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Jay Brannan Talks To Jason Shaw

Jason Shaw — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:43:35 +0000

Jason Shaw, top blogger from The Seafront Diaries and gayagenda.com‘s UK correspondent managed to secure an exclusive interview with one of the most elusive New York based singer song-writers around at the moment, the highly talented Jay Brannan!

Here, especially for you, the BestGayBlogs.com readers and friends is that special exclusive interview:

Little mermaid on crack, voice of a fallen angel, a modern day twisted torch song singer, the sound of a sad angry woman, all various phrases that have been used to describe the talent that is New York based 28 year old actor, singer, song-writer Jay Brannan. Yet, all of them don’t quite hit the mark, for there is far more to the swoonsome singer than his pretty face, hauntingly beautiful voice and meaningful heartfelt lyrics!.

It’s fair to say this enigmatic boy first rose to the great public awareness when he appeared in the raunchy, provocative, John Cameron Mitchell move ‘Shotbus’ in 2006. A movie so full of erotic and and in your face sex than sadly a great many people didn’t see past that and see the masterpiece it truly is. It “was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever been a part of” Jay tells me, “Being in a movie and having a song on the sound-track, expanded my audience very quickly, on a small, but global scale” He says with fondness, the song he speaks of is the quirky, twinkly and jolly ‘Soda shop’ and that audience, is truly global – fans from as far apart as New Zealand and Iceland. And, it’s an audience that’s steadily growing, over 23,000 fans on Facebook, 37,800 odd on MySpace, a further 14,500 follow his every word on micro-blogging tweeteriffic Twitter and almost an amazing 6,890,000 plays on YouTube.

Those numbers are only likely to get bigger as this talented handsome young man packs up his trusty guitar and hits the road, touring both in North America and Europe. Full list of dates and venues can be found below, but, you’d better act fast, tickets sold out fast last time, leaving a surprisingly large number disappointed and unable to enjoy his emotive far reaching soul pleasing sound.

I caught up with Jay last week, after months and months of trying to gain an interview with the shy entertainer. First of all, I know you usually shy away from doing such interviews, claiming you’re not that interesting, so really Jay, I think you for agreeing to do this one.

Haha, Jason, I don’t ever remember agreeing to do an interview………

Let’s talk about your tour, you are just about to embark on a long list of live dates, what made you decide to tour now?

“Err, isn’t that what musicians do?”

Well, yep, good point, it is what musicians do, although in the commercial pop world it’s all lip syncing and coat hanger smiles! What do you enjoy more, is it the live shows or perhaps the recording or the writing?

“Live shows. Writing and recording are frustrating”

So, for you, what’s the best thing about live shows?

“I just like singing! But it’s cool that I show up in places I’ve never been sometimes, and there’s a room full of people there who came to see me sing! And sometimes they sing along, or request songs by name…that’s always a little surreal.”

Which song is most requested?

“Ummm…I’m not sure. I’m always surprised by which song of mine people tell me they like the best. It’s often not what I would expect.”

So far, Jay’s tour includes a few dates in England and Ireland this autumn, I ask if he’s excited to be coming back this way over the Atlantic.

“Oh of course! I’m very lucky to have the opportunity to tour international. it’s not easy!”

He’s no stranger to Europe, earlier this year he spent a few months travelling around, mostly mainland Europe, even giving a few impromptu open air concerts in city centre parks, much to the delight of the local fans. He’s enthusiastic in his reply to my rather weak and cliche question ‘how was it for you’?’

“It was an amazing experience. Parts of it were awesome, parts of it were horrible. But ultimately I learned so much about myself, and got to see some new parts of the world.”

“For someone as inactive and low energy as me, 3 months abroad is a big challenge hahaha. I grew a lot I think.”

I knew when I was in America for three months, there were certain quintessential ‘English’ things I missed, and I wondered if there was anything you missed most while you were travelling?

“American clothes dryers!!”

No interview with Jay would be complete if we didn’t touch on the movie ‘Shortbus’ whist it may not have achieved the audience it should have, it remains one of my favourite and a rapidly becoming a cult classic. I asked Jay, who played a rather shy and giggly Ceth, if it was an enjoyable experience.

