David Magazine v7-i40 | Get Ready For TODRICK HALL

V7-40 10.04.23

Todrick On His Velvet Rage Tour

Music: Fall Into the Beat John Duff:

Challenging the Music Industry

+ Photos & More

DAVID I N

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OCT 04, 2023 V7-40 DAVID Magazine Peach Media 6050 Dawson Blvd, Ste O Norcross, GA 30093

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COVER IMAGE Courtesy of Todrick Hall

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Todrick Hall Is the Ultimate Entertainer

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

Todrick Hall is coming to Atlanta’s Center Stage with his Velvet Rage Tour on October 11. David got a chance to catch up with the singer, dancer, choreographer, and Broadway actor from Plainview, TX, to talk creative process, collabs, the show, and how to stay levelheaded even through rough times.

You’re a multi-talented performer, I was going through a rap phase, composer, actor, director, and I knew that there were so many choreographer, social media people in my life who inspired me personality, but above all a with rap music. Sometimes I feel creative spirit and force – where like that all of the dance music do you think your creative drive being four on the floor and dancey stems from? and energetic that sometimes my My creative drive stems from rap music that is more urban and growing up in a small town in grounded gets lost in the shuffle Plainview, TX. I understand what when songs like that are on the it is like to come from nothing, and records. I wanted to make a record I have always wanted to make a where every song felt like it was a name for yourself. I also just love little bit theatrical and a little but hood. performing, and it never feels like a job to me. I feel like that is what I was The track “Y.A.S.” features put on earth to do and I never feel the infamous the infamous more like myself when I am creating. Tiffany Pollard – how did that collaboration come about?

What is your favorite part of the I have always been a humongous creative process? fan of Tiffany Pollard, and I think My favorite part is having an idea that she is hilarious, and I think that and watching it go from inception the things she says are iconic. I did to, not just seeing it go into fruition, a collaboration with Tiffany Haddish but seeing people who know the for my song Dripeesha. I love doing work that I created. An example collaborations with people who are is watching the Magic Happens really talented in a field that other Parade at Disneyland, or watching people have not seen them in. I people dance to my music on a major think Tiffany Pollard is a great rapper network television show. Those are and TikTok definitely died when they the times that feel insane and like an saw her doing the rap. It is a song out of body experience that motivate that is about being petty and getting me to continue to create art. over your ex and it has helped a lot of people get over their ex. When Your new EP “Roach Killaz” is a I was thinking about a queen that collection of really catchy, high- could pull off petty anthem, Tiffany energy tracks – what was the inspiration behind it (and the title, Pollard was one of the first people that came to mind, and I was too)?

beyond flatter that the joined me. like a Todrick Hall Eras Tour. There are songs from before I started You’ll be coming to Atlanta on making albums. I sing my first ever October 11 with Velvet Rage, single that I ever recorded, there is the tour for “Roach Killaz” – for music from my two visual albums, those who haven’t seen you live “Straight Out of Oz” and “Forbidden” yet; what can you expect from a music from “Haus Party 1, 2, and 3,” “Femuline” so there is music from Todrick Hall show?

You can expect a lot of dancing, and basically ever single chapter of my a lot of high energy. My elementary musical journey, and I love to be school teacher once told me that able to look out into the audience if you can make people have a and see the fans who resonate good time, laugh, and cry then with certain chapters of mt life. you are the ultimate entertainer and I believe that we often times What are you most looking achieve all three of those things forward to when visiting Atlanta? at a performance of Velvet Rage I love the clubs, I love the culture, and I think that Atlanta is such a hype What other of your hit songs will city. I love the fact that it always has that grounded, urban, contemporary be included in the show?

I was very inspired by my girl, Taylor flair but there is also so much artistic Swift Eras Tour! This show is kind of culture there like the Fox theater

which I performed at several times. spend my time creating a show that Atlanta also has so much Broadway, is so divisive when I could be using and they just know how to party so my creative energy elsewhere.

Atlanta is one of my favorite cities!

