, and we expect nothing less this year,” he said. “Beverly McClellan has a giant voice, an interesting history and some interest around her participation on ‘The Voice.’

“The Orkids are a great local act. Of course, the Michel Jons Band is a perennial favorite with their high energy performance of cover songs. It would be impossible to narrow [what will be fan favorites] down to just one act — we think the entire line up is impressive,” Sheffield said.

Of course, former Atlanta resident Michelle Malone is a stand out in the loaded schedule.

“Michelle Malone feels like part of the Atlanta Pride family,” said Sheffield. “She always draws a great crowd, because her music has been an Atlanta staple for more than two decades. We are grateful that she has always made time for our event and we’re excited every time she plays.”

This year a collaboration with WiLD 105.7 and 96.7 radio stations has allowed Pride to bring in talent.

“We were happy that WiLD 105.7 and 96.7 stepped up and asked to be involved this year,” Sheffield noted. “It was really that simple— the station had a desire to support Pride and we were happy to welcome them to the team.

“They are bringing some great talent to the event this year, and in return we are providing a great marketing platform for their station. It’s a win/win for everyone. We definitely hope to continue the partnership in 2012.”

Artists coming in via the station include Alexis Jordan and Wynter Gordon. Additionally, the collaboration helped get Deborah Cox into the line-up.

‘Not just one thing’

Justin Utley is performing in Atlanta Pride for the first time and has always heard great things about the event. He opened for Margaret Cho recently and credits his California Pride appearances in making him more visible.

An ex Mormon, he calls his music a blend of “rock and roll and an alternative country rock.”

When he was still a Mormon, Utley said his music was “church-inspired,” but now he is free to do what he wants. He hopes for a warm receptive in the South, where he thinks his country music will hit home.

His CD “Nothing for Real” will be out next month. It was supposed to come out in June but a busy summer traveling pushed it back.

A six year gap separated Demizes’ first Atlanta Pride appearance and last year’s celebrated gig. Although he has moved, the artist used to live in Atlanta and claims some of his musical influences call Atlanta home.

After his first time performing at Pride in 2004, he said he signed a contract that ultimately wasn’t a great deal and made him realize that “he needed to grow up a little.” He admits he was quite nervous performing last year because he had “something to prove” with Atlanta as his former home.

“I knew it would be magical, though — seeing that crowd of people in the Park,” Demizes said.

He calls his music a cross between Beyonce and JustinTimberlake but from a gay perspective.

“It’s full force party music,” he said.

He was a headliner for the recent Upstate Pride and invited to Milwaukee Pride but wasn’t able to attend. Demizes will premiere four new songs at Pride and his new single will be out in November, with the CD to follow at the beginning of the year.

Amber Taylor from the Sexual Side Effects is excited about her Pride gig. She has performed at Pride several times but this is the first time with this particular band, which she describes as alternative rock, influenced by ‘70s glam rock and post punk.

As a trans performer, she thinks it is vital to include all aspects of the LGBT community in events such as these, to show that the community is not “just one thing.”

The straight community doesn’t realize she is trans.

“Straight guys think I am hot,” she laughed.

She says to expect the unexpected in her band’s performance – “it’s always a little different,” Taylor admits.

Top photo: Wynter Gordon is among the performers at this year's Atlanta Pride festival. (Publicity photo)

Pride: Sir Ari Gold gets ‘Between the Spirit and the Flesh’

9/30/2011 12:00:00 AM

He grew up in an Orthodox Jewish household in New York’s lower east side, the fourth generation to live there. He was discovered by a talent agent while singing at his brother’s Bar Mitzvah and he has been entertaining the world ever since. On Sunday, Oct. 9, Sir Ari Gold headlines Atlanta’s Pride festival. We caught up with Gold and spoke with him about his faith, his family and his amazing career.

Shannon Hames: I read your bio and found it fascinating that you grew up as a 4th generation Orthodox Jewish kid from the lower east side. What was that like?

Sir Ari Gold: I don’t consider myself Orthodox anymore but my childhood experience was also unique. Not that being an Orthodox Jew is very unique in New York but I was in show business from a very early age, about 6 years old. I had these two very divergent paths going on at the same time.

Yes, I saw the video clip on your website of you singing that cute medley when you were just a little fella. It was adorable!

(Laughs) You’ve got to be proud of those kinds of things, you know?

Did your family know that you were gay or did you have a coming out experience with them?

