Dreamland II

For The Winn
Billy Winn

Billy Winn Awakens Dreamland II, The Final EP of His Two-Part Series

Billy Winn’s Dreamland II releases everywhere on August 9 and it picks up where the first album left off.  Thematically, at least.  Both EPs tell stories from the perspective of a queer kid of color who has had his heart broken.  “It’s the only position that I can write from and it’s one that I can’t recall ever hearing in pop music,” Winn explains.  “My hope is that regardless of where you come from, who you are now, or who you are becoming; you’re able to find something in these songs that resonates and makes you want to play them over and over again.”

Billy Winn was listening to a lot of TLC and Janet Jackson while he was working on Dreamland II.  “Specifically, Crazy, Sexy, Cool, Fanmail, and Janet’s Velvet Rope album.  At the same time, I was listening to artists like Flume, Owl City, Robyn, and Tove Lo; trying to find a place musically where they could all co-exist or become something completely different altogether.”

He was also inspired by a series of circumstances in his life, including the death of his father.  “He and I weren’t close but at the end of his life, I was asked to return home to take care of him and my family.  It was an extremely emotional situation, and definitely something that I’m still healing from.”

It is one of the reasons Dreamland II is angrier than the first album.  While Dreamland I explored life as a perception of fantasy and guilty pleasures, Dreamland II reveals more pain beneath the surface.  There is an overriding theme throughout that it’s all fun and games until someone catches feelings.

Billy Winn is a Billboard-charting singer, songwriter, recording artist, and performer whose music ranges from high energy dance records to emotionally charged EDM.  Some of his most popular singles include “Seal It with a Kiss”, “Crash,” and “Future X Boyfriend.”

Dreamland I was a major turning point for the young artist and its success allowed Winn to tour and expand his fan base.  It has also taught him to not doubt or second guess himself.    “I’m trusting my instincts a lot more these days and I have to admit I’m pretty confident in the road ahead.” 

Billy Winn released “Another Broken Heart,” the debut single from Dreamland II, in June.  The next release from the album, “Tell Him,” is scheduled to release in early fall.

 

Billy Winn’s Dreamland II is being distributed by Ferocious Music and OneRPM and is available on iTunes, Spotify and all digital platforms.  For more information, visit BillyWinn.com or follow him on Facebook.

Another Broken Heart

Billy Winn Returns in Dreamland II, The Final EP of His Two-Part Series

Featuring Debut Single, “Another Broken Heart”

Billy Winn’s Dreamland II picks up where Dreamland I left off.  Thematically, at least.  Sonically, its debut single, “Another Broken Heart,” releasing May 24, turns up the drama with a heavy-octane dance number.  “I love going back to EDM, where it all started for me,” Winn explains.  “High energy dance is always a great place to get things started.”  

Both EPs tell stories from the perspective of a queer kid of color who has had his heart broken.  “It’s the only position that I can write from and it’s one that I can’t recall ever hearing in pop music,” Winn continues.  “My hope is that regardless of where you come from, who you are now, or who you are becoming; you’re able to find something in these songs that resonates and makes you want to play them over and over again.”

“Another Broken Heart” was inspired by a series of circumstances in Winn’s life, including the death of his father.  “He and I weren’t close but at the end of his life, I was asked to return home to take care of him and my family.  It was an extremely emotional situation, and definitely something that I’m still healing from.” 

Billy Winn

He didn’t intend on making “Another Broken Heart” a dance record.  Its original chorus was midtempo.   The idea to speed up the melody and make it a dance record came from his production team, Johnie & Elliot.  “Johnie turned the song into something rare,” Winn reflects.  “It’s a dance track with a strong, relatable message about something we’ve all been through at least once.  I think it’s the perfect summer song.”

Billy Winn is a Billboard-charting singer, songwriter, recording artist, and performer who regularly thrills audiences with his shows and music releases, ranging from high energy dance records to emotionally charged EDM.  With Dreamland II, Winn notes his inspirations as being a mix of 90s R&B and the EDM of the last decade.

