Frankie
C goes head to head with fellow New Yorker and recording artist, Ari Gold.
They cover ground from the start of his music career to the present
moment…
FC: How did you get started in the music
industry?
AG: I recorded my first record when I was
6 for CBS called “Pot Belly Bear”. I made my national television debut on the
Joe Franklin Show when I was 7 years old singing “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and
“Give My Regards to Broadway”.
FC: Who's inspired you to go forth as an
artist?
AG: I was born an artist. I started
writing songs when I was 14. I was writing soap operas before that.
FC: What's been your greatest artist
moment?
AG: I don’t think I’ve had it yet, but
I’ve certainly been very proud of my albums, videos and live shows. I’m really
proud of my one-man show, “Bashert” that I did this past summer as part of the
New York Musical Theater Festival.
FC: Do you write your own songs/music?
AG: Melody, lyrics, sometimes chord
progressions. I love collaborating with other musicians and write the top line
to a track, or write with a guitarist or keyboardist.
FC: When writing a new song, where do
you get the story?
AG: If I stayed home for the rest of my
life, I’d still have an endless supply of stories, emotions, heartbreak, love
and passion... all of it!
FC: You're always reinventing yourself.
What drives you?
AG: The creative process. I live for it.
FC: You have several videos out. Of
which are you the most proud?
AG: I have a special place for my first
video, “Wave Of You”, that Guy Guido directed. It was filmed on Fire Island which has such a rich gay history, and it’s a
tribute to Herb Ritts. I think my last video, “My Favorite Religion”, really
brings to the forefront the themes of religion and sexuality that I’ve been
exploring; and it was beautifully shot and edited by David Graham and
Alessandro Calza.
FC: Do you remember your first
performance? Tell us about it.
AG: My first New York
FC: What was the wildest question
anyone’s asked you?
AG: Can I stick my toe in your ass? I
don’t know!
AG: I started DJing at The Cock like 10
years ago. DJing is a very natural thing to do for a musician and songwriter. I
love music, so how can I not be a DJ who plays music I love for other people?
FC: As an Out Artist, what effect has
being Out had on your career?
AG: It’s been quite a journey. Every
year, I feel more and more grateful to have been a voice within pop music in
this moment in history of achieving our equality. Easy, it has not been, but
it’s been incredibly gratifying. I made a lot of sacrifices, but I wouldn’t
trade them for the world.
AG: “Play My F**kn Record”! It’s from my last studio album, but is also the
lead single for my upcoming remix album. The remixes are hot and the “Country
Club Martini Crew” mix is the version we’re going to radio with.
FC: Is there an Album in the works?
AG: My remix album has songs from all
four of my studio albums, and a couple of brand new tracks I’m recording right
now that are awesome. Jared Jones has been a godsend in working with me to get
some amazing mixes. He produced one of the new songs I wrote. It should be out
by spring.
FC: Who do you look forward to working
with on the film side of the industry?
AG: I’m really looking forward to
working with Lisa Ades who is an award winning documentarian. We’re putting
together a very cool doc about my work, my family, and my life.
FC: Has the LGBTQ Community been
supportive of you?
AG: I would not have a career if not for
the LGBTQ community, so yes, they have. I’ve been an OUT100, received a
Decade of Achievement Award from the LGBT Expo, the Odyssey Award for Best
Nightlife Performer, and just received LARA’s (The LGBT Academy Of Music)
“Visionary Award” at the Outmusic Awards, and that’s only the awards! I love my
gays and when I say “my gays” it’s not in the heterosexual celebrity way of
trying to appeal to their gay core. They really are my gays because I am gay.
FC: Who would you be interested in
working with and why?
AG: I’d love to work with Harvey
Fierstein. Just met Sia recently and would love to write with her. Ron Fair for
vocal production. Oh yeah, and Madonna.
AG: I recorded my first record when I was 6 for CBS called “Pot Belly Bear”. I made my national television debut on the Joe Franklin Show when I was 7 years old singing “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and “Give My Regards to Broadway”.
FC: Who's inspired you to go forth as an artist?
AG: I was born an artist. I started writing songs when I was 14. I was writing soap operas before that.
FC: What's been your greatest artist moment?
AG: I don’t think I’ve had it yet, but I’ve certainly been very proud of my albums, videos and live shows. I’m really proud of my one-man show, “Bashert” that I did this past summer as part of the New York Musical Theater Festival.
FC: Do you write your own songs/music?
AG: Melody, lyrics, sometimes chord progressions. I love collaborating with other musicians and write the top line to a track, or write with a guitarist or keyboardist.
FC: When writing a new song, where do you get the story?
AG: If I stayed home for the rest of my life, I’d still have an endless supply of stories, emotions, heartbreak, love and passion... all of it!
FC: You're always reinventing yourself. What drives you?
AG: The creative process. I live for it.
FC: You have several videos out. Of which are you the most proud?
AG: I have a special place for my first video, “Wave Of You”, that Guy Guido directed. It was filmed on
FC: Do you remember your first performance? Tell us about it.
AG: My first
FC: What was the wildest question anyone’s asked you?
AG: Can I stick my toe in your ass? I don’t know!
AG: I started DJing at The Cock like 10 years ago. DJing is a very natural thing to do for a musician and songwriter. I love music, so how can I not be a DJ who plays music I love for other people?