I definitely had a coming out experience. It was one that I made as dramatic as I possibly could. Not in a bad way but I sat my parents and brothers down and read to them an 18 page, college ruled, hand-written letter of which I gave each of them their own copy.

Apparently, you had a lot to get off your chest.

I had a lot to get off my chest. I went through all of these different issues including the issue of religion and Judaism and homosexuality and the dynamics within my family. I had written a really angry letter at first, and then changed it to write it from a more loving place. I did hold my family accountable for the homophobia that I had felt that I had grown up with. It forced me to be in the closet with a sense of shame and pain and fear that my true self may come out and I would be shunned.

What was their response to your manifesto?

Their response was incredible. We were all crying at the end of the letter. Everybody in the family had their own reaction as far as certain realizations about the world and who they are and who they used to be. It has been a journey where sometimes it seems like one step forward, two steps back. But now I have an incredibly close relationship with my entire family and they really couldn’t be more supportive.

I’m so glad that ended well for you.

I think about how tough that was for me and even still is for me because at times, it’s hard to let go of those old wounds. I think about what it might be like to do that and not have a family that would be loving and supportive. That, unfortunately, is all too common.

That’s really why I do what I do with my music and my work. I feel like there are still not enough voices speaking for us. My coming out letter and my music, to me, feel like the same thing. It should be cathartic and healing for both gay people and straight people. Hate and prejudice affects us all and when we try to combat that, it heals us all.

You have done work with organizations that battle religious homophobia, such as Soulforce.

They are right up my alley because I understand the conflict and the pain that comes from growing up both gay and religious and feeling like those two things are in conflict with each other.

Your latest album is titled “Between the Spirit and the Flesh.” Was it purposeful to have these religious undertones?

It’s not disassociated from what we’ve been talking about. It’s about finding that balance between matters of the flesh and matters of the spirit. It’s about the balance between the dark and the light and the contrasts between those things. They are either songs about the flesh or songs about the spirit. Somewhere in there lies the balance that we all seek.

You have a new single, right?

Yes! My new single is called “Sparkle” and it features Sarah Dash from the original La Belles and she is just amazing.

I saw that video and the two of you together are… wow. Okay, I have a burning question: Do you make people call you “Sir”?

(Laughs) It doesn’t really matter what they call me. I did get knighted last year by the Imperial Court of New York, which is one of the oldest LGBT rights organizations. They knighted me so I decided to honor and embrace the title. It meant more to me to be knighted by a drag queen than it would have meant to be knighted by the Queen of England herself.

What are passionate about right now?

LGBT rights and human rights! I’ve always been passionate about it because we still have a long ways to go. It was a huge triumph to have marriage equality pass in New York and I’m continuing to get my music and my message out there. You can’t be passionate about LGBT rights without also being passionate about issues with race and issues of sexism and issues about class. All of those things come into play.

I’m also so excited about coming to Atlanta. You all are a hugely music-loving city so I am so excited to be coming to your Pride celebration. I’m really passionate about that.

Top photo: Sir Ari Gold was discovered singing at a bar mitzvah and has been knighted by one of the oldest LGBT groups. He headlines the Atlanta Pride stage on Sunday right before the Starlight Cabaret. (Publicity photo)

Pride: Deborah Cox comes full circle

9/30/2011 12:00:00 AM

Deborah Cox is home, but only for the moment. She’s just returned from a trip to Toronto, promoting her work on the judging panel of “Cover Me Canada,” a talent competition in the “Idol” mode. She’ll have a few days of rest before hitting the road again for a series of performances, culminating in her headlining appearance on Saturday, Oct. 8, at Atlanta Pride.

Then there are the workshops for her starring role in “Josephine,” a new musical based on the life of jazz-age icon Josephine Baker. The production marks her first onstage role since her Broadway debut in “Aida” seven years ago. She’s also the mother of three children, all under the age of 10.

In short, talking to Deborah Cox will make you feel lazy. But she’s never been one to sit around and wait for opportunities.

She started performing in talent shows at the age of 12 in her native Canada, eventually landing a gig as a backup singer for Celine Dion. In 1994, she came to America in pursuit of a solo career, and found it four years later: Her 1998 single, “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here,” spent a record-breaking 14 weeks atop the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, and catapulted her to fame. Since then, she’s had 10 more number-ones on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart.

