THEGAYUK

Author: Andy Griffiths

  • Spotlight on: Joey Dean

    Spotlight on: Joey Dean

    As you may know, I have a soft spot for the incredibly talented New York-based singer Corvyx, who has let a fanboy like me interview him several times.

    Now it’s time to shine the spotlight on his partner Joey Dean, a fellow singer who has featured in a couple of his cover songs (Fall On Me & The Night We Met)

    I spoke to Joey recently and he was kind enough to let me listen to his cover of ‘Everytime’ by Britney Spears before release, which I must say is fantastic. We talked of his inspirations, music style and what the future holds.

    Ⓒ PR SUPPLIED

    How did you get into music?

    In quintessential homosexual fashion, I blame Celine Dion. I was seven. I heard her perform “My Heart Will Go On” on the Grammys. I swooned—immediately tried to replicate her power. Couldn’t belt like her—still can’t if I’m honest—but the rest is history. My grandma also sang opera, so maybe that has a bit to do with it…

    What artists inspire you?

    I’m inspired by any artist who witnesses this dystopian world and somehow makes sense of it through their art. Lady Gaga is at the top of my list. It’s certainly those artistic minds who inspire me the most—Marilyn Manson, Davie Bowie, and Prince to name a few more. Vocally, I am a sucker for Steve Perry; he’s my favourite male vocalist. And I can’t help feeling a bit of an aesthetic influence from George Michael and Elvis. 

    Why is ‘Everytime’ your favourite Britney song? 

    Let’s face it: Britney has JAMS. ‘Everytime’ is a bit separate from the typical Brit hits we love. The song captures the delicate balance of love and loss. For me, this song portrays the story of an unrequited love, but also, and maybe more visceral to these times, the story of love for an unrequited world.

    What do you think of the Free Britney movement? 

    I think fame of any capacity at such a young age has potential to traumatize the underdeveloped mind. The world has been unapologetically cruel to Britney in her time in the spotlight, as is the case for many young celebrities. We need to remember that celebrities are human—not separate from us, but equal to. If people want to start a movement to investigate the potentially damaging past and present of Ms. Brit’s life, then I say more power to them! Though, only if people choose to do so out of care and love and not just for entertainment.

    If there was any artist you could duet with, living or dead who would it be? 

    Miley Cyrus! I’ve been a fan since she was living the best of both worlds (#HannahMontanna5Ever). I love the quality of her voice, and her recent ventures in covering classic hits makes me want to tear up a stage with her even more. What a versatile artist! I covered her newest smash “Midnight Sky” since I love it so much. I’m pretty pumped for Plastic Hearts.

    I would tell anyone who wants this career path not to pursue it unless they’re positive it’s their dream

    6. Any more plans for duets with Corvyx? 

     

    Ⓒ PR SUPPLIED

    As I write to you now, we’re in the studio cooking up our own musical witches brew. Details are as top secret as Trump’s tax records…for now. For the readers who are unfamiliar, Corvyx is my stunningly talented better half.

    7. How often do you practice? 

    In the pre-covid world, I’d have weekly rehearsals prior to tours and sessions with a vocal coach weekly. Now, I’ve been managing zoom voice sessions to keep my voice in tip-top shape, though my process is still a bit off balance. I’ve since occupied that space with optimizing my reach on socials and connecting with new and awesome fans, recording covers of my favourite songs, and writing the many originals which I plan to release with my band Pros & iCons in 2021.

    8. What advice would you offer for anyone wanting to get into singing? 

    I think the first steps come with learning. Singing is a craft and should be practised to near mastery. But truly, I would tell anyone who wants this career path not to pursue it unless they’re positive it’s their dream. This is a full-time gig. A full-time gig with little reward, especially financial. It’s difficult, and for the empathic artist type, it can feel like climbing a mountain with weights strapped to your feet. It’s a long climb to the top, and not many can make it without giving up, but the view once you make it is totally worth it.

    Do you think music should be about the talent rather than the “look”? 

    Absolutely! Talent always speaks the loudest. Though I believe there’s talent in mastering the art of fame and the industry. Some, no matter how vocally or musically talented, don’t have the wherewithal to navigate the stress and demand of being the artist part of the job. Finding a balance of both in one artist is rare, and it’s truly inspiring to witness.

    If you could do a tour, what would be your go-to countries? 

    I’m lucky to have toured the United States prior to Covid running amok. Internationally, I’m most excited to perform in Japan and the UK. Tokyo because anime, fashion, and J-rock. I mean, c’mon. TOKYO! My heart. And I believe my genre would resonate really well with a UK audience. I’d also love to return to London and Oxford. It’s been quite some time since I’ve visited!

    Any final words? 

    For those who are new to my name: Hi! I’m Joey Dean. I’m here. I’m queer. And I am an indie-pop pioneer! Stalk me on my social media channels (@joeydeanofficial), especially YouTube and Instagram. Listen to my music and DM me your opinions. I’d love to hear what y’all think. ‘Everytime’ is available to stream on Spotify right now.
  • 12 Things Gay Porn Didn’t Teach Us About Sex

    12 Things Gay Porn Didn’t Teach Us About Sex

    Gone are the days of watching Charlie Hunnam getting rimmed on Channel 4 or stealing a look at the Chippendale annual.

    The internet is practically 98% porn these days and it’s a magical world where everyone is beautiful and versatile. But here’s the parts they like to gloss over…

    1. You can’t just shove it in.

    Nope nope nope, don’t you dare go in dry and without a little finger action first. Unless you’ve found a guy with a self lubing, gradually increasing in size penis, there’s absolutely no way that’s going near my butt hole without enough lube to drown a killer whale and not before you’d diddled my fancy for a bit first. And speaking of lube…

    2. Lube gets EVERYWHERE.

    In the films, there’s zero mess, but reality is a totally different thing. You get lube all over your hands, the bed, each other, the cat, your grandma and next door’s begonias, and you’ll go through several pairs of underwear wiping that stuff off before you can even contemplate being seen in public.

    ALSO READ: 17 Confessions About First Time Gay Sex

    ALSO READ: Is There Life After Gay Porn?

    3. Douching is not only polite but a necessity.

    Spontaneous sex in gay porn is a lie, we all know that if you’re going to bottom you need to do the nice thing and make sure you’re clean first. This will obviously require a thorough shower and/or a good douching, and that takes planning. Even a hook-up requires at least a half hour’s notice.

