Damn, that white boy can sing!

(Songbird Sam Sparro, courtesy of Darling UK)

When I say that queer singer-songwriter Sam Sparro is an odd bird, I say it with the utmost admiration.   

As a music aficionado, I love melody-makers like Sparro who defy expectations.  For example, the soon-to-be 26-year-old, Sydney-born musician wasn't raised so much on INXS, Midnight Oil and Kylie Minogue but rather, upon his family's move to Los Angeles at the age of 10, on Snoop Dogg, Montell Jordan and C+C Music Factory, while hanging out in black churches, where his father, gospel minister/singer Chris Falson took him to learn a note or two about music. 

Soon he was singing back-up for his father and even impressing the likes of Chaka Khan, who in 1994, pronounced, "Damn, that white boy can sing!"  Now how many crackers can say that?   

But as Gay.com discovered, not everyone in then Sam Falson's life was a fan.  In fact, growing up, he was perceived as weird by his classmates (as a result of being gay, one would presume), but was embraced by his religious family.  In fact it was his father, who eventually wrote music for "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," that encouraged him to pursue his singing dreams. 

Now, with the 2008 release of his self-titled debut album, featuring UK electrosoul hit "Black and Gold," the funky "Cottonmouth," and the electro-disco-based "21st Century Life," his success is a reality.  In fact, the singer with the soulful voice now counts producers like Mark Ronson and Pete Tong as fans, as well as actress-singer Lindsay Lohan, who enlisted him to write tracks for her upcoming album "Spirit in the Dark." 

What is so unique about Sparro is that he's out and proud, yet contrary to many other queer artists, refuses to market himself sexually, or as a bleeding heart politico, who works out his feelings of victimization in his music.   

That says something to me about how far the gay community has come, when a gay singer can deliver a message of deep importance about prejudice, environmentalism, or religion to inspire "everyone to get along" (he did move to L.A. just after the L.A. riots for heaven's sake), but in kitsch Jeremy Scott outfits, topped off with massive square-framed glasses to suggest that he never takes life, and more importantly himself, too seriously.

                                                               (Style and soul, courtesy of Darling UK)

Gay.com caught up with Sparro, between European tour dates to discuss among other things, his music, his "struggle" as a queer artist, and his beef with Madonna.
 
Sam, you've said in previous interviews that you felt stuck in a rut when you wrote the "Black and Gold" song.  Some people, in those situations, just sink further, but you found the courage to rise above it.

I've never been much of a victim and when things get tough or seem a bit grim I get more determined and inspired. I've really come to appreciate 'struggle.' I think it makes for the most interesting work.  I've also got a very tight family -- they've always been very supportive.

In your song "21st Century Life," you sing that the future was "Nothing like I imagined/It was totally confounding."  How is it different than you imagined it to be, back in your teens? 

I guess we were all sold some kind of a utopian vision of the future as children. Things are so hectic and complicated now. Technology was supposed to free up our time and make our lives easier, but it seems to have backfired. But I love living in the 21st Century; I wouldn't trade it for anything.

You tend to deal with some pretty serious issues in your music from religion to environmentalism to discrimination.  Do these topics weigh heavily upon you?

I'm definitely a thinker. I prefer to take an active roll in life, rather than a passive one, so I can't help but write about the world around me -- as I see it.

My favorite song of yours that seems to have no message at all is "Cottonmouth."

Absolutely no message in 'Cottonmouth.' It's a song about getting high and dry.

Covering Estelle's "American Boy" was an interesting choice.  As a citizen of the world, who's spent a great deal of time here, what are your associations with the U.S.?

Well, I still technically live there even though I've been living out of a suitcase most of the year. I've got a home in Los Angeles where all my stuff is. I know America cops a lot of flack from the rest of the world -- and deservedly so --  because there is a lot of mainstream arrogance and ignorance. But I love living there. There are lots of great people and opportunities, and it's a great place to be creative. The prospect of having Obama as President really excites me.

You were supposed to tour here this fall, but the shows were abruptly cancelled.  What happened and when can we expect to see you live? 

My band is all from the UK and they were denied visas, so it was a no go. I'll be back in the States for the rest of the year recording and writing but have no immediate tour plans, unfortunately.

Speaking of writing, can you describe the process of working on the Lindsay Lohan album to us?

We haven't started yet!

Other than LiLo, another admirer of yours has been Chaka Khan.  That's quite an honor.

To be honest, I was very young when we crossed paths and had no idea how amazing she was. It wasn't until my late teens that I became a huge fan.

On the flipside, you've said in interviews that when you were younger, you had to deal with a lot of viciousness for being different, and that that just made you act weirder.  A lot of young gay kids don't have that inner strength to be themselves. Where did you get that confidence from?

I had a really happy childhood and a lot of support from my family so I never gave much consideration to other people's opinions of me. I wish that everyone had a mum and dad like mine.  I know for a lot of kids it can be really tough. Sometimes you have to go out there and establish a new family.