Throughout her career, Deborah Cox has been a vocal ally of the LGBT community, appearing at Pride events worldwide, and participating in Cyndi Lauper’s 2008 “True Colors” tour. And of course there was the music video for “Who Do You Love,” which taught us the best way to tell off a man who’s done you wrong is to get a group of your friends together for a spontaneous dance number in the street.

Topher Payne: Okay, when I’ve had a bad day, I’ll crank up the remix of “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here” in the car and scream it out. And I know I’m not the only one. But when you have a bad day, who’s your go-to for song therapy?

Deborah Cox: Depends on the mood I want. If I wanna get sexy, it’s Nina Simone, Sarah, Billie Holiday… If I need to cut loose, it’s the dance mix on Sirius, and I’ll sing along to anything.

Even Deborah Cox?

(Laughs) When she’s on.

Do your kids know your music?

Yes, and you know what’s amazing? They catch on really fast! They hear one of my songs once, and they just know it. I don’t know how they do that.

I can’t imagine where they get that from.

Oh! I never thought of it like that! I guess you’re right. Well, they learn it faster than I do.

You’re finally heading back to Broadway, playing the lead in “Josephine.” When should I get my tickets?

Next year. We had the last workshop in June, and now we’re just waiting on a theatre —one of the ones we’re hoping for. It’s been such an amazing experience. With “Aida,” I was stepping into a show already up, but I’ve never been part of a show from the very beginning. It is a really long, incredible journey.

What has Josephine Baker taught you?

So much. So much! You’ve got to have a thick skin. You have to be fearless, that’s with a capital F-E-A-R-L-E-S-S. She knew what she wanted to perform, how she wanted to live, and she never took no for an answer. And in playing her, I have to exude that fire and passion. So I have to believe that in myself. Which has been good for me to learn, because I’m very shy.

No one’s going to believe that.

Oh, not when I’m performing. On stage I feel 10 feet tall.

What can we expect for the Pride show?

All the favorites. I promise I’m gonna try to get it all in! It’s hard, because if you leave anything out, people say, “Can you believe her? Where was ‘Mr. Lonely?’” I’m just so excited to be back in Atlanta, it’s been way too long and it feels like home. When I was first starting out, recording with Dallas Austin, I lived there and fell in love with the city. A lot of great memories there.

Any place on your to-do list while you’re here?

Oh yes. Waffle House. We’d record ‘til the middle of the night, and then everybody’d realize we hadn’t had anything to eat. So we’d all get in the car and go have Waffle House, and there’s just something about it.

That food tastes so much better at three in the morning.

Exactly! Tired and laughing and eating a big soggy waffle!

I would strongly recommend the one on Cheshire Bridge after the bars close. Ooh, speaking of bars, have you ever seen a drag queen perform a Deborah Cox song?

Only online, and it just blows my mind to see these amazing drag queens doing my music. Because when I was just starting to perform in clubs — in San Francisco, in New York, at Arena in particular — drag queens saved me.

The gay community is really the tastemakers, and I was trying to break out as an artist. But I was so naïve about what to wear, how to be. So I’d watch the drag queens, learn from that confidence and that style. And now they’re dressing like me and doing my songs! It’s fun to see how they see me, when I learned from watching them.

That’s what they call full-circle.

It is. The gay community has been with me through this whole journey, and look where we all are now. This performance is a celebration of all that. And they keep me on my toes. Because this audience doesn’t play around. You have to come correct.

Top photo: Deborah Cox headlines the Coca-Cola stage on Saturday in Piedmont Park. The dance music legend and ‘Aida’ star hopes to return to the Broadway stage in ‘Josephine,’ a new musical about the life of jazz-age icon Josephine Baker. (Publicity photo)

Fall music schedule filled with current, former Pride performers

9/16/2011 12:00:00 AM

Fall is Pride season in Georgia: Black Gay Pride just took place over Labor Day Weekend, Atlanta Pride is slated for Oct. 8-9, and in between are Savannah Pride, South Georgia Pride and Athens Pride.

But while many of these celebrations include musical acts, you don’t have to wait for an official festival to find your Pride-ful tunes this season.

From out LGBT performers to allies who have performed at Pride festivals here and around the country, the fall is filled with concerts to get queer hands clapping and bodies dancing.