    4. You’re not going to get a straight guy to “turn” for money (well maybe)

    There are numerous sites out there of “straight” men being paid to let a horny cameraman play around with him. I dare you to try the same thing on your street, it most likely wouldn’t work. In just the same way you wouldn’t go near a lady garden for any amount of money, a straight guy isn’t going to allow you to top him for £100. Most “straight” men in porn are either gay, or bisexual. Maybe you’ll get lucky and a straight guy will let you fondle him over clothes for a pint.

    5. Threesomes are far more awkward than you think.

    One of the ultimate fantasies, the threesome. You’re all douched, they’re all douched, you have lube to hand and you’re ready to go. Whether it’s with two random hookups or a partner and extra person, when it gets down to the nitty-gritty, you’re generally not entirely sure when to start and who touches who, and you can spend a few very tense minutes just chatting random shit before one of you gets naked. Even then there’s the issue of who’s getting the most involved, so to speak.

    6. Condoms don’t magically appear.

    Rarely in porn do you see a guy opening the box, and struggling to get a condom out of the packet with his teeth, all while still getting you ready for the onslaught and then faffing about with putting it on. In porn, you see an unsheathed member just about to *hem hem* enter and then suddenly the camera angle changes and he’s magicked a johnny onto his dick. Unless all gay porn stars are witches, I think they might be being a little economical with the truth.

    7. No,  not all actual people look like that.

    If porn is to be believed, all twinks look the same, as do all daddies, and bears. This obviously isn’t the case, someone with a twink body could have a face like a road accident, daddies aren’t all under than 45, and not all bears are basically a hairy, slightly older Zac Efron. Gays come in all shapes, sizes and ages and the sooner you accept that, the more likely you are to get laid instead of waiting for fantasy guy

    8. The pizza guy/repairman/delivery driver/your lecturer isn’t going to sleep with you either.

    You can’t get out of paying for a service by offering your dick, and chances are the pizza delivery guy is going to be a spotty 17-year-old who would punch you if you made a grab for his junk. Your washing machine isn’t going to be repaired in exchange for an angry handy J. And your lecturer isn’t going to give you an A because you offered your A. Pay for your stuff you cheapskate.

    9. The dicks look bigger for a reason.

    Now the average dick size is around 5 – 6 inches, but porn stars seem to all possess donkey dicks that make you ponder your own. Here’s a little secret, most male porn stars are under 6 feet tall because a 6-inch dick on a 5′ 6” guy is going to look bigger in comparison (Remember Justin Bieber is only 5′ 7”) Camera angles (we’ve all taken a flattering dick pic) also add to the illusion of monsters. So don’t be disheartened.

    10. Public sex isn’t as fun as it seems.

    At the gym, in the video store (they still have those?) outside, on a train etc. etc. is a hotbed of illicit and horny sex where the general public is utterly oblivious to what’s going on if porn is to be believed. But unless you’re in the middle of nowhere and it’s after dark you’re in all likelihood going to get caught out. You can’t just drop your kecks in Asda and bone over the grapefruits without someone politely asking you to stop because you’re scaring their elderly mother.

    11. Most of those positions are not comfortable.

    Gay porn stars seem to have just come off the set of a Cirque du Soleil “who’s the bendiest?” video shoot with some of the positions they manage to get themselves into. A vast majority of them are purely aesthetic and used to get the best looking shot, and notice how they never stay in those positions for long, it’s because your legs would happily divorce you and take half your stuff if you were trying to hoist a guy around for 20 minutes in the same ludicrous position.

    12. Not everyone is versatile.

    Shock horror right… Ok maybe not. But in porn there’s flip-flopping around, everyone gets a go and everyone is happy. But the reality is a nasty business, and this isn’t happy gay fluffy bunny land. You’re going to get guys who are 100% bottom or 100% top and no amount of persuasion will convince them otherwise, give it up buttercup.

    by @AndyEG1982

    This article was first published in May 2016

  • 13 reasons why you should be following Corvyx and Joey Dean

    13 reasons why you should be following Corvyx and Joey Dean

    I’ve written about Corvyx a few times before. But if you’ve never heard of him, then allow me to educate you.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAx4TrVlQYC/

    But this time it’s not just him, I also spoke to his partner Joey Dean, a fellow singer about their upcoming 13 Reasons Why inspired song and music video and their life with each other 

    How did you meet each other?

    C: Albeit old souls, in typical millennial fashion, we met each other via the
    internet. Joey ‘met’ me through my YouTube channel before I met him as we had a mutual friend who would share my covers sporadically. Joey eventually messaged me about potentially jumping on a show with his band Pros & iCons. The show fell through but we stayed on each other’s radars from there on out.

    Eventually, he “slid into my DMs” about a skull spoon I used for my coffee one morning. Such a smooth stalker…TALKER*.

    How long have you been dating?

    J: The answer sits somewhere neatly in-between “three-ish years” and “forever.” When we met, it felt like we had known each other for years. Even now we question if we somehow entered a time warp and spanned ten years within three. Too many commonalities. Too many coincidences. Down to nonsensical BS.

    Both Coryvx and my cousin impersonated the Grinch for their college acting auditions. Can it get any weirder?

    It’s a beautiful and terrifying thing to date someone so similar to you

    You were dating for quite a while before collabing for the first time, what took you so long to do a song together?

    C: To be quite honest, ego and fear. I think for the first time we were both
    genuinely intimidated by how talented we thought the other was. The fear of comparison was definitely at the forefront of both of our minds. We thought mixing “business with pleasure” was a dangerous ground to tread but nobody ever really tells you about how liberating and beautiful it can be as well.

    We were finally able to let go of our egos. Up until the first collaboration, we had shared all aspects of ourselves with each other so we thought, “Why the hell not share the thing that makes us most passionate and fired up about life aside from each other?” It’s music. It’s creating. It was time.

    What made you choose Fall on Me as your first collab?

    J: Corvyx approached me with the song. We’re 90’s babies and millennial gays, so it’s hard to escape the orbit of Miss Xtina. (I AM BEAUTIFUL IN EVERY SINGLE WAY GODDAMMIT! *wipes tears*).

    Considering “Say Something” was such a smash, and a gorgeous track, we anticipated her new collaboration with A Great Big World would open the flood gates. It was the end of 2019. The world was on fire and at war and beginning to spiral into hopelessness. When we heard it, we felt it captured the universal energy afoot. It was sad and reflective, but hopeful. It just felt right, at that time and in that space, for it to be the first song we would record together.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B9DK6jwBMl7/

    What made you choose this latest song?

