Music to Kick Off Your Weekend

Clockwise: Ryan Dolan, SIRPAUL & Loco Ninja, Sam Smith, and Levi Kreis & QBoy.

I am not sure if it was lack of imagination, or just a real interest in a couple of artists, but whatever it was, I decided to take a look at some more music from a couple of artists that were recently featured on the blog. I will start with the handsome Irishman I only recently discovered with his beautiful ballad, "Start Again". It was that song and music video that brought me to the other music from Ryan Dolan, the out and proud singer/songwriter. One of those songs was "Only Love Survives", which also happened to be Ireland's entry for Eurovision 2013. It has become a favorite for me, and I am so pleased to share it with you now. This is Ryan Dolan with "Only Love Survives".

You can find Ryan Dolan's "Only Love Survives" on iTunes and Amazon. Earlier this week, I brought you the latest music video from SIRPAUL, the scintillating "Black Leather". I swear, I broke into a sweat while watching that one. It made me think about his 2012 hit single, "Body Connection". SIRPAUL was joined on this song by the talented Loco Ninja, who added a great rap to the production. The song was also featured on SIRPAUL's album, 'The Horse'. This is SIRPAUL featuring Loco Ninja with the song and video for "Body Connection".

You can find the "Body Connection" single on iTunes and Amazon. In another recent post, I featured a new single from gay British Rapper/Hip-Hop artist QBoy, and I was thrilled to hear some new music from the talented man. It made me think of the great single from the über-talented Levi Kreis, "Love Revolution". S=The song appeared on Kries' 2013 release, 'Imagine Paradise', and later was released as a single that helped raise money for the Kentucky-based 'Positively Living' group. While Kreis delivered the song and his usual magnificent performance, he brought in QBoy to collaborate, and it was something special. This is Levi Kreis featuring QBoy with the song "Love Revolution (Louis The Child Remix)".

You can find "Love Revolution" as part of a collection of remixes on iTunes and Amazon. At the end of last year, I started reading great things about a British singer I knew nothing about. So I did a bit of research, and soon discovered his 2013 EP, 'Nirvana'. I loved it, and eagerly looked for more. It was then I found the 2013 single from Naughty Boy "La La La", which featured vocals from Smith. Sam added a wonderful soulful feel to the recording, and I could not hear it enough. This is Naughty Boy with "La La La", featuring Sam Smith.

You can find "La La La" on iTunes and Amazon. Have a great weekend!

QBoy • Music Makes Us Dance (Feat Darkwah)

QBoy is a talented musician from England who has been a part of the music scene for several years, an important part of the Homo-Hop movement in the early 2000s. He came to the attention of many in 2006 with the release of "A Deal With God", an honest retelling of his being bullied in high school for being gay, with a sample from the great Kate Bush. He has remained in the forefront of the movement, and has collaborated with artists like Levi Kreis, Johnny Dangerous, and Matthew Duffy. QBoy has a new single out, and it is a strong one. "Music Makes Us Dance" also has a new music video, also featuring Darkwah, a club mainstay and fashion designer. The song is a strong synth-based entry to my playlist. This is QBoy with Darkwah with "Music Makes Us Dance".

At least for the time being, you can get a FREE Download of the song on QBoy's Soundcloud page. To learn about QBoy, visit his official website, 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook. You can find QBoy's other music on iTunes, CD Baby, and Amazon. I must admit I wish more of his music was available in the United States. But I do enjoy what I have, and look forward to more!

Levi Kreis • Love Revolution: The Remixes

Top: Handsome men Levi Kreis, left, and QBoy, right.

Levi Kreis has released a set of remixes for one of the hot songs off his latest album, 'Imagine Paradise'. On the album, Levi collaborates with British Rapper QBoy, ending up with an energetic and sexy song. And if having Levi and QBoy together isn't sexy enough for anyone, you know what ups the ante here? Levi has released an eight-track Remix collection that is now available. I've heard it, and it is wonderful. It is perfect for your workout playlist, kicking off your weekend, or just to satisfy your aural needs. And, if you buy it between now and November 4, 2013, 100% of the money will go to Positively Living, a Knoxville, Tennessee-based charity.

Positively Living is a not-for-profit service agency that provides housing and care for persons that are homeless and suffering from HIV/AIDS, mental illness, addiction, or physical disability. Life has not been great for LGBT residents of Tennessee, who has seen some of the most hurtful anti-gay legislation, at a time when many states are making the dream of equality a reality. Levi was raised in Eastern Tennessee, and knew the hardships of growing up in an environment of bullying, religious persecution, and attempts at ex-gay therapy. After fighting that and addiction issue, Levi found his way to sobriety and a new life, one that included being an out and proud gay man making music, and winning a Tony Award for his first show on Broadway. Now Levi has the opportunity to offer back to the community, to offer a hand to the LGBT adults and youth, he is stepping up to the plate. All the money for purchases of 'Love Revolution: The Remixes' from BandCamp will be going to Positively Living. While you ponder that act of altruism, give a listen to one of the tracks from the collection, "Love Revolution (Golishevsky Remix)".

'Love Revolution: The Remixes' is available on BandCamp. If you click on "Buy Now", you can name the amount of money that will be given to Positively Living. So between now and November 4th, you have the opportunity to get some great music, and make the lives of some folks just a little bit better. That sounds like a win-win to me! For more about Levi Kreis, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook. To learn about QBoy, visit his official website, 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook. I am sure both would appreciate hearing from you, so feel free to do so!