The fourth annual OutMusic Awards ceremony, held in New York City in June conferred awards on 12 musicians and/or groups. Listening to the well-deserving honorees, it's clear that LGBT music has entered a new era of artistic maturity. Rather than reinforcing the mistaken notion that 'indie artist' is a euphemism for mediocre ability, the award recipients have created deeply thought out, well-produced efforts that consistently demonstrate a level of artistic excellence absent from much of the commercial pop market.
Ten of the 12 recipients were chosen by industry professionals and music critics (including myself). The remaining two, OutSong of the Year and OutMusician of the Year, were chosen by OutMusic members (www.outmusic.com).
Outstanding New Recording - Female:
Pamela Means: Single Bullet Theory
From her first lines, 'Jersey troopers take a walk/high paid lawyers bargain talk/of the poison in the system,' Pamela Means comes armed with more than an acoustic guitar. A self-described Boston-based 'Out (spoken), Biracial indie folk artist [with a] 'kamikaze guitar style,'' Means wastes no time taking on everyone from Haliburton's Dick Cheney to racial profiling. She also writes a number of deep love songs, all sung in her half-spoken, deceptively little girl voice. This may not be the happiest of albums, but its eye-opening reality reminds us how lucky we are to be alive, as others serve as fodder for the empire. (www.pamelameans.com)
Outstanding New Recording - Male:
Rufus Wainwright: Want One
No one but a fag would pose in an ill-fitting suit of shining armor big enough to cover a man and a half. Our prince may not have the voice of the century, but his first track, which takes on a mixed-up world in which straight men are reading fashion magazines, immediately lets us know which side he carries his sword on. This major studio effort is distinguished by lavish orchestral arrangements, in part created by Wainwright himself. Although I must confess a nagging suspicion that if OutMusic judges had not been asked to rate discs on the basis of Performance, Production, and Overall Impression, a disc with less emphasis on production values might have won, there is a lot of 'there' here. The musical quotation from Ravel's Bolero on 'O What A World' is a trip.
(www.rufuswainright.com)
Outstanding New Recording - Debut Female: Jen Foster: Everybody's Girl
It may not seem like deep criticism to declare 'what a great voice,' but there's something so right, so central about Foster's freshwoman rock effort that makes it irresistible. Her diction is perfect, her songs about relationships universal in their relevance, and the arrangements great. Foster has assembled a great (male) band, who do full justice to songs such as 'She' that won First Prize in the Great American Songwriting contest's Pop division. Sometimes lyrics and music don't fit together, but Foster's music is all of a piece. A great album.
(www.jenfoster.com)
Outstanding New Recording - Debut Male: Jim Verraros: Unsaid and Understood
The good news is that Jim Verraros and singer/songwriter/producer Gabe Lopez are currently re-recording and remixing this winner for a major label debut on Koch Records. Rather than review the issue that won an award, I note that Jim was an American Idol Top 10 2002 finalist and can be heard on the Bi the People CD compilation.
His indie-flick Eating Out has played to sold-out audiences in New York, London and Toronto. You can get a nice taste of his music at his Web site, but his forthcoming professional remix is the way to hear him.
(www.jimverraros.com)
Outstanding New Recording -
Duo Or Group: Girlyman:
Remember Who I Am
I confess. I love Girlyman. The three artists, one of whom is male, reject traditional gender roles while performing mostly original folk/rock tunes that have a sweet, retro feel to them. Their uncomplicated melodies—there's even a cha-cha—are delivered with a lightness of voice and acoustic instrument that all but heavy metal die-hards will find a delight. Most of the cuts—some dealing with heavy stuff—are about love and relationships, mixing nostalgia and sadness with a perfect blend of light voices. Their cover of George Harrison's 'My Sweet Lord' sent me into smiling flashbacks. Given a song such as 'Amaze Me' that addresses the chemical water of New York's dirty harbor and the possibility of ecological Armageddon, reincarnating in the past seems a great way to go. (www.girlyman.com)
Outstanding New Recording - Band:
Danielle Lo Presti and The Masses: 22 Mountains
This woman gets down. From tackling prostitution to spiritual transcendence, there's a profound sadness to Danielle's powerful voice that speaks of a life fully lived and loved. Her lyrics unflinchingly tackle light and dark, allied to music powerful and biting. Lo Presti commands respect with her consistent depth of observation and great voice. If the American masses could face the issues at hand with the same technical and musical proficiency of this band, we'd be in a very different place. Anyone with the strength to title their first CD Dear Mr. Penis Head gets my vote. Great music.