    C: I initially heard Lord Huron’s “The Night We Met” on the wildly popular Netflix series 13 Reasons Why and I was gobsmacked by how transcendental beautiful it was. I mean, I really had not been transported by a record like that in a long time. Maybe it was my unhealthy obsession with my dream adolescent celebrity couple “Clannah”, or maybe the lighting was right, but WHAT. A. SONG. I knew I had to cover it one day. And then Joey watched 13RW and he absolutely had the same experience with the song that I did.

    After the success of our cover of “Fall on Me”, we decided we should do this more often and what perfect timing? In conjunction with the series finale of 13RW and PRIDE month!

    What inspires you about each other, musically and personally?
    J: It’s a beautiful and terrifying thing to date someone so similar to you. We
    reflect and refract each other in many ways. Through dating, we’ve been able to look within ourselves and reconcile the dark parts of our stories we’ve, at times, sought to expel. We find beauty in them now as we’ve fallen in love with them through falling in love with each other. We share a deep deep spiritual bond, and it’s that spark of life, and that unspoken understanding, that reignites our fire despite the occasional empty fuel tank.

    And what a liberating thing to create together! Especially during these quarantimes.

    How do you keep your relationship strong?

    J: Communication! And patience, even when there is little. One thing we do very well is talk. Our voices have become more than a means of instrumentation; they’re our lifelines. We maintain an uncanny ability to express how we feel, and at times our overly dramatic homosexual selves complicate that part, but it makes for good music…right? Through the dramatics, we somehow find homeostasis. We just get each other. It makes all the complications much easier to manage.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAqW_yrjvfT/

    Does the latest video have a special meaning for you?

    C: It definitely has special meaning for me being that it’s something I felt I
    manifested. I heard it on the show and knew one day it would happen, but to have the honour of singing this song with my best friend and life partner? It was something I didn’t imagine, so it definitely sprinkled a bit more of that ooeygooey, magical sh*t in there! It was the perfect elixir of manifestation, passion project, and collaboration. And what a liberating thing to create together!

    Especially during these quarantimes. Yes, I mean quaranTIMES.

    How was your own High School experience?

    J: The year is 2013. I’m the only openly gay student in a population of 2500
    ravenous, bloodthirsty hormone monsters. How do you think it went? I fended off my fair share of bullies, but I learned that standing tall with a sense of pride despite what others might think garners you a little more respect than you’d expect. My latter years in high school led me to pursue writing and literature in college, which led me to meet my bandmates in Pros & iCons, and thus pursue music. Along that journey I met Corvyx. I guess I have to be somewhat grateful to high school…

    C: I guess I’m grateful to high school as well. My experience was a good one at times but I felt tortured internally. I knew from a very young age that I was gay but high school was when the, (as Joey put it), “hormone monsters” were raging and mine were no different. Except, I had to stifle my every organic impulse because unlike Joey, I was very much IN the closet. So we experienced isolation in different ways. I just wanted to come out and be accepted but I had gone on with an act for so long it felt almost impossible. So here’s where the grateful part comes in…I’m grateful I knew how that isolation and fear felt because I know I can never go back to that. Ever. Oh! I sang a lot in high school too so that was fun.

    The Night We Met is released on June 26th

    The song is a beautifully haunting version of the song, with a simple yet stunning music video

    Corvyx’s social media can be found here. Twitter Instagram YouTube 

    Joey’s social media can be found here  Twitter Instagram YouTube

  • Corvyx: Planet 9

    Corvyx: Planet 9

    Since I first interviewed Corvyx 2 years ago, he has gone from strength to strength, Jumping from under 20,000 subscribers to over 63,000 now and while also headlining the 2017 Frightfest in Six Flags Amusement Park.

    So I was excited when he got in contact with me again recently to have an exclusive listen to his new original single Planet 9, due for release on October 4th.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B2fecH6FYow/

    Lauded for his brilliant cover songs, and recently being awarded as the 2019 winner of the Fandemonium award for Unsigned artists, Corvyx is releasing original material for the first time in 4 years. His last foray into original music, Become the Night has made way for a wildly different yet still very much with the aesthetic of a Corvyx music piece that will be a great listen for anyone who likes music to be a little more out there

    Describing his newest venture into original music, and named for the relegated ninth planet Pluto, in this sonic and visual body of work Corvyx parallels the barren wasteland of a forgotten planet to the aftermath of losing ‘star-crossed’ love. Recreating sound-waves sampled from Pluto, Corvyx found solace and companionship in the mournful cries of the ice planet using them to inspire ethereal and minimalistic verses paired with gut-wrenching, unorthodox lyrics. Anthemic in its nature, “Planet 9” is a record equal parts pain and power.
    Earthshaking cinematic drums engulf the Corvyx signature powerhouse vocals while juxtaposing the vulnerability of lyrics like “When planets aligned, it was you and I”. Known for his visionary prowess, Corvyx innovated a record that will rival the visuals of anything he has released prior. From Cloud 9 to Planet 9, we are all a little less human after we
    lose love of astronomical proportions. But we are not alone in this Universe and Corvyx’s newest single speaks the cosmic language that makes us certain there’s something greater than us all. Music.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3F8PLrAKBM/

    The Corvyx style is very much present, and I for one am looking forward to the accompanying music video that is sure to maintain the wonderfully visual and artistic vision that Corvyx is known for. So I would highly recommend checking out Planet 9 as soon as it’s released on digital download on October 4th.

    You can follow Corvyx on Instagram & Twitter and also subscribe to his YouTube channel to listen to his other music. You won’t be disappointed

  • REVIEWED | Queeriosity Manchester

    REVIEWED | Queeriosity Manchester

    ★★★★ | There’s a new show in town and it’s queer and curious.

    I was excited to go along to a brand new cabaret in Manchester on Saturday night, Queeriosity. It’s going to be held weekly every Saturday at Void/Kiki in Canal Street, Manchester and what’s even better is it’s free entry.

     

    It was the first show on Saturday 14th of September, and I must say I was suitably impressed by what was on offer. I was lucky enough to speak to creator of the show Donna Trump to ask what inspired her to bring this new show to Manchester and she told me “Yes it’s something new and different but you know, it’s something not to be missed. I want to unearth the world of cabaret as it’s known in Manchester. Give everyone a taste of something different. We have great cabaret in Manchester already existing and I just want to show people another wonderful side of it too” and show it they did.

