For Kenyth Mogan, being gay is an integral part of his identity. With his new EP Fall Apart, he hopes to open your ears while making the world a better place.
Savas Abadsidis: How has your album been received so far? By the general fans? By the LGBT media?
Kenyth Mogan: The response has been kind of amazing. I knew my family and friends would give me the typical "good job, Kenny; way to go!" They've all known this is something I've wanted to do since I was a little kid, and they're the best, so I knew they'd like it. But the fact that people outside of my circles like it is really awesome. The LGBT community has really embraced me and the EP album; one of the reviewers at GuySpy really liked it, and LGBT Weekly did a mention, so I'm kind of floating on cloud nine with it all.
Abadsidis: So your first video is coming out. What's it about?
Mogan: The video is for "Fall Apart," which is the title track and first single off the EP. The video follows me and my boyfriend (played by my friend Tyler Schuelke) from the happy, romantic stages of our relationship into the cold, distant ones. The video was directed by Angelo Costa, and we wanted to leave it open-ended to maybe continue the story line in a future music video.
Abadsidis: You're working on some new tracks aimed at pride festivities. Why is that important to you?
Mogan: Growing up in Montana, I didn't really have a lot of experience with pride festivities and really only experienced one in college, but it was awesome. The people I met there were so fierce and free. I loved it. Growing up where I did, it would be a lie to say I didn't experience some form of homophobia or another, but I was lucky in the fact that, for the most part, most of my family and friends were very loving and accepting. But still, to see everyone so open and happy was really awesome.
Abadsidis: What can you tell me about the pride tracks?
Mogan: I'm still planning out the release, but it won't be until May, and I'm thinking there will be three, maybe four, tracks. For sure I know it will include a cover of Belinda Carlisle's "Live Your Life Be Free," which I'm also plotting a video for, and a duet with another out singer, Brendan Velasquez. FYLF MUSIC in the UK has been working really hard to promote Fall Apart to get it to clubs and on radio over there, and we're hopefully going to get a Matt Pop remix for one of the pride songs.
Abadsidis: Who would be your dream collaborator?
Mogan: There are a few. Mika and Charlotte Church are up there, but I actually reached out to Tiffany's people today. Somewhere in the vaults of my home-video library is one of me at 4 years old dancing around to "I Think We're Alone Now," singing into a plastic golf club. I know she's gotten a lot of crap from the industry, but she's always been my absolute favorite. She's got a great voice and is an amazing songwriter and has always been just one of those really sweet and genuine people. I'd love to do a song with her.
Abadsidis: "One Worth Losing" is probably the strongest ballad. Who is that about?
Mogan: The song was written by Todd Michael Schultz. I'd broken up with someone who was in the closet, and it was very clear that regardless of how much he said he cared about me, he made it very clear that it wasn't enough to come out for me. Todd and I had wanted to do music together forever, and all I said was, "Hey, I have an idea for a song!" He came back 30 minutes later with "One Worth Losing," and I loved it. It's one of my most favorite songs on the EP.