(www.daniellelopresti.com)
Outstanding New Recording - Chorus Or Choir: Transcendence Gospel Choir: Whosoever Believes
I initially cringed when I discovered most nominees in this category addressing either Christ or Christmas. But when I heard this astounding transgender gospel choir sing with a fervor and spirit that declare Jesus as real as the gender they've embraced, I could not help but feel the spirit. This is as good as gospel gets. With diversity-affirming sermons by the extraordinary Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder, and some tracks recorded live, this Bay Area-based ensemble transcends oppression with a faith and love that make you rejoice in being alive and gay. Prepare to stand up and shout; you'll be playing this disc over and over. (www.tgchoir.org)
Outstanding New Recording - Instrumental: Metropolitan Klezmer: Surprise Finds
Although the Jewish word klezmer literally translates as 'vessel of song,' the term has come to signify the Jewish dance music played at weddings, parties and festivals. Thus it comes as a surprise to discover this marvelously produced disc alternating between the exuberantly upbeat and slower, far more introverted selections. The 20 tracks include songs drawn from historic Yiddish film, scratchy 80-year-old 78s of theater music, the musical Oliver, and tape recordings of vocalist Deborah Karpel's grandfather Phillip. Sometimes introduced by excerpts from the original material, the impeccably performed selections are graced by a love and reverence that make listening a spiritual experience. (www.metropolitanklezmer.com )
Outstanding Producer: Jinx Titanic: Super 8 Cum Shot and Super 8 Cum Shot Vol II
Exactly what makes Jinx Titanic a better producer than anyone else is not clear from S8CS Vol II. Regardless, his frequently nasty, cum-stained vocals prove that not all bad boys are straight. Beneath the cigar-breathed lyrics are automatic rifle riffs of raucous electric guitar, drums and bass guaranteed to kill your houseplants. If you like someone who talks dirty, rubs your face in raw queerness, and has a good time in the process, by all means shoot your load on Chicago's Jinx Titanic. (www.superxcumshot.com)
Outstanding Songwriter:
Michael Holland -
Beach Toys Won't Save You
The songs on Michael Holland's fourth disc, all written, produced, and arranged by him, span an impressively diverse range of styles and feelings. Taken as a whole, they bespeak pop brilliance. Melodies are attractive and in the groove, arrangements superb, and lyrics the kind that make you want to listen. From the lightness of 'Boys Say Go' ('Miss Thing will hit the streets tonight') to the darkness of 'If She Really Loved You,' there's a depth here well worth exploring.
(www.michaelholland.com)
OutSong of the Year:
'Honest World' by Catie Curtis
'Honest World' brought me close to tears. Written in 2002, this previously unreleased song addresses the pernicious affect of so-called Born Again Christianity and societal oppression on LGBT love. One of 12 cuts on Curtis' Acoustic Valentine assemblage of original love songs penned between 1988 and 2002, the song's final kicker, 'Some day I trust love will make an honest world of us' says it all. To this recently married critic, 'Honest World's' section about lesbian and gay marriage seems prescient of the present turn of events. Curtis' fine voice and superb diction are wedded to a clear vision of what our community needs. You really must hear this song. Brava!
(www.catiecurtis.net)
OutMusician of the Year: Alix Olson
Guitar-wielding, spoken-word folk poet Alix Olson receives this honor as much for her artistry as for what she has done with it. The woman tells it like it is on two CDs, as well as in performances around the county. With backing from such acoustic musicians as OMA recipient Pamela Means, Olson's breathy recitations lay bare the underbelly of American life. As a veritable model for queer youth, Alix has graced the cover of Ms. Magazine and received the 'Visionary Award' from the D.C. Rape Crisis Center for her 'exceptional commitment to the promotion of social justice.' Thank you, Alix. (www.alixolson.com)
