L10 is a gay San Francisco based singer-songwriter and electronic dance music artist who appeared on the dance scene in 2010.
L10 Wants You To Celebrate With His Music
Interview by Hannibal Alexander
July 10, 2013
It was the perfect weekend to celebrate.
In California, just the day before this interview was done, Prop 8 was deemed unconstitutional and DOMA was overturned, all while San Francisco’s Gay Pride Weekend was just about to get started. Sitting down with Bay Area Dance Artist L10 in the famed Castro area of San Francisco, it was the perfect time to talk to him about his future in music and his place as an artist in the LGBT community. “Within the LGBT community,” he says, “Dance Music is a big part of the community because it’s always a celebration.”
Not too long ago, L10 was content with his 40 hour a week job even though he had aspirations of singing since childhood. “I was singing since I can remember. I remember being a little kid and my parents would host parties and my mom would play Pointer Sisters ‘Jump’ and I would perform for everyone, and my Dad sang.” For a while L10 was able to balance both music and work until he joined the AIDS LifeCycle group where he was inspired to go full steam ahead on finishing his debut album – his introduction to the world.
The singer/writer/performers debut album “Push” was released at the beginning of this year after 3 years of releasing various singles and EP’s, collaborating with DJ’s like Spekrfreaks, Cee Von Kay and John Le Page to name a few, and exciting fans during several live performances which includes 2012’s San Francisco Pride Celebration. The heavy EDM influence of the album came from L10’s own personal need to be a voice within his community. “Electronic Music has always been my heart and so it was a great way for me to take the sound and do something that was my own.” He goes on to say, “I want to be that voice that gives you five minutes to forget about all your problems and kinda just let go.”
From “Radio” to “Remix Me” to “Oh Yeah,” the album “Push” is filled with infectious dance tracks that are hard to resist, especially mixed with incredible vocal abilities. But, L10 wants to make clear that his music is not just for the LGBT community: “As a queer artist, that’s part of me, that’s who I am. When it comes to my music though, being an LGBT artist is a small part because I want everyone to enjoy my music.”
The overall feel of the album, L10 explains, is being comfortable in your own skin. “When you listen to ‘Push’ from beginning to end, it’s kind of like a story that takes you through an experience of celebrating yourself and celebrating who you are”, something he applauds in any artist, gay straight or otherwise. “I think that for every artist that goes out there celebrating themselves 100% and really puts their artist foot forward in being who they are, I think that’s amazing.” He notes Macklemore’s “Same Love” as an example of using music to change the world commenting “it’s not about just being a queer artist, it’s about really using the power of words to really make this movement”.
Moving forward, L10 is already plotting his next full length EP. He recently released a cover of Irene Cara’s Oscar winning anthem “Fame”, a childhood favorite of his. “I grew up loving the song and that TV show, almost kinda like I was living through the dreams of those people performing.” He talks about switching up the Pop standard, “It’s a classic, I didn’t want to just make it a copycat, I wanted to really change it up for the way of the times and celebrate it.” A trend he hopes to continue on his next outing which he just started recording. He’s also venturing away from the EDM sound that’s so popular within the community. “I’m broadening my horizons, I’m infatuated right now with Nudisco and Doo Wop,” he sights Olly Murs, Breakbot, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, and Bruno Mars as current inspirations.
When it comes to future goals, L10 admits he has a long list of dream collaborations spanning from Sam Sparro, the reunited Danity Kane, Wynter Gordon, Static Avenger, Cruella and several others. He also has a goal to have a Top 20 Billboard single and one day win a Billboard Award. L10 is not concerned with being labeled JUST a Gay artist as he see’s positive changes happening. “As we keep moving forward more artists are getting comfortable in their skin and aren’t afraid to be themselves wholeheartedly. There isn’t as much of a backlash if you come out as a queer artist as there might have been 10 or 20 years ago, so we’ve definitely taken steps ahead.” And L10 is one of the many who are leading that march to equality in music.
For more information visit http://l10sworld.com