“Yup…….one of the most amazing things I’ve ever been a part of. I was very lucky to be involved in that project and to get to know such incredible people. It was soooo much fun, and meaningful at the same time”

Because of the publicity surrounding it’s original release, as one of the most erotic and explicit movies ever released, I wondered if it had helped or hindered his musical career, and you can tell by his words, he’s brimming with pride about the movie.

“I owe a lot of my “career” to that film. Being in a movie and having a song on the sound-track, expanded my audience very quickly. On a small, but global scale”

“It’s brought me lots of opportunity”

Changing the subject a little and focusing on the music, your songs are so authentic and meaningful, where do you draw your inspiration from?

“My life ! Mostly pain, frustration, fear, anger. Those are the things that drive me to write.

“It’s like my coping mechanism for life. Or like having a tumour in my brain that has to be drained every now and then, or my head will pop. Haha, that’s kind of gross, isn’t it?”

It is kinda gross, but also the perfect analogy for having to get something out, out of your head, to let it flow free, to share it with the world. What comes first, is it the lyrics, or the tune, or does it just flood your mind in one big lump?

“I suck at playing guitar, so I have to write something on guitar first, cuz I cant write a guitar part to match something I’ve already written, after that I hum a tune and start piecing together the melody and the words”

You make it sound easy, do you find it easy to write?

No!! it never comes easy to me. Agonising, even yes……”

I’ve always thought your songs have a deep, meaningful, authentic quality to them, how easy is it for you to be so honest when writing?

“Being honest is one of the few things I’m really good at! Haha that’s not difficult at all”

And, which one of your honest songs are you most proud?

“That depends on the day. Shockingly, I am proud of lots of them. Three years ago I would have told you I thought they were all horrible haha. But the response from other people has allowed me to believe maybe they’re not so bad”

His slightly self effacing personality is all part of the charm and beauty that makes this singer so attractive to his audience, who are a pretty loyal bunch. What’s the best thing about being Jay Brannan I ask, not really expecting a specific answer, but gratitude was the last thing on my mind.

“Haha I don’t know, I’ve been lucky to make a living from music for the past 2 years, and I’ve gotten to travel around the world more than once. I am very grateful for those things”

What’s the worst thing about being Jay Brannan then?

“Probably the emotional & social dysfunction parts haha”

Talking of emotions, are you still single, or has love entered your life? Are you anywhere nearer to becoming that housewife making guacamole?

“I haven’t dated anyone in 8 years!!!”

I wasn’t anticipating such a long absence of date-able men, I’d have thought potential suitors would be lining up round the block for this handsome eligible bachelor, god knows if I’d been a couple of years younger, I’d have been one of them! But, what kind of guys does Jay go for?

“Ummm someone who makes me laugh and who likes me exactly the way i am”

Maybe, he’ll walk in to one of your shows, although I’m quite sure a flutter from those long eyelashes and searching eyes would have quite a few hearts fluttering in the audience you might have to fight ‘em off with a stick. But, apart from this the tour, coming over to Europe, what other plans have you got?

“Trying to figure out how to record my next album, and writing the songs for it. I’d also like to do more acting.”

Our brief time is running out and I wonder if he’d like to leave us with a little bit of Jay Brannan wisdom?

“ummmm…follow your instincts and never let other people tell you who can or cant be, and what you can or cant do with your own life?”

Now, as any of my regular readers will know, I also end an interview with a request for a secret, for example, Jayden Grey told me he secretly likes chic-flicks, Joanna Lumley said she secretly liked chilling out with no make-up and jogging bottoms on and Christopher Dallman confessed that Lindsay Lohan thought he was hot – So Jay, tell us a secret.

“Oh My God! how weird, Lindsay Lohan thought *I* was hot, too!!”

Thanks for the interview Jay, just like I promised, it wasn’t too probing! (we’ll save that for next time!)

