Tag Archives: Lady Gaga

INTERVIEWING RICHY SQUIRREL JACKSON

Posted on 2012/10/02 | Leave a comment

I was able to grab a quick interview with the man himself, Richy Squirrel Jackson, whose new reality television show Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition hitting Lifetime TV October 9 promises to be full of high-kicks and even higher drama. Richy is the man behind the brilliant choreography of Lady Gaga and has worked dancing alongside many a star including the amazing Laurianne Gibson. Richy perches on the judge’s pew with Pussycat Dolls creator Robin Antin and Dance Moms maven Abby Lee Miller for television’s latest dance competition show. We can’t wait to watch the magic unfold.

Anything that has the words reality or Abby Lee Miller in the description can be assumed to be chock full of tears, cheers and jeers. Not everyone agrees with the way that dance floor ringmaster Abby Lee Miller from Dance Moms (on the same network) handles her students and performers. It’s very tough love. Take it or leave it. With the stage comes crazy “stage moms” and in AUDC. I feel certain they will be in brute force wanting their little Mischa or Giselle to leap to the top as quickly as possible. Cross Abby’s tell-it-like-it-is-her-way-or-the-highway temperament and fame hungry young performers driven by their mom and sparks will create fireworks of pure guilty pleasure television. Setting the DVR now!

Here’s what cute and cuddly Richy Squirrel had to say about a taste of recent fame, his new show on Lifetime TV and what we viewers can expect from the surefire reality hit he’s poured his heart and soul into making happen! Because of strict confidentiality clauses and contracts, he’s quite limited in what he can say regarding certain aspects of his professional career. I respect that. I admit that I don’t like it, but I can respect it. We want to know it all! Here’s the talented one telling it like it is in his words…

Steven Michael - Care to share an early career moment that made you the performer you are today?

Richy Squirrel Jackson – “When I first touched down in L.A., I can remember immediately taking dance classes because that was the thing to do. Soon after, I noticed that my personal dance style and approach to choreography began to change and I began to perform like everyone else. So I stopped taking classes and continued to work on myself as a dancer/performer and this led me to feel more confident in what “I” bring to the world of dance as a performer.”

When the spotlight is off, where is Richie and what is he doing? What’s your off-time like and who is around you?

“When the spotlight is off… Richy is definitely checking out a movie, relaxing at home, spending time with friends or doing absolutely nothing. This business is 24/7, so off time is precious and in that sense doing less is so much more for me. Weekends aren’t really weekends and holidays become just another name for a day.”

Do people recognize you on the street and what’s that like for you?

“Yes people recognize me on the streets and for me it’s great! I take pictures, get asked questions about jobs, people dance in front of me or they just shout out “5-6-7-8,” Ha- Ha! It’s always a good time for a minute or two out of my day!”

We were heavily involved with the dance workshop circuit when I was a teen. Did you do the dance competitions when you were younger like Tremaine and Showstopper? Is Abby’s new show like that? What can we expect this first season?

“When I was younger I was in a dance group and I choreographed the local cheerleading team. Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition is more like her own version of competitions that actually take place in the world of competitive dance. It takes a brand new direction from where Dance Moms began with the kids competing individually for the chance at $100,000 as well as a prized scholarship to the Joffrey School of Ballet in NYC. This really creates a competition unlike any other. You’ll see the struggles and triumphs throughout the season as well as what it takes to be the last one standing on the stage… more than you realized!”

After working with Abby on AUDC… How do you feel about her teaching methods that are portrayed on Dance Moms? Do you feel the cameras portray her genuinely and do you agree with her way of handling her girls on TV?

“After working on AUDC I realize that Abby’s teaching methods are good-old-fashion tough love. Dance Moms portrays her just as she is, only it’s hard to understand when you see these young children. Abby’s methods are much like that of a coach of a sports team and though it isn’t the way I may handle situations, the outcome is still great! I respect and have much love for Abby!”

I agree with you on the aspect that Abby wants the most out of her girls. Though it’s not anything that I’m familiar with in my dance training. Are you able to take or teach dance classes with you busy schedule? I live in Palm Springs and unfortunatley there’s limited resources unless you drive to L.A. or take Zumba. I miss it but am choreographing a new artist for Gay Pride and competing for a male entertainer title in March so I do what I can do. What’s you favorite style of dance?

“My schedule has become very busy. I have little time even for myself. I’ve always felt that booking a job, to work for me as a dancer on any of my projects is the best class you can get. You get to learn, you get to dance, and… you get paid!”

Do you find downfalls of doing reality television? Any invasion of privacy issues you deal with? Just curious.

“I don’t find any downfalls in doing reality television. I actually really enjoy doing reality TV simply because all you have to be is “you.” There are no scripts or characters to play. It just empowers you to be your true self and to be confident in you who are and what you have to say. Make wise choices.”

What makes you happiest ever?

