Ignite Your Weekend!

Clockwise: Jason Walker, Groove Armada, That Rogue Romeo, and Christopher Dallamn.

It is time to kick off the weekend, and this time out, I thought I would offer a group of songs I really like, and come together for no other reason than I have put them in the same post. There is no overall theme, same that all four are in my iTunes, ready to be played. I will start with a voice I still find incredible. From the first time I heard him sing, to the last time I played his music, Jason Walker always blows me away, and leaves me wanting more. "I Can't Get You Off My Mind" appeared on his 2007 album, 'Flexible', which also had "Can't Stop" and "Foolish Lover (I'm Sorry)" on the track listing. This is the official music video for Jason Walker's "I Can't Get You Off My Mind".

You can purchase 'Flexible' from iTunes and Amazon. I first discovered Groove Armada, made up by electronic artists Andy Cato and Tom Findlay, when they worked with a favorite of mine, Will Young. The British duo paired up with the fantastic British singer for the 2010 release. The song is "History", and it has a wonderful sound, that was just a bit retro, and just the right amount of current to set it apart. And Young's vocals were dreamy and muysterioius, and I couldn't stop listening to the song. This is the official music video for Groove Armada featuring Will Young with "History".

The song can be found on Groove Armada's album 'Blacklight', which can be purchase from iTunes and Amazon. When I think of singer/songwriter Christopher Dallman, I don't go straight to dance music. But there have been a couple of times when an imaginative DJ picked out a great song and gave it a wonderful treatment. That was the case with his song "Nighttime in the City", which I first came to know off his album 'Race the Light', which is how I got to know Dallman. I was intrigued by every song on the album, and couldn't wait to hear more from the man. Eight years after the first release, out came a remix of the song that I just found so very cool. Give a listen to Christopher Dallman's "Nighttime in the City (Radboy Radio Edit)" and see what you think.

You can purchase 'Nighttime in the City' from iTunes and Bandcamp. Finally, I could listen to just about anything That Rogue Romeo put out. I love the way he pulls together the drive and edge of great Rock music with the sound and energy of fantastic Electronica. He released 'Machine and Magic' in 2012, and I loved it. The following year, That Rogue Romeo released 'Rebuilt', a collection of Remixed songs off the first album, giving a whole new feel to them. I was particularly fond of the song "Domino", written by That Rogue Romeo (aka Kevin Stea) and Stefano Borzi. The love kept flowing with the remixes. This is That Rogue Romeo with "Domino (EmJay's Neomaster video version)".

You can find "Domino (EmJay's Master)" on the remix album 'Rebuilt', which can be purchased from iTunes and Bandcamp. I hope you enjoyed the music you heard here, and think about adding it to your own collection. No matter what you decide, I hope you have a great weekend.

Love Wins • Celebrating Moves Toward Equality

Clockwise: Declan Bennett, Tom Goss, David Raleigh, and Christopher Dallman.

With two big decisions coming from the Supreme Court of the United States concerning the love of gay Americans, first striking down the bigoted Defense of Marriage Act, and then refusing to hear the case about California's Prop 8, which allowed the lower court's decision to throw out the amendment to the California State constitution which stipulated that marriage was only between one man and one woman. The decisions make way for gay marriages recognized as legal in a state must be recognized by the Federal government. The latter decision opened the door for California to be the 12th state in the United States to legalize the committed relationships of loving adults no matter their sexual orientation. And that leads me to the first song of the post, written and performed by the very handsome Declan Bennett. Declan is currently lighting up the Londonstage with his starring role in the West End musical 'Once'. In 2011, the British-born singer/songwriter released an impressive collection of songs on the album 'Record:Breakup'. One of those songs is the beautiful "Love Wins". The song, a hopeful look at a world where love does indeed win, grabs my attention every time I hear it. So please enjoy Declan, the first of four out and proud gay singer/songwriters, as he sings "Love Wins".