Jay’s tour details as follows –

Tuesday October 19
Brighton, UKbuy tickets / see facebook event
Wednesday October 20
London, UKbuy tickets / see facebook event
Thursday October 21
Manchester, UKbuy tickets / see facebook event

American shows -
Friday August 20
Boston, MAbuy tickets / see facebook event
Tuesday August 24
Philadelphia, PAbuy tickets / see facebook event
Thursday August 26
Washington, D.C.buy tickets / see facebook event

Tuesday September 7
Atlanta, GAbuy tickets / see facebook event
Wednesday September 8 (*early show)Nashville, TNbuy tickets / see facebook event

Friday September 10
Orlando, FLbuy tickets / see facebook event
Saturday September 11
Miami, FLsee facebook event
Monday September 13
Portland, ORbuy tickets / see facebook event
Tuesday September 14
Seattle, WAbuy tickets / see facebook event
Thursday September 16
Denver, CObuy tickets / see facebook event
Saturday September 18
Minneapolis, MNon sale Aug 6 / see facebook event
Monday September 20
Columbus, OHon sale Aug 7 / see facebook event

You can reach Jay here –

Hayden Chandler – New Porn Sensation?

Jason Shaw — Wed, 05 May 2010 11:00:49 +0000

He’s the new boy on the block, the fresh face in the crowd, the new hot twink of BoyCrush & Helix, Today, our very own Jason Shaw, from The Seafront Diaries, talks to Hayden Chandler. Hayden is the new twink porn sensation, that some are already calling a Twink Legend In The Making.

Hi Hayden, first of all thanks for sitting down with me for this interview, what are you up to?
Hiii! No problem!! Right now I’m feeding my addiction for Twitter! Haha I told myself that I would NEVER use twitter, but look at me now I’m a tweetaholic!! I always love to have new followers!

OK, it’s not long since you’ve come back from Phoenix, and your gay Pride event? Phoenix Pride was GREAT!! It sure was a memorable first pride, not only going to but being apart of it was so awesome!! I saw a lot of people I haven’t seen since my last visit to Phoenix and I met some great new people as well!! I had the pleasure of meeting Patrick Kennedy and Jason Pitt while down there which was really cool. Overall it was definitely a great time!!

Now, you’re young, you’re only 18, and already making inroads into the world of adult entertainment and getting more and more popular?
I know!! Crazy isn’t it? I am very thankful for where I am right now. I can only hope to go further!! I thank all of my supporters and fans for that!

How many scenes have you shot?
So far I have done 8 scenes. 5 for BoyCrush and 3 for Helix. 5 of them being hardcore scenes. Be sure to check em out!!What made you get into this porn business in the first place?
Ive been interested in porn for as long as I can remember. It was always a fascinating subject to me so a couple months after turning 18 I decided to give it a shot! Here I am now!! Loving every minute of it!

Did you have an worries about doing porn?
Not at all! I thought long and hard (no pun intended) about my choice. I’m only worried about right now. Ill deal with things as they come later in life. One step at a time right?Yep, one step at a time, but how far would you like to go in the industry?As far as I can go! I’m in this for the long run and I dont plan on stopping any time soon. Id like to continue to be on camera for a couple years and then possibly move onto something like directing or more behind the scenes work. Maybe have my own studio? Who knows! The possibilities are ENDLESS if you have the right mindset.

Who would you most like to work with?
This question is like a signature interview question!! I always feel like I’m on the spot answering it too cause there are SOO many great models that Id love to work with!! But just to name a few Chase Harding, Patrick Kennedy, Keith Conner, Cody Cachet, Cody Kyler and the lovely Brent Corrigan.
I get the feeling it wont be long before you’re working with some of those guys. Now, talking of the actual work, tell me, is it hard getting and staying hard when filming?Sometimes it is definitely difficult Jason. Sometimes there is a lot of stopping and going so there’s time to lose the moment. Sometimes the chemistry is just so obvious that it makes it easier to stay hard. It all just depends really.