“I am truly happiest when I’ve completed choreography for a live performance, video, etc. and see that my vision for the piece was well received by not just the artist but those who are attached to the project as well and more importantly, the artists’ fans.”

What can you tell me what I didn’t ask you?

“I love choreographing and being a visionary. I’m so happy and grateful that I have been able to turn my passion into a career. Never ever give up on your dreams!”

I want to send a big hug out to Richy for being part of my domain and taking a few minutes to share his life with us! Loved his answers and amazing wicked talents. Catch Ricky Squirrel Jackson on Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition on Lifetime TV October 9 or catch him on his Twitter or Facebook pages!

And KEEP DANCING!

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Posted in DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY, FIERCE TELEVISION, HERE'S THE TEA, OUR BIG GAY LIFE, REALITY TV RECAPS

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THE BEST MUSIC OF 2011

Posted on 2011/11/21 | Leave a comment

With the Holidays upon us (can’t believe it’s time to start saying those words!) I thought it would be smart to help ALL of you Christmas shoppers who are looking for the soundtrack of the year 2011 for your ears. Some songs may have been released in 2010 but these chart toppers hit hard in ’11 and will keep going! This is my favorite music to get you through holiday parties, long drives through snow to grandmother’s house you go, and to knock you into visions of sugarplums that dance in you head by presenting this list of the BEST MUSIC of 2011.

Starting this list of MUST HAVE MUSIC from 2011 is the Lady herself, Lady Gaga bringing us You And I. This song is one of those that makes you feel emotions all over the chart. I simply LOVE this music from Lady Gaga and will not listen otherwise. Actually, her entire album Born This Way – The Collection [2 CD / DVD Combo] is a fierce stocking stuffers for your little monsters!

To follow my blog here at iamstevenmichael.com is to also know that I am actually a much younger British tween that screams inside her head every time she hears The Saturdays. Dropping this next week my girls of Vanessa, Rochelle, Mollie, Una and Frankie have a NEW ALBUM titled On Your Radar and the tracks coming off of it already are pure ear candy from Notorious, “My Heart Takes Over” and “All Fired Up.” LUV THESE GIRLS!

Finally, Britney Spears is back and on top of the game she once ruled! This year her new album Femme Fatale spawned many a hit single including Till The World Ends, “Hold It Against Me” and my favorite I Wanna Go that is FUN PHUN! Everyone loves Britney! It’s her world and we simply live to listen and watch what’s next from her!

Recently named Esquire magazine’s “Sexiest Woman Alive” Rihanna has killed it from radio to dance floors to iPod playlists all year long and beyond with We Found Love and such mega-hits as S&M and California King Bed. From her past music catalogue to even newer tunes that are hitting radio today, Rihanna is here to stay! “Feels so good, being bad. There’s no way I’m turning back.”

My rock goddess Stevie Nicks has turned another stunner with her newest album In Your Dreams with my favorites: the Fleetwood Mac feeling Wide Sargasso Sea and delicious first single Secret Love. We saw her at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino over the summer and she entertains every time leaving a part of her on the stage even if it’s just a lost bead of piece of lace.

The current Mrs. Justin Beiber, Selena Gomez, gave me a video of fiercely windblown hair walking through the desert for her dance hit A Year Without Rain (Dave Audé Club Remix) remixed from her single of the same name. A slow motion diva feeling her moment and you have me staring at the television monitors at the gym daily. She looks amaze and love this song, both versions!

U.K. Boy-Band The Wanted nailed me hard with Glad You Came and if you like them cute and young then YouTube their videos. Delicious, and their music is good, too. They’re about to break into the U.S. so watch out for them. Both The Wanted and The Saturdays are making their ways onto our soil so fall in love now and be ahead of the curve!

Beyoncé came through with her album 4 (Deluxe Edition) that gave drag queens and wanna-bees the buzz to turn out Run The World (Girls) with the sassy strut that the Lady B delivers in her video. BAM! SHAZAM! My neck hurts after watching it because she throws it down. Her ballad which I coined as “Irreplaceable 2″ Best Thing I Never Had is also fabulous.

With time between judging “X Factor” Nicole Scherzinger turned me out with Don’t Hold Your Breath (Kaskade Remix) and “Club Banger Nation.” Seems like this Pussycat Doll has finally found her footing as a solo phenomenon and I give it to her. She is sickening and have loved her since Eden’s Crush.

The Grand Dame herself Cher hit the big screens this year with Burlesque and her power anthem You Haven’t Seen The Last Of Me with the remixes a’plenty! We love her and anything she does is the Tea with me. Always Cher. Forever. You will never see the last of her!

