Openly gay actor and model Billy Dortch, got an offer to cut a record after a particularly memorable night of karaoke. The result was "Breathe." I love the look of the video and think Dortch's voice is similar to Kris Allen's. But is it just me or does that opening guitar riff sound strikingly similar to the one from Green Day's "I Walk Alone?" Check out the video and tell us what you think.
Submitted by
on Thu, 2009-08-13 11:32.
Billy Dortch
He does sounds a little like Kris Allen (which is a good thing). But without the warmth or sex appeal. (I know... meow!) I also think his haircut is harsh and unattractive. Also, for an openly gay singer, this video comes across as mainstream straight. Didn't he have input in what the director was going to do?
Overall, he's a good singer, and this is a decent song. But I don't think the video is very personal.
Hopefully he sounded better in Karaoke
You're right...Meh
singers
Plenty of talented openly gay singers. My faves are...
1. Mike Rickard
2. Daniel Cartier
3. Alan Lett
4. Levi Kreis
5. James Roy
6. Jay Brannan
7. Robert German
A few more...
Right on!
Saw both Tom and Jake in concert together here in Portland. Bought both of their CD's on the spot. Search around YouTube for some of their videos and performances, especially Tom's "Back to Arkansas" and "Till The End," and Walden's cover of "Bleeding Love." They're SO worth seeing and supporting!
Having said all that, I like this guy--don't adore the song, but I like his voice, and he definitely has presence.
Its in the lyrics
One of the biggest reasons I'm not interested in out singers is their lyric choices. For some reason the ones that pop up have difficultly mastering that combination of abstract and concrete in the content of their words. Like this song, there's just too much that he's trying to say instead of finding the right amount of poetry to make it unique to everyone who's listening. If you're going to sing a song about equality, don't beat us over the head with strong politics.
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Chuckles!
Umm... meh?
Elton John, George Michael, Will Young, Rob Halford from Judas Priest, Darren Hayes from Savage Garden, Jónsi Birgisson from Sigur Ros, Jimmy Somerville from the Communards, Freddie Mercury, Andy Bell from Erasure.
Damn, all those gay singers who have sold hundreds of thousands - or millions - of records and/or packed-out stadiums - yeah, they all sound the same.
Is there a new definition of 'meh' doing the rounds and no-one's told me?
I was referring to the
I was referring to the singers I have heard. Speaking of which, I mixed Boy George with George Michael, lol. Anyways, most of the gay singers I've listened to are of this era. I'm more into current music, so when looking for gay artists I try and look for those in the now. I'm sure there were great singers from the past that still make music that are pretty distinguishable, but the ones out now that I've listened to sound pretty boring.
Try Will Young
It's funny that
This was on Logo's NewNowNext Pop Lab last night.
I turned it off about halfway through the video. Not my thing. Sorry.
He is adorable,though.
Gay Music
Current gay singers/songwriters and bands who I think are brilliant
All of the Scissor Sisters
Michael Stipe of REM,
Sam Sparro,
Jay Brannon,
Rufus Wainwright
Logan Lynn of the Dandy Warhols.
I'm sure other folks can thinks of others.
I don't see how being gay relates to song-writing talent. I just think that like with gay independent film, we as gay people want to check out every gay artist we hear about so we're bound to hear/see a whole lot of bad amongst a whole lot of good.
There are definitely more crappy straight singer/songwriters and musicians but they get lost in a sea of crap whereas the gay ones standout for being gay because we're looking for them.
Some of the most popular songs on the charts currently were written by gay men like Ferras but they are written for other artists and the songs don't always have gay content.
It creates a skewed vision of the wide variety of music gays are currently producint/writing/singing.
Never looked at it like
Never looked at it like that. It's a very obvious statement, but very truthful.
As for the artists you list, I still don't see the big deal regarding Jay Brannon. I haven't heard a song of his that I can say I've liked. And I've tried really hard to do so. I suppose the saying "Different strokes..." applies here. With him I also include that gay rapper that so many like, yet I don't see the interest. Maybe I'm just corrupted by the pop-rap out now, but he sounds more like he's telling a story and someone in the background is playing music. He's just talking....
...I need to stop changing subjects, lol...
Minor Correction:
The Green Day song you're thinking of is actually called "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams." It's from their "American Idiot" album.
Just thought I'd mention it if anyone wanted to do any comparative analysis of their own. :D
Thanks you're right
Yup.
It kind of sounds...
JUST LIKE IT!
Considering the Green Day song was played about 20 times a day on the radio back in 2004 (ish) I'm surprised no one involved in this guy's music has noticed.
See below
Matt Alber!
Are we listing gay singer/songwriters?
I'll add Matt Alber
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H LEDGER R.I.P.