You can purchase Declan Bennett's 'Record: Breakup' from iTunes and Amazon. Next up I offer you an artist who is most definitely close to love. Tom Goss often jokes during his live shows about how much of his songbook is devoted to the topic, and from more than one angle. It seems his own marriage to Mike is a real source of inspiration. I had plenty of material from which to choose, and I decided to go with the song that never fails to charm me, no matter how many times I hear it. "Till The End" first appeared on Tom's 2009 release, 'Back To Love'. I hope you enjoy this version I taped at a recent live show, with a freind joining Tom for the song. Please enjoy watching Tom Goss sings "Till The End" with Matt Alber.

You can purchase Tom Goss' 'Back To Love' from iTunes and Amazon. Next up, I have another artist who is happily married. Christopher Dallman is an artist I have long loved to listen to, his music just captivating. Chris is married to Josh, and they seem to be very happy. Josh even co-starred with Christopher in his stunning music video "Over My Head", featured on his first album. But I will treat you to another song, seemingly inspired by his relationship. "Anthem" is a wonderful song, and Chris delivers it perfectly on the single.

You can purchase Christopher Dallman's 'Anthem' single from iTunes and Amazon. And, finally, I offer you a wonderful song from a singer/songwriter who splits his time between New York City and Australia, the lucky devil. "I Do" was the first single off his beautiful album, 'Beginning Again'. It is filled with love and joy, and I just can't help from falling in love every time I see or hear it! So here is the official music video for David Raleigh's "I Do".

You can purchase David Raleigh's 'Beginning Again' from iTunes and Amazon. And celebrate our great nation inching closer to equality all the time!

Christopher Dallman • Christmas On My Own

Singer/songwriter Christopher Dallman posted a video performance of the new song her wrote, and it is another beauty. "Christmas On My Own" is Chris' personal story of growing up and making his own life. I think it is fantastic. Enjoy.

To learn more about Christopher Dallman, check out his official website. You can also check out his music on iTunes and Amazon.

Sunday Night Jam

Clockwise: Christopher Dallman; Casey Stratton; Chris Garneau; and Daniel Cartier.

While I generally tend to post particular themes, tonight I thought I would be a bit loose with that, and more just posting a couple of songs from singer/songwriters I love, and who I haven't had the opportunity to feature here lately. All four I proudly play on a regular basis, and will continue to do so. They all have a pensive, ethereal quality that really intrigues me. They are also indie musicians, with not a great deal of money to invest in music videos, so there might not be tons of special effects, but the music and talent are more than special enough. I will also add they are all very handsome, something that didn't ever escape me. I will begin with a video by Casey Stratton. The Michigan-based Stratton has a wonderful catalog of music, written from the time he was a student at Interlochen Arts Academy, through his period with Sony Music, to now when he is making the music he loves. This is a video he made for the song "The Dead Sea", written for the 2002 collection The Winter Children, and later featured on the Sony album Standing At The Sea.



For more about Casey Stratton, visit his official website. You can also find his music on iTunes and Amazon. The next singer/songwriter is another favorite of mine. Christopher Dallman has been a regular on my playlist since I purchased his 2004 debut, Race The Light. The is such a personal feeling to his songs, like we are reading his diaries. Dallman took a bit of a break after the album, but has been making some great music once again. Here is the video for "Over My Head", which was featured on the debut.



For more about Christopher Dallman, visit his official website. You can also find his music on iTunes and Amazon. I am not sure exactly when I stumble across the music of our next singer/songwriter. I can tell you that I am damn grateful I did. I think it was about the time of his wonderful 2004 album, Revival. It was before his magnificent You And Me Are We, released in 2006. But I have been hook since on his music, which feels like he is reaching down deep and baring his soul with every track. You can tell with a look at his video for "Diving Too Deep", off the album Redemption.



For more about Daniel Cartier, visit his official website. You can also find his music in his online store at the website, or Amazon. The final member of this group is one I think I have somehow managed to not include on this blog yet, as crazy as that sounds. I first encountered his music with the album Music For Tourists. I can best describe Garneau's music as quirky, folksy, and enchanting. I also love his 2009 album El Radio. Tonight I bring to you "Relief", a song off Music For Tourists which has a confessional feel, with truth coming straight from the heart.



For more about Chris Garneau, visit his official website. You can also find his music on iTunes and Amazon.