I hope this fun collection of the best and hottest music of 2011 helps you make some decisions to satisfy your need for ear candy. Once you’re in, look around and see what you’re missing! I bet you find something you simply can’t live without! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

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Posted in HERE'S THE TEA, HOTTEST MUSIC REVIEWS, OUR BIG GAY LIFE

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MTV VMA RECAP

Posted on 2011/08/29 | Leave a comment

The VMAs were last night and for those outside the know, MTV holds the annual Video Music Awards for the BEST (in their opinion) in music videos for the year. For a channel that really doesn’t play music videos anymore and delivered such a show from Yawnsville last evening should maybe refocus, reformat and retool the once popular event. The evening’s highlights included a sly announcement of pregnancy from a smiling Beyonce at the end of her performance by a rubbing of her belly and baby-bump, and a Drag King performance (creating buzz that she ripped off Annie Lenox) of alter-ego “Jo Calderone” from Lady Gaga destined to top her meat dress from last year. I would love to say Britney Spears accepting her Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award was a monumental moment but with Gaga’s over-the-top in-Britney’s-face introduction Spears’ “thank-you” got lost in the shuffle of announcing Beyonce. Seemed like a half-assed moment and very disappointing. Even the Britney-inspired production was lackluster.

Low-points included the Jersey Shore Guidettes dressed in too-short mini-dresses and a loony-toon Cloris Leachman who wishes people would “confuse her with Betty White.” Hardly. Newlywed Kim Kardashian could hardly walk in her silver gown and artist-of-the-moment Jessie J must have injured her leg and performed in a chair. Very odd. Justin Beiber needs to check her ego and deciding not to really respond to the artists on stage by not clapping or thanking God and Jesus for the award she won was a bit much. I really don’t remember Justin Timberlake being so narcissistic when he was busting through with fame. Beiber is too damn full of himself and needs to be brought down a notch or two. Hope he has talked to N.K.O.T.B.S.B. about the future and what it will inevitably hold for The Beibs.

Awards were handed out, Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj both played dress-up while Chris Brown on cables flying above the crowds actually turned the stage out, as did Adele! (But not on cables.) The jokes and commentary that the stars were forced to read were lame, a train wreck and painful as was most of the show. Lots of bleeping the bad words, cocktail waiters hitting the floors for fill-ups and a good time seems to be had by all… except the viewing audience at home. Not that they’ve asked me but I’d love to give my thoughts. Yes, more than I’ve shared here. First of all… Ooops! That’s it for now! Good Evening. :)

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Posted in HERE'S THE TEA, HOTTEST MUSIC REVIEWS, REALITY TV RECAPS

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STEVEN GOES GAGA

Posted on 2011/08/05 | 3 Comments

STEVEN SPILLS © 98

 I WAS BORN THIS WAY 

If you’re reading this then you surely believe that we, you and me, didn’t choose to be who we are. Now hear me out. We were chosen to be who we are. Sure we can go to school to be a quilt maker or take classes to learn German but no one I know personally woke up one day and decided on a whim that they would, for instance, be gay. You can change religions, clothing and hairstyles, even gender. Sexual orientation, not so much, no matter what Michelle Bachman and husband says.

We can physically be attracted to either or both sexes but the bottom line is that inside of us there’s a structure of character traits that will not change no matter how muscular one gets or what you change your name to or how low or high you force your voice. So why not be who we really are without constraints of that mold a culture places on us to be? Each of us is unique in the special way that we are made up by precious nature and genetics. It was already decided for us as well as our departures. That’s called fate. We can manipulate and repress who we are or appear to be but it will never really change inside us. Pop performance artist and iconic phenomenon Lady Gaga joins us in this revolution of the honest and true. 

Whether you believe in Jesus Christ on the cross and a holy God or the process of evolution or storks carrying pixie dust, the fact that you believe in something is important. Lady Gaga believes, as do I, that we were born this way and releasing her pounding album of pride anthems perfectly titled Born This Way enforces her passion that being different is alright. At first listen I was admittedly a hard sell because I expected one thing and she delivered more than I knew was possible of hearing. The music has marinated in my ears over time and tracks like the charging rhythm of “Judas” and emotional peaks of new single “You and I” give me honest joy when I hear them. A full album review is available on my blog but add that title track “Born This Way” has become one of her greatest tracks ever with its LGBT dedication and always-empowering “I Am Who I Am” theme.

Lady Gaga inspires me to continue being who I am, exposing my mistakes and staying true to what’s inside. She performs with a balls-to-the-wall abandonment as I too carry that philosophy into my personal being, trying everything once and going with what works best. For years I tried being something that I believed someone else wanted me to be. In what has been noted as the “Fuck-It Forties” I dedicate myself moment to moment being present in what’s happening around me. And if it really doesn’t have a matter of true importance at the end of the day, fuck it. Those reaching through your thirties now will taste this carefree joy soon enough. 

As if winning multiple music industry awards, delivering mind-shocking lyrics, becoming an iconic fashion plate and performance trailblazer wasn’t enough for our Mother Monster; Lady Gaga recently earned her place as guest judge on So You Think You Can Dance. I have watched every episode of all SYTYCD seasons and have to say that Gaga was one of the BEST (yes, all caps) judges they’ve ever had on the show. She was truly engaged, eagerly passionate, completely and honestly connected, and emotional and raw. In my opinion she ran the show, being the first to jump to her feet in a standing ovation for contestant Melanie (who she basically hired on the spot) and All-Star Neil. This was in her twelve-inch heelless platforms that I assume were made by the late great Alexander McQueen. The same shoes she would throw at both the onstage duo of Sasha and Melanie, and their choreographer Sonya Tayeh which in the world of dance is a very high honor for a job very well done. 