FC: As an Out Artist, what effect has being Out had on your career?
AG: It’s been quite a journey. Every year, I feel more and more grateful to have been a voice within pop music in this moment in history of achieving our equality. Easy, it has not been, but it’s been incredibly gratifying. I made a lot of sacrifices, but I wouldn’t trade them for the world.
AG: “Play My F**kn Record”! It’s from my last studio album, but is also the lead single for my upcoming remix album. The remixes are hot and the “Country Club Martini Crew” mix is the version we’re going to radio with.
FC: Where do you find the strength to endure the
daily grind of the Music Industry?
AG: Have I found the strength? Then tell
me where I put it! LOL... I’ve been in show business for 30 years now. There
are ups, there are downs, but thankfully anytime I’ve felt like I couldn’t go
on, my fans have kept me going and always reminded me why my work is important
and that they need me. Much gratitude. My parents and my brothers, Elon and
Steven, give me tons of support that I am so blessed to have. I happen to think
maybe my greatest talent is finding and keeping good friendships. It takes
work. Communication. Honesty. I do need to meditate more.
FC: As an Artist, do you think the
nightlife scene has changed, and how so?
AG: Drastically. You used to be able to
go out to the gay clubs and hear dance and house music that you never heard
before and the crowd actually loved that. Now people still request Rihanna
after the DJ just played one of her songs. But if I start complaining about it,
I’ll just sound like an old curmudgeon! Gay clubs started trends. Now they
follow them. But gay people in the arts are still at the forefront of culture;
don’t get it twisted.
FC: Tell us about the filming of
"Play My F**kn Record”?
AG: After years of talking about working
together, I’m finally working with Francis Legge. We’re doing a 3D Video and we
already shot the scene of me running naked in the streets of NYC holding a sign
that says, “Play My F**kn Record.” It was very liberating. I’m just glad I
didn’t get arrested! Michael Musto, Sherry Vine, designer Jamie Drake, Michael
Lucas, Laverne Cox, recording artist Meg, Eddy Barrena, Peppermint, and some
“Drag Race” royalty make cameos. You can see the 3D teaser on indiegogo.com.
FC: How did you go from Ari Gold to Sir
Ari Gold?
AG: I was knighted by a drag queen at
the Night of a Thousand Gowns by the Imperial Court of New York which is one of
the oldest human rights organizations working today. Considering the importance
of drag in the gay rights movement, kneeling in front of a drag queen is quite
an honor!
FC: What would you like our readers to
know about Ari Gold?
AG: Ari Gold is an agent...of love.
Web Site: www.arigold.com
ITunes: SIR ARI GOLD: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/sir-ari-gold/id453152740?ign-mpt=uo%3D4
ARI GOLD: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/ari-gold/id4227877?uo=4
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SirAriGold
YouTube: www.youtube.com/sirarigold
Indiegogo: www.indiegogo.com/SirAriGold3D
Best
always,
Frankie C.
AG: Have I found the strength? Then tell me where I put it! LOL... I’ve been in show business for 30 years now. There are ups, there are downs, but thankfully anytime I’ve felt like I couldn’t go on, my fans have kept me going and always reminded me why my work is important and that they need me. Much gratitude. My parents and my brothers, Elon and Steven, give me tons of support that I am so blessed to have. I happen to think maybe my greatest talent is finding and keeping good friendships. It takes work. Communication. Honesty. I do need to meditate more.
FC: As an Artist, do you think the nightlife scene has changed, and how so?
AG: Drastically. You used to be able to go out to the gay clubs and hear dance and house music that you never heard before and the crowd actually loved that. Now people still request Rihanna after the DJ just played one of her songs. But if I start complaining about it, I’ll just sound like an old curmudgeon! Gay clubs started trends. Now they follow them. But gay people in the arts are still at the forefront of culture; don’t get it twisted.
FC: Tell us about the filming of "Play My F**kn Record”?
AG: After years of talking about working together, I’m finally working with Francis Legge. We’re doing a 3D Video and we already shot the scene of me running naked in the streets of NYC holding a sign that says, “Play My F**kn Record.” It was very liberating. I’m just glad I didn’t get arrested! Michael Musto, Sherry Vine, designer Jamie Drake, Michael Lucas, Laverne Cox, recording artist Meg, Eddy Barrena, Peppermint, and some “Drag Race” royalty make cameos. You can see the 3D teaser on indiegogo.com.
FC: How did you go from Ari Gold to Sir Ari Gold?
AG: I was knighted by a drag queen at the Night of a Thousand Gowns by the Imperial Court of New York which is one of the oldest human rights organizations working today. Considering the importance of drag in the gay rights movement, kneeling in front of a drag queen is quite an honor!
FC: What would you like our readers to know about Ari Gold?
AG: Ari Gold is an agent...of love.
Web Site: www.arigold.com
ITunes: SIR ARI GOLD: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/sir-ari-gold/id453152740?ign-mpt=uo%3D4
ARI GOLD: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/ari-gold/id4227877?uo=4
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SirAriGold
YouTube: www.youtube.com/sirarigold
Indiegogo: www.indiegogo.com/SirAriGold3D
Frankie C.