    There’s going to be rotating cast and guest performers so each show will be something new and different, with new performances every week with at least 4 performers every week. And if week one is anything to go by, these performers will give it their all to entertain people. All the artists on stage gave it 110% and I could tell all of them really enjoyed what they were doing. But it really wasn’t a standard drag queen show. There was spoken word comedy lipsync, high energy burlesque style and a drag king lipsynching to Hercules songs. I laughed, I cheered and I came away very happy. I have very high hopes that this show will be something amazing. What seems to set this aside is that this is a passion project of Donna and the artists involved and one feels that having a new show like this could certainly help revive the scene in Canal Street. The other great thing is that people are utterly free to come as they feel comfortable. I saw, drag kings and queens, genderfluid people, pups, and every other kind of LGBTQ+ & ally person there and no one gave two hoots as long as you were having a good time. It felt like a very welcoming and safe environment to just kick back and enjoy.

    The whole show felt fresh and fun and everyone watching on Saturday really got into it, and seeing the reaction of Donna to the cheers she got at the end shows just how invested she is in this cabaret. I wish her all the luck in taking this forward and I cannot wait to see what she and the other performers come up with next

    So if you find yourself in Canal Street on a Saturday night, I would highly recommend a visit to see Queeriosity, the new curious cabaret.

    Social Media is linked below.

    Queeriosity

    Donna Trump

    Coco DeVille

    Cherry Valentine

    Christian Gay

    The Vicars Daughter

    Ellen DeGenerate

    Julie Noted

  • Rose McGowan’s Brave: A Brave Rose between the Thorns

    Rose McGowan’s Brave: A Brave Rose between the Thorns

    So…A little while ago I was surprised to be contacted on Twitter by Rose McGowan after responding to one of her tweets. We had a back and forth over Direct Message touching on her experiences and the experiences of others and she recommended reading her book Brave, and this is what the article is mostly going to be about.

    Obviously, I was aware of who Miss McGowan was, having been a huge fan of the TV series Charmed. And with her more recent revelations of her experiences of Hollywood, and her contribution to the #MeToo movement and her own consciousness-raising movement, #RoseArmy, her presence was very much at the forefront of a much bigger story.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Br0vSvFBrPM/

    Out of respect for her, I will not mention the name of who she has accused, or go into details again about what allegedly happened to her. Those things are detailed in the book, though even she refuses to name him, but for anyone who knows the story and has Google, you’ll know who it is.

    I don’t see a broken or damaged woman. I see a hurt woman, yes. But I also see a strong woman who fights for what she believes is right

    So I went into Brave with not really knowing what to expect. The mainstream media had painted a rather bleak picture of her as this loud troublemaker who couldn’t control herself. Even smaller websites would chime in, with one even branding her a whore in the past. Would this book be a self-serving pity fest? A vague collection of anecdotes from a woman desperately trying to promote herself? Far, far, far from it.

    Brave details pretty much everything about Rose McGowan, from her troubled childhood growing up in a cult, her relationships with her family and partners, her experiences of Hollywood, why she decided to shave her head and through to her current fight to be heard by the very media that is so keen to destroy and discredit her.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BkaaVqzA90U/

    Reading every chapter of her book, gave me an insight into why she acts the way she does now, why she’s so passionate about calling out unacceptable behaviour towards people, and why she’s so angry.

    I don’t see a broken or damaged woman. I see a hurt woman, yes. But I also see a strong woman who fights for what she believes is right.

    For anyone who has ever been the victim of harassment or assault, this book could potentially be triggering, but to see how far she’s come and how she wants to inspire and challenge your way of thinking is utterly phenomenal. There are times that the book will be hard reading, but I would recommend that if there are some chapters that affect you, then take a break. There’s no rush to read it through in one go. I will say though that it’s a book that will certainly get you thinking.

    To be one of the first women in Hollywood to finally speak out and have her voice heard took a tremendous amount of bravery. She threw herself out there, running the risk of being ridiculed and dismissed. For years the talk of the “casting couch” had always come hand in hand with Hollywood. But for the first time the #MeToo movement pointed out that it was far seedier than anyone would’ve thought. A terrible dynamic of higher-ups allegedly using their power and influence over someone’s career to get away with some truly shocking behaviour.

    Brave details the alleged casual misogyny that exists within the film and TV industry, and that’s just towards one woman.

    I don’t want to go over every aspect of Brave, there’s a LOT in there, nothing is held back, so there will be a fair few surprises about what some aspects of Hollywood are like.

    Rose’s public appearances are usually fraught with controversy, from a shouting match with a transgender activist at a book signing (instigated by the activist), to unsettling questions being asked in interviews, usually looking for a juicy soundbite to take out of context. Brave gives Rose an opportunity to actually get her point across without a time limit. I didn’t want to just be another voice in the sea of pieces about her. Her voice deserves to be heard. So I implore you to read Brave, and to actually listen to this woman, who described herself to me as a freedom fighter.

    Rose continues to be a dividing voice, but she’s acutely aware of that. She takes no pleasure in lifting the veil on systemic abuse in the industry at the risk of her own career.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BhtmALnlIqo/

    And now this year she brings her book tour and talks to the UK & Ireland for several dates around the country. I’ve already got my ticket, and while Brave is a brutally honest, and almost visceral read, hearing the stories from Rose’s own mouth will add that extra dimension to the book.

    Tickets for the four-date UK & Ireland tour can be purchased online here. Rose McGowan’s book Brave can be bought here.

  • So what IS a “White Gay”

    So what IS a “White Gay”

    On the surface, the term “White Gay” may not strike a chord of recognition. But it’s an issue that is becoming insidious and problematic within some areas the community.

    StockSnap / Pixabay

    I’m hoping that after the explanation, people do continue reading because this is an issue that needs to be discussed and understood. So what does “White Gay” actually mean?

    It’s the notion that within the community there is a simmering underbelly of racial/societal ignorance. Now I dislike the term white privilege because as soon as that phrase is mentioned, there is an instant backlash against anyone trying to point out, that society IS in general easier for someone who is white, tall and thin. It’s not an individual thing, obviously, there are tall, fit, white people out there who have a hard time. This is a generalised observation of how society views these white people and people of colour.