Anyone who saw Lady Gaga perform at the White Party here in Palm Springs just a few short years ago could easily predict that this girl was going to be huge! Her power and force has continually grown with no outlook of ceasing anytime soon. She’s often been compared to another iconic pop queen in sound and determination but I don’t remember anyone being as driven for the gay community both personally and especially politically as Lady Gaga has been since Dame Elizabeth Taylor. Personally, I’m glad to have her on my side. Join me in placing bent index fingers and thumbs together in the shape of a heart for Gaga. We love you, Lady.

2011 © PULP

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Posted in HOTTEST MUSIC REVIEWS, MY WORDS IN PRINT, STEVEN SPILLS

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GOING GAGA FOR “SYTYCD”

Posted on 2011/07/28 | Leave a comment

Lady Gaga sat with film director and choreographer Rob Marshall last evening on So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) and she became one of the very BEST judges the show has ever had. I’ve watched every season and Gaga was engaged, passionate, present, honest, knowledgeable. From her very first comments I knew shed be amazing. Her Alexander McQueen heel-less platforms were unbelievable and when she threw them at both Sasha and Melanie, as well as choreographer Sonya Tayeh it was magical. Ever think about Online colleges as an option for the fashion-conscious who desire to be as fashionable as Gaga? Whether you want to learn more for your personal style or study fashion design, there are many options out there. But down with the penicls and on with the show since I’m watching the results show now, live.

Highlights of the show were both contemporaries with Melanie (with sexy Neil) who was basically offered a job by Gaga, and All-Star Allison with Marco which brought Gaga to her feet and tears. Both routines were phenomenal. The ten-foot leap Melanie did into Neil’s arms was ridiculous. I gasped! However, her final routine choreo’d by Sonya seemed custom made for firecracker Sasha but was still fierce.

Back to results. First round of cuts were no surprise as I predict here (live) Caitlyn will go home with Jordan and her lovely legs going to stay and probably place third-place girl overall. For the guys, Marco was safe and Jess dropped into bottom two. Surprising. Ricky made it through over Tadd which was also surprising to me. Ricky must have a strong fan base. He is very talented and the only one I’ve really seen dance for their lives in their solos.

The League of Extraordinary Dancers were WOW! Standing-O from audience. Unbelievable. Dancing-For-Lives Solos were next. Jordan killed Rihanna’s “S&M.” Jess turned his Broadway out and his pirouettes were crazy! Caitlyn was predictable. Tadd almost killed himself in an ariel  twist off the stage. My opinion is that he and Caitlyn are going. We’ll see…

Lady Gaga… TURNED IT OUT! “Edge of Glory” and “You and I” (which I love!) with dancers. Great number. Nice pace. Sexy Mark, SYTYCD alum, in the mix. GAGA RULES! No doubt about that. This has been her moment.

In the end, the going-home bus took both Jordan (shocking!!!) and Jess (another gasp!) but everyone has to go except one. But I agree that Tadd has truly evolved! Great job, dancers! Good show. Top 6, here we are. Cat Deely, good luck at the Emmy Awards! You deserve the win!

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PALM SPRINGS SUMMER 101

Posted on 2011/05/23 | Leave a comment

PALM SPRINGS SUMMER 101

Ah, summer. It’s here again, or will be on June 21 for summer solstice. As the sun heats us all up and makes some of us wonder why we live in the desert with the extreme heat, how does one deal?! The thought of summer conjures up memories for me of attending summer school (twice) during my teenage years. The first time I missed cheerleading camp and the next I wasted my time not skipping school and getting my GED, instead. I’ve never applied to a job that has required seeing my high school diploma. But there I was, killed down going to summer school for failing Algebra 1 twice because the football coach who taught the subject was too sexy for me to concentrate. Yes, that’s my reasoning. Seriously.

But here today, how and where does one escape from the inevitable heat that’s ahead?! Sure, it’s not that bad right now but get ready people! During my first summer here it was near 120-degrees and I thought I was going to melt. We’ll see what Momma Nature has in store but guaranteed it will be hot, scorching at times and ridiculous with a thickness in the air. It’s time to start dodging for trees with shade to park your car under and please don’t leave your pet in the car. I do have Animal Control on speed dial in my iPhone and I love using it. Try me. Make sure that your cars also have coolants in your transmission and a shade reflector that is trimmed to fit your front windshield. People become ruthless when deciding where the shade of a tree will be and when. Be smart, too! Think it through.

