Wes Smoot 10/19/22 Wes Smoot 10/19/22

Jake Wesley Rogers Interview | Austin City Limits

Interview by: Wesley Smoot

Jake Wesley Rogers. If you don’t know the name already, you will. He’s an absolute powerhouse— singer, songwriter, showman, and a master on the keys. At 25 years old, he’s done Madison Square Garden (opening for Panic at the Disco), has been a musical guest on The Ellen Show, and currently has a track featured on the major Universal Pictures rom-com, Bros. His lyrics transcend generations with a kind of depth you’d find hard to believe is coming from someone his age.

I got the chance to chat with Jake Wesley Rogers at Austin City Limits.

Pinkies up, now sip!

Jake Wesley Rogers by Chad Wadsworth for ACL Fest 2022

Weslo: Howdy ya’ll, this is Wesley Smoot (Weslo) with Unleashed LGBTQ, in Austin, Texas at ACL– today I get the chance to sit down with Jake Wesley Rogers. How’s your ACL?

JWR: Hey! It’s very hot. Literally. But it has been so much fun.

Weslo: So freakin’ hot. Texas heat!

Well the crowd obviously loved your performance. What are your thoughts on Texas, besides the heat?

JWR: Well, I'm from Missouri, so I understand what it means to come from a complicated place, but I’m always astounded by how much love there is, even in a state where there is a lot of bullshit going on.

Weslo: It’s a big state with lots of fabulous folks, I’m glad you get to see there are all kinds, plenty of like minded people.

JWR: Of course. You sometimes have to remind yourself, we’re everywhere and we’re not going anywhere. So, I’ll always keep coming back.

Weslo: Please do.

I have to talk to you about the movie Bros with Billy Eichner. One of my favorites of the year, not just because it’s a gay film, but it’s just so well done. You have a song featured in the movie— your single Hindsight. What’s it like having your music on such a groundbreaking film?

JWR: It was mind-blowing to hear my song in a movie theater and be part of such a historical film. I would actually call it a surreal moment for me.

Jake Wesley Rogers & Wesley Smoot in Media Tent at Austin City Limits 2022

Weslo: So you’re on the cover of The Advocate this month, it seems like you’re well on your way to becoming a LGBTQ+ icon. How does that feel?

JWR: I don’t want to speak for anyone. I can only tell my story, I do that on purpose. Tony Morrison says “The function of freedom is to free someone else” so I think if I show up, even if I’m not feeling confident, tell my story, the hope is to allow anyone to feel free to be themselves, because that makes everything better.

Weslo: I agree 100%.

I know some LGBTQ+ artists might not care to be labeled or pigeon-holed as a gay artist, I’m sure with you, there’s a lot of crossover with other demographics.. I mean, you have been opening for Panic at the Disco. Have you seen your fanbase grow with the non-LGBTQ+ audiences?

JWR: I'm always surprised how many straight people are at my shows. I think my favorite thing about being queer is that it shows very explicit on the outside. But we all feel different, excluded, even if only to some degree. I think we’re the superheroes that have no choice but to show it.

Weslo: Well you really go into that with your song Pluto. Which I love by the way.

JWR: Yes! Exactly, and thank you. That is very much what the song is about, using Pluto as a metaphor, as the outsider. And just giving everyone permission to embrace it because I think that’s how things change, when everybody realizes we have this tendency to hide something. It’s the queer life. We’re accustom to it and learn it at such an early age. But not only us, everyone feels that on some level, we’re just the lucky, fabulous, beautiful ones that get to show others that it's ok. It’s ok to be free.

Austin City Limits 2022 | Jake Wesley Rogers | Photo Credit: Jakob Wandel

Weslo: Inclusion is incredibly important. I think ACL, it’s organizers, and bookers do an amazing job bringing in queer artists. I have been able to see so many over the last few years. Did you get to see anyone here? Lil Nas X? Boy George, Izzy Heltai?...