“I was listening to a lot of TLC and Janet Jackson while I was working on Dreamland II; specifically, Crazy, Sexy, Cool, Fanmail, and Janet’s Velvet Rope album.  At the same time, I was listening to artists like Flume, Owl City, Robyn, and Tove Lo; trying to find a place musically where all those influences could exist or become something completely different altogether.”

Last year, Billy Winn released Dreamland I, an album that explored life as a perception of fantasy and guilty pleasures.   Singles “Seal It with a Kiss”, “If You Really Cared”, and “Crash” were all presented as chapters in a larger story.    “Another Broken Heart” is the next chapter in Winn’s Dreamland saga. 

“In ‘Another Broken Heart’ and all of the songs in Dreamland II, the idea is that it’s all fun and games until someone catches feelings,” Winn says.  

Dreamland II is a bit angrier than the first EP with a little more underlying pain because the perspective has changed.   “I’m not only talking from one individual’s thoughts or feelings anymore. In Dreamland II, I consider multiple angles.”

It’s been a year since Winn released Dreamland I and the acclaim from the album has allowed him to tour and expand his fan base.  It has also taught him to not doubt or second guess himself.    “I’m trusting my instincts a lot more these days and I have to admit I’m pretty confident in the road ahead.” 

“Things will happen that are outside of my control, but I’m not letting those forces control me.” 

Billy Winn’s Dreamland II is being distributed by Ferocious Music and OneRPM and is available on iTunes, Spotify and all digital platforms.  For more information, visit BillyWinn.com or follow him on Facebook.

 

Crack That Whip!

Meow!
Michaelle Pfeiffer

Woke-up to the Internet buzzing over Michelle Pfeiffer's latest post on Instagram a video where she coyly holds up a whip saying "look what I found, needs a little TLC" to her followers. That's correct minions it's the whip she brandished as Catwoman in Batman Returns twenty-seven years ago!!!

Although I found Tim Burton's sequel to Batman better than his original outing the movie was mainly villain centric. With Pfeiffer taking center stage with her tour de force as the feline femme fatale.

Michelle Pfeiffer
as
Catwoman

IMHO nobody has ever done it better, Catwoman that is than her. She to me is the definitive CW. Her performance skirted the edge of over the top, loony, sexy, insane and flat out outrageous while still being real and grounded. Her Catwoman was in short a one of a kind creation.

Gushing much? Why "yes" I am. 

Have a bootylicious Saturday, I know I plan to. On that naughty note I leave you with these immortal words...

"I am Catwoman, hear me roar!"

Michelle on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/michellepfeifferofficial/?hl=en   

Margaret Cho: Sex, Globes & Busking

Margaret Cho: Bring It!
Photo: Kyle Christy for TLC

"I'm of mixed North and South Korean decent. My people have been separated, incarcerated, starved, brainwashed and denied free speech for over 65 years. The only weapon I have is comedy. If you deny us the most basic human dignity, I have the right to make fun of you. I'm not playing the race card. I'm playing the rice card. "  Margaret Cho 

This was Margaret Cho's response regarding her show stealing appearance on the 2015 Golden Globes Award Ceremony when some people declared what she did racist. Margaret was just doing what comes naturally to her, pushing the envelope and "playing the rice card" like she has for many years prior to the high profile evening. 

In addition to her recent triumph on the Globes Cho also has a new TV show. What's it about? It's All About Sex, she along with Heather McDonald, Marissa Jaret Winokur and Dr. Tiffanie Davis Henry let it all hang out every Saturday night at 11 pm on TLC.

And she recently took to the streets of San Francisco to busk a move for the city's homeless in honor of the late Robin Williams. 

OK you all know the drill, it's time to get down to business, Cho business!

MS: Hi Margaret, I hear you have a land line today.

MC: Oh I know it's like, I have no reception in this building and it's really crazy! It's so weird to be that cut off so it's very exciting to have a land line.

MS: Congratulations on the Golden Globes that was really awesome!

MC: Thank you.

MS: What a surprise it was really kept under wraps.

Hey North Korea, We're Addressing You! l-r Tina Fey, Margaret, Amy Poehler

MC: It was a big secret. Tina Fey and I had talked about it and said that is was our secret thing. Her and Amy Poehler didn't tell anybody it was going to happen, it was great! I love those guys!

