An "Underlying Feeling" ... Sylvia Tosun Interview With NewNowNext!

 

New York-based, Juilliard-trained performer Sylvia Tosun may be a self-proclaimed gay man trapped in a woman's body - the fact that her whole image is shaped by power-gay fashion stylist, Carlos Davis and couture designers Phillipe and David Blond pretty much hammers that home - but Sylvia's got a lot more going for her than some drag-y fierceness and a few gigs at gay clubs (although we always love those).

In addition to Sylvia's single "Underlying Feeling," which is currently in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart, the singer's performed all over the world and can bust out an opera in 10 different languages. But our girl Sylvia keeps coming back to the gays and her true love: dance music...

 

Gay music and video from NewNowNext.com

 

Check out the full Q&A after the jump to hear about Sylvia's upcoming album and her love of the classic gay New York party scene...

 

 

Hi Sylvia! How's it going?

I’m recovering - I had a gig at Splash last night. The place was packed to the walls. It was college night, you know, Campus Thursdays?

I had my four dancers, and their choreography created by Derek Mitchell, looking gorgeous as they were lifting each other – beautiful sensual and intricate moves. I was wearing a gold dress by The Blonds, And I did a really good set; it was a good feeling.

You've collaborated with the designers The Blonds before? What's the craziest thing they've gotten you to wear?

Pretty much my videos are their look book - it’s just masterful couture... But, OK. The gold chain corset? It had to be held up by two assistants off my body while I was wearing it. If you notice, I’m stationary when that’s on me. It was so heavy! I had to lay down, and they had to strap me in it, then help me up - practically hoist me up - on to my feet. So I think that’s probably the craziest thing I’ve had to do…

And photographer Mike Ruiz directed the "Underlying Feeling" video? How did you hook up with him?

We know each other intimately but not well. [laughs] No, we all got a big kick out of collaborating with one another. And you know, Mike runs the show, and we shot the video in, like, a day. My face and hair were completely beaten down.

But I'm telling you, the man is creative. He has got the whole thing mapped out in his brain and pulls it together, and I’m grateful to be a part of his "genius madness."

 

 

Why do you think gay men are so drawn to you?

I don’t know - it might be the shoes. Well, I don’t know. My best friend growing up - I went to both my proms with him - he was gay. We used to fight over our designer jeans: He’d borrow my jeans and wouldn’t give them back, and I’d have to go break into his room and steal them back.

We’ve always had a great rapport. I don’t know - I think I’m just a gay man on the inside.

And I know you studied at Juilliard - so why did you choose the dance music route?

Well, the drama that’s in classical music, and in anything theater, I believe also exists on the dance floor. I’m really, really into the level of expression that an artist can have in the dance market, because there are so many different genres to choose from. You can just move with the music - and if you’ve ever been to the Allegria party, you know what I’m talking about. It just of takes over and then it’s, like, 10 a.m.

 

 

That was always your scene?

Oh, I loved Allegria, and I loved The Roxy on Saturday night... Dance music just lends itself to the drama and theater of performance art – whether you’re singing one simple phrase or you’re a full-on vocal diva or it’s a minimal background track, I think it lends itself to creativity … and it’s timeless. How many times can I sing the same damn opera again? No disrespect to Verdi and Puccini because they’re phenomenal creators, but the one thing about the classical genre - and even in rock and roll - things get rehashed over and over again. But in dance music it’s always evolving; there are always new categories.

And what kind of student were you?

I was the naughty, naughty troublemaker class-clown student. They hated me! But I was a scholarship kid; they couldn’t do anything about it. I was part of the opera company so I would do my roles and I would partake in whatever I needed to, but in my headphones I was listening to all kinds of other stuff. I liked Opera divas like Kiri Te Kanawa and Beverly Sills; those two singers never followed the rules.

And, oh my God, I longed for show tunes. I was doing Cabaret at night, singing at a nightclub as a singing hostess during the time I was going to school. And the teachers at Music School would get so pissed off at me for coming in late to class after a night of heavy duty piano bar partying! Like, What are you doing to your reputation?  You are a Juilliard student!

 

 

Can you tell me what's next for you?

I’ll be doing another video with Mike Ruiz really soon. My label partner, Anton Bass and I are collaborating with a bunch of great people from the U.K. - a lot of great DJs, remixers, producers. And I’m going to have a full-length album by Spring! I’ve been working on it for quite some time, and I’m just now putting together the final bits of material, and it’s starting to take shape.

And it's going to be dance music?

It’s going to be electronica: classical songwriting, combined with electronica. We’re putting together thru-lines and musical interludes, and I’m working with some up-and-coming talented people. I’m also working with Freedom Williams from C+C Music Factory! He does a rap on a new version of "Underlying Feeling" that we’re going to be pushing out to the mainstream as well.

 

And be sure to check out Sylvia's The Love EP on Master Beat. And the new official Web site for Sylvia Tosun, designed by Eric Woodland.