You’re touring right now, but You have an extraordinary ability where can we see you next? Any to navigate the world of celebrity, projects you can disclose about? even when it has given you some They just announced that I have negative repercussions – like been working on the new musical when you voiced your opinion adaptation of the 2010 film, about ratings of “The Real Friends Burlesque. I have written original of WeHo” or even the aftermath songs to accompany Diane Warren of Celebrity Big Brother. How do and Christina Aguilera music from you stay on top of it all and stay the film. I am really excited because levelheaded? it has always been a dream of I think your real friends show up mine to compose music for a for you when you’re going though musical. I am also working on my rough times, and I think all of these own projects that I am hoping will chapters in my life, even though reach Broadway someday soon. they were very, very difficult to get through, have helped me navigate what it really means to be loyal, to be a great friend, and to be a supporter. I love my friends who hold me accountable but are also there for me every step of the way. I just try to surround myself with good people, learn from the mistakes, and keep it pushing. I make sure I don’t allow other people’s narratives or the internet to define who I am.

Speaking of “The Real Friends of Experience Todrick Hall’s Velvet WeHo” – any news on a second Rage Tour on October 11, 8 pm at Center Stage Theater. Tickets via season?

I have no idea if MTV is planning Ticketmaster. on doing a second season or if I would even be interested in doing it. If the interest was there and the check was right, sure I would be there. Right now, I don’t feel that the LGBTQ+ community desires a show like this. I would rather not

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FALL iNTO THE BEAT

The Songs Lighting Up Gay Dancefloors This Autumn

As the leaves change color, so does the musical landscape, with artists from various genres delivering an electrifying array of infectious beats that promise to keep the party going all night long this Fall.

With empowering lyrics meant to resonate with the queer community, these fresh tunes are sure to inject a burst of pumpkin spice into gay clubs. So, put on your shoes and harnesses, embrace the autumn vibes, and let these new fire-y songs set your heart and the dance floor ablaze.

John Duff “Somebody’s Daughter”

John Duff’s latest single is about a phenomenon many young people face today. They say they want love but then devote all of their energy on heated one night hook ups, rather than on relationships with substance.

Produced by Duff, along with Alex Delicata, Eren Canatta, and Luke Moellman, “Somebody’s Daughter” is a sexy Barry White boudoir style ballad that masterfully mixes sexy soul with funky R&B. Read more about John Duff’s “Somebody’s Daughter” and the accompanying music visual on page 20.

by SHANE GALLAGHER

Roman “All Mine” The main message of Roman’s latest single, the third to address his failed marriage, is that we should never place the needs of someone else above our own. It’s one of the mistakes Roman made and swears he will not do again. With its playful retro vibe, “All Mine” is more optimistic and upbeat than his previous releases. Produced

by Velvet Code and written by Roman, the song comes from a stronger place, with a pulsating rhythm and anthemic chorus that signifies the artist is more confident in his individuality and is ready to focus on his own priorities. We’re celebrating liberation and self-expression, people! The remixes are by DJ Guy Scheiman, Tweaka Turner, Rob Moore, and Dario Xavier.

Parralox “Tears of Faith” The Australian electronic pop band, Parralox, fronted by out singer John von Ahlen, continues its mission to champion the synthesized wave pop sound of 1980s-era Depeche Mode, The Human League, and Pet Shop Boys. Its latest single, “Tears of Faith,” featuring vocals by Jane Badler, is a down-tempo electronic dance arrangement

FALL iNTO THE BEAT

The Songs Lighting Up Gay Dancefloors This Autumn

about broken relationships and the hope for reconciliation. Its accompanying visual, directed by Leanne Hanley, works to elevate the song by injecting a humorous Frankenstein meets Reanimator theme into the piece. Essentially, the song and its video tell a classic tale of looking for love, finding it, and then being destroyed by it.

Stewart Taylor “Favorite Ex”

In his latest single, out artist Stewart Taylor sings about an old flame he regretfully had to leave behind when he moved from New York to Los Angeles to pursue his pop star dreams. The song merges eighties vibes with today’s pop and R&B and is the second ballad Stewart Taylor has written about his former lover. His debut single, “Mess Your Hair Up”, released in 2019, is about him too. Stewart says that years later, on a phone call, he thanked his ex for being so wonderful and told him that he was in fact, his favorite ex. Produced by Romanian hitmaker MADS (David Guetta, Imagine Dragons), the song’s catchy melody is sure to get bodies moving and spirits soaring.