MS: They were going to tell jokes about North Korea anyway, this took it to the next level.

MC: Right and they actually had somebody of North Korean decent to be able to sock it to them! (laughs) I mean I really wanted to sock it to North Korea, my family has been separated for sixty-five years. They've been tortured, killed and starved for over a generation and a half. It's really important to me to be able to make that statement against them, because the only weapon I have is comedy. It was a great, beautiful pleasure to do it.

MS: People's backlash against you doing it seemed really strange to me.

MC: Because people are racist, it's just racism and it's really sad. There is so much anti-Asian things out there in comedy. Yet the only time anyone makes a fuss is when I do something. That's fucked up.

MS: It's totally fucked up. No one I know thought anything like "Ooooooo racism" when they saw it. All I heard from friends was how great you were.

MC: Because you don't know any racists! (both laugh) You don't know anybody who is racist! (laughing)

MS: Well I wouldn't tolerate it.

MC: That's good, yeah I wouldn't either so it's shocking to me too.

MS: You played the "rice card."

MC: Yeah, those are my people and I'm playing the "rice card."

MS: Let me play Devil's Advocate really quickly here. Since this whole race thing came up, and it is something that never would have occurred to me. How would you have felt if a Caucasian comedian, say Tina Fey did what you did?

MC: Well I don't think she would. I don't think anybody would and I would be disappointed because I would want to do it. This type of thing is my job. 

MS: How was meeting Meryl Streep?

MC: Afterward she kissed me.

MS: Ooooooooh!

Yes! Benedict Cumberbatch Photo Bombing Meryl Streep & Margaret 

MC: She kissed me on the cheek after and it was so warm and loving and generous. I was super excited about Benedict Cumberbatch photo bombing me. I am a total Cumberbitch! When I was rehearsing the angle of the photo I pointed the camera in his direction hoping he would do it, and he did. (laughs)

MS:  Let's talk about your latest TV show All About Sex on TLC. I caught the premiere episode and I like what Dr. Tiffanie Davis Henry said about women having extramarital affairs. That women have always been having them, but now they are just more open about them. I think that is true.

MC: Right. We're able to be more honest now about our dishonesty. 

MS: Like you said on the show women are conditioned to lie, be duplicitous.

MC: Be liars, be duplicitous. To not sort of tell the truth and to be very good at it. To save people's feelings, not to be emasculating...whatever the reason. It's very much ingrained in us to have a double agent personae. 

MS: (laughs) I like that, I know plenty of women who are just as horny as men.

MC: Exactly!

MS: Did you know I write about sex?

MC: Yes,that's great!

MS: Like you, I don't have a degree in that field but I have an opinion.

MC: Everybody is an expert actually. We all know what it is and what's going on, we can all speak to it. 

MS: The first episode was titled "Friends With Benefits" that's something you like, correct?

Hot Stuff! Margaret Cho
Photo: Dusti Cunningham

MC: Yeah, that's a thing, as is long love affairs, monogamy and one night stands. They're all different and they're all great in their own way. They all have pros and cons, any kind of human connection that's sexual has the potential to be fulfilling.Every connection with another human being is different, you grow to enjoy and respect the differences. The world is full of people and you've got to figure out and navigate your own way through it. 

MS: Tell me about busking for the homeless in your home city of San Francisco in honor of Robin Williams.

MC: It was great! I got to bring all the different things I do together...comedy, singing and burlesque, I would just get naked in the street. That raised a lot of money, people would see my body and give me money, I don't know why (laughs) but I raised a lot of money for the homeless. I would put money in my G-string and give it to homeless people, and they were so happy they were crying. It was so beautiful, we were able to set-up haircuts for homeless people, we had the show happening and food, money and clothing were being donated. There was a beauty salon on the corner with many talented people donating their time giving manicures and pedicures on the street. That's incredible! This would go on for three hours at a time all over San Francisco it was really profound, I really loved it. 

MS: Awesome!

MC: What's really remarkable was there was a big storm and the city opened up a bunch of buildings so homeless people could have shelter from the rain. Also Google donated two million dollars to the homeless the same week we performed. I feel like we started some sort of consciousness about the homeless that had a greater effect than what we were just doing. 