JWR: Sadly, because of the tour, no. We have been doing red-eyes to come in and make these events. Usually I come in, play, and go to bed (laughing). So I’m sad I missed Lil Nas X but hoping to catch Kacey Musgraves tonight.

Weslo: That will be a great show.

You covered I’ll Stand by You by The Pretenders. You did it magnificently. It has millions of streams… Do you plan on covering any other artists' songs in the future?

JWR: That’s a great question.

We have been covering Welcome to the Black Parade (My Chemical Romance) on the tour. But we’ll have to see. I enjoy singing so many… I’ll keep you posted.

Weslo: Your outfits for live shows are Everything! What inspires you in picking your wardrobe? Are you inspired by other artists?

JWR: This outfit I’m wearing now is like a red dandy number inspired by the movie The Velvet Goldmine, it’s like an unofficial David Bowie bio pic and there’s this one scene where a character is wearing this dandy outfit — I did a photo shoot for Vogue, they had me wear something similar, and when i wore it, I felt I had been there before. So I wanted to make something, something to recreate that feeling.

But you know before every tour, I think about what I want to wear, feel like, and present to my fabulous audience. But yes, I’m proud to say all the costumes from my tours are made by queer designers— which is always very exciting to me. I love a great collaboration between creative minds.

Weslo: I love that.

Many queer artists I see perform to tracks in the background. You not only have a full band but you are also slaying it on the piano. Has that always been the vision?

JWR: When it comes to music, for me personally, it’s always been me and the piano. I don’t think that will ever change. As far as having a band to perform with, it just feels right to me.

Weslo: Well, I really appreciate you taking the time to talk with us. You’re an amazing talent and we wish you all the success. You have our full support.

JWR: Thank you for that, I appreciate you as well.

Make sure to check out Jake Wesley Roger’s new EP LOVE

The EP includes two brand new songs “My Mistake” and “Call It Love” along with previous releases, “Modern Love,” “Lavender Forever,” which he performed on ELLEN, “Dark Bird” and the most recent “Hindsight” from the Billy Eichner film Bros.

Wes Smoot 6/29/22 Wes Smoot 6/29/22

Ashlee Keating's Fierce New Song "Saucy" is a Must for Your Summer Party Playlist

Ashlee Keating is ready to take the pop music scene by storm with her new single “SAUCY” and forthcoming EP. The hot new single has quickly become an anthem for both female-empowerment and the LGBTQ+ community. The track was created by the top-tier team of producers Tommy Brown (who works closely with Ariana Grande), YNG Josh and Nick Cooper. While the vibrant “Saucy” music video racked up over 100K views in the first week since its release, directed by Combina Key and choreographed by Shirlene Quigley.

Ashlee Keating “SAUCY” Official Music Video

As a Billboard-charting music sensation, Ashlee is a true multifaceted talent. Her music is a perfect mix of upbeat and inspirational, with lyrical themes of loving yourself and living your best life. Between her colorful style and dance-worthy music catalog, Ashlee has also become highly regarded within the LGBTQ+ community as an ally and activist. She strives to spread messages of love, positivity, and confidence through all of her work. Making major strides in the music industry, Ashlee’s recent single “YASSS” garnered over 1-Million streams on Spotify while her singles “Hurt Me So Good” and “Bad Mistake” spent weeks on the Top 20 Billboard Dance/Club Chart.

Born and raised in Southern New Jersey, Ashlee discovered her love for music at a young age. She made her Broadway debut at only 6-years-old, playing ‘Gretl’ in the national tour of “The Sound of Music” (alongside Richard Chamberlain). Shortly after, she was cast as the lead role of “Annie” at the famous Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia. Ashlee has since been seen as a contestant on CBS’ “Star Search”, a member of Radio Disney’s “Up and Coming Artist” Incubator Program (performing for artists such as Demi Lovato, Keke Palmer, & Raven Symone), in acting roles in movies such as “The Bandit Hound”, and with her holiday single “Ice Kingdom” featured in Coca-Cola’s ‘52 Songs of Happiness’ campaign.