Lady Camden “Dirtiest Secrets”

by SHANE GALLAGHER

This tantalizingly filthy single from the RuPaul’s Drag Race star, unearths a new facet of creative prowess for the artist. The song captivates with its blend of raw emotion and musical artistry. The gritty percussion and sinister synths create a sonic landscape that work to mirror the lyrical narrative’s exploration of hidden truths. Lady Camden’s vocals are a standout feature, too. They oscillate between vulnerability and strength and carry the weight of the song’s confessional tone. The chorus where Lady Camden proclaims she can be your lady is an infectious hook that lingers in the mind long after the track ends.

Challenging Norms In the Music Industry Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt

In his latest release, “Somebody’s September 1, 2023, including Apple Daughter,” John Duff, a proudly out Music and Spotify. The accompanying artist, is breaking boundaries and video is available on YouTube. The challenging the status quo in the song’s production credits include John music industry. This crooning ballad Duff, Alex Delicata, Eren Canatta, and explores the complexities of fleeting Luke Moellman. and unattainable sexual relationships.

However, what truly sets this song The track delves into a prevalent issue apart is Duff’s audacious take on faced by young people, irrespective of “straight-baiting,” a term typically their sexual orientation: the desire for associated with straight artists who love and connection versus the allure tease LGBTQ+ audiences. Duff flips of momentary encounters. It explores the script, offering a fresh perspective the phenomenon where individuals on the subject. invest more energy into one-night hookups than in building meaningful Duff boldly addresses the prevalent relationships. trend of “gay-baiting” that has become commonplace in the music industry. The music video, directed by He points out that many artists, like Shawn Adeli, delves deeper into the Harry Styles, Charlie Puth, and Nick song’s theme. It portrays a couple Jonas, often flirt with LGBTQ+ themes whose connection appears to be or visuals to generate buzz and lacking substance, delving into the garner attention. Duff’s frustration with underground world of adult content this trend is evident as he remarks, and social media platforms like “Honestly, every artist today is gay- OnlyFans. Here, users pay influencers baiting, and LGBTQ+ media eats it for exclusive and often explicit content. up.” He goes on to highlight the irony The video serves as a commentary on of how these artists are celebrated the evolving landscape of relationships for their provocative gestures, while in the digital age.

LGBTQ+ individuals sharing similar content are often dismissed or Duff’s decision to explore these labeled. Duff aims to challenge this themes in his work was influenced double standard with his new single by a fellow gay artist who questioned and video. the respectability of his artistry due to its overt sexuality. Duff responded by Released independently, “Somebody’s embracing his shameless approach Daughter” hit digital platforms on to his art, stating, “My spirit is wild,

fun, and free, and as a performer, The video includes a memorable kissing I am shameless.” He believes that scene with actress Nellie Salisbury, unapologetic expression of one’s prompting Duff to humorously remark, body and sexuality is a path toward “To paraphrase Diplo, I’m pretty sure I enlightenment, not away from it. hook up with women all the time.”

Duff also takes a bold stance on John Duff’s “Somebody’s Daughter” pornography, viewing it as an art form. challenges norms, questions biases, He sees sex as theater and bodies as and embraces unapologetic selfsculptures. His openness and advocacy expression. It’s a testament to his for sexual freedom are evident in his commitment to breaking barriers and decision to playfully come out as “not- sparking conversations in the evernot straight,” a twist on the “not-not gay” evolving landscape of music and phrase often used to imply bisexuality. sexuality.

Duff explains, “I can’t confirm or deny, I’m just saying I’m not-not and seeing Follow John Duff on Facebook and how that goes over when I spin it the Instagram @iamjohnduff to stay updated other way.” on his work and future releases.

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Gay bullies be like give me all your brunch money.

Folsom this, Folsom that. How about you go Fold Some of that laundry piling up on your Wayfair chair?

Money doesnʼt impress me. Giving it to me does.

Gay math: going on vacay with 8 friends, coming back with 3.

Every day I thank the gods that Glee ended before WAP came out.

When is this pup play trend over? It can’t be a real kink. It’ll never be fetch (see what I did there?).

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