After a week of toil, I finally got it finished…once again I apologize for the tardiness, but the sound quality wasn’t very good and it was hard going. I mentioned last week that Blake and I had discussed Lady Gaga a little bit, but I couldn’t successfully transcribe that part of the recording. (It wasn’t a long discussion; he knew “Stephanie” a bit in L.A. before she turned into the Gaga and he thought she was great…a hardworking musician and artist). Also, I have to apologize for the fact that I talked too much during the interview…it’s supposed to be about the Interviewee! (Part of the problem, also, is that the easiest to transcribe parts of the tape were of ME because my voice came out clearer on the recording…)So, we live and learn…and I hope you enjoy the rest of the interviews.
MS: Um, I can’t find it now, but there was something I read about something you did for a Nickeledeon show, an animated thing…?
BL: Cartoon Network!
MS: Cartoon Network! Ok!
BL: Yeah, I did a voice and beat-box thing for a new show called “Generator Rex” which is coming out next year. Um, and I’ve been doing a lot of audio and voice-over stuff. I’ve been doing voices my whole life and, I did a video game before Idol, Crash Bandicoot…I did a bunch of things.
MS: So Did Keane ever get a hold of you after you did “Somewhere Only We Know” on Idol? You sold them a lot of music after that performance…
BL: The last show of their tour uh, just when I got off of “Idol” , the one day I had off, I happened to be in New York, it was like 90 degrees in Central Park ,it was their last show in Central Park, I got back stage passes , I got to talk to them and tell them how much an inspritation they were to me…I mean, I love every single one of their records…I think they’re amazing…the way he writes his music, those melodies…I dunno…it’s that sound I’ve always strived for…the beautiful melodic melodies..it was amazing. And they put on a freaking, amazing show…I can’t believe it…I was really impressed…I’d never seen them live before.
MS: I’ve also seen some things, and I noticed it too, when I was listening to the new stuff, there’s a little bit of an Erasure thing going on with you…
BL: Thanks, I like Andy Bell a lot, especially on the last record…I grew up listening to that music…dance music…I’ve never really been into…I know it sounds weird, but there’s not a lot of American artists that I like…I grew up listening to Sting and Bono and Duran Duran and Joy Division and New Order, all these bands of the 80’s from the UK…that’s what I grew up on…besides Michael Jackson and Prince, all the bands I listened to were from the UK…
MS: What is your favorite Prince album?
BL: Oh, man…I can’t pick an album…I love…there’s so many songs…uh, “Ras” (Note: I think he was starting to say “Raspberry Beret” but changed his mind before he got it out…)…uh, I guess, “Alphabet City”.
MS: That’s a great song…I have a weird favorite Prince album…I really like Under the Cherry Moon…
BL: That’s a good one…it’s because you’re the movie buff, dude.
MS: Uh, I don’t like the movie…it’s “meh”, but it’s so French and it’s got that whole European song thing going on…everyone says it’s the worst Prince album, but I think it’s the best…I have odd taste. It’s like my pen name is “Michael Strangeways” and people go “You must be a big Smiths fan!”
(Blake chuckles)
MS: I mean, I like The Smiths but I like the NAME (“Strangeways”) more than I like The Smiths and I like Morissey’s solo stuff more than I like The Smith’s …I know that’s weird.
BL: I like both.
(I ask him about his 21st birthday party and he tells me a story about the huge party he had but it’s almost inaudible on the recording…also, it wasn’t that great of a question or an answer, no offense to Blake…)
MS: You’re all over the place…you were in Miami last week, and…I see in your schedule you’re playing Parliament House in Florida in June…have you played there before?
BL: I don’t think so.
MS: Are you aware of Parliament House’s rather wild reputation?
BL: (cautiously) uh, no…
MS: Well, I think it’s cleaned up, but it was hopping back in the day, when I was your age…one of the first big gay resorts…it was a pick up place…I think it’s now been gentrified and family friendly…
(Blake laughs)
MS: Well, not family friendly…(I laugh)
BL: I don’t think I’ll be rushed on stage or anything.
MS: No, I don’t think men in towels are going to rush the stage or anything or rip your clothes off…
(NOTE: It has been pointed out to me that Parliament House is now a lovely, clean, well-run professional resort for the LGBT community and is far different than it used to be, back in the day, when it was your basic sex pit/gay slut resort…My apologies to Parliament House for inferring otherwise. “When in the Orlando Area, Stop on by!!”)
MS: Oh, that reminds me, I have to bring up that infamous PhotoShop picture of you and Chris Richardson (his fellow Idol contestant) sitting….I guess you’re on his lap…which is the world’s worst PhotoShop picture because your legs are apparently missing or somewhere it shouldn’t be…
(Blake chuckles)
MS: um…I always thought that it was hilarious that…. (I use a “funny” voice) “Oh, they must be gay, based on that picture”
BL: No, I know…it’s odd that someone would…
MS: It’s so stupid…even if the picture was real, guys DO stuff like that…I don’t understand…just because you sit next to each other, you’re gay? guys in their 20’s, straight guys, pal around and wrestle around…
BL: Well, yeah, even in the gay community it doesn’t mean anything to goof around…and that PhotoShop was so fucked up. (Blake’s laughing).
MS: It can’t be real because it’s anatomically incorrect! But I’m sure it’s been saved on the desktops of thousands of girls and gay men around the world…
We also talked a bit about his plans for a video for his hit single, “Heartbreak on Vinyl” which should start shooting soon. And, just a reminder you can check Blake out on Saturday, April 17 at Silver Platters at Northgate Mall. He’ll be there at 3pm as Special Guest DJ for Record Store Day and later that night he’ll be at Neighbours for a short set of three or four songs starting at 11.30pm. Check it out.
About the Author: Michael Strangeways
