Introducing: Raquel Redd

What’s the in color this Summer? Why Redd of course, as in Raquel Redd. Redd is a one of a kind performer with a hot new single and video for her latest club hit “Right On Track” featuring Debby Holiday and re-mixed by the ubiquitous Scott Anderson.

So when someone tells you to “Get Redd” this Summer, they are not wishing you sunburn or heatstroke - they are wishing you a rollicking good time! Without further adieu here she is, “Right On Track” to stardom, Raquel Redd!

RR: I just read your E-mail that said this is your land line and you are going to record this?

MS: Yes.

RR:  I am driving to Atlanta right now, is the sound OK?

MS: It’ll work you sound fine. BTW I love that you went to The Berklee College of Music., it’s an amazing place that turns out really good talent.

RR: Yeah, I actually went there by accident (laughs) My High School chorus teacher said I should go there, and I ended up getting a vocal scholarship. I didn’t know what it was until I got there, and then I was like, oh this is kind of a big deal. (laughs)

MS: A lot of my friends who are great musicians went there, it is a big deal! Let’s get into you cross dressing, that seems to come from an artistic place, am I wrong?

RR: Oh no, most definitely it does. It’s a whole different shade of my personality as an artist and a person when I get into drag and come out as Raquel, it’s a lot of fun! I can get away with murder. (laughs)

MS: So, this is performance art for you I take it.

RR: Correct, there is a whole other side to this that is not normally common in the drag world.

MS: When I listened to “Right On Track” I found out a friend of mine, Debby Holiday backed you on it.

RR: Yeah, she was the black girl element that we needed. (laughs)

MS: (laughs) She’s such a game girl, always up for anything.

RR: I love her, she’s really, really cool.

MS: Since you “get away with murder” as Raquel, how did she evolve for you?

RR: It all really happened by accident, I was always going out to the clubs doing boy glam. When I moved to Los Angeles, CA about four years ago I was working at a MAC Cosmetics store. Once I went to work in drag for an event, and I sent a picture of it to a friend of mine, he said: “You need to be doing this”.  I’m like, “yeah, yeah, whatever” (laughs) - after that I went out for Halloween in drag, and then other Drag Queens in West Hollywood, invited me to come do shows and stuff, and I think “Wait a minute, I can do this” which was a lot of fun! Then it just kind of snowballed….

MS: Awesome! Your good I actually thought you might be a Tran-sexual from the video footage I saw of you, I wasn’t sure.

RR: You’re not the only one who thought that. I have to tell people it’s all an illusion, no I’m not in transition or on hormones. (laughs) A lot of people want to know how I get my boobs to look real like they do. I tell them that information costs extra (laughs)

MS: Did you hear Lance Bass got taken to task for use of the word Tranny by the way?

RR: Really? People always ask me what they should call me, and Tranny is fine with me it’s just a word and I don’t have time to be offended. (laughs) It says more about the people who are offended by it than it does about anyone else.

MS: I agree with you. So how far do you want to go with your music career?

RR: Music is something I have always loved. I’m taking as it comes right now and having fun with it. The minute I stop having fun I’ll stop doing it. Wherever it takes me, I ‘m really fortunate to have been given the reception I have gotten so early into it. There are a lot of people in West Hollywood still beating the block and trying to get in shows. Here I am being contacted by clubs who are asking me to host shows, so I am very fortunate for that too. For Billboard DJ’s and people like that to take note of my music is pretty awesome, I am very grateful.

“Get Redd” at: www.raquelredd.com

10 Seconds With: Message to Venus

Photo: Chris Martin

What series of events unites a few strangers to make music together? Is it a cosmic anomaly or destiny? Jandre Nadal, John Feliciano, Edgar Ramos and JuanMa Font gravitated towards each other because of a shared desire to create intoxicating and sublime music. “Message to Venus” has yielding blistering tracks with great depth, melding dreamlike sounds with unheard-of guitar strength, tight bass, high-energy drums and powerful melodic vocals since 2009.

With their well received EP “The Envelope” “Message to Venus” is hard at work on their first full length album titled:  “Victims & Villains” - Here to give us the 411 is band member Jandre Nadal.

MS: So why the band name “Message to Venus”? There’s got to be a story behind that.

JN: When I was working on the “Message to Venus” project initially, it was going to be a side gig. I just wanted to do music I really enjoyed playing. I was looking to do something a little more 90’s style rock, ya know I was really into “Pearl Jam”, “Stone Temple Pilots” “Alice in Chains”…I grew up with bands like that, I listened a lot to the early albums of “Bush”.  I wanted to play rock music that had an edge and was aggressive, but that my girlfriend at the time could appreciate it as well.

