Born and raised in the Bronx, the newest face in the L.A. pop music scene is that of Adrian Wilson, an Italian-Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and actor. Realizing his dreams at the ripe age of six, he grew up in the theatre and quickly became a player in the off-Broadway circuit, professionally singing and acting as a teenager. It was during this time that Wilson gained the attention of a major record label, but refused to sign in order to stay true to himself rather than fit the then current mold of the music industry. Now he’s back with a new single, All Consuming Fire, from his forthcoming album, a culmination of his music influences, and an upcoming series of live shows at the new Bohemian Showroom at Macha Theatre. Taking time off between gigs, Wilson sat down with JustLuxe to talk about the album, upcoming projects and how he’s making a comeback in the world of music while remaining unapologetically himself.
When did you start in the music industry?
I began professionally as a singer singing in New York nightclubs at the age of sixteen. I actually had an act before I got work as an actor. Then I headlined a concert benefit in New Jersey and things took off from there. Soon after, I released a song that got club play and toured it. It was a journey that took me in different directions; I did Christian music and now I’m back here in the pop world.
Who were your main influences?
I wanted to do more than sing; I wanted to entertain and put on fabulous shows! So I guess my first influences came from people like Prince and Michael Jackson. There hasn't been anyone like them since. I was also influenced by singer-songwriters - artists who created a concept from start to finish. Michael, for instance, had a concept with a story. He'd write it, he'd perform it, he'd interpret it through dance, and he gave it a visual. The music video. Many people could write, but Michael embodied the whole thing from concept to completed work. A lot of people borrowed from him. As for me, I have my own stories to tell about a human’s self-worth, and equality for everyone. I sing for the underdogs, for the forgotten, for the disregarded. I like to tell it in short film format, but also on the concert stage, in live performance. Because of my theatre background, sometimes I utilize those tools, like acting and dialogue. Somewhat theatrical, but for the music concert, instead of, say, Broadway. So, it's a little different!
How do you describe your music?
Gee, that's hard... Because I grew up in The Bronx, where there was so much music around me: pop, rock, R&B, dance, country, Latin. It was an infusion of cultures. My music reflects that. We were so lucky to have all those flavors. For me, I'm straight ahead Pop. I like guitars, drums and strings. I like for my songs to have a dramatic element, for it to move you. I want you to break free - to dance, to rock out. So I sway a little bit in genres but I love a great pop song, and I love a great love ballad even more. Because I like to interpret and perform, my songs have to mean something, and I have to truly feel what I sing.
You’re originally from New York, what brought you to Los Angeles?
Well, of all things, life! I was meeting casting people for my acting. I had gotten an agent on my third day here, so I thought, 'make the move!' But I have always wanted to live in California, ever since I was six years old.
You’re also an actor, tell me a bit about your off Broadway shows.
The first thing I did Off-Broadway was a play when I was sixteen during my high school junior year. The two shows that followed propelled my acting career, those were With Me But Not My Wife and Boys. It was amazing to see audiences enjoying the shows night after night. I have to say the most grueling work is New York theater, 8 shows a week, but there's nothing like it. It's a magical town. At 7:45, the Broadway district changes, you can feel showtime in the air, on the streets of Midtown Manhattan. I was proud to have that experience. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
You started performing when you were quite young. What have been some of your biggest challenges?
Ooh, great question.
In pop music, my biggest challenge was being gay in a straight man’s world. I had an offer for a record deal from the biggest record company in the world early in my career, but they wanted me to pose as a straight guy, and I wouldn’t have it. They wanted me to be a sex symbol. I said, “okay, sexy, yes. Straight - heck, no! I’m not going to pretend I’m something I’m not.”
My songs are about love and relationships, and living your truth, so how can I be a fraud? My lyrics are universal; it’s not like I’m trying to make a statement - I'm generally open about who I am in the public eye. My personal life however, is my own. I don’t really care to bring every detail of my relationship with my fiancé to the surface. Whether it was a man or woman.
You know, we live in a world where in social media, everything is documented and shared. People report everything. I still believe in my privacy to an extent, but I also believe in being honest. I believe that my fans want their pop star to be honest . An audience feels like they kind of know the singer they’re coming out to see in concert. In time, it becomes a relationship. I get to know my fans and they get to know me. But my number one job is to entertain them. To be real and honest with them. To share my life lessons through my music. And to enjoy the party with them, whether they’re listening to my songs, or going to my shows. I truly love what I do. But I refuse to be anyone but myself.