    As a white person myself, I will never truly understand actual racism and I don’t pretend to know what any person of colour goes through on a daily basis. Jane Elliott conducted many experiments around racism, most famously The Blue-eyed/Brown-eyed experiment. She went about separating blue-eyed people away in a different group and treating them with contempt, while openly praising and helping the brown-eyed group. Reactions were mixed, and some people thought her experiments were nasty and pointless and only fueled the idea of racism. But she made very valid points regarding the fact that after the workshop, no matter how bad the white blue eyed people were treated, it would stop, people of colour don’t get that kind of break.

    But I digress, how does this reflect on the LGBTQ+ community, surely we are all one harmonious group of rainbow love. Sadly this just isn’t the case. Recently there has been a contentious issue regarding adding a black and brown stripe to the rainbow flag to represent people of colour in the community. On the one side, there are people who feel these stripes should be added because those people the new stripes represent do feel marginalized within an already marginalized group. And on the other side are the people who feel the flag was never about race, the stripes represent different emotions, and feelings of the community and further segregating groups only feeds the fire of alienation.

    The issue of the stripes also came into sharp focus in the community when drag queen Peggy Wessex shared a poster designed for her depicting the black and brown stripes being vomited up by a unicorn with the rainbow colours in the background and the tagline “taste THE rainbow.

    There was of course defenders of Peggy saying she was a comedian and that banning comic things was just political correctness gone mad.

    Is it racism, or is it simply ignorance of race? There is a huge difference between the two.

    Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all for nothing is sacred in comedy, but when it comes to taboo subjects, it all depends on how you construct the joke. This was poorly thought out and just wasn’t funny. It was deliberately designed to provoke a reaction. Peggy didn’t design the poster, but she endorsed it by sharing it and making comments such as “how it should be”.

    Speaking to a friend of mine about the flag, he voiced worries of being seen as racist if he didn’t have the flag with the black and brown stripes on.

    But he made an interesting point, as a white man, the stripes aren’t for him to decide upon, so the flag isn’t for him to wave.

    Another point he made was that a lot of the arguments seemed to be between white people, he saw few people of colour voicing an opinion. Is this a symptom of trying to look “woke” and tolerant instead of actually just being nice to people as a normal behaviour? Does an overcompensation actually do more harm than good?

    I can see both sides of the argument, the flag never represented race, but people of colour can feel like they aren’t fully a part of the community and want a valid representation of their identity.

    rihaij / Pixabay

    Is it racism, or is it simply ignorance of race? There is a huge difference between the two. Ignorance of race is unpleasant, rude and stupid, Racism is dangerous, unlawful and pervasive. And it can start off small, with the idea of preference.

    We’ve all heard people say “but it’s just my preference” about who they are attracted to and having a preference is fine no one is telling you to be attracted to someone you’re not, but one has to ask themselves, is it truly a preference, or is it ignorance of race? Outright dismissing or fetishizing someone based solely on race IS racism and it can be incredibly damaging. And some people are disturbingly open about it, putting on their dating profile their “preferences” usually in an incredibly disparaging way.

    White Gay term doesn’t just cover race

    But the White Gay term doesn’t just cover race, it covers a multitude of things, based on weight, height, amount of hair, gender identity & disability among other things. An easy dismissal of someone based on how they look. Small snide comments such as “You’d look good if you lost a few pounds”.

    A look at someone in disgust, whispers and pointing/laughing. These things can really affect a person and while obviously as a society the first thing we see is appearance and an initial attraction is based on looks, that only goes so far. You can find an incredibly hot guy and he’ll turn out to be narcissistic, selfish and shallow. Personality can easily outshine any perceived flaws.

    Differences should be acknowledged, and talked about in a positive way. A lot can be learned from other people’s experiences or heritage.

    I have sadly heard stories of certain gay clubs (which shall remain nameless) actually refuse entry to someone based on how they look. No wonder there is self-segregation within the community. But self-segregation is just as damaging as outside segregation. Only sticking with your own group highlights the differences instead of everyone coming together and being supportive of each other. Differences should be acknowledged and talked about in a positive way. A lot can be learned from other people’s experiences or heritage.

    The point of this piece isn’t to call anyone racist or shallow because not everyone is, it’s to bring light to an issue that is there and does have ramifications towards people.

    I’m also very aware that any discussion from my point of view can be instantly shut down with the phrase “You’re a cisgendered white male, you’ll never understand” And no I won’t fully understand or appreciate everyone’s experiences, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t have a meaningful debate and discussion where we can learn from each other without any valid points being dismissed.

    I live by two simple mantras, treat everyone how you’d like to be treated yourself, and learn something new every day, no matter how small. The more we learn, even from people we disagree with, the more we grow.

    People are so quick to argue or take offence instead of actually talking, and figuring out why a reaction is had. Will this solve the issue? Far from it, but I’m hoping it at least opens up an important discussion.

  • Spotlight Back On: Corvyx

    Spotlight Back On: Corvyx

    In 2017, I interviewed New York-based singer Corvyx, and since then his profile has increased significantly, adding over 35,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel.

    For the first time ever on his channel, he’s doing something he’s not done before, and he shared with me some exclusive images and titbits about the music video and song which is released on January 21st.

    As an LGBTQ+ singer, he wanted to celebrate a fellow LGBTQ+ icon… Lady Gaga. This time, however, he’s doing a mashup of some of her most significant songs. I spoke to him exclusively for TheGayUK.

    Lady Gaga is a huge LGBTQ+ icon, what inspires you about her?

    Gaga is THE artists’ champion. She is the epitome of what most artists aspire to not only accomplish, but eventually become. An untethered vocalist, a fashion icon, an accomplished actress, a revered singer/songwriter, a provocative visual artist, and above all else, a humanitarian. She inspires me because I see a lot of myself in her trajectory. She represents the absolute extreme of how you can express yourself without limitation and continue to evolve and reach success by trusting your artistic instincts. She took pop and the mainstream world and moulded it and not the other way around.

    Most artists were being packaged like everyone else and she intentionally gave the world the opposite

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BrvUCGLF3oB/

    What made you pick the songs in the Mashup? Which era of Gaga do you most relate to?

    I based my song selections off of the nostalgia of eras I felt most connected to. In addition, I wanted to create a mashup people can dance to. Something dripping with energy which I relate to her earlier releases such as The Fame, The Fame Monster, Born This Way, and Artpop. As an LGBTQ+ late bloomer, I felt empowered by the anthems I chose to include because they reminded me of my earlier college years when I struggled with my sexuality. My favourite Gaga era was Born This Way. I think she threw caution to the wind and created such a sonic/visual paradox. It was a product so specific to its time period but simultaneously, transcendent and revolutionary. Gaga was/remains a huge pioneer and guiding force for the gay community. In a world which is so often dictating how people should look, feel, and define themselves, Gaga is a titan that knocked down every roadblock in pop culture and quite simply said, “you’re beautiful because you were born this way.”