While on the subject of pets, dogs in particularly. We have two fabulously privileged Jack Russells and they love the water. Splashing in the pool, swimming after a floating ball and any aquatic chaotic activity entertains them and knocks them down so they rest peacefully for the rest of the day. Keep your dogs’ fur and nails trimmed for healthy growth and easy towel drying afterwards. If they swim a lot think of getting a moisturizer for their fur for afterwards. We use Aveda Brilliant (yes, that’s what I said), an emollient finishing gloss on their fur and it prevents our boy’s dry skin that normally wears him out. The water that may accumulate in their ears can be removed gently by a cotton-covered cue tip and even ear-cleaning solutions wouldn’t hurt if administered immediately after each entry into water. And again, I can’t stress enough. A cracked car window does not a comfortable setting make for puppy. Try sitting in the car without the air condition running and see how long you last!

The summer is hell on automobiles. Focus on taking care of your car. No coolant equals no air condition and a bad tranny, err, I mean transmission. A solid running car can get you away for weekend escapes. But where?! Even day trips can give one a sense of peace and retreat from that un-Christian heated swelter outside. The beaches are a thought like Black Beach in San Diego for you exhibitionists. Laguna Beach has the offering of Newport Beach and some serious shopping. Want some real culture?! Hit it to L.A. and take a gawking gander at the Malibu surfer boys and the always-entertaining boardwalk. (On a side note, Krispy Kreme is at Ontario Mills and yes you can bring me some back.) Venturing to Idyllwild or Big Bear and even a trip up to the Palm Springs Tram will always pull the temperature down a good group of degrees. Drive safe, gas up and get away if only for the day or overnight.

To have been in Palm Springs or the desert for that matter during one of our summers is to know you do everything in the morning. It’s the coolest time of the day since even at night it is often 99-degrees or more during our peak months of July, August and September. Grab the sun block and use it. However, if you don’t want to use it then you better make an appointment at Dr. Make Pretty’s offices at Contour Dermatology who just celebrated their 10-year anniversary. Congrats Tim and Lee! And by all means, if you foresee yourself wearing flip-flops and I encourage you to, please have a pedicure happening. Re-hydrate yourselves! Water is best. Your skin will look amazing.

Everyone this side of the yellow brick road knows that June is big time full-blown Gay Pride in most cities commemorating the Stonewall riots. Los Angeles carries pink triangles and sings Lady Gaga’s entire Born This Way album from June 10-12 at the Christopher Street West festival in West Hollywood. Up and down Santa Monica Boulevard one will find fashion fierceness realness with queens in skinny jeans and shirtless inked-up bears from Silver Lake. Heading north, the LGBT tribes gather in San Francisco on June 25, 26 to kick up their rainbow petticoats and celebrate their place in the world. San Diego Pride boasts being the fifth-largest in the United States and brings all things gay together for their parade on July 16. All queer-ventures provide pleasures to the eye, pride without prejudice and are each worth the weekend gay-cation.

But if you don’t want to or can’t get out of town, what can you do to beat the heat?! For me, when I’m not working we’re inside the cool house then to the pool then back into the chilled home, and repeat. There’s not a lot of out-and-about happening since many people travel away. Catch a movie! Slide into an afternoon feature and relax in the comfort of their iceberg theatres. Now I’m not encouraging you to sneak in “healthy” snacks. That’s just not the way one does things. But… always remember chocolate melts in heat. The air is also cranking at World Gym so you can grab a workout or just a protein shake and soak up the refrigeration. With the twenty-nine pieces of new cardio equipment and the summer specials running at the gym to get your heart rate moving, it’s a nice place to enjoy chilling out after getting worked up.

What summer jams will be having you popping that neck or shaking that ass at pool parties and on steamy dance floors like DiGS, Hunters and Toucan’s?! The Freemasons seem to have their hands on everyone lately and they deliver a 2011 remix of “I’m Coming Out” from Diana Ross with while all-grown-up Selena Gomez has hit hard with a Dave Aude shake-up of her “A Year Without Rain.” My girl Britney Spears has infused her already-fierce “Till The World Ends” with hot pop rockers Nicki Minaj and Ke$ha (who co-penned the track) providing new layers of musical texture. Man (boy) band The Reason covers an upbeat remix of “The Reason” with their Electric Allstars radio edit. Yes, this is a re-do of the Hoobastank 2004 smash hit that now has been taken over by the X Factor alum.

And you got to eat to keep up your strength! But where?! Many of the local restaurants have found that staying open for business even during the hottest of summer months has proved smart in years past. The ones I’ve spoke to said they’ll be providing great service and food as long as locals continue to dominate their spaces. It would be hard for me to fairly say go here or there. But I can encourage everyone to keep our local merchants and restaurants going by grabbing your girlfriends or husband and make a night of it out in the scene. From an early breakfast with friends to brunch by the pool or dinner under the stars, summer dining can be delicious. And the freezer aisle at the grocery store feel pretty cool, too!At the end of the day we all can be assured of a few things about the summer intensity that is on the heated horizon. First, pop on the Weather Channel for a few minutes and listen to the weather forecasts from other cities. The heat will come and many will complain locally, me included. It’s part of our dialogue and it’s obvious. But it too shall pass and then we’re reminded for the bigger percentage of time why we live here. It’s gorgeous in Palm Springs. You adapt to the heat like others deal with the snowy cold. I’m writing this on an unseasonably breezy cool May morning. A bird whistles nearby and I’m hopeful that Mother Nature is as kind tomorrow as she is today.