Any ‘trade’ secrets from behind the scenes you want to share with is, or you can tell us about? Any tips?
Filming is such a fun process!! The environment is usually very up beat and everyone is enjoying what they are doing! There are times during a scene where we’ll take a short break for water or just to talk about how the scene is going and where it needs to end up at the end. A scene can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on how things are going. Ive learned that it takes a lot longer the more people you have in a scene. So just remember that when your watching a scene that is 24 minutes long that it could have actually taken 2 hours for that 24 minutes. For anyone reading that is thinking about taking a shot in the business all I can say is that having a positive attitude and a good outlook on things will do you wonders! Porn is a job and it needs to be treated like one.

What’s the kinkiest thing you’ve done on screen and errm off?
Spanking is the most kinkiest thing I have done ON screen. I’m hoping to get into some more kinkier stuff to start exploring. A few years ago I had sex in a hotel stairwell while I was on a date. We ran into the hotel to escape the rain and decided to walk around when all of a sudden we were making out up against some random room and slowly worked our way to the stairwell. Probably one of the hottest moments of my life.

Do all your friends and family know about your choice of career, & what have they said?
Yes. All of my friends and family know that I have chosen to do porn. Surprisingly they are ALL very supportive of it. I get the occasional “be careful honey” or the “are you sure you know what your doing?”. . but they have all been thankfully sooo supportive and I cannot be any happier with it!

Wow, that’s impressive, what did you say, presumably you don’t just come out and say, “mom, dad, I’m gonna do porn for a living?”
Actually Jason, thats exactly how I did it! I mentioned the idea to my mom driving to a friends house and she just kinda laughed and thought it was a phase or that I was only joking. When I actually decided to pursue it I just told her that I was going to do porn. She then told her fiance and my grandmother. We then decided it was best to tell the entire family via Facebook message seeings how my family is in Michigan, we didnt want any confusion or any of the family members saying anything to me that would be offensive. In the end it all worked out and everyone is extremely supportive of my decision. I couldnt be any happier about it!

That’s great, now going back a little, when did you first know you were gay?
Back in 4th grade I started to realize I was attracted to guys. I was unaware that this wasnt normal so I didnt think anything of it at the time. . . little did I know.Was coming out easy for you? How did you do it?My mom and I were driving back home from my grandparents house when I turned to her and said “Mom, I have something to tell you. .” When I said that I knew that she automatically knew what I was going to tell her. Indeed she did know too! I told her about my boyfriend and everything. It was a lot easier than what I thought it would be. My family pretty much already had their suspicions I guess. Coming out definitely lifted a HUGE weight off my shoulders.

Are you with anyone, like romantically at the moment?
No unfortunately not. Part of me wants to stay single and focus on myself and my career but the other half of me almost needs the boyfriend like figure. Just someone I can cuddle up to at night and hold. Who knows though!? The right guy might just come around!

Have you ever been in love?
Ohh Jason, this is always a tough question to answer because I have no clue! At the time of a couple relationships I did feel like I was in love. But then again what exactly is love you know? I’m not sure if I have ever been IN LOVE but I definitely feel like it was something close or similar to love.

Do you think working in porn gets in the way of relationships and dating?
To be honest I believe it all depends on your partner and how open minded they are. Trust is also a huge factor needed in a relationship when your in porn I think. This isn’t really a question I can answer seeings how I haven’t had the experience. I know a lot of guys who are very turned on by the fact that I do porn and others think of it as trashy. I’m just trying to fly solo right now though.

Ok, but what kinda guys turn you on?
Jocky Twinks FOR SURE. Kind of like a Patrick Kennedy haha. Muscular yet twinky.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a porn star?
To be honest I have no clue. Probably still folding clothes at Hollister. I am very thankful for where I am right now. I wouldn’t give any of it up for anything.

What’s next for you?
Thats a good question! Im trying to get on my feet and thinking about moving out soon. Possibly going to start looking for a small part time job too just to keep the money flowing. I plan to continue working for BoyCrush and Helix as much as needed. We’ll see where life takes me I guess. I just dont want to get old haha. Hopefully I’ll be a cute old guy though!