    What inspired your look in the video?

    Gaga’s alienesque facial protrusions and provocative fashion of the Born This Way era was something that nobody in the pop world dared to approach. Most artists were being packaged like everyone else and she intentionally gave the world the opposite. She was the pop world’s, Marilyn Manson. I wanted to provide that same shock factor while paying homage to her legacy. Makeup By: Vanessa Scarola (Instagram)

    What do you think of Lady Gaga’s ever-changing styles?

    Gaga’s style evolution is indicative of her ability to adapt, change, and grow. And more importantly stating that it’s okay to do so. She had so boldly presented an image to the world with the wigs, the glam, the fashion, and the visuals. To be able to strip that away and say “ I’m still Lady f*cking Gaga” is admirable

    How many people worked on this music video with you?

    This production took the time, talent, and sorcery of myself (Director), Josh Argueta (Videographer), the beautiful NYC Arts Cypher (venue), Ashley DeLane Burger (Choreographer/Dancer), and our two Vyxen dancers, Maddie Kendall and Michelle Morris. With some help from my biggest supporter and fan, my sister

    What’s the story of the video?

    Unlike most Corvyx covers, there isn’t necessarily a narrative or a through-line for this video in particular. I wanted this to be a tribute honouring the music and visuals Gaga gave to us by paying homage without necessarily “copying”. I think this is a video/production people will easily be able to reference Gaga’s most iconic moments from while also experiencing something completely new/fresh.

    Gaga’s style evolution is indicative of her ability to adapt, change, and grow.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BpCyBDrlKR_/

    Most people wouldn’t expect you to cover a “pop” artist. Are there any artists you’re planning to cover or want to cover that people would be surprised to see?

    REALLY? As much as I don’t believe I resemble the general populations’ idea of “pop”, I feel as if my body of work has shown I love the pop world. I have covered a ton of pop artists on my YouTube channel but I love to throw people for a loop and show them that music is a kaleidoscope. It’s fragmented and some pieces can be broken down, dissected, and looked upon completely differently from another angle while still being that same image. Gaga has done the same thing. We’ll have to wait and see what 2019 has in store…

    How would you feel if Lady Gaga sees and reacts to the song/video?

    I’d be honoured. But I’d be more curious to see how she would feel watching it. She is one of the greats and I hope she’d feel the unadulterated respect and admiration I put into making this one.

    What does the future hold for Corvyx?

    I want to keep you around so you’ll just have to wait and see…

    Corvyx’s other music videos can be found on his YouTube channel here, and you can follow his Twitter here, and Instagram here. You can also check out his Patreon here.

    Music video images courtesy of Josh Argueta… Instagram

  • OPINION | It may not be an obligation to learn LGBT history, but you really should

    OPINION | It may not be an obligation to learn LGBT history, but you really should

    Next year sees the 50th anniversary of The Stonewall Riots, which I’ve written about before here, yet still, there are some people out there who feel that the younger generation doesn’t need to care about the violent history of struggling for gay rights because they are too busy having a good time.

    “What they fail to understand is that they can have that “good time” because of countless LGBT+ men and women who have lived through hell and to this day still fight to protect the rights of the community.”

    Having a fluff piece opinion that completely misses the point of what Pride stands for is utterly disgraceful. And it saddens me that people who are only a few years younger than me have absolutely no clue about why that is. I have a huge amount of respect for the generations that gave me the rights I have today, and I also understand exactly why they would get angry at a group of gays who don’t show that level of respect or a willingness to learn about their own community’s history.

    They aren’t asking anyone to know every tiny little detail about gay history, but a basic knowledge of the big events certainly wouldn’t go amiss. Just to afford these brave men and women from all walks of life an iota of dignity and a thank you. An unsettling thing that I have been witness to, is when an older generation LGBT+ person is in a bar or club, and the younger gays either laugh at them, ignore them or worse, insult them and say they shouldn’t be there and even call them gross. We’re not asking you to hook up with them, we’re asking you to acknowledge them.

    Embed from Getty Images

    You don’t even need to make a song and dance about it, just be willing to talk to them if they talk to you. You never know, you could make a new friend. One has to remember that it was only in 1967 that homosexual acts were decriminalised in the UK. There are people alive today that lived through the fear that they could be arrested, simply for being who they are and to see younger people completely ignore that fact because they are too busy having fun must really hurt them.

    Men and women in the UK were some of the earliest to form well organised groups such as the Homosexual Law Reform Society, (founded in 1958) which surprisingly was started by many non-homosexual members, such as Sir Stephen Spender and MP Kenneth Younger and the Campaign for Homosexual Equality, an offshoot of the HLRS founded in Manchester in 1964 by more prominently homosexual people like Allan Horsfall and Colin Harvey. It was a direct result of these groups that the 1967 Sexual Offences Act was passed in the UK.

    I don’t pretend to fully understand what it was like because I didn’t live through it, but I have empathy for anyone that did and I’m always willing to be told something new. It helps me grow as a person. And you can be damn sure that next year I will be finding any events that honour and remember the events and people of Stonewall, and I’ll be there waving my rainbow flag with pride and with respect.

    “I’m not for one second saying we shouldn’t have fun, of course, we should.

    Enjoy life, go to the clubs, wear a pair of heels and a dress, sing bad karaoke, have a regrettable hookup at a Pride event, but please stop and think about why these things can be done, and learn from the past.”

    But I digress, why has this irked me so much? It seems like the social media generation has this shocking sense of entitlement, everything is very much “Me, Me, Me and Kylie Jenner” There’s such a disconnect from people, that real and horrifying events are forgotten because they weren’t a Twitter moment. But this stuff happened, and it’s time that they understood who people like Marsha P Johnson, Gilbert Baker and anyone else from that era are.

    I’m not here to belittle the people who subscribe to the social media way of thinking, it is kinda the way of the world now, but I feel that having such a selfish attitude, not only hurts them, it hurts a whole community. Now I’m not for one second saying we shouldn’t have fun, of course, we should. Enjoy life, go to the clubs, wear a pair of heels and a dress, sing bad karaoke, have a regrettable hookup at a Pride event, but please stop and think about why these things can be done, and learn from the past. There’s already this underlying feeling of separation within the community if we don’t look or act a certain way.