2011 © The Bottom Line

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Posted in FABULOUS TRAVEL, HOTTEST MUSIC REVIEWS, MY WORDS IN PRINT, PALM SPRINGS

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GAGA FOR “BORN THIS WAY”

Posted on 2011/05/21 | 3 Comments

Oh, the perks of being in media and having good friends in even better places when it comes to the newest hottest everything! Lady Gaga is dropping her long-waited album Born This Way and the children, we “monsters,” are waiting on the edge of our eggs, I mean seats. However, fierce me and connected beyond my means, has gotten a sneaky-peeky with alien ears at full attention. Here’s what I think about what I’ve heard. The album is beat-driven with powerful messages throughout of individuality, lyrics telling that being “bad” is not necessarily a bad thing and will no doubt continue to create a stir with its religious overtones and in-your-face reality check through the Lady and her words. In no particular order, these tracks turned me out (or not) and why… (Warning: Spoiler Alerts Ensue)

Born This Way (Special Edition) <<—BUY ON AMAZON HERE:)

“Born This Way” … The first single released. I was a hard sell at first because I wanted it to blow me away. When we love an artist we have very high expectations. It was great but familiar. Not necessarily a bad thing. I do love “Born This Way” with its uniting and accepting lyrics, not to mention the fiercest lyric ever written, “Don’t be a drag. Just be a queen.” Fa-Fa-Fabulous! The remixes of “Born This Way” were a’plenty and mostly really good. It is THE anthem for LGBT and those who can relate.

“Judas” … Heavy on the religion with the intention of stirring those in the pews every Sunday. Initially I thought that it was a fun sounding sequel to “Bad Romance.” It’s incredibly similar. Sorry, but my blog-my opinion. Again the beat is driving and makes me want to walk a runway or dance by ass off whipping my imaginary hair back and forth. A keeper, for sure. The video helped distinguish. I never said I didn’t like it because I do worship “Bad Romance.” And I love Gaga. There I said it.

“The Edge Of Glory” … Not a favorite but don’t hate it. Don’t not-like anything on the album. A song has to grab me and keep me through the first chorus or I’m thinking of when it may end instead of enjoying it to the finale. The sax break is reminiscent of Rob Lowe in St. Elmo’s Fire.

“Marry The Night” … 4:24 of Up! Up! Up! Great track for the album to kick into ears and gears. The driving chorus rocks my world.

“Hair” … Pride in hair. Main message. Nothing to do with the 60s musical. Nothing. Lots of synth-guitars and more dish about having great hair or impressive hair. A middle-of-the-road liking.

“You and I” … LOVE this song. Lady Gaga performed it in her Monster Ball HBO special and I fell in love with it. Mid-tempo and soulful, this musical winner is already an all-time favorite. Guitars with her playing piano. I love her voice in this gem.

“Heavy Metal Lover” … FIERCE. “I want your whisky mouth all over my blonde south.” Gaga has a way with the wicked. Love this 80s Blondie-like feature and it is one of my favorites on the album. Would love to perform this somewhere else other than in my mind. Great song! Great! Thought it could easily be called “Heavy Mental Lover,” as well.

“Electric Chapel” … More determined guitar riffs and catchy hooks brought by the Lady. Reminiscent of Giorgio Moroder.

“Government Hooker” … Not  sure of the point of this one. But it made the album so maybe it’s a grower. At first few listens, not so sure. Dance-inducing, perhaps.

“Americano” … A faster “Alejandro” maybe?! Again, not sure at first listens. I bounce my foot to the beat but similar to other pieces on album.

“Bad Kids” … Voice-box auto-tuned rebellion starts this off. Being bad is OK. Guitars get it while Gaga survives being a bad kid. Very kicky and fun. Playground entertainment. I like this one.

“Bloody Mary” … Comfortable Gaga. More religious instruction and notification. Mid-tempo and slightly dark. Add screaming and some wonderful moments around 2:45. It’s a keeper.

“Highway Unicorn (Road to Love)” … This should have been called “Road to Love.” Driving Gaga. Some drama drops around 1:39 with drums and continues to build until the end. I enjoyed this.

“Scheiße” … German and delicious. I enjoyed this from first grab of the musical balls and initial tug. Sassy with textures. Very, very fun. Up! Up! Love this stunner. The erratic layers at 2:48 are sick.