MS: Very cool. Of course you're touring in 2015, where are you recording your special?

MC: At the Gramercy Theatre in New York, the special will be recorded on March 7th, I will also be performing there on March 6th as well. The show is all about how to deal with the problems of the world we're encountering and how to manage our own reach around the injustice. It's called "There's No I in Team, But There is a Cho in Psycho" (both laugh).

MS: This is off the cuff but do you ever watch "The Good Wife?" something you just said made me think of it.

MC: Oh, my really great friend Alan Cumming is on that, no I haven't seen it.

MS: You should watch it sometime I think you'd love it.

MC: I will, Alan is the best guy!

Keep Current With Everything Margaret at: 

https://twitter.com/margaretcho

http://margaretcho.com/

https://www.facebook.com/officialmargaretcho

Margaret Cho & Heather McDonald Are "All About Sex"

Margaret Cho: Come Up & See Me Sometime

Heather McDonald: I Really Don't Use My Teeth

SATURDAY NIGHT IS “ALL ABOUT SEX”

TLC’s new weekly late night talk show headlined by Margaret Cho,

Heather McDonald, Marissa Jaret Winokur and Dr. Tiffanie Davis Henry

tackles love, sex, and relationships

Every man's got his patience, and here's where mine ends

I want your sex, I want your love
I want your sex, I want your sex - "I Want Your Sex" George Michael

It’s 11pm on a Saturday night, and in bedrooms and bars across the country, many minds are starting to think about S-E-X. Starting January 10, TLC can guarantee you’ll get lucky with the network’s first-ever late-night talk show ALL ABOUT SEX. Featuring the wild, insightful, and relatable opinions and ideas of four incredibly different and accomplished women - Margaret Cho, Heather McDonald, Marissa Jaret Winokur and Dr. Tiffanie Davis Henry – the weekly series will take on the latest headlines, break down the “behind closed doors” conversations about sex and love, and connect with women via social media to answer question and dispel misconceptions about what could be considered America’s favorite pastime.

TLC has ordered six half-hour episodes, airing Saturdays at 11pm, following premieres of the network’s hit series SEX SENT ME TO THE ER.

Each week will bring a rotating selection of segments, including observations on the week’s craziest sex-related news, open conversations about love and marriage, taking viewer calls and social media inquiries regarding their relationship challenges, and helping demystify the kinds of questions that you’re too embarrassed to even Google yourself. Blending together their unique perspectives, diverse backgrounds, and a hell of a lot of humor, spending a half-hour with the women of ALL ABOUT SEX will be even better than some post-coitus cuddling.

About the hosts:

Margaret Cho: A bi-sexual, Margaret could be called “Queen of all Media,” conquering film, television, books and theatre, with an Emmy nomination, Grammy nominations, sold-out tours, and off-Broadway and TV shows under her belt. She is also passionate about, and widely recognized for, her charitable work with gay rights and anti-bullying campaigns.

Heather McDonald: A virgin until age 27, now a overscheduled mom of three, Heather is New York Times bestseller and Chelsea Lately favorite who doesn’t hold back on anything. Her many talents also include headlining several sold-out stand-up tours and as a collaborator and writer on several Wayans Brothers films.

Marissa Jaret Winokur: She’s a mom first, and maybe a wife second – she admits that she would rather eat popcorn at bedtime than have sex with her husband. Marissa is well known as a Tony Award winner for playing “Tracy Turnblad” in the hit Broadway musical Hairspray, and as the fan-favorite on the hit ABC series Dancing With the Stars.

Dr. Tiffanie Davis Henry: A premiere sex and relationship expert, based in Atlanta, GA with over 14 years of experience working with individuals and couples as a treatment provider and educator. Dr. Tiffanie's mission has been to help people create the love and intimacy that they want. She is a regular contributor to a variety of publications and television programs.

Viewers can join the conversation by Tweeting questions using the hashtag #AllAboutSexTLC.

ALL ABOUT SEX is produced by Relativity Television and Ellen Rakieten Entertainment for TLC.  

It's "All About Sex" at: 

http://www.tlc.com/