    We are ALL a part of this beautiful Rainbow Community, let’s treat everyone who is a part of it, or who is an ally, as a friend and learn from each other’s experiences. It’s not a crime to not know something, but it’s a wise choice to educate oneself by talking, being open and learning. It could be something that really opens your eyes to a world that you didn’t know about.

    Seek out the people who can enrich you, learn their story and tell them yours.

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

  • REVIEW | Hair Replacement Hub, Hair today, gone tomorrow, back again today

    OK let me start off by saying that this is a personal journey I took, and obviously, this may not be for everyone, but for anyone dealing with hair loss, this is a viable option.

    So, what am I talking about? I’ll say it, the dreaded Toupee word. However this is not the sort of thing that looks like an Ikea rug strapped to your head, this is a sophisticated hair replacement system. Now I’ve been dealing with thinning hair for best part of 8 years, and 3 years ago I decided to bite the bullet and shave my head down to grade zero.

    Initially, I tried my damn hardest to rock the shaved head look and on the surface, I tried to portray confidence and not giving a s**t about my rapidly reduced hairline. But secretly I hated it and loathed having to re-shave my head every few days so that my natural 12 hairs, on the top of my head, wouldn’t show through.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BXn-hpkgprj/?hl=en&taken-by=phoenix0982

    I spoke to psychologist Emma Kenny about the psychological effect that hair loss can have on some people. She told me, Losing hair can be unbelievably traumatic and can make the individual feel unattractive and lead to low self-esteem. Hair is a hugely defining part of who we are and losing that aspect of our personality is painful. Being able to maintain and retain our image isn’t about vanity, it is about self-protection and helps to encourage positivity

    Obviously, some people really don’t care about hair loss and kudos to you for rocking that look friends, but to me, it was not a pleasant experience. When I was in my early to mid-20s I’d had every style and colour under the sun, and I loved the process of doing my hair in a morning before I went out. By 26 I noticed that my front hairline was starting to not be in the place it used to be. At first, I didn’t think anything of it, but as the years went on, I was having to spend longer in a morning styling my hair to hide the fact it was thinning. I even tried those hair fibres, but I was constantly worried that I would get caught in the rain and they would all come tumbling out.

    After shaving my head down to a grade zero I resigned myself to the idea that I wasn’t going to get it back, while the idea of a hair replacement system had been on the edge of my mind, I’d heard that these things could be horrendously expensive, with some systems setting one back nearly £2000, so I obviously pushed that idea to the back of my head, secretly hoping that maybe in 10 years, the price wouldn’t be that expensive.

    Every so often I would check some of the companies out, but still, the price made me think twice, but then I spotted a company near where I live that I hadn’t heard of before. I thought, maybe an independent company might be a little less expensive, especially if they didn’t have a bigger business name behind them…and so I met Tom Fish, owner of Hair Replacement Hub based in Telford. After initially emailing him about the price, I was pleasantly surprised to find out he only charged £450, with no hidden charges.

    So I spoke to him and immediately felt at ease, because he told me straight away he actually wore one of the systems himself. He was friendly, yet professional, and arranged a face to face meeting with me for a consultation. I wanted to ask him literally everything because this was still an investment to me. How could he charge so much less than some of the other companies? He was kind enough to come and visit me at home, and straight off I had to remind myself that he was himself wearing one of these systems, because I couldn’t clock it at all. It was only when I practically had my nose up against his head did I finally believe him.

    We spoke for over an hour, and I wanted to ask him about his experiences. He told me he’d started losing his hair at the young age of 21, and had paid nearly £2000 for one of these pieces, and he had felt this was way too expensive, so four years ago he started his own business. Determined that other guys who experience hair loss shouldn’t have to pay through the nose. During my own research, I had seen some of the pictures from other companies based around the UK that did kind of give me pause for thought. They looked a little too fake for my liking, almost like it was plonked on the head, and a little unnatural, and in some cases the colour was way off.

    Tom took his time to show me pictures of many of his clients, these systems all looked absolutely amazing and natural. Tom told me he used human hair in the systems and an “ultra-thin skin” base so that it looks as natural as possible. I kept scrolling through. Getting more and more comfortable in the decision I was making, and then I had a shock. A guy I recognised was among the pictures…I’d had no idea he even had one. I was suitably impressed. I asked why Tom worked alone, and his response was great. He wanted it to feel like a more personal approach, because he knew exactly the nerves one could feel walking into a salon when there are other people about, so he works from home, or will visit clients so that it’s just a one on one experience and having been through it all himself, he knows that for the people who choose to have one of these systems, the privacy he affords helps put people at ease.

    At the time of consultation, I still had a shaved head, so Tom asked that I let it grow out a bit first so he could get the best match and style for me.

    In the meantime, I contacted the guy I recognised, Hari and asked him about his experiences with Tom and Hair Replacement Hub. He told me,

    “Tom has literally changed my life, I’d spend about 90mins every morning styling my hair to hide my baldness and now it takes all of 10 minutes max! He’s given me hair confidence that I have always wanted. I know when I leave the house my hair is secure and unnoticeable which has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders after reading all the myths about hair systems and lastly, Tom inspired me not just from his hair systems but for Tom being Tom, To know that a man who actually wants to help people and has so much passion for his job is out there really restores your faith in humanity”.

    Fast forward 3 weeks, after letting my natural hair grow out a bit so that the system could be blended properly, I decided to visit Tom in Telford where he keeps a small home studio. He plopped me in the chair and turned on some music for me. He showed me the system, and it was an exact match to my hair colour, so we were already off to the promising start. I felt at ease as Tom styled the sides of my hair to help create a template for where the system would sit.

    He also trimmed my facial hair, and washed and practically massaged my head, before shaving the centre-right down so that the bond would adhere securely. Once the system was on I looked like a mad professor, but Tom being the professional that he is, expertly started to cut and shape the system to fit in with what I’d asked for. I wanted it longer than usual on top because I’ll be damned if I go three years without hair to then not whip it back and forth once I have it again.