Christopher Dallman • Toxic Video

Singer/songwriter Christopher Dallman has released his final video from the Sad Britney EP, featuring "Toxic". The EP, released at the end of 2009, featured Dallman's take on 4 songs from Britney Spears' heyday. Only Dallman explored the brooding, darker side of four songs associated with the Pop Princess. In the "Toxic" video, you can see and feel the demons at work as Dallman fights off his urges on the streets of Las Vegas.



For those who might need a little more of a taste of Dallman's delicious take on the music, here is the audio for "...Baby, One More Time". It is one of my early YouTube efforts, after Christopher asked if someone could do that. I was more than happy to help him out, for I do love his music.



While I'm at it, might has well give you the opportunity for the trifecta, watching the music video for "Gimme More". There is a sexy insatiability in Dallman's version of the song, but with a hint of needy desperation.



You can purchase Sad Britney on iTunes. For more about Christopher Dallman, visit his official website. There you can listen to some of his latest music, from the EP Light The Love. In fact, for less than $9, you can get both on iTunes or Amazon, and make your Labor Day weekend that much more tuneful. Christopher will certainly be a big part of my holiday weekend.

My Dance Party

Clockwise: Gavin Creel; Christopher Dallman; Angelo; SIRPAUL featuring Candy Apple Blue; and Kris Searle.

Well, since I figured out I wasn't going to Philadelphia to see Jay Brannan, I decided to make up a post that was music I might very well be dancing to at home tonight. I would of course include artists seen here on the blog before, that are in regular rotation on my playlists. And as you can see from the pictures above, they are all delicious eye-candy, just waiting to be nibbled on. But mostly, they are amazing artists I also seem to return to when I want to be moved. And they are all independent musicians, working to not only make great music, but trying to promote it on their own. I will start with a talented Broadway veteran whose most recent album, Get Out, remains a favorite of mine. That would include a great song that immediately grabbed my attention, "Whitney Houston".



You can purchase Gavin's Get Out album on iTunes and Amazon. Christopher Dallman writes such personal and honest songs, I can always find a song that will match a mood I am in. In fact, I can usually find several. But I wasn't expecting a dance track, but when DJ Radboy got hold of Chris' marriage equality single "Anthem", I found a great one. So enjoy "Anthem", the Radboy Radio Edit.



You can find a FREE Download Radboy's remix of Christopher Dallman's "Anthem" SoundCloud. Now, Angelo is positively edible in every one of his pictures, but don't let that fool you. His music combines honesty and pain, often wrapped in a jacket ready to go to the club. I absolutely love his latest album, Narcissus Drowned. There is plenty of great music on it, including a bonus track, "Time Bomb" (RAC Remix).



You can purchase Angelo's Narcissus Drowned album on iTunes and Amazon. Somewhere in a musical laboratory, you will find a beaker that combines the chemicals for Electronica and the ones for great Pop music, and you will find a label that simply says SIRPAUL. I've been a fan for some time, and have been thrilled to see constant evolution in his music, always sounding not only current, but just ahead of Pop. I loved the album Music & Me, and one of the singles off the album was "Mistaken", This is one of the wonderful remixes, featuring the talented Candy Apple Blue. Together, they make some incredible music.



You can purchase SIRPAUL's "Mistaken" remix featuring the talents of Candy Apple Blue on iTunes and Amazon. Finally, I will listen to a song from a British transplant making a home for himself in Los Angeles. Kris Searle is making music that combines the UK aesthetic with a growing American one, making interesting tunes. One of those is "Falling For Your Light", a single that really grabbed me, and continues to do so.



You can purchase Kris Searle's single "Falling For Your Light" on iTunes and Amazon. These are some incredible talents, all who would be grateful for your support by purchasing their music. If you do, the joy when you hit play on your iPod will quadruple the return on the investment.

Christopher Dallman • Subterranean (SIRPAUL Mix)

I am not sure there is anything more exciting that the collaboration of two amazing artists I love. So imagine how happy I am that the creative SIRPAUL™ mentioned that he was working on a remix of Christopher Dallman's beautiful Subterranean. I've been a big fan of both men, appreciating their painting of my aural landscape with such a deft hand. Now they are joining forces, and making the landscape that much better.