What I had in mind was something heavy, but very melodic. I didn’t want to go for the “I hate you, I’m gonna rip your head off” ya know “Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh” type of thing. (laughs) I love that music, I still listen to it, but it’s not what I want to do.

MS: Very cool.

JN: “Message to Venus” is actually a song, it was the first song I ever wrote. The song wasn’t working, but the lyrics I loved and I always liked the title. Contrary to popular belief “Message to Venus” does not refer to a woman, it describes the vibe of the music I wanted to make. Very spacey, a lot of guitar and vocals - I listened to a lot of “Pink Floyd” I wanted to mix a lot of that 60’s & 70’s rock with the modern, early Y2K music.

Got a message? Send it to Venus: www.messagetovenus.com

James Durbin On Tour: Hey Durbinators!

Hey all you Durbinators out there, you didn't think "Entertain Me" would go through the month of May without something about the man, James Durbin did you?

Last month you and I were there in full force supporting James at his Viper Room gig in Los Angeles, CA. This month James Continues to tour...Oh yeah! James across the globe!

He performed The Star Spangled Banner not too long ago at an Los Angeles Kings game, for those of you not in that loop, they are LA's professional hockey team. As we Durbinators know James performance of our National Anthem was on the level of Kelly Clarkson nailing it at The Superbowl. Lucky for us he's no Christina Aguliera when it comes to pride in the US.

James continues to tour as I type, track him down in a city near you - and a special thanks to the Durbinators, you all know who you are, who have supported this blog!

 Tour dates at: www.durbinrock.com

TV Watch: It's A "Scandal"

The Beautiful & Talented: Kerry Washington 

Look out for The Pope! Olivia Pope that is (yeah, I could have meant Pope John Paul, what ever Roman numeral he is, but…NOT!)

Olivia is in charge and she solves problems better than you, yep, nobody does it better in the hot new ABC show “Scandal”.

One of my most favorite actresses and total grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrl crush Kerry Washington is The Pope of all media….Kerry Washington, Kerry Washington, Kerry Washington.

Don’t mess with this woman she has ties to The White House and is having an affair with the President of the United States played excellently by Tony Goldwyn. Ooooooooooops! Did I give too much away?! Damn! I deserve a spanking…Olivia care to administer?

Not sure what else I should give away to you virgins, but suffice it to say, Shonda Rhimes, the machine behind “Grey’s Anatomy” is behind this, and this show rocks!

Oh, Shonda, while I respect your talent, please do not let this show “jump the shark” after two seasons like  you did “Grey’s” “Happy Day’s” ( the show that coined that phrase) waited a long time before that - Katherine Heigl was correct to leave when she did.

Also props to friend and past interview subject Guillermo Diaz as the mysterious “Huck”.

Hey Guillermo, let’s chat about your hot new role, call me.

Guillermo Diaz & Kerry Washington

Without saying too much in this writer’s opinion this is the best new show you may or may not be watching….

And let’s give credit where credit is due, thanks to friend, and former 60’s Teen Idol, Mike Clifford, who told me I have to watch this show, I am now addicted, Hey Mike….

Thanks for helping out!

abc.go.com

R.I.P: Adam Yauch

I remember my first exposure to The Beastie Boys was when they opened for Madonna on her very first tour ever, aptly named: The Virgin Tour - I found "the boys" electrifying and riveting... in short, amazing!

Keep on rockin' and rappin' Adam...!

For Immediate Release: Margaret Cho

Photo: Austin Young

MARGARET CHO RETURNS TO “DROP DEAD DIVA” FOR SEASON 4 PREMIERE ON JUNE 3

MARGARET SET TO REPRISE HER ROLE AS KIM JONG IL ON “30 ROCK” MAY 17 AND 24

MARGARET’S BRAND NEW STAND UP SHOW CALLED “MOTHER” KICKS OFF THIS SUMMER

“CHO DEPENDENT” DVD AVAILABLE NOW

Los Angeles, CA - May 2012 - Margaret Cho is gearing up for one of her busiest year’s yet. On tap for 2012 is Cho’s return to Lifetime Television’s Drop Dead Diva, premiering June 3^rd, a reprise of her role as Kim Jong Il on NBC’s Season Finale of 30 Rock, a hosting gig on her new show airing on the Food Network this fall, a brand new summer tour of intimate venues beginning August 11^th in P-Town, Cape Cod and various other TV appearances.

Cho is back as “Teri” on the dramedy hit show Drop Dead Diva, now entering its fourth season. Drop Dead Diva is not only beloved on Lifetime, but by the many stars who have queued up to guest on the show, including Paula Abdul, Wanda Sykes, Rosie O’Donnell, Vivica Fox and Cybil Shepard. Season four’s line-up includes Brandy Norwood, Kim Kardashian, Serena Williams and John Ratzenberger among many other surprises.