Ahh, I’m sure you’ll be a cute older guy, do you like some older guys, or find them attractive?
Awe thanks! I can only hope so!! I find older guys, who you can tell use to be a super hot twink, waay attractive. I had a flight attendant who was an old twink on my way to Phoenix. I was hoping to join the mile high club that day but things didn’t work out haha.

Haha, well, there’s always next time, anyway, we’re at the end of our time together, but like always, I’ll end my interview with a little request, Hayden, go on, be a honey, tell us a secret?
I have a fear of birds. . Idk why but they just creep me out. The way they move their heads, their weird beaks the fact that they can get anywhere super fast by flying. . . idk they are just suuuuper creepy to me haha.

I’d like to thank Hayden for a super interview, all the way through the process he’s been charming, friendly, happy and willing to oblige. He sure is making head way in the world of Twink porn, his open smile, sexy body, lovely eyes have already built him up a large fan base. If he carries on this with the positive, yet down to earth, attitude he currently has, then the sky is the limit for this young legend in the making.

Find out more about Hayden on twitter and on his new site.

Jason Shaw

Johnny Maverick: Profile of a Rising Gay Porn Star

admin — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 11:00:38 +0000

At first, I didn’t know what to expect about my first interview with this great looking gay porn actor, even though it has always been my dream. Interviewing Johnny was one of my fantasies coming true. If the gay’s heaven exists, I was there. I asked myself what kind of questions In preparation for the interview with Johnny Maverick, I found myself doing research online, I was captivated by his unique body and face.

Johnny has the skills to make his dreams come true. He was a successful businessman working in an advertising agency, but he still wasn’t satisfied. He knew he could live a sensational new experience and take the kind of journey he was always looking for and do the job that he was ready for. “One day I opened the local Toronto paper to find an ad looking for sexy and fit models for adult work. I answered the ad I quit my other job two weeks later, due to the fact that I almost missed my plane to fly to Montreal for a photo shoot. I had 40 minutes to make it from my work to the airport. I figured it was no longer worth keeping the job that I hated.”

Johnny is another God in the gay porn universe. Endowed with a smooth, built body in perfect proportion. He can be your boy next door, but at the same time, a desirable hunk. He is clean-cut when cameras are not rolling, but he turns into a really bad boy when they start to film. He can be quite shy, even though he sex in front of people for a living. No, he is not a case of double personalities, or Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He is just a professional that enjoys his work to the max. Where he is, is where the fun is. He has a great sense of adventure, comes out to give his audience and fans an amazing performance. Then lights, camera, action!!

Harder, faster, deeper, top, bottom, inside, outside. In the 60 adult gay films he has made, you notice the real vivid gestures Maverick gets on his face, and when he releases, he takes it all like a good boy. Literally he earns his money sweating for it, and with all the labels in the gay porn industry, he wants to make it clear that “actually I am mostly a top, but I like to class myself as versatile.” I bet he knows how to have fun on both sides of the playground. Oh yes, he perfectly does. “My porn is reality based For the most part. I get to be myself so I am not actually acting.” What more real that having sex?

Extreme sports scenarios are part of his real life. He loves Snowboarding, BMXing, Downhill mountain biking and most things that involve speed. We know what he means. “I practice sports on a regular basis and go to the Gym as well. Keeping in shape is part of my life regardless of my profession.” In porn you need to be wild, but what happens when he is not playing the gay porn actor and the lights are off? Johnny lives life to the fullest enjoying time with his mother, who knows about his job and approves of it, but hasn’t seen any of his movies. “When I am not working I enjoy life, I own a boat which I live on in the summer, I ride my BMX frequently I also indulge in the outdoors which can involve camping, climbing etc. I am also thinking always of new and improved ways I can film something that makes me happy. “

It’s a good thing to do what you want to do and to work in something that makes you feel good. “Yes my work makes me feel very good. The first casting I had was easy. I was not prepared and did not know what to expect. I thought I could, I was very positive. They looked at me and my physical shape, etc; very simple.” For all of you that think porn is easy, Maverick says;“it is a mind set, you either accept it or not. If you feel comfortable being naked in front of other people and having sex and then having the world see it then you can most likely be a porn star. I know of big stars that got into it for the money and treat it like a business. Like need to be treated as a business and a profession.”