As I would expect, SIRPAUL did a great job on the remix, laying in a driving beat that is every bit as much Rock as Dance, a perfect match to bring to the front the edge in Dallman's voice. Well, you can hear it yourself above, or buy it and listen as often as you'd like. You can find Subterranean on iTunes, Amazon and Bandcamp. You can find out more about Christopher Dallman at his official website, and SIRPAUL on his official website.

Christopher Dallman • Toxic!

Clockwise: Brittney Spears, Christopher Dallman, Sean Akers and Christie Strong.

Singer/Songwriter Christopher Dallman, working with director Christie Strong and designer Sean Akers to create a scintillating new project just waiting for you to join. Christopher just shoat a new video with Christie for Toxic, the song Britney Spears considers the favorite of her catalog of epic Pop hits. Check out Christopher singing the song.



So part of the new video will be an interactive experience, allowing you to release whatever is Toxic in your life now, simply by submitting a video clip, picture, drawing, or whatever that captures what is Toxic in your life for the project. For a better explanation, check out this video.



So check out This Is Toxic website, admit what is Toxic in your life, and figure out how to submit it for the project, and let go of the toxins in your life. Find a picture, take a photograph, shoot a video, or do whatever you can to set that Toxin free.



Support Christopher, Christie and Sean, and free yourself from something that is Toxic, setting it free to the ether. You have until next Tuesday, February 21st, at noon PT, to join those who will be exposing what is Toxic to make community art that will free you from the burden of carrying it any longer.

It's Friday, We Should Be Dancing!

Clockwise: The Young Professionals; Christopher Dallman; Adam Joseph & DJ Alex Kassel; and Jimmy Somerville.

Tonight's party songs are inspired by the first one, the first live performance of the TYP Band, aka The Young Professionals. The band is made up of Israeli musicians Ivri Lider and Yonathan Goldshtein, and they only recently put out the album of their first collaboration. Ivri Lider is a perennial favorite of mine, and his music has often appeared on this blog. And I have been known to speak of my undying love/lust for Ivri, too. Well, this performance is a mash-up of three songs off the debut, P.O.P, With Me, and Wake Up. This is The Young Professionals and We Should Be Dancing.



You can find this on their Online Store and on Amazon.

Christopher Dallman is another favorite of mine and of the blog. A while ago, he released a song supporting the Marriage Equality movement around the world. Of course, Dallman has a vested interest in the movement, for he not only supports civil rights and equality, he also has a loving marriage with Josh. So hear him sing from the heart on his Anthem, with a Radio Edit by RadBoy.



You can find the original song on iTunes and on Amazon.

I know nothing about the band Blue Ray, save they hail Scandinavian in origin, and have a great edit on the track You & Me. Of course, I don't know how you could go wrong with the vocals of Jimmy Somerville, singing his amazing song, sampling the chorus form the great Bronski Beat song Why?. Here is Blue Ray feat. Jimmy Somerville and You & Me.



You can find the latest EP from Jimmy Somerville, Bright Things, on iTunes and on Amazon.

Last summer, another of my favorite artists took advantage of working with a DJ to make some great music. I have loved the music of Adam Joseph since the first hearing of Flow With My Soul, and I keep coming back since. Last summer, he announced a collaboration with DJ Alex Kassel, and the fruits of their labors, three songs. This is the first of them, so give a listen to Alex Kassel featuring Adam Joseph on Chasing The Dream.



You can find this on iTunes and on Amazon.

More Great Music From 2011

Clockwise: Brett Every, Christopher Dallman, Matt Alber and Declan Bennett.

Last night I started talking about the great music that was released in 2011, and today I have continued that trend. That is because there was just that much great music out there, and then some. And one of the things I love about this group, is that they are four massively talented gay men, all very different. And all are valued part of my music collection, and I would urge you to take the opportunity to add them to yours.

Since I first heard the music of Australian Brett Every, I have been a fan, and a bit enamored of his talent. He combines classic Pop with Jazz and Folk to make he sound of his very own style of storytelling entertaining and very real. I have all three of his albums, but still think his latest just might be his best. Watch and listen to the video for Man Walks Into A Bar, from the album Menu.



