Pictured Noa Tylo.
Noa Tylo comes across as incredibly polite. For his interview with Windy City Times, he actually called early and was thoughtful and even shy throughout the conversation.
This angelic behavior came as somewhat of a surprise because Windy City Times had just listened to Tylo's CD, Born Again Virgin, a day earlier—and 'adorable' is not necessarily the first word that springs to mind. A mix of the sacred and the profane ( as its title indicates ) , Born Again Virgin delves into issues of sex, love—and more sex—by incorporating several types of music, including pop, funk and trance. The first single, 'Gimme Some ( Maybe Next Time ) ,' became a huge hit in Tylo's native South Africa; however, the accompanying video was yanked for its adult content. The current New York City boy talked about music, his home and George Michael.
Windy City Times: How does a boy from Rustenburg [ a village in South Africa ] become a music star?
Noa Tylo: Well, ambition and determination [ help ] . It was something I wanted to do since I was a little boy—and being in New York was something I always wanted to do. I worked toward those things and never strayed.
WCT: I read in your bio that George Michael was an idol of yours.
NT: Yeah. I grew up in the '80s so I liked those icons like George Michael, Madonna, Michael Jackson and Prince. A lot of people say that I kind of sound like George Michael, especially on my newer songs. I like stuff that's sexy and edgy.
WCT: The CD has a very provocative title.
NT: Well, when you sleep with a girl or guy for the first time, you're a virgin. Plus, this is my first CD—so I'm a virgin to the music industry. Either way, I'm a born-again virgin.
WCT: There are a lot of sounds on this CD. For example, 'Just B' is very energetic while 'Crucified' and 'Wash My Lust Away' are seductive and almost slinky.
NT: ... I'm moody and the CD [ reflects ] that. Sometimes I'm happy and I want to make a dance song; other times, I'm more laid-back and I want to make something more lounge-y. It's a collection of songs that show the journey I went on for that year and a half [ it took to make the CD ] .
WCT: You also use a lot of musical genres on the CD, like trance and funk.
NT: I worked with seven producers and each one brings something different.
WCT: You share details from sexual encounters. Do your past lovers know and, if so, how have they responded?
NT: Well ... whoever dated me knew what I was doing. I do write a lot about personal experiences and I like to reach into myself as well. I'm a very sexual person so it's not hard to tap into an experience I've had—or one I would like to have. Not all of them know about it but if you hang out with someone and they move on at least I got something out of it—at least, that's how I see it.
WCT: In a previous interview, you said that you had a boyfriend, a girlfriend and that you were single ...
NT: I was misquoted. I said that I had a boyfriend and a girlfriend—and that there's always space for more.
WCT: You're sexually fluid?
NT: Yeah, I would say that. [ Grins. ] I'm liquid with lust. [ Laughs. ] I'm really charged and I use that energy in my music. A lot of guys try it but you don't get the right kind of sexuality; it either comes across as too crass or too fake.
WCT: The U.S. is pretty conservative. How do you intend on getting the message on your CD across to the masses?
NT: People in general are sexual beings. Most people have sex on a daily basis. It's wrong to pretend it doesn't exist. I'm trying to market to anyone who's ever been sexually active—whether you're 12 or 65. In the '80s when Madonna came along, people were really conservative, too. I think it's again time for someone to come along and push boundaries. There are more important things to worry about besides sex. Make love, not war.
WCT: Who would you love to collaborate with?
NT: Madonna would be good—but I would want it to be on a song that's like her earlier stuff ( like 'Justify My Love' ) . A duet with Britney would be nice, actually. I also like Kylie [ Minogue ] . However, Janet Jackson would be my first choice.
WCT: You said New York City was your destiny. Why is that?
NT: I have no idea. [ Laughs. ] It was something in my gut. I follow that [ inner ] voice faithfully. If I felt that I should've been in Iceland or Antarctica, I would've gone there.
See www.noatylo.com . CD available at www.kalahari.net .
