TransVocalizers — Willam Belli Interview

Willam Belli

Willam Belli, already a well-known drag entertainer, more than boosted his performance cred with his stint on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Last November 5th, our esteemed editor Angela Gardner was able to get an exclusive interview with Willam, in which he talked about the show and his take on the art of drag. TGForum has also made various other references to Willam’s parody videos as well as his work with other artists from time to time.

Now, we have been even more fortunate to obtain yet another interview with Willam, this time where the focus is on his music. He has just released a new CD entitled The Wreckoning, which will be reviewed in this column next month. Until then, please enjoy this opportunity to learn more about this very talented artist who is obviously going to be around for a long time.

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TGForum: Where are you from originally? How old were you when you first started doing drag seriously?

Willam Belli: I’m from Philadelphia originally, and grew up all over the East Coast. I started getting paid to do drag when I was 16 on my first television gig.

TGF: Okay, so you were working in television and film roles before you started releasing music. Do you have any theatrical training?

WB: I eschewed acting classes mostly other than the brilliant Alexandra Billings and some workshops with G. Charles Wright and Mary Lou Belli.

TGF: What’s your background musically? Any formal training? Also, do you play any instruments?

WB: I play three different saxophones and a little piano. No formal training, but a lot of informal, inebriated Karaoke.

TGF: Who are your musical influences, and what do you listen to for your own enjoyment?

WB: Influence-wise, I love anything Lonely Island does or any music off of Saturday Night Live. Comedy is my strong suit. I like ‘80s stuff a lot. Heart, Poison, Great White, Damn Yankees, George Michael, Prince. Rock musicals like Spring Awakening and Rent and I’m not asheamed to admit it, mash-ups by Girltalk and Glee.

TGF: So far, you’ve released 8 singles. Correct? Including the new one. Two of these, I believe, were different versions of Trouble. Three of these are parodies. Do you find parodies easier to write/create? What kind of response do you get from live audiences?

WB: Parodies kind of write themselves in your head it seems and then the hard part comes when it’s time to put pen to paper and actually make sure it’s funny to people other than yourself — and your two best friends who are often collaborators and queens — Detox and Vicky Vox. Live audiences love me because I’m singing and actually am able to f**k with people live over the mic.

TGF: You perform all this material live when you gig?

WB: Yes. I always perform live. I’ve even received a cortisone injection when I was losing my voice before a big gig so I could fulfill my obligation to the promoter. I felt it the days following after the gig in my throat, but it was nice to know I didn’t let anyone down. The show must go on.

TGF: When choosing material, what criteria do you use? Is there anything you won’t use or sing about? If so, why?

WB: I really don’t know how my brain works. It seems all my songs have been slanted LGBT-ish, but other than that, the only thing I don’t do are poop or shit or bowel movement jokes. Sherry vine and Lady Bunny have the market corned anyway.

TGF: Given the subject matter of Chow Down, you obviously have a political side. How involved are you with LGBT politics/issues? Do you get political during performances?

WB: I volunteer a lot at the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center here in town and vote when everyone else does. Otherwise, I’m pretty in the middle. I think Florida has some great liberal Republicans like Jeb Bush who I would love to see team up with a Dem for 2016 and work together. I’m pretty sure Jeb going to come out in favor of gay marriage, too.

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TGF: Do you feel transgender musicians/artists are given the same respect as mainstream artists?

WB: It’s hard to separate art from artists so of course it will never be mainstream until transpeople are looked at as notable as maybe redheads, y’know?

TGF: What advice would you offer to young performers wanting to start out as a drag entertainer/musician/artist?

WB: Do something no one else has done before.

TGF: In closing, is there anything you’d like to say that I might not have asked?

WB: Buy one good pair of fleshtone pumps. Spend the money. They make legs look long and present a lean line. See how I said flesh-tone, too? ‘Cause if I said nude and you were like Moroccan or something, it wouldn’t be so nude on you, right?

Please check Willam’s website  for information about upcoming gigs and/or to obtain CD’s.

ALSO THIS MONTH

LGBT MusicFest Nashville

TransVocalizers received a very detailed press release from Cornelius “Popcorn” Robertson regarding the LGBT MusicFest in Nashville, as well as information regarding some of his other ventures.

Send us your pics! Initial Photo Gallery posted here. YouTube videos by Charles k. Brown to follow. (For info) send to Info@LGBTMusicFest.org. Working on Recommendations list. Send us your favorite song link. A little part of LGBT History here in Nashville. We have been nominated for a Nashville GLBT Chamber of Commerce 2013 Chamber Member of the Year, Ally Award, LGBT Community Award (innovation) presented by Curb Records Wednesday, April 3rd. The fest appreciates the time, efforts and expense you went thru to help launch the LGBT Music Fest / Nashville. It will not go unnoticed as we permeate an industry recognized LGBT Music movement here in Music City, Nashville.

Dates set for 2nd Annual LGBT Music Fest/Nashville February 13, 14 & 15, 2014.
We are working as volunteers to help provide front and background entertainment at the Human Rights Campaign Nashville Equality Dinner 2013 The fest will be looking for LGBT artist and Gay-Straight Music Alliance assets to help add ambiance to various stages and times of the event. Off and running to 11th Nashville SongWriters Fest on Music Row. 3 1/2 days 8 stages here.  One step at a time. I owe all of you a great debt of gratitude that the fest cannot forget. Thanks for your spirit presence. O:) Till we chat or meet again. 🙂

Storm Miguel Florez

Storm Miguel Florez, who has been featured in our companion Perpetual Change column, will be appearing Friday, March 8th, at the Dolores Park Café, 501 Dolores St. (at 18th St.), San Francisco, CA, from 7:30-10 p.m. Along with Florez will be Emchy and Shawna Virago.

Our Lady J.

Our Lady J. was featured in this column way back in September 2009, and she has graciously submitted to another interview, which will be posted later in the year. Until that time, for those of you on the West Coast, Our Lady J will be appearing February 27th at the Cavern Club Theater, 1920 Hyperion Ave., Silverlake, CA. She is presenting a new show called The Gospel Of Dolly, which is course a tribute to the music of Dolly Parton.

NEW MUSIC

Fly Away remixs by Guinevere

Guinevere

Nuke Town Records, Guinever’s own label, has released a 10 song remix disc of her sophomore single, Fly Away. This is dance material that definitely will work in any club, anywhere. What’s interesting, though, is that unlike a lot of remix discs, Guinevere’s voice is not mixed into the background. It’s always the focal point of each mix. Also, one of the more interesting cuts on the CD is the instrumental remix of the song, by 7th Heaven.

Guinevere hasn’t been in the music biz all that long, but has already established herself with powerful live performances. A native of Toronto, she’s also known as an avid gaming geek, as well as a Star Trek and Star Wars fan. Oh, and being Canadian, she also plays ice hockey quite well.

“2013 is going to be insane,” she said in a press release for the new remix disc. “I have so much on the go, and I am so lucky to have such an incredible team with the same vision and dream. I am ready to work harder then ever before, and make this a reality.”

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For more information, please check out her website. She’s also on Twitter, YouTube, Tumbler, and Instagram)

Tags: drag, featured, music, Musician, Willam Belli

Category: Music