You can find Menu on iTunes and Amazon.

I have been a fan of Christopher Dallman since I stumbled across his debut album, Race The Light, several years ago. I thought it brilliant, and couldn't wait for a follow-up. Well, I had to wait a while, but finally there were a series of releases in 2009 and 2010, and the amazing Light The Love earlier this year. The EP contains five songs that communicate the love and beauty in Dallman's life, and I adore it. Watch as Christopher sings the title track, Light The Love, at a live show in California.



You can find Light The Love on iTunes and Amazon.

Once I found the music of Declan Bennett, I knew I was in trouble. It immediately spoke to me, whether he was recording under the name "sumladfromcov" or under his given name. From 2005's The Painter's Ball to the new release, I could, and have, listen to him all day. So when I first listened to Record: Breakup, I was not surprised I was deeply moved, and almost addicted to listening to it. Tell me what you think after watching Declan sing Freer from the album.



You can find Record: Breakup on iTunes and Amazon.

Matt Alber can, and most likely can, sing anything he would like to sing. He performed as a part of the award-winning group Chanticleer, has written and performed Country, and had a magnificent debut album of great Pop music. He co-wrote Who We Are with Tom Goss, a moving song supporting the LGBT veterans and the movement to take down Don't Ask, Don't Tell. So when it was time to pre-order his new album, I thought it was a no-brainer, and stepped up right away. And I can't tell you how glad I am, for Constant Crows is a beautiful collection, a little different from his debut. It has a little more Folk feel to it, more personal, more introspective. He wrote most of the music on it, and included one cover song. Here is a video of Matt as he sings Take A Bow, a cover of the Madonna song, from a live performance at Joe's Pub in New York City.



You can find Constant Crows on iTunes and Amazon.

Christopher Dallman • Light The Love EP

Light The Love is here, and I couldn't be more excited! I quickly ask myself what do I love most about Christopher Dallman, and I am not sure I have an answer for that one. Certainly, his textured and nuanced vocals figure in greatly. Could it be the soul searching lyrics, his ability to ask the questions I often ask myself? Or the deft hand with the melody that sets him apart? I'd have to go with "D," all of the above. I love just about everything about his music, and get so damn giddy when he is close to releasing another. Yes, I have obsessively collected them all! Like now, with Light The Love.



So, it is downloaded, and I have listened twice. I want more, but decide to get my first impressions on here. Buy it. Buy it now. I love this 5-song collection. The first cut gives the EP the title. It is amazing, and I can't help but get excited. I found this bootleg clip of Dallman performing the song out West to you to get a feeling.



So let me return to the details. Light The Love is the latest EP by the talented singer/songwriter Christopher Dallman, released today,September 27, 2011. Dallman wrote all five songs on the EP. George Sanford, a talented man in his own right, served as producer for the effort. The first two tracks, Light The Love and Count The Shadows, have not been recorded before. The are amazing songs, as you can hear in the clip above. The next two tracks, Subterranean and Hard To Breathe, could be found on the EP Live In LA he released in the summer of 2010. Needless to say, the performance has grown since that first live show, and it is so nice to hear them. The final cut, Right On Time, could be found on his first album, Race The Light, released eight years ago. What an amazing song to revisit, and to really give a new treatment to.

So, yeah, I love this thing. And I think you should cough up the money to buy it - I mean, it is under $5. The songs are exceptional, and should be in your collection. You owe it to you ears, your heart, and your soul. You can find Light The Love on iTunes here and on Amazon here. And you can learn more about Christopher Dallman by stopping by his official website here. Did you buy it yet? Yeah, I knew you'd love it, too.

Happy Birthday, Christopher Dallman!

Today we celebrate the birthday of the talented and sexy singer/songwriter Christopher Dallman. I'd like to kick off the party with a video made by a fan, with pictures of the handsome birthday boy, and music from his Sad Britney EP. This is Christopher Dallman's Toxic.



