Brian Kent ( James Moritz photo ) is appearing live at Halsted Market Days this summer. He'll be singing tracks from his CD, Breathe Life. Windy City Times spoke to him about what's new in his life.
Windy City Times: So you are making the trip from New York to Chicago this summer. Have you been here before?
Brian Kent: I have been there a few times. I have been to Market Days once before. It was a few years ago. I didn't perform, just there with friends. I have been to IML and a few other events that happen there also. I love Chicago.
WCT: Are you currently single? The shirtless boys of Market Days are going to love you!
BK: Actually, I am not. I am bringing my partner with me.
WCT: You guys can walk around and check out the booths.
BK: He's never been, so I told him how fun it was. He's looking forward to it.
WCT: What can fans expect of the show?
BK: Well, I am bringing the dancers. We are going to do some new material that I have only performed once or twice here and there. A couple of new remixes, I put some new medleys together. Overall, I hope the audience experiences a very well-rounded show.
WCT: Are you singing primarily dance songs?
BK: Yes, we will be doing mostly upbeat stuff, mainly because of what the event is and the energy and all the people. There is one little section that slows down for a ballad but then comes back up into the dance tracks.
WCT: Are you singing Journey's "Don't Stop Believing?"
BK: Of course! I can't show up without that one.
WCT: What made you want to cover that song?
BK: That was the first track that I ever did. It is not the track that it once was in terms of all the publicity on the Sopranos and now Glee Club. At the time, I loved Journey. I was between "Open Arms" and that one. I sat down with my producer and decided that would make the best dance track. It turned out to be the right choice.
WCT: Are there any other cover songs that you are dying to sing?
BK: There's a couple that I want to do but I don't want to spill the beans because I am working on my new album. Let's just say that I am going to have a cover on that.
WCT: What musicians inspire you?
BK: I have been inspired for a long time by Annie Lennox, Cyndi Lauper and Elton John.
WCT: I am going to see him in concert tomorrow.
BK: Amazing! I wish I could be there. Since I was a little kid, I grew up with his music. Not only was he an out artist but always himself. He was accepted for his crazy self and what he was wearing because people loved his music.
WCT: I have met Kristine W in the past. What was it like singing back-up for her?
BK: Truthfully it's weird how you meet people at certain times. Meeting her and being in Vegas gave me an interest in dance music. Being onstage with her on a nightly basis was pretty unbelievable. It was an honor and a big step for me. We actually performed together and did the same pride event. It was cool that I got to open for her with my show. She said, "Isn't it funny how you come full circle?"
WCT: It's weird how things work out. You sang in the Naked Boys Singing show in the past. Is there a video somewhere with you in it?
BK: It was an equity show that was never allowed. No video and no photos even for rehearsal purposes.
It was a crazy thing, I was leaving Vegas, I was out of a relationship and Kristine's show was closing. I needed a change. I didn't want to live in Vegas anymore. My transition was to go to LA before going back to New York. I went and saw the show. I knew the musical director and he had me audition. I need to do something crazy and different and take a risk. When you are in that situation you have to accept yourself. By the end of the run, nudity was like wearing clothes.
WCT: What's in the future for Brian Kent?
BK: I hope to have the new album out by next summer. I will be releasing another single before that from the new album. I will be working with Joe Bermudez, who does a lot of mix radio shows and is a producer. I also have a few things working out on the television front. I can't talk too much about it but it's taking the music thing to the next level and getting the music out there.
Look for Brian Kent to be out there playing music on the Roscoe Stage, Saturday, Aug. 1, at 2 p.m. along with other RJO artists such as Jason Antone, Kelly King and Levi Kreis. For more information, visit www.chicagoevents.com and www.brian-kent.com .