Johnny was very young when first approached eroticism, and the first scene he recalls seeing was a Bel Ami film with Lukas Ridgestone (Can you believe he discovered the gay world in a high standard?), whom he met when filming in Slovakia working with the First European Gay porn talent company. It was fantastic because for the first time in his career was able to be involved with a film where could be himself, and be involved with the casting, and all the ideas for the film, as real stars do. “I have filmed 3 films with Bel Ami all Johnny Maverick style. We shot some B roll stuff in Toronto for our presentation to Mr. Duroy. When we arrived in Slovakia the first time we were privileged to work with Dolph Lambert. We filmed with Ralph Woods in Montreal and also with Kurt Diesel in Budapest.” It was quite a journey and very well lived, not candy pop but lots of hot sugar. “I would like to work with George Duroy and that is just a fantasy that I know will never happen because he only directs younger males and I am 30. Wish I would have met him earlier in life.”

Johnny’s first realized he was gay when he was only 11 years old, but admits it was very difficult in the town where he grew up to be gay. So he waited for the right moment to come out. He admits he suffered a bit right after coming out, but worked very hard to come to terms with it. He was discriminated against when he was younger but now he feels very strongly about it. The first person he told was his ex- girlfriend, then he told his mother, who is very proud of her son. “My father died in Mexico when I was six.” Right now, at 30 years old, people have started to recognize him and he feels he’s been totally rewarded for it. His first filming took him some getting used “It was good, I was very nervous; yes there was a director present. Shot in Montreal with two other males, a threesome.”

Gay porn is not an underground world because in the United States as in Canada has become very open and let’s face it, most of us watch porn and secretly have respect for it. I am trying to put myself in your shoes and think how a porn actor goes to a scene, what should I have in my mind in that moment and to know what role I will play. Johnny is very honest and as he says he doesn’t know how to answer that because it his life and he believes he was born to do. And when he goes for a shoot he just gets into his car or on an airplane and go to the shoot and then when it is done he gets back to home and feed his dogs. For Johnny’ it is simple as should be guys. “I have I really great time on stage sexually and also a great time being an exhibitionist for the audience. I film on average one scene per week but have filmed as many as 3 in one week.”

The most difficult scene for Maverick was definitely with hisfirsthugecock.com, where he had a new model that could not follow direction at all and the scene took so long. That can be very frustrating for a guy like him. But when I ask about what would not be allowed to make he answers that the sky is the limit as long as it does not involve children or animals. And we know a gay porn career has not a long life and only a few continue in time so he is planning his future in porn because after 35 your career is over.

Johnny Maverick, a native descendent of Italy, He is a rising gay porn star and wants to stick with it and create as long as he can until retirement like his favorite actor Rocco Siffredi that inspired him to create porn that has a real appeal, sex appeal. I am satisfied I meet a man with not only inside beauty if not within. A real, a son, a good boy and, a fan of sports and you know a bad boy on screen; a man for who many things are beautiful and many people as well. A man very devoted to his fans and is he has said in interviews before “I will be doing my job as long as I can to keep my fans happy. They are what keep me in business.“ And we know he will keep making us happy as he creates fun and paradise on earth.

Check more out by clicking here.

Interview by Anonio Capurro: capurroantonio@gmail.com

GA Interviews Scottie Gage

James — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 11:14:28 +0000

Meet OUT recording artist Scottie Gage. As stated on his website, it’s impossible to resist his sultry sound. He seamlessly blends elements of mainstream pop, disco, funk and urban soul. His music delivers everything from ultra remixalble upbeat groves to thought provoking ballads.

Scottie recorded his first EP, Waterslide, with Chris Cubeta in 2007 at Galuminumfoil Studios in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. You can check out his debut video for the first single at www.logoonline.com. He has performed all over NYC and has also appeared as a guest artist at the 2008 Staten Island & NYC Pride.

Find out what Scottie has to say about life and love and watch his video for his hit single “Waterslide” at GayAgenda.com!