I'd also like to feature another song with a video made by someone other than Christopher. Made by MarriageNYEquality, who stated "This video was made in protest of California Proposition 8 and to raise awareness about the importance of marriage equality. Anthem is written and performed by Christopher Dallman. This video features Candy Samples and is directed/edited by Fred Anguera. Filmed by Rob Martin, Cristina Wolf and Fred Anguera." Here is a video for Christopher Dallman's Anthem.



Now, I was contemplating what to get him for his birthday, but then it occurred to me what would be perfect. I will wish him salutations of the day today, but next Tuesday, I am gonna buy his new album, Light The Love, and remind everyone else to do the same! So, you can offer Christopher your wishes on Twitter here, on Facebook here, but be prepared to treat yourself to some great music on Tuesday. you know, as a gift for Chris... Not for yourself. Well, kinda for yourself....

Driving To Chris Dallman

Yesterday I celebrated my birthday by sharing some of my favorite videos I had taken myself of some amazing artists. Today, it will be videos I didn't take, but wish I had. And I will start with Christopher Dallman. Several years ago, I was buying some music from CD Baby, and happened across his album, Race The Light. I liked the description and the reviews of others, so o added it to the order. Ever since I took the cellophane off that CD, Chris has had me in the palm of his hand. I am so in awe of his talents. This is from that first album, Driving To You.



I have seen him live, but managed only to take a few crappy pictures, and not video a single note. My loss. He had an EP, Sad Britney, that just floored me. If you haven't already, you should check it out. So here he is, covering Britney Spears' Gimme More. And his stage patter is just near genius...

Get Out To Vote - Online!

Christopher Dallman, Josh Zuckerman, Sacha Sacket, David Raleigh, Ari Gold, Dangerous Muse, and Jónsi.

Voting takes place all week long for LOGO TV's Click List videos, and some of the favorite artists for this blog can be found on the list. I am sure they would love to have your support. Jónsi, Dangerous Muse, Josh Zuckerman, Sacha Sacket, Christopher Dallman, David Raleigh, and Ari Gold are among the names you can vote for this week. Just go HERE, and scroll down the list to find your favorite, and click on them, and go to the bottom and click on VOTE. It is that easy. You don't really need to fill out the information. You can vote as often as you'd like, so you can vote for a few of your favorites. But to make your voting a bit easier, I will feature some of them right here on the blog.

Christopher Dallman has a beautiful and touching video for his introspective song, Ghosts. When the video first came out, this blog's resident str8 hunk, Chad Cavanaugh, couldn't get enough of it, and I gotta agree, cause months later, I still can't hear it enough. So here is Ghosts, from the amazing EP, Never Was.



Sexy, sultry, and in your face, Dangerous Muse's I Want It All has a youthful vigor that is exhilarating and intoxicating. These boys are rumored to be putting together a new album, and I hope they hurray!



Man, I love the music Sacha Sacket makes. I just can't help it, I do. And I don't want to help it, I want to feed the addiction, and listen to every last bit I can, including when I watch the video for Running Away. Of course, it never hurts when the artist is so damn easy on the eyes, you know?



If being cute isn't enough to earn a vote, how about being talented. Josh Zuckerman has managed to growl at me on more than one album, cause I find myself unable to say know to the rocker. At least when it comes to his music. Check out his latest video on the LOGO countdown, Fall In Love Again.



And while I suspect his fans will be clicking away for him, I couldn't go without sharing the video Icelandic cutie Jónsi has for the song Animal Arithmetic off his latest album, Go.



David Raleigh, Sir Ari Gold, Billy Porter, and Alan Cumming remake the classic song That's What Friends Are For, and once again, the money is not going to the artist, but instead to a very worthy cause, to support of the Ali Forney Center, a NYC shelter for homeless GLBT youth. Gold also has a solo effort, Make My Body Rock, which I have recently featured.



Again, you can just go HERE, scroll down the list to find your favorite, click on them, and go to the bottom and click on VOTE. It is that easy. You don't really need to fill out the information. You can vote as often as you'd like, so you can vote for a few of your favorites. And I do love when Out and Proud musicians are featured on LOGO, which too often is over-run with the latest videos from one diva or another. So vote for your favorite, vote for each one, just do you civic duty, and get out to VOTE!