When I started out, opportunities were so few. I had to come up in other ways. It made me stronger. I learned you have to create your opportunities when they're not there. The rest is working toward your craft, so when there is the opportunity, you know what you're doing. I didn't always know, but I learned, and I had people along the way who believed in me. Sometimes all it takes is that one person. Somehow, someone saw something. All I knew is that I had drive. I desperately wanted to be in this business, because I could not imagine doing anything else. It's all I knew that I wanted. So when I was young, I was operating out of a belief, and I lacked the opportunities to bring it forward. Faith, and sheer guts, got me through, even when no one saw it. The channels that others had, like college, we're not available. So I compensated by figuring it out the hard way. I knocked on doors at fifteen. I auditioned. I wrote monologues and songs. I created my own bits on stage when I first had my act, and tried it out in front of audiences. When I first did the New York clubs, there were no guys like me. There were no male singers singing in a dance club during a DJ break. There still aren't, really. A solo act had few places to go. And usually, those guys are packaged by a record company. But there I was, appearing beside novelty acts. Eventually I produced my own concerts, and found my way. The idea of the Independent Artist was unheard of, too. Back then you either got a record deal or you didn't. My challenge was, I wasn't like anyone else, so you couldn't fit me into a category. Those were the people that got record deals. I didn't look like anyone, and there were no boys like me selling records. Solo male pop singer, young. Usually guys like me were teen idols or pinups, but not legitimate singers. So it was a rough road for me. Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, guys like that came after. They've been few and far between. A male pop singer-songwriter only comes once in a long while. But it’s changing. They’re starting to pop up again. And I’m here now - and suddenly people are interested!
You just released a new single, how would you describe it?
All Consuming Fire is the first single to the debut album I always wanted to make. It’s the only Christian song on the album because of the last decade I spent in Christian music. It's an old worship song - but with an interesting twist. I thought, 'how cool would it be if I included it in my pop album? So we gave it a radio-friendly pop format, a pop ballad style. It sounds like my music, there are pop instruments, harmonies, and it just so happens that I'm singing about God. I loved it because my approach is that God is in my everyday existence - within the music I normally do - instead of fitting myself into another mold or genre. Music ministry is a part of me, but God also gave me a gift to entertain, and the song balances both of those worlds for me. I love what Kevin Leach, who produced it, did on that recording. And everyone that hears it loves it, so I’m happy.
You’re also releasing a new video soon; tell me a bit about that?
I'm shooting three music videos this coming year. The first one is for All Consuming Fire, and that is set to release in October. The first thing I said was, this is my first music video. If I'm going to do this, I'm going all out. Because usually you find an indie artist will make a video, you see it on YouTube, and it's the same kind of thing over and over. I didn't want it to be wrapped into a group of similar videos. Instead, I wanted the Michael Jackson thing I described: to create a concept from beginning to end, and flesh it out. It never occurred to me to see what the trend was. It only occurred to me that I tell the story, in the most moving way possible. You never know how people will respond. I can only say I hope people are pleased with it! As an artist, I don't think in terms of 'indie artist' or ‘indie video’. I think of making the best video I can make. I wrote and directed it, and with some amazing people working on it I think we have the greatest banging video we could make!
How do you feel your music has changed throughout the years?
I think the biggest noticeable difference is in the technology, which has affected the whole world. The public has better access to music, and I have better tools to create with. The thing that may move you in my music is the same.
The one thing I can say is that I’m less afraid to be who I am. I have to admit the music is more authentic than it could have been before.
Some songs I've wanted to record for a very long time. I kind of waited for the world to be ready. One song called Your Boyfriend couldn't play well ten years ago, but I really think may do well a year from now! And a song called The Price Of Fame works because the public is more savvy today about the industry. I just think we're living in a more understanding and tolerant world. Music lovers get it.
Where can people see you perform?
I'll be playing in a brand new showroom, the Bohemian in West Hollywood at the Macha Theatre, beginning in October. They’ve given me an extended residency, and I’m really excited.
All Consuming Fire is available on iTunes, GooglePlay and Amazon now.
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/all-consuming-fire-single/id995162341
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Adrian_Wilson_All_Consuming_Fire?id=Bjrzhpbbaals5zr7inpud32em4e
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/embed/AbfHiDaEbuY
You can get tickets to Adrian Live at the Bohemian Showroom, at adrianwilsonworld.com. For more information on Bohemian Boy Nights, go to the Macha Theatre website, machatheatre.org.
