January 2013
TWISTED RIO
23 | Independent Dance/Pop Artist | London
Have you always wanted to work in music? Who inspires you? I wanted to be on stage from a very young age. I used to force my mum and her friends watch me sing and dance along to Steps and S Club 7 when I was a kid. My biggest inspirations are artists like Scissor Sisters, Katy Perry, Ke$ha and of course Mother Monster. Pop music should do exactly what it says on the tin… POP!!!!
What was your inspiration for your new single, Collide? The idea behind the song initially came to me after a night out that I didn’t really want to be on, but turned out to be fantastic. It’s basically about finding that perfect stranger you didn’t even know you were looking for.
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How old were you when you came out? Did you face any negative reactions?
I think my mum always knew about my sexuality - they say a mother always knows. I was called a poof by my dad ever since I can remember. I actually came out when I was 15 because I was getting bullied at school. There was this one guy who used to pick on me every time he saw me. He used to scream abuse at me; the usual homophobic comments our community still has to put up with today. One time he shouted out, “You’re a poof”, so I turned around and said, “Yeah, I am. What are you going to do about it?” and then punched him in the face. After that day people seemed to just leave me alone. Then I had to tell my parents. My mum was completely OK with it but my dad hit the roof.
"Dad's first reaction was for him to suggest he paid for a hooker.
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Does being out help you in regards to writing and producing your material?
Being out helps immensely when it comes to writing my music, as half of the songs that I write are semi-autobiographical. I wrote a song two years ago called ‘Small Town Boy’ which is about my relationship with my dad and it has ended up being the title track on my debut album. Being out basically means that when I write lyrics, I can sing whatever the hell I want without having to hide a part of me or be ashamed.
"If I wasn’t out I would never have had the confidence to sing
the songs that I sing or to live the life that I have lived so far."
Being gay does not define your personality, it doesn’t even define your lifestyle, but being out is a hugely positive thing. Those who think that staying in the closet is better for you are not just lying to everyone around them, but they’re lying to themselves.
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Do you have any advice for those who have yet to take that step through fear of being rejected by loved ones? If you spend your life living in fear then what sort of life would you have? We all know that being gay is not a choice. There will always be people that can’t accept us. These people are not worthy of our time or energy. Be proud of who you are. Live, love and experience everything the world has to offer. You only get one life so OWN IT!
What are your hopes for the future? Do you feel a responsibility to use your music to help the LGBT equality movement? The release of my second single has only just been confirmed so right now I am taking each day as it comes. My debut single has received a positive reception and I am really pleased with how it’s all going.
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Obviously I would like more people to hear my music and relate to the message that I am trying to get out. As a member of the gay community of course I feel like I should be using my music to help promote equal rights. The majority of my gigs are in gay venues and most of my fans are from the gay community. Without their support, which means the world to me, I would be going nowhere.
Copyright ©2013 RUComingOut
Copyright ©2013 RUComingOut
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Download Twisted Rio's debut single Collide
. . . click here to visit iTunes Follow on Twitter - @TwistedRIOboy Like on Facebook - www.facebook.com/twistedrioboy Listen on Soundcloud - www.soundcloud.com/twistedrio_official |
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