Madonna has always been a supportive artist to the gay community, but you've made clear, publically, that you're no longer a fan.  Do you think that she's lost her relevance? If so, which singers do you find inspiring?

Yes I do. I think she's lost the joy and purpose in what she does. I love Santogold, M.I.A., Adele, Robyn and groups like The Presets, MGMT and LCD Soundsystem.

Finally, I know you're in a relationship.  Can you tell us who your boyfriend is and what appealed to you about him when he approached you at L.A. watering hole Fubar?  Also, how does one impress Sam Sparro on that level?

He's a painter and a stylist. It was the first time I'd had a conversation of any significant depth at that place. Fortunately, we got together before anybody had to impress 'Sam Sparro.'  I was just a guy in a club.

Check out Sparro's sensational rendition of Estelle's "American Boy" here:

Comments

[baron.]

Love This Guy... thnx.

[Thesp467]

What a talent, smart and original. I am studying classical voice now and envy his originality and vocal style! Bravo!!!

[Devil Contra Code]

He's a...homosexual...isn't he?

[Devil Contra Code]

He's a...homosexual...isn't he?

[Ron H.]

Boy...doesn't take much to get GAY.COM to call you "sensational" does it? Just have a hot body and/or a pretty face and you're IT! First it was no talent ARI GOLD and now this guy. I'm sorry, the video is laughable. It's like someone's bad karaoke party. Is his voice horrible? No. Is it great or "sensational?" Afraid not. Sorry GAY.COM, I'm not taking the bait.

[bart16]

One question: who the f%#& is Sam Sparro???

[lukos]

Yeah make his race an issue over and over. Way to go. Asshole.

[FeodorVT]

snoooooooooze. If I wanted to hear someone phoning it in, I'd pick up the phone.

[markrocker]

Oh my God -- awesome interview! How on earth anyone can complain about this should have their head examined.

If you haven't listened to Sam Sparrow, I hightly recommend doing so. I have to be honest -- with a name like "Sam Sparrow," I was like, are you kidding me? But this guy is definitely talented and definitely has a shot at being huge if he plays his cards right.

I definitely don't judge my music on the artists sexuality, but i have to admit -- finding out he was gay made me like him even more.

Kudos for a great piece. I haven't read anything else about him and was wondering when he'd start showing up.

GG

[markrocker]

Oh my God -- awesome interview! How on earth anyone can complain about this should have their head examined.

If you haven't listened to Sam Sparrow, I hightly recommend doing so. I have to be honest -- with a name like "Sam Sparrow," I was like, are you kidding me? But this guy is definitely talented and definitely has a shot at being huge if he plays his cards right.

I definitely don't judge my music on the artists sexuality, but i have to admit -- finding out he was gay made me like him even more.

Kudos for a great piece. I haven't read anything else about him and was wondering when he'd start showing up.

GG

[HT]

Yowzers. When I was 26, I looked the same. (Course, I'm something like a decade older and have 35 more pounds than I ought too...)

[Dennis H]

I <3 Sam Sparrow. He is a great artist--in a league of several amazing new artists to come from the music industry.

[Me]

He looks hot! He should try modeling 'cause his music is awful!

[beeryce]

I disagree with Ron H. Some of my favorite musicians I found off of gay.com's recommendations. if you're judging solely off of that video of his cover of "American Boy", then yeah, it's not awesome. But take a chance and try out some of his music, it's been burnin' up the charts on Sirius, i really really like this guy!

[James]

I just watched this guy on utube and I have to say its not his looks that make him fucking hot (although he is attractive) but his incredible personality. If more gay men were down to earth like this dude we'd actually experience a shortage of bitter homos. Kudos to this guy. I'm now a fan.

[osvy]

honestly ... you guys are a year or 2 too late with this ... he is amazing.

[Devil Contra Code]

I think article among many others before it show just how terrible the music taste is among queers. I swear if I saw an article on Led Zeppelin or Rush, I'd stab my my face with a rusty knife.

[joey b.]

i've had sam's eponymous debut album on repeat since july. "black & gold" is a phenomenal song, and the rest of the album is actually brilliant if electro-pop is your cup of tea. give the whole album a listen and then try to say he's phoning it in. yes, this white boy can definitely SAAAAAAAAAAANG!!! (i'm a fan. can you tell?)

[JT]

As a person who was raised in the church around phenomenal singers and comes from a musical family you have wax in your ears if you think this white boy can't sing! He is one of the best singers I've heard in a long time. Justin Timberfake and Robin Thicke wish they had true vocal ability like Sam does. Don't H8 its not cute!

[gdw]

If you base your opinion on this YouTube click, he isn't the best singer, however, he is a great singer! You can hear it in his voice as he transition in the song with his vocal ability. I totally agree with the person that posted Justin and Robin wish they really could sing, although, I'm a fan of both. Keep it up SAM.......