J WRIGHT for MLK Jr biopic
Billy Dortch
I don't know who he is, but he looks good. Like the hair and the video, but the song is boring. And I don't think he has the strongest of voices.
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H LEDGER R.I.P.
J WRIGHT for MLK Jr biopic
well.......
im more of a hard rock/metal fan myself. but i dont mind giving other genres of rock music a try.
this one wasnt TOO bad but like others mentioned, nothing that makes me go out and get it. some music, takes 5-10 seconds to love it, others takes time to warm up to me. thats prolly the case for this artist. ah well.
"Fate won't compromise"
I think all of you guys are being way too harsh!!!
Jealous queens maybe? This is someone who is following his dream, come one!
First I think his vocals are great, who cares about his hair?!
Second I dont think that having your first music video be in your face "gay" is the best idea....maybe he has something else up his sleeve for the next video?
Give this cute guy a bit of credit!
idk about that
jealous queens? idk
BUT.
the one thing singers have to face is CRITICSM.......its a sad but true kinda thing
"Fate won't compromise"
Available on Youtube?
does strange seeking and buffering functions...
That's what she said.......sorry. i had to say it.
"Fate won't compromise"
Not my tune
Levi Kreis / Ferras / Scissor Sisters
Here's another enthusiastic vote for Levi Kreis. His latest album Where I Belong is superb.
Another fantastic out singer is Ferras. Love his album Aliens & Rainbows. Ferras is one of the songwriters working with Adam Lambert on his debut CD.
And don't forget Scissor Sisters with out band members Jake Shears, Babydaddy and Del Marquis.
I watched the Billy Dortch video Breathe but sorry to say, I'm not impressed. The song is completely forgettable. His vocals aren't particularly strong either. There may be a hint of Kris Allen but none of the richness, quality or even range of our Pocket Idol. I also don't hear much of Green Day's Boulevard Of Broken Dreams in the opening riff.
it sound okay...
for me,and i think for a new singer he's not bad.and there is not wrong if not a "gay things "in video.
Here's a more accurate review...
Great voice, great song, great look, great video. That should be enough said, but after reading some of the comments I feel pressed to say more...
Kris Allen has a small range. Has anyone tried singing along to this song? Yeah, it's pretty rangy. And this song is more than white bread, too.
I don't hear the similarity to Green Day's song other than they're both pop-rock. Couldn't we also say that "Womanizer" is like "I Kissed A Girl" is like "So What" is like "Personal Jesus" is like "Call Me" is like "Ooh La La?" It's a weak comparison by someone looking to be a clever RollingStone editor. You could also say this song is reminiscent of "One of Us," "Building A Mystery," "My Happy Ending," "Wonderwall"... oh, is using four chords on acoustic guitar such a rip-off?
And as we're in this world of Chris Crockers (who?), Jeffrey Stars, Matthew Lushs, etc., etc., etc., osv., osv., osv, shouldn't we be supporting artists like this one who can actually sing? And sing a song that has relevance to our current times at that.
Seems to me that catty jealousy is a co-author in a lot of these (ahem) reviews.
Not liking a singer means one is jealous?
So what you're saying is if you don't like someone's singing, that means you're jealous of them? Okay...
And just because someone tends to sing in his higher register does not mean he has a particularly good range. I thought Dortch was straining a bit for the high notes and this song has nothing in the lower register. Of course, I reserve the right to have a different opinion if I hear him sing a different song.
Btw, I don't think anyone ever said Kris Allen has a large vocal range. He has an average range (he demonstrated a 12 step range during Idol) but he uses it very well.
Attention to deal, please.
lol. No, I said that the song, singer, video, etc. warrant better reviews than the handful of catty remarks. It's pretty clear. I suppose any review worth its salt shies away from being catty.
The melody hits several B-naturals - of course it's going to be high in a male voice. It has a great low to midrange, too. This song does have a challenging range, therefore the singer does have a good range. Sit at a piano and check it out.
Other reviews did point out Kris Allen and I highlighted that Dortch's range is superior. (Note: Allen's voice is more than 12 steps. It's most likely 2 1/2 octaves.)
Cheers.
No one was catty
So your idea of a better review is just to say everything about the video is great? In any case, I don't see that anyone was being catty. You obviously have your own definition of the word.
A song having a challenging range doesn't automatically mean the person singing the song has a good range. As I said before, I have the impression he's straining to reach the high notes.
Kris Allen displayed a 12 step range while on American Idol (as documented by IdolRanges.com). That does not mean his actual range is limited to 12 steps.
Interview with Billy Dortch
You can hear the interview I did with Billy on my radio show on August 7 here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Sisters_Talk/2009/08/08/Out-and-Proud-Model-Indie-Musician-Billy-Dortch
He was a lot of fun to talk to!