    But this strange feeling came over me, I’d been so long without a full head of hair, I was kind of overcome with not only gratitude to Tom but a sense of relief that I was me again.  Another great service Tom provides besides the re-bonding and restyling of existing hair, which has to be done usually every 3-6 weeks, he also sells the products that are needed to keep the system in tip-top shape. The systems are fairly durable, and won’t need to be replaced often. Most last around 8 to 12 months depending on lifestyle, with even a very active person getting a solid 8 months out of them. But going back to Tom reduces the cost down, by £100 for the replacement

    I cannot express how friendly, and professional Tom is. He knows what he’s talking about, and he knows how it can feel to lose hair, so he wants every person who goes to him to feel 100% better about themselves, and I’ll tell you what, I certainly do.

    You can find the website for Hair Replacement hub here The Facebook page here and the Instagram page here.

    *Emma Kenny does not endorse this company or particular hair loss solution. She merely provided a psychological analysis of the effect hair loss can have on some people.

  • Spotlight on: Corvyx

    Today I start my series called Spotlight On, where I talk about LGBT+ artists who haven’t quite hit the mainstream yet, but who are supremely talented at what they do.

    With nearly 20,000 subscribers on YouTube, my first spotlight is on native New York singer, Anthony Colasuonno, who goes by the performing name Corvyx.

    Corvyx has covered many different artists on his YouTube channel, from Evanesence, to Katy Perry, yet still putting a Corvyx twist on it, both musically, and visually.

    I was lucky enough to get to interview Corvyx and thought I would ask him about his influences and style, and how he came up with his unusual moniker

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BWAgyfuAm0R/?taken-by=corvyxofficial

    Where did the name Corvyx come from?

    Corvyx is a derivative of two big influential factors, Astrology and a particular well known ‘cult’ movie. I was watching The Crow one day and I was fascinated by this beautiful bird in the movie, so I started do research about black birds. Not only did I adore the mythology and the majestic current/past legends that surround Ravens. I found out that the constellation Corvus translates to Raven in Latin, so I just tweaked it a bit and felt an instant connection to it.

    Who are your musical influences/idols?

    I have so many. My musical taste and influences is a big melting pot of genres that range across the board and changes every other week. I’d say the constants have been Michael Jackson, Marilyn Manson, Florence Welch, and P!nk. They are the artists I have grown a fascination with over the years. Their work is transcendent and every single one of these artists has changed the world in some way or another. They are all provocative and seemingly fearless in the face of so much adversity. Being able to perform isn’t the only thing an artist should have in their wheelhouse. Being intelligent, taking a stance and believing in something is a must for me. All of these artists have been the catalysts for change and have raised the bar in some form or another.

    What is your favourite type of song to cover?

    My favourite types of songs to cover are the ones that are painful because a lot of people steer away from them. But in my opinion, these are the best works of art because it confronts something that is real. I love finding the truth in lyrics. If I hear a song or a melody and I have an immediate visceral reaction to it, chances are I’ll love the song. There’s also a flip side to my method of covering a song, I like to take a song that may have some major key tonalities (feel good songs) and seemingly fun melodies and shed light on how dark the lyrical content can actually be if it were sung and interpreted another way.

    Do you want to do more original material?

    I absolutely plan on doing more original material in the very near-future. I’ve been working on a few singles and have big plans for a concept EP as well. Time is all relative!

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BTFYFBPgMuT/?taken-by=corvyxofficial

    Did you have any musical training?

    I’ve done musical theatre for a good portion of my elementary, middle and high school career, but I did not actually receive formal training until college. I started working with various vocal coaches from different walks of life and musical experience starting freshman year of college through to graduation. Most of the training was built upon an operatic and theatrical foundation to discover the “legit” part of my voice. One of my vocal coaches was a countertenor with a ton of experience in opera and although we obviously sound very different when we sing, he taught me to access parts of my voice I never knew I could. I think being well-rounded in ones’ training, regardless of the genre of music he/she sings can only benefit the artist in their technique.

    I love finding the truth in lyrics

    You do a lot of different stylistic looks in your music videos. Where do your ideas come from?

    My style is ever-evolving and changing every single day. I can look back at a video I made a month ago and think “what were you doing guy?” But most of my ideas come from an amalgamation of everything I’m inspired by. I love fashion but I don’t necessarily consider myself a fashion maven. If something is last season, I’ll still wear it if it works for my aesthetic and the vibe of the song. My style is a compromise of what I think looks good and what can accentuate what I want to express in the song. I let the vibe of a song influence what I think I should look like in a music video. The feeling I get while I’m singing very much dictates everything I see around me. Songs are like the seasons and weather to me. The temperature may fluctuate and there could be a chance of rain, but I still remain true to my aesthetic and will probably bring a really kickass umbrella.

    Do you work with many other people to create your music videos/songs?

    I’m lucky enough to have a pool of super creative and talented individuals at my disposal and all the crazy sh*t that goes on in my head wouldn’t be possible without them. To be honest, the production quality for most of what we go looks like it requires hordes of people, but I work with some very headstrong and driven artists (much like myself) with a desire to create the best possible outcome even if our resources are limited (which is most of the time). We don’t have a major record label budget nor do do we have any investors backing the project (yet), so it forces us to think outside the box and push ourselves beyond what our budgets can actually afford. For most of my covers, it’s usually been me and the producer in the studio, and then one or two videographers work on set and also handle post-production.

    Who would be your ultimate performer to work with?

    This is TOUGH. I think ultimately, I’d absolutely love to write and collaborate with any artist that isn’t afraid to get to the truth of it all. I like a balance of poetry, eloquence and raw truth. Metaphors mixed with gut-wrenching melodies. I would love to write and work with Sia.

    The highs are extremely high, and probably better than anything you’ll ever feel

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BSrKs_MgzF7/?taken-by=corvyxofficial

    Would you ultimately like to become successful enough to tour with your music?

    I would love to eventually tour. I think I’d be dead broke from all of the conceptual design I would love to incorporate into my performances. But being able to reach wider audiences and touch people on a different level other than the social media platforms would be absolutely incredible and liberating for me as an artist and a human being.

    What advice would you give to anyone wanting to pursue a venture in music?

    You must be okay with losing and constantly rediscovering yourself. I know that sounds cliché, however, you have to be okay with unveiling things about yourself that you may not always like admitting. The highs are extremely high, probably better than anything you’ll ever feel. But the lows are seemingly endless sometimes. And sacrifice! Sacrifice is probably the biggest part of the entire creative process. You aren’t going to live the same life as most other people. Artists usually don’t have the same social life as others, but you must be willing to live without that and it could feel so isolating. Ultimately the rewards are much more fulfilling than you could ever imagine.

    You can check out Corvyx’s Youtube channel and his fantastic covers and original song Become The Night here