Ashlee loves to use her platform for good, giving back to philanthropic organizations supporting women empowerment and the LGBTQ+ community. Over the years, she has worked closely with GLAAD, Girl Up, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Outside of her music career, Ashlee likes to stay active with her passions for fashion, dancing, pilates, make-up, traveling, and fitness. She also loves spending time with her pomeranian puppy Koko.

Stay tuned for upcoming Unleashed LGBTQ exclusive interview with Ashlee Keating.

MUSIC & SOCIAL MEDIA:

Instagram | TikTok I Twitter | Facebook |

Music: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube

Website: ashleekeating.com

Wes Smoot 6/9/22 Wes Smoot 6/9/22

This Pride, Talia Keys Releases “We’re Here”

Her Call-to-Action Song and Visual Encourages Queer People
Be Proud, Keep Fighting and Shake Sh*t Up

Talia Keys is celebrating Pride month with the release of a new music video that calls for today’s queer generation to be loud and proud in who they are. Written and produced by Keys, “We’re Here” is a reggae inspired, feel good anthem that is broken into three parts. The first verse is about the internal struggles many LGBTQ youth face when their outward appearance doesn’t quite fit the societal mold. The second verse challenges them to smash the patriarchy of society’s expectations around gender binaries. Finally, the outro encourages all to own who they are because by simply existing, they are changing the world into a better place. “We need to fight the status quo,” asserts Keys, “Because like it or not, We’re Queer, We’re Here and We aren’t going anywhere.” Talia Keys’ “We’re Here” is available now on Apple Music, Spotify and all digital platforms. Its music video is on YouTube.

“I was inspired to create ‘We’re Here’ because I grew up in Mormon Utah as a closeted queer Catholic girl,” Keys reflects. “Being different in Utah put a target on me. In school, I was bullied for being a Tomboy and then I became a bully to protect my secret.” When she finally came out in her mid-twenties, Talia, a successful musician, lost fans and gigs, but she kept her drive. Today, she uses her music and performances to preach the good word of love, acceptance and fucking shit up. “I see the stage as my platform to spread awareness.”

That message is echoed in the “We’re Here” music video. It was shot in an empty theater because, as Talia explains, “Sometimes it feels empty when you come out and the support you once had is gone. As queer people, though, we learn to be strong willed and to perform with our entire heart, even if it is to an empty room.” She also wanted to shed light on the fact that queer art is suffering during the pandemic.

The video features several queer, trans, enby artists and drag queens. “We’re Here” stars Madazon Can-Can, a gender non-binary drag king, burlesque dancer and clown. “I first saw Madazon Can-Can perform at our local Pride and was captivated by their ability to entertain rowdy queers, dance burlesque, shine as a drag king and make us laugh and cry as a clown,” Talia says. “When I began visualizing the We’re Here’ video, I immediately thought of Madazon whose multifaceted talents would be able to convey the message of the song.”

She also cast local drag artists Kay Bye (they/them), Lilia Maughn (she/her/they/them) and M’Lady Wood (she/her), as well as local musician Zaza Historia VanDyke (She/Her) in the music video and assembled an all-Queer crew to shoot the video. The award-winning filmmaker Melahn Atkinson (she/they) produced, filmed and edited “We’re Here.” Talia directed, produced and acted in the video. Ismene Vetas and Marz Catrow (they/them) long-time collaborators, were the additional camera operators.

Talia Keys is an activist-musician who has enjoyed a loyal following in Salt Lake City clubs for over a decade, and has made a name for herself on national tours and jam festivals from coast to coast. Growing up, she and her brother were raised by a single mother. Her dad struggled with addiction and his battles forced Talia to grow up sooner than one would expect.