In addition to Diva, Cho is set to appear on 30 Rock’s May 17 episode as well as the Season Finale, bringing back her hilarious gender-bending interpretation of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. Cho-as-Il kidnapped Jack Donaghy’s (Alec Baldwin) new wife Avery (Elizabeth Banks), and seems to have made her his First Lady. How this will play out since the real-life dictator’s demise last December is anyone’s guess, but look for Cho to play TWO characters in the same episode.

Margaret is also confirmed to make guest appearances on CNN Showbiz Tonight, Monday, May 28, Watch What Happen’s Live with Andy Cohen on May 29, The View on June 1, Chelsea Lately on June 4 and The Talk on July 30.

Along with her acting roles, Margaret can be seen as host on the upcoming reality show Blind Dinner Party, airing this fall on the Food Network. Seven strangers, from totally different backgrounds, with very dissimilar views, come together to dine at what can best be described as the most dysfunctional family dinner you’ve ever seen. 


Margaret mediates this experiment where viewers will find out if food can become a common denominator amongst very diverse people.

Not one to idle, Margaret is going to be kicking off her brand-new stand up show bringing audiences her unflinching brand of comedy called MOTHER. MOTHER offers up an untraditional look at motherhood and how we look at maternal figures and strong women in queer culture. It’s probably her edgiest show to date, filled with riotous observations on race, drugs, sexuality – gay-straight-everything in between, celebrity, culture, politics – nothing is sacred-least of all this MOTHER.

Me & Margaret Cho

MOTHER will be an intimate club & theatre tour beginning in August. First stop: The Art House in Provincetown, for a weeklong stint of up close and personal shows. The tour will continue into the fall, with all dates posted on http://www.margaretcho.com/

Also on Margaretcho.com are the most sincere, fiery and laugh-out-loud funny blogs you will find on the Internet. A must-read not only on her website, but as a three times weekly download from the Kindle Store, readers find out a lot about what’s going on in the mind of Margaret Cho via her insightful blog posts. Her blogs are not only funny, but also smart and perceptive. Download them here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006M4WWMM and here: http://www.margaretcho.com/category/blog/.

If you still need a little more Margaret to get through the hot summer months, don’t forget to check out her latest DVD Cho Dependent . Written, directed and produced by Margaret, Cho Dependent is her 6^th live concert DVD. Shot at the Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA, the DVD shares the same name as her Grammy nominated comedy album. The Cho Dependent DVD features songs from the album interwoven into the thought provoking stories she tells.

Mother Tour dates

August

08/11/12 - 08/18/12 Provincetown, MA The Art House

Complete Fall Tour schedule to be announced in June.

For Immediate Release: Chris Isaak

BEYOND THE SUN LIVE!

JUNE 2012 (Check local listings)

The Singer’s Most Popular Hits in a Personal Tribute to the
Legendary Sun Studio in Memphis

This new PBS special showcases Chris Isaak in a personal tribute to the glory days of the legendary producer Sam Phillips and his Sun Studio in Memphis and the music created by his heroes (Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison and others). Isaak recaptures the spirit of the original songs with his own brilliant band of stellar musicians, while revealing the heart and soul of his own deeply rooted musical identity.CHRIS ISAAK BEYOND THE SUN LIVE! is part of special programming premiering on PBS stations beginning June 2, 2012 (check local listings).

CHRIS ISAAK BEYOND THE SUN LIVE! was taped on February 13, 2012, before a live audience of music fans on the soundstage of Austin City Limits, the home of the legendary PBS music series. The three-act program begins with some of Isaak’s most popular hits, moves on to his tribute to Sun Records and then wraps up with a combination of both. All in all, it’s a celebration of Isaak’s own stellar career with some of his best-known and favorite recordings. Chris Isaak's ‘Beyond the Sun Live’ tour will continue through the end of 2012. To learn more visit chrisisaak.com.

Joining Isaak for this special evening is Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer and “The Queen of Rockabilly”, Wanda Jackson.

CHRIS ISAAK BEYOND THE SUN LIVE! Features these performances:

· “I Want Your Love”
· “Somebody’s Crying”
· “Wicked Game”
· “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing”
· “I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’)”
· “Ring of Fire”
· “Trying to Get to You” (with Wanda Jackson)
· “It’s Now or Never”
· “Crazy Arms”
· “Your True Love”
· “Miss Pearl”
· “Great Balls of Fire”
· “Blue Hotel”
· “Fujiyama Mama” (with Wanda Jackson)
· “Oh, Pretty Woman”
· “Can’t Help Falling in Love”
· “Big Wide Wonderful World”

Bonus tracks including:
· “You Don’t Cry Like I do”
· “Best I Ever Had”
· “Live It Up”

Plus behind the scenes footage.