Live From New York, It's SIRPAUL!

Top: SIRPAUL. Bottom: SIRPAUL with Jessie Riley.

It should come as no surprise to anyone, but I am a huge fan of live music. So when tickets went on sale for a SIRPAUL show in New York City, I reached for my credit card and bought my tickets. There was little that would have stopped me from catching my first SIRPAUL concert, and June 26, 2010, was blocked off the calendar. I knew where I was going to be.

I've been a fan of SIRPAUL for a couple of years now. I think the first album I downloaded was the 2006 Dismantle, and it is still a favorite. I love his song Addicted, which remains special to me. It's like I heard that, and I've been hooked. Don't get me wrong, I love them all. But there is always a soft spot for your first, right?



SIRPAUL with DJ Alex Lauterstein

Well, SIRPAUL did not disappoint. In fact, despite the fact I went in with ridiculously high expectations, I was nothing short of amazed. From showing up and being brought to my seats by Paul Peterson, SIRPAUL's partner, to find they were rather spectacular, so close to the stage I swear if I smiled, SIRPAUL could count my crows feet. I was sharing a table with my niece, Mandy, and Rickey Yaneza, blogger of the world renown Rickey.Org. We were excited to get out goodies - the ≠ button we all immediately put on, the sticker, and the download card, entitling the bearer to a free download of SIRPAUL's latest, Music & Me.

SIRPAUL lays down music that is smart, musical and danceable. From the first song to the last, the 15-song show had me clapping my hands, singing along, tapping my feet, and chair-dancing like never before. Starting with sexy DJ Alex Lautenstein hiding behind the Mac and the gorgeous Jessie Riley are on stage with the Intro/She's So Unusual opening, to SIRPAUL taking to the stage and making Killer sound sweet yet deadly, complete with Jessie, the black widow in the video, I knew this was going to be something memorable. I could hardly keep still to take picture, let alone video, which I have to apologize for in advance for the Blair Witch style during some of it. But, in my defense, no one can keep still to this music. No one. And I have to mention James Contrino, SIRPAUL's cousin. Not only is he handsome, his voice blends beautifully. [And his partner Adam was really nice, too!]




We come next to a block of songs from Music & Me, starting with Digital World (Killed the Radio Star), a clever one about life in these electronic times, Mistaken, Music & Me/Physical Attraction, Give it Up (Til Ya Get Enough) and Press Rewind/One More Time. They are all great songs, better than most, if not all of what I hear on the radio.

Secret Love from Objectified, was up next, and such a sexy song it is! Then back to Music & Me for U, an ethereal love song SIRPAUL dedicated to his partner, Paul. Colors was up next, another song from the new release, a hot ballad that reminds me a bit of YAZ. Let Me Go, Objectified, continues the electronica sound. Then comes the outstanding cut Don't Stop (Break the Beat), from Music & Me, and we were treated to SIRPAUL & James being joined by SIRPAUL's talented sister, Cherylyn, adding even more depth and beauty.



I have also had a long love affair with Do U, first as a single and then part of Objectified. What a rocking good time! And there is Thrust 2010, originally from an EP of the same name - kinda makes me sweat a bit, in a good way. He closed the concert with Shine from Music & Me. It is such a celebration of life and love, and brought everyone to their feet, dancing in the audience. Glorious!

So here is the video compilation of some of the songs I taped, along with a few pictures I took. Forgive my limited skill with the videocam, and revel in the great show SIRPAUL put on for an audience that loved every minute of it. After the show, Mandy turned to me and said 'if he has another show, I want to come!' I know I'll be there.



Stop by SIRPAUL's official site here, and comment if you feel so moved. You can find Music & Me on iTunes here. It is well worth the $9.99, and will be a valued part of your collection. And when the next show is announced, I'll race you all for tickets! And in case anyone missed it, here is me getting all fanboi-like to SIRPAUL, and him saying 'hi' to everyone here.

SIRPAUL - The Video Party

To accompany the interview, I thought I would offer up the videos as well. With the following six videos, you could easily throw a party, so I would suggest you turn your volume up, hit full screen, and get ready to dance and move around.

Thrust is the first on the list, and I must say if you are at work, this is perhaps NSFW [Not Safe For Work], but is a great video for a wonderful, fun song. Sexy and sultry, with the imagery to match. I have to face it, SIRPAUL is very hot, and does not shy away from the inherent sexuality in the music.



Addicted was the song that was my introduction to SIRPAUL, and perhaps because of this remains my favorite. Dark and sensual, with a certain brooding quality I love, the song works for me. For the video, there is an interesting blend of video with a Super 8/home movie quality that is just visually arresting. Then again, he had me the minute I heard the song.



Do U rocks it out a bit more, and that driving beat can make me dance, either in my chair on get me on my feet and just let go. For the video, the blend of multiple images and the use of the mirror imaging and the pace of the editing just works so well with the song.



Objectified is part Sy-Fy [making the geek in me giddy], part light show, the video is just throbbing with beat and drive. Think Tron and Matrix meet, well, SIRPAUL.



Swinger is another great video, with an interesting story as well. The club-feel is sexually charged, but aside from a quick shot of a partial moon, there is more sensuality than sexuality involved. However, it seems it was turned away by the video stations, claiming it to be too explicit, yet I have seen much worse - in terms of sex as well as violence - on LOGO and VH1 and even MTV, back in the day when music was involved as something other than theme music. I'd hate to say what I think the issues was, especially for LOGO, which purports to be an LGBT outlet, when in truth, they support more Diva's than actual LGBT acts, but that is a rant for another post, as it is my thoughts, certainly not those of SIRPAUL.



Killer is the latest from SIRPAUL, and it lends some amazing visuals to intrigue me even more. Bold and brash, it is at times like a feast for the eyes.



SIRPAUL will release his latest recording, Music And Me, to iTunes on June 1, 2010. Look for the review are that time. But just a hint - SIRPAUL shared it with me already, and I love it!