Still, she was a kid with a big imagination and whether she was pretending to be Michael Jordan or impersonating Elvis Presley, Talia could entertain herself for hours. She began piano lessons at age 9, drums at 11, guitar at 16 and mandolin at 22. Music was always very prevalent throughout her youth, beginning with The Beatles and turning to Bob Marley in middle school. Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Pink Floyd, and Talking Heads were some of the other artists that played a big role in her musical development. She even had a Kris Kross phase (and yes, she wore her clothes backwards for a time). It opened Talia up to rap and hip hop and she became a huge fan of Tribe Called Quest, The Fugees and Blackalicious.

Talia Keys’ trademark fire and brimstone stage presence is an amalgam of her journey, identity, and musical influences. While her physical appearance may scream LESBO, her music does not. It presents a modern twist on the rock n’ roll troubadour singing songs of struggle and ultimately, triumph.

Talia Keys’ “We’re Here” is available now on Apple Music, Spotify and all digital platforms. Its music video is on YouTube. Visit Talia’s website and follow her on Instagram @taliakeys

Wes Smoot 6/3/22 Wes Smoot 6/3/22

Ash Gordon Releases New Single “Cosmic Colors” feat. Trixie Mattel

June 3, 2022 – LGBTQIA+ music maven Ash Gordon is making her long-anticipated debut as a solo artist with her new single “Cosmic Colors” featuring world-renowned drag queen Trixie Mattel. A feel good track complete with acid-trippy lyrics, “Cosmic Colors” brings a taste of early 2000’s girl bands and modernizes it for 2022 and is Ash’s self-proclaimed “favorite piece of ear candy ever.”

“Cosmic Colors” is available to stream now at https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/ashgordon/cosmic-colors-feat-trixie-mattel

On the new release, Ash shares: “If Scott Pilgrim vs. The World had a female lead, this would be the song you hear when she beats the bonus level and makes out with her manic pixie dreamboat.”

“My favorite songwriter in the world has teamed up with my favorite drag queen in the world,” adds Trixie.

Alongside the release, Ash Gordon has announced that her debut solo double albums, Ash Gordon and Ash Gordon II, will be available on July 15. Complete with collaborations from Trixie Mattel, Alaska Thunderfuck, BONAVEGA, Earl St. Clair, Bob the Drag Queen, and many others, the albums provide sixteen psychedelic songs that perfectly encompass Ash’s lipstick garage-rock vision.

Ash Gordon Tracklist

1. Alright Alright Alright

2. Good On Ya

3. I Wanna Be A DJ

4. Cosmic Colors (feat. Trixie Mattel)

5. Nice Personality

6. Feel Like This (feat. Marty James)

7. YES

8. Come and Get It (feat. Earl St. Clair)

Ash Gordon II Tracklist

1. Everyone Is A Little Bit Gay (feat. Alaska Thunderfuck)

2. WIN/WIN

3. Viva Electric (feat. Bob The Drag Queen)

4. Chicka Boom Boom

5. Hit Different

6. All I See Is Gold (feat. BONAVEGA)

7. Connection

8. I Want It

Ash Gordon is a guitar slingin' New Yorker residing in LA. As founder of The Blah Blah Blahs, she's been styling songs for music artists, film, and TV over 10 years and will be making her debut as a solo artist with an upcoming lipstick garage-pop double album featuring the likes of Trixie Mattel, Alaska, BONAVEGA, and many more.

Wes Smoot 6/2/22 Wes Smoot 6/2/22

First-Look Images for Billy Porter’s Directorial Debut ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE – Globally on Prime Video July 22

Launching Globally on July 22 Exclusively on Prime Video

Anything’s Possible is a delightfully modern Gen Z coming-of-age story that follows Kelsa, a confident high school girl who is trans, as she navigates through senior year. When her classmate Khal gets a crush on her, he musters up the courage to ask her out, despite the drama he knows it could cause. What transpires is a romance that showcases the joy, tenderness, and pain of young love.