Entertainment
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
As his friend Adam Lambert was on the cusp of cover story chaos last week, singer-songwriter Ferras was taking the tiny stage at Los Angeles Hotel Caf to try out some new material for a small crowd of loyal listeners. Ferras 2008 debut Aliens & Rainbows spawned Hollywoods Not America -- featured as the goodbye song on two episodes of last seasons American Idol -- as well as a flurry of press as much about Ferras piano-driven pop-rock as his dramatic family backstory -- he grew up in Illinois but was dragged back to his fathers native Jordan during a custody battle. (Oh, and hes gay.)
While a steady of stream of fans came up after the Hotel Caf show (also the acoustic alma mater of his gal pal Katy Perry), Ferras talked with Out.com about writing love songs for big-time straight singers, breaking free from his Capitol Records contract, and how Lambert has already changed the game for guys like them. (He was unfortunately mum on more details about the song hes writing for Lamberts album beyond what hes Twittered and >blogged -- other than saying that it wasnt one of several new and very catchy tunes he played that night.)
Out.com: How much of your time do you spend writing for other people right now?
Ferras: I would say its about 50-50. My first record actually established me more as a songwriter, so Ive been getting a lot of calls. You take the work when it comes. Ive been getting a lot of work lately.
Who are you working with that you can tell me about?
Well, of course you know about Adam. Im just trying to write big hits for major artists.
What about big hits for you?
Ive been doing an EP. Some of the songs that you heard tonight, like >Fraction and Touchthats more in the style of where Im going. Its going to have a string section, and beats. Im going to try to channel early Prince and Little Red Corvette, in that kind of vein. And just be more sexual, and explore the fun side of lifeas opposed to this is what makes me tick, Im so dark, oh my God, my life. Its such a discovery process. Im not going to put something out there that I dont really think is fucking amazing.
Do you have a different approach for your own material?
If Im writing for me, it comes from a place thats hurtful. Something happens to me and then I write a song because of a certain feeling.
Does it matter if the person singing your songs is not queer?
Truthfully, I dont see gender or sexuality or sexual preference in my songs. I just write from love or desire or whatever. Im not thinking, Okay, this was originally written for my gay lover-boyfriend-whatever and now I have to make it about a girl. But thats a valid question. When I was younger and I wasnt so comfortable in who I was, maybe that would have been a different story.
What happened with your Capitol Records contract? The big fear when an out artist lands a big deal that doesnt last is that it was because theyre gay. Was it?
I think, honestly, no. The person who signed me to Capitol left, and new people came in from the UK. I wasnt their project. My first single went to the top 15 on the charts. We should have released a second single, and we were poised to do that. But then there wasnt anyone there to approve budgets and whatever, and you just get lost in the shuffle. Im not going to say anything bad about them, but you know when you have the right connection, and it wasnt the right fit for me.
Whats the upside to striking out on your own?
The music industry isnt what it was 10 years ago, and its never going to be the same. I have the ability to do and say exactly what I want without anybody putting a piece of tape over my mouth and saying, Wed prefer if you werent saying these things.
Did people tell you that?
A little bit, yeah. I think when you have somebody as flamboyant as me, it can be a scary thing for an audience thats not necessarily made up of, you know, other crazy people.
Has Adam Lambert already changed the game?
Hopefully he will open up some doors for others to follow. I think were very fortunate to have somebody like Adam who the world has gravitated to because of his sheer talent. But its also time. Its nothing new. Its just finally happening because of the vehicle of 40 million people watching the show. I do think it says something that hes getting all this press. And its because hes great, but its also because he doesnt give a fuck. He is who he is, and thats something thats very noveland respectable.
Tell me about your jacket. Its very Prince meets Tchaikovsky.
I got it at a thrift store. I really like the whole military style. It juxtaposes my personality.
You said youre not dating anyone. But what are you looking for?
A sense of humor. And a great ass.
For more on Ferras, check out his MySpace page.
Send a letter to the editor about this article.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
38 Male Celebs Who Did Full Frontal Scenes
November 17 2023 5:18 PM
These are all the celebrities Who came out as LGBTQ+ in 2023
December 31 2023 12:19 PM
32 LGBTQ+ Celebs You Can Follow on OnlyFans
October 25 2023 3:15 PM
26 actors who showed bare ass in movies & TV shows
February 28 2024 1:50 PM
21 LGBTQ+ reality dating shows & where to watch them
April 03 2024 4:01 PM
15 Unforgettable Gay Kissing Scenes From TV & Movies
February 14 2024 10:20 AM
14 queens who quit or retired from drag after 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
April 04 2024 12:56 PM
40 steamy celebrity Calvin Klein ads we'll always be thirsty for
January 04 2024 10:54 AM
The 15 Best LGBTQ+ Movies of 2023
December 04 2023 10:32 AM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
April 17, 2024
19h
Kennedy Davenport finally explains the rumored 'All Stars 3' drama with Trixie Mattel
April 16 2024 4:16 PM
Watch the queens from 'Drag Race Live' hilariously reveal Out's RuPaul cover
April 16 2024 4:10 PM
Noah Beck claps back at people who assumed he's gay for hugging a male friend
April 16 2024 4:03 PM
Jonathan Bailey's next gig is being lined up & it involves dinosaurs & ScarJo
April 16 2024 2:12 PM
Queens were showing out & shining bright at The Center's fundraising dinner
April 16 2024 1:37 PM
Wanna hookup internationally? Grindr's new feature helps you do that
April 16 2024 12:58 PM
Ricky Martin reveals 'very discreet' man he's met in exclusive new 'Palm Royale' clip
April 16 2024 11:56 AM
This morning was PURE CHAOS in the Bravo universe
April 15 2024 7:35 PM
Wrestling stud Anthony Bowens stuns in sweaty & steamy gym selfie
April 15 2024 4:56 PM
Billie Eilish kissed a girl at Coachella & we're FREAKING OUT
April 15 2024 4:19 PM
Writing helped save one queer poet's life—now he wants to help others feel seen & heard
April 15 2024 4:08 PM