I can’t wait to see how Lady Gaga’s album does on Tuesday when it officially drops! It’s going to be huge! More tracks will be released but I must give you a chance to form some opinion yourself! Thanks to Gaga for delivering us monsters new fuel for the fire. Ga-Ga Ohh-la-La.

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BRITNEY SPEARS US ONE MORE TIME

Posted on 2011/03/02 | Leave a comment

STEVEN SPILLS © 87

STRONGER THAN YESTERDAY

Britney Spears. Regardless if you worship her like the pop icon that she is or see her as the unfortunate pop culture train wreck she has been before, hearing her name causes one to feel something. As she sings, “Love me. Hate me. Say what you want about me,” the words ring clear that she’s in on the secret of how powerful she can be. The following disclaimer must be stated that this entire “Steven Spills” will be dedicated to Britney. Regardless of how you feel, you may find some of my thoughts running along the same lines as yours.

She’s hitting us hard with new music and convincingly is back on her game. Skeptics continue holding her against the hype while many wonder if she’s the only one to knock Lady Gaga off the top. Hope you caught the recent Britney-drenched episode of Glee that featured a cameo by Spears giving the show its highest ratings ever. Even though she’s seen the sweetness of success, she’s definitely scraped the bottom gutter of Hollywood fame. Picture it. Mickey Mouse Club. 1992. A very young Britney Jean Spears is a featured performer marking the milestone beginning of what has been a rollercoaster of a career. It soared from there.

After releasing Baby One More Time in January of ‘99, the album debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 and certified two-times platinum after the first month. Blonde ambition, indeed! Her second album Oops!…I Did It Again debuted in May of 2000 and broke the SoundScan record for highest debut sales by a solo artist. I was in San Francisco on Market Street buying my copy the day it was released and devoured the power anthem “Stronger.” Other hit albums came from the Spears Machine including the Grammy Award nominee Britney submitting to us “I’m a Slave 4 U” and In The Zone featuring the infectious “Toxic” and Madonna collaboration “Me Against The Music.”

During these Britney-infused years she was everywhere. Pepsi endorsement commercials, countless VMAs and savage performances that rocked MTV, Justin Timberlake, her film debut Crossroads, perfumes, a buffet of glossy choreographed videos making any dancer’s mouth water, holiday HBO specials, Saturday Night Live hosting gigs, her restaurant NYLA in Manhattan (I did eat there), cameo in Austin Powers franchise, countless buzz-worthy magazine covers, more mid-drift madness, the incessant gum chewing on red carpets, the scandalous lip lock with Madonna and mutual appreciation that ensued. I even named my Jack Russell “Britney” in my own admiration.

However, with fame comes consequences, both good and bad. Britney was no escapee of the spotlight’s burn. As it played out in public media, her fans watched cringing at every turn. Two words. Kevin Federline. They had sex. We get it, girl. There were the pictures of her grabbing his cock and stoned chaos that produced their reality train wreck Britney and Kevin: Chaotic. Britney had two children, boys. She was hell-bent on showing everyone she was not trying to be anyone’s role model. I believe she even mentioned that in a few interviews. Then things got unfortunately freakier.

K-Fed left her and they divorced in 2007. She started going out to clubs even more. Pictures surfaced of her shaved beaver peeking shamelessly from underneath fabric getting out of cars. Some really poor choices in head-shaving, umbrella swinging, manager and paparazzi dating, and a VMA performance she wasn’t ready for happened along the way. There were a few brief stints in rehab. Her father took over her financial wellbeing. As the media buzzed over a crazy-eyed Britney being taken away strapped in an ambulance, people sadly wondered if she’d ever be back.

Two more albums came out during these tumultuous times. The fittingly titled Blackout featured “Gimme More” and “Piece of Me,” and Circus featuring the global smash “Womanizer” and music video with her naked steamy body writhing. Greatest Hits compilations and numerous remixes were released. The obvious tongue-and-cheek tunes “3” and “If You Seek Amy” both nailed dance floors hard. Britney hit the road briefly with her Onyx Hotel Tour until injury prevented her finishing but faired much better with The Circus Starring Britney Spears that became the fifth highest grossing tour of 2009.

Fast forward to 2011. Her new album Femme Fatale drops on March 29 and she will be in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood celebrating its release on Good Morning America with a live performance the same day. Giving back to her gays is the way, I say! Booking my ticket on Alaska Airlines now. The video for the lead single “Hold It Against Me” just premiered and with its glossy editing, flashy choreography and edgy vibe, Britney hasn’t looked this good in a very long time. I’ve been a huge fan for years. And in case you couldn’t tell, “It’s Britney, bitch.”

2011 © PULP

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PALM SPRINGS LIVING

Posted on 2011/02/16 | Leave a comment

STEVEN SPILLS © 86

ADULTS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS

I inadvertently set into motion a study of human behavior recently that came along unexpectedly and surprisingly passionate from those involved. World Gym celebrates its eighth-year anniversary this week and to show respect to the success we’ve built the staff decided to wear dress shirts with collars and neckties. One day we wore white oxford button-downs with red ties and jeans while the next we hit the khaki and blue dress shirt with yellow tie combo. The following days we opted for various colors of Polo shirts that matched and varied from shift to shift. Given the sight of our usual STAFF shirts and shorts, it was quite a change. But for some people it seemed to hit nerves, encourage generous complements, and down right bother some people into verbal soapbox sessions. I was attentive of ear to all.

