Cazwell is often called a "gay hip-hop" artist but the man and his music are more than that. Windy City Times got a chance to chat with Cazwell June 10 about his new music video show, Boombox, which airs exclusively on here!TV, and about his music, his videos ( including "Ice Cream Truck" ) and his life.
Windy City Times: Hey Cazwell! How are you?
Cazwell: Well, I just flew in and they lost my luggageso not great.
Windy City Times: Well that's a big bummer.
Cazwell: Eh. It happens.
Windy City Times: Well, you've got a new show premiering soon, don't you?
Cazwell: Yes, I do! I think it actually premieres tonight on here!TV.
Windy City Times: How did you end up landing that gig?
Cazwell: Well, the producers of the show sought me. They sought me up and down. I think they narrowed their search to just 12 potential hosts. We had some meetings. I did my screen test and I aced it. I got the job.
Windy City Times: Do you get any say-so or creative direction on the kind of videos you'll be playing?
Cazwell: Yes! I work with here!TV and my manager. We'll be featuring everything from alternative to rock to dance and some pop. What surprised me the most was the amount of effort it takes to get a video on the air. It's not like I'm streaming YouTube videos. It can be difficult but it's getting better.
Windy City Times: Which artists will you feature?
Cazwell: Oh, man. Well I know Hunx and his Punx, Chris Willis, Ultra Nate, Crystal Waters, who is making a comeback. She's got lots of new stuff out now. Roxy Cottontail, J.P. Samson, Beth Ditto and Peaches. I love Peaches; she's kind of an inspiration to me.
Windy City Times: Is there anyone that you really would love to see on the show?
Cazwell: Wouldn't it be amazing if Lady Gaga premiered a video on here!TV? The ratings would be through the roof. Sort of like back in the day when Madonna would premiere something and the world would stop to see it. She's still around. She just needs more Latin in her life.
Windy City Times: I'm definitely old enough to remember the old-school Madonna videos. Do you remember your first video?
It was probably something by Cyndi Laupermaybe "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun?" I love thathow it's a mini-movie. Videos today follow a format. Okay, lets take three dancers. Now three scenes. Now dance and sing and cut. There is no story. I think some artists are doing more stories now and I like it.
Windy City Times: Well about some old-school throwback videos?
Cazwell: Throwback videos! That's such a good question ... Like Missy Elliot's "The Rain." That video made a mark. I know we'd like to keep the majority of the videos current, like in the past year or year and a half. But I would love to get some older ones, thoughespecially if I can use it to reference another video.
Windy City Times: What's going on in the NYC music scene now?
Cazwell: Well, there's lots going on in Brooklyn right now. But I'm so busy with my own shit that it's hard to keep up. Electrohouse is big right now. It's not the best, though. There is way too much top 40 music being played in gay clubs. It's so hard to differentiate between what is club music and what's a top 40 song. Like Ke$ha. Her music is a super-fast beat but you hear it all over the radio.
Windy City Times: Now I heard a rumor you were coming to Chicago in July. Where are you performing?
Cazwell: It's not at all confirmed, but I'd like to. Chicago is a great music town. I've performed at Berlin and Hydrate a few times. I love Greg [ Haus ] at Berlingood stuff.
Windy City Times: Berlin plays your video for "Ice Cream Truck." How did that video come together?
Cazwell: Basically, I had no money and a small budget for time. It was for a friend's movie, called Spork. I was like, 'I don't want to do this song. Can't you just use one of my old ones?' He just wouldn't take no for an answer. So I had 45 minutes left before the deadline and it all came to me. My manager suggested I shoot a short video for it. Everything was shot in my apartment. The backgrounds were all spandex. It's dedicated to the hot Latino boys in my neighborhood.
Windy City Times: Wait. Those guys live in your neighborhood?!?
Cazwell: Well those guys are actually all friends of mine that I get to work with.
Windy City Times: That must make for some fun...
Cazwell: Whatorgies?
Windy City Times: Oh, no!
Cazwell: Ha, ha! I kid. No. The guys are really engaging. I think that's why people pay attention. The most popular go-go boys at a bar are the ones who are engaging, who smile. I made them smile. So they make you think that you could approach them ... or even better ... that they'll approach you. Cute but with some attitude.
Windy City Times: Are there other artists you're working with?
Cazwell: Peaches! I love her. I just did a song with her. It's very rock-dance. Very easy to like. I don't have a name for the song yet but we're between a couple titles.
Windy City Times: You're often described as a "gay hip-hop artist" or "rapper" but from what I have heard, I think you're probably more than that.
Cazwell: Thank you! I'm not a hip-hop artist. I was introduced to hip-hop when I lived in Boston. I started rapping since I really can't sing. I tried hard to get accepted by that community. They came to the conclusion that no matter how good my music was or how good I was, straight hip-hop people don't like hanging out with gay guys. You can't be a fag and be in hip-hop. If you are? You better not be out. I like to create a sound that let's people be as creative as they want to be. If I think like that then my music shows it.
Windy City Times: What do you want to say to your Chicago fans?
Cazwell: Follow me on Twitter! I'm cazwellnyc. Second, if people like my music then please buy it. Don't download it for free. If I get paid, I can actually create more music. It's just how it works. Also, demand me! I want to be a resident there, even if it's just bimonthly.
Cazwell's new show premiered June 10 on here!TV. The network is available on most major cable providers by selecting "Premium" from the On Demand menu and then selecting "here! On Demand". You can also subscribe on-line through premiium.heretv.com .