As usual, lesbian singer-songwriters lead the list. Sept. 20 will be a tough choice for acoustic music fans as Atlanta’s own Doria Roberts plays a CD release party at Decatur CD, while Melissa Ferrick brings her stirring new album, “Still Right Here,” to nearby Eddie’s Attic. Also look for lesbian-inclusive “alternagrass” band Roxie Watson at the Five Spot on Sept. 23, one of several local shows for the band this season.

October’s set list is just a strong. Beloved hometown lesbian duo (and former Atlanta Pride performers) Indigo Girls release their new album “Beauty Queen Sister” Oct. 4; they perform Oct. 1 in Atlanta for Party at Ponce and Oct. 6 in Athens.

The Atlanta Pride Festival features a long list of performers Oct. 8-9, including headliners Deborah Cox and Ari Gold. Other highlights for October include blues diva Candye Kane at Sister Louisa’s (Oct. 3), lesbian icon k.d. lang at Variety Playhouse (Oct. 5), outspoken ally Cyndi Lauper at Cobb Energy Center (Oct. 12), crooner Adele at the Fox (Oct. 16) and Marsha Ambrosius — who just performed at Black Gay Pride — at Center Stage Theatre (Oct. 23).

November includes The Sounds, led by out front-woman Maja Ivarsson, at Masquerade on Nov. 7. Disappear Fear comes to Eddie’s Attic Nov. 20, as queer singer-songwriter Sonia is joined by her sister Cindy, who performed with the band in its earlier years. Renowned gay saxophonist Dave Koz plays Cobb Energy Centre Nov. 25.

December brings queer-inclusive band Girlyman to Eddie’s Attic (Dec. 9) and rapper Wale, who played Washington D.C.’s Black Gay Pride last year, to The Tabernacle on Dec. 12.

September

Sept. 16: Colbie Caillat @ ATL Botanical Garden
Sept. 18: DeKalb Rape Crisis Center Benefit @ Eddie’s Attic
Sept. 20: Doria Roberts CD release @ Decatur CD
Sept. 20: Melissa Ferrick and Ria Mae @ Eddie’s Attic
Sept. 20: Modern English @ Smith’s Olde Bar
Sept. 21: Blink 182 and My Chemical Romance @ Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood
Sept. 23: Roxie Watson @ The Five Spot
Sept. 23: Sara Hickman, Erick Baker and Phoebe Hunt @ Eddie’s Attic
Sept. 24: Music Midtown @ Piedmont Park

October

Oct. 1: Indigo Girls, Shawn Mullins and Francine Reed @ Party on Ponce
Oct. 1: Michelle Malone @ Eddie’s Attic
Oct. 1-2: Taylor Swift @ Philips Arena
Oct. 2: Chris Brown with Kelly Rowland @ Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood
Oct. 3: Candye Kane @ Sister Louisa’s Church
Oct. 5: k.d. lang and The Siss Boom Bang @ Variety Playhouse
Oct. 6: Indigo Girls @ Classic Center in Athens
Oct. 6: Mates of State @ the Drunken Unicorn
Oct. 8-9: Atlanta Pride
Oct. 9: Hannah Thomas Band and Danielle Howle @ Eddie’s Attic
Oct. 12: Cyndi Lauper and Dr. John @ Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Oct. 13: The Belle Brigade @ Masquerade
Oct. 14: Duran Duran @ Chastain Park
Oct. 15: Little Big Town @ Buckhead Theatre
Oct. 16: Adele @ Fox Theatre
Oct. 20: Sonia Leigh @ Variety Playhouse
Oct. 22: Sugarland @ Philips Arena
Oct. 23: Marsha Ambrosius @ Center Stage Theatre

November

Nov. 7: The Sounds @ Masquerade
Nov. 14: Shelby Lynne @ Eddie’s Attic
Nov. 15: Michelle Shocked @ Eddie’s Attic
Nov. 20: Disappear Fear @ Eddie’s Attic
Nov. 20: Lykke Li @ Buckhead Theatre
Nov. 25: Dave Koz and Friends @ Cobb Energy Centre
Nov. 25: Tony Bennett @ Fox Theatre
Nov. 26: Shawn Mullins @ Variety Playhouse
Nov. 29: Tori Amos @ Cobb Energy Centre

December

Dec. 3: Roxie Watson @ Eddie’s Attic
Dec. 9: Girlyman and Coyote Grace @ Eddie’s Attic
Dec. 12: Wale @ The Tabernacle

Top photo: Duran Duran (publicity photo)