We looked good. No apologies to those who didn’t like it. When you take people outside their comfort zone even vicariously through someone else they can get edgy and distressed. Let’s face it, occasionally we can get complacent and begin to take for granted what we expect to be the way. Some members really appreciated the effort, taking photos and asking the days following about what the next shift’s wardrobe would exhibit. But there were a few who felt it necessary to make snide comments about this or that or stress their displeasure how a gym isn’t an appropriate place for those clothes. The excitement created a buzz around the facility by us doing nothing more than making a respectful effort. Our bosses really appreciated it as we all celebrated our gym’s uniqueness and reminded our precious fitness fanatics that they can count on us as their home away from home.

The Tour de Palm Springs cycled its way around the valley last weekend. As I headed out of town for the WGI winter guard regional at Etiwanda High School I was able to catch some verysightly bulges straddling bicycles. My newest jam “Toyfriend” by Wynter Gordon blasted from open windows while my eyes filled with cravings of muscular lycra-clad asses needing massaging after a long trek. That seat must be hell on a sore rump after such a bumpy ride. Palm Springs’ finest were out in force routing cyclists and creating harmony around the crowded streets. The sunshine sprayed warmth over the city and after seeing the snow piled deep in other cities on the Weather Channel, I was thankful I was here.

“Don’t be a drag, Just be a queen,” will surely go down as one of the gayest lyrics our Madame Gaga will present to us, her Monsters, and everyone who hangs on every dance step she makes. Lady Gaga released the title track and immediate smash from her forthcoming album Born This Way and everyone has soaked up the gay anthem like it’s oxygen. Surely you saw her pop out of the egg at the Grammy Awards in alien drag. There have been speculations that “Born This Way” sounds awfully close to Madonna’s “Express Yourself” and I can hear that through the chorus. You’d be hard pressed to find an artist today that was not influenced by someone that has come before them.

Great pop music often sounds alike because we love it so much we find comparisons to compliment. My sexy little buddy James tossed a remix in my inbox almost immediately of the single’s release that I actually like a lot better. The song has only been out a week or so. It’s only just begun its impact on ears. The lyrics are a generous gift to her gays and the beat has great moments. Is it “Bad Romance” or “Poker Face?” No it’s not. However, it’s still very, very good. I wouldn’t want to take away from that.

This week I’m also obsessed with… My new web domain iamstevenmichael.com where I’ve combined all of my empires into one home base. I’ve worn many hats and my new website is the place to hang them all. The Starz original series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena which is a wonderful blend of sword and sandals brilliantly written and considered soft-core porn with its gratuitous nudity, same-sex situations and erotic decadence. Sour Patch Xploderz candy that squirts this wicked little tartness into your mouth upon bite. It sounds dirty but they’re so tasty. The unanimous vote that the West Hollywood’s Art and Cultural Affairs Commission made not to present the Tom of Finland art exhibit recently for the public. Such a disgrace. I agree the imagery is not for everyone but make concessions for those shielded and offer it to the intended community and consenting eyes. And finally, I’m desperate to reboot the ‘70s sitcom Laverne & Shirley starring Kim Kardashian and Snooki as the beer-bottling busties bringing down Milwaukee. Can’t you see it?! Call me, girls!

2011 © PULP

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BORN THIS WAY

Posted on 2011/02/11 | Leave a comment

Unless you’re straight and don’t care, then you surely know that today Lady Gaga released the first single and title track from her new album Born This Way. After waking up while having coffee, I tried to listen to snippets on Twitter but to no avail, failed. However, I did hear it on Ryan Seacrest’s website before hitting it to work and found it fun at first listen. Checking my email later in the morning, my personal DJ dropped the tune in my inbox and I began to listen and enjoy.

Thoughts…

It will be HUGE. Bottom line, the gays will/have embraced the anthem and hands have immediately entered the air for testifying and Gaga Worship. Her Monsters rejoice and dance floors will fill nightly. I’m sure remixes will be aplenty and I look forward to them already. I do see where people compare it to Madonna’s Express Yourself. Try singing the chorus of EY against BTW and see what I mean. Is it (my favorites!) Bad Romance, Telephone, Love Game, or Poker Face? Not hardly. The lyrics are obvious and a very generous gift to the gays, her little Monsters. “Don’t be a drag, Just be a Queen” and other fabulous phrases. The song is great. I don’t want to take away from that. I love Lady Gaga and appreciate her entertainment offerings, her political efforts and her originality, doing it her way and doubtfully second guessing herself. Can’t wait to hear more from her! Bring it!

X.

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