Two-Bite Interview: Singer/Songwriter Jason Antone

Jason Antone is a triple threat: not only is he an accomplished vocalist, he is also a songwriter and producer.

This Chicago native first came to the music world’s attention with his first single “With You” which was a breakout at #3 on the Billboard Dance Charts.

His current ditty, “Be Free” (co-written with Georgie Porgie) is in rotation on Logo and has been on the Sirius Out Q chart at #4 for months. The song also peaked at #23 on the Billboard Dance Charts. Let’s check in with Jason and hear in his own words what it’s like to be an openly gay independent artist who has it going on!

AfterElton.com: Hey Jason, your voice really caught my ear when I heard your track “Be Free” ... you stand out in a generic world.

Jason Antone: Thanks, the problem with most music today is you really do not have to sing anymore, all you have to do is go “ah” into the microphone and they can do anything with that.

AE: Yeah, I have this spin instructor who drives me crazy as she keeps raving about the new Britney album, uh, I could have sang that with her team of producers.

JA: I know, and that whole CD sounds like you could have too, it is so over produced. It is catchy and whatever, but….I am always disappointed when I go to see people live and it sounds so different from the CD. It’s so disappointing, you think: “Oh, they are so great I can’t wait to see them” then it’s a huge let down.

AE: You have, and this is meant as a compliment, a real Karen Carpenter quality to your voice.

JA: Totally! I do!

AE: Glad you understand what I mean by that! Her voice was pure, like a clear line to her soul.

JA: I get what you mean by this, I definitely express myself more when I am singing. Singing to you I could say more than talking to you. There is a complete honesty when I am singing.

AE: The video for “Be Free” is really great, who directed that?

JA: His name is Davidson Cole, he’s a Sundance film director, some of his work actually scared me so I thought: “I wonder if he would be interested in doing a music video?” He never had before. The video is really dark, very David Lynch like; I felt the song was so upbeat that the video needed to be kind of the opposite. I am not a big fan of dance music videos set in a dance club, that’s just me, and it’s been done. I told Davidson here is the budget, do what you think needs to be done, because once I start micro-managing it, it’s just stupid. Let the people you hire to do the job, do their job.

AE: Tears for Fears “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” is a groovy cover of yours.

JA: The song is on ITunes - it has not been officially released though. I want to wait until I have an album out and put it on there, I love the song a lot! The recording of it came out so great that it made me nervous, I did not want to be known as the “cover guy.” It’s a fine line to walk, but people like it and when I do perform it live, it always gets a great reaction!

AE: How do you think being an openly gay artist works for you?

JA: Funny, I used to think about it a lot before, about my career and how it would go. Basically I am just being myself, this is who I am. I am at a point in my life, if I am not honest about who I am not honest with my work and what I represent for people and I don’t want to lead my life that way.

AE: You view it as a non-issue.

JA: Exactly! I am an artist it does not matter who I am sleeping with when I am singing. I don’t look at my life as gay; I look at my life as me. People who would not understand this or appreciate it, I would not want in my life anyway.

AE: Tell us what type of guy “floats your boat.”

JA: Many different boats float me. (laughs) I don’t have a look.

AE: Want to get more specific?

JA: NOYB! (laughs) I like to keep some things for myself. You will get 100% on stage, I will discuss my art, share the lyrics I write - my off stage time is mine, you need something for yourself.

AE: Where are you right now? I hear people in the background.

JA: Actually I am in New York at Century 21.

AE: Car insurance is no fun!

JA: No, I‘m shopping, it is department store, like a disco designer clothing store. (laughs) Yesterday I met with my next potential video director who lives here.

AE: Awesome! Well Jason, while you are at Century 21 you'd better buy some disco shades, because your future looks bright.

JA: Will do, they might come in handy in the video for the song “Love’s Going to Lead You Back” that I just recorded.

AE: Glad to be of service. (laughs)

JA: Thanks for the input. (laughs)

Grab your disco shades, “Be Free” and check out Jason's website and MySpace page.