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Scandelle
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Scandelle EP produced by Blake Althen and Paula Bellenuit 
Brooklyn-born Scandelle recently released a four-track EP that showcases the breadth of his musicality, from dance to rhythm and blues. The self-titled EP opens with Afterlife , a romantic dance tune that begins with fine acoustic guitar work, blending with electronic, made-for-dance floor sounds. We then move to an extended version of the same song which relies more on percussion and trance-inspired effects. Speak Easy, also a love song, has a nice R& B/soul feel which leads to an anthem-like chorus that speaks of how one should be able to let go when a relationship promises no future. The EP ends with You'll Be Back, a slow electronic song with clever guitar licks and lots of percussive elements. The words find him pleading for his lover not to go away even though "it's alright to feel this way." Scandelle granted GayToday an interview in which he talked about his origins, influences and plans: Ernest Barteldes: Your EP shows a strong dance influence in your music. What's your musical background? Scandelle: Yes- my music does have a strong dance influence attached to it. Rock -n- roll music is in my blood. My late uncle was the legendary songwriter Otis Blackwell. He was the guy who penned All Shook Up, Return To Sender and Fever among many other hits. As a result, my family had a love of dance music related to the times from 60's Motown to Ella Fitzgerald. If it had a danceable beat, chances are we had it in our record collection growing up at home. And musically we, as a household, were colorblind! Ernest Barteldes: There is a nice guitar lick on Afterlife. Who played that? Scandelle: The guitar lick was created by a "genius in waiting" as (I love to call him) Blake Althen of HF Productions out in Washington D.C. He is extremely talented and I am lucky to have found him. He was definitely the answer to a prayer at that time, when it was necessary for me to leave New York in search of some less jaded musicians to build a new musical beginning for myself. Ernest Barteldes: Which is your usual public? I mean, is it the club crowd...? Scandelle: My musical audience has always been a diversified "happy" bunch! I wouldn't say that it was the traditional club crowd at all. I've always been one to do things differently. Even when I was first introduced onto the stage @A the infamous Pyramid Club (lower East Side) in the late eighties, early nineties, I did it my way. Shaved head since day one! And I stuck to my own persona instead of trying to imitate anyone, which made it very difficult during those early days to get gigs as a drag performer. I refused to change for the club owner establishment and as a result (along with a tide of others) changed things over time. This has helped the Gay and Lesbian community evolve into a stronger spirit overall. It's nice to know that all the bullshit I went through did some people a lot of good. There are a lot of exciting Gay and Lesbian, Trans performers proudly expressing themselves everyday! Great stuff to see! Ernest Barteldes: I've never had a chance of witnessing one of your performances, so how would you describe your show? Scandelle: My live show is powerful. I definitely give it my all! From the theater angle you get the "Kabuki Drag" and musically I give you Rock -n- Roll royalty lyrics with soul tugging vocals, lots of high drama with a few smiles thrown in along the way! People always get more than what they expect! I'm definitely "old school" in my approach to delivering the best I've got to give when you come out to see me! And I'm happiest when I'm on stage and sharing energy with cool people. Ernest Barteldes: What kind of music makes you move - I mean, who influenced you? I see there is some R&B in you... Scandelle: Music that makes me move... well all I can say is that its gotta be the real deal, baby! I hate phonies and have little respect for people who rely heavily on sampling other people's work, because of my musical upbringing my standards are pretty high. I always strive to be as original as possible. Influences are to be respected, so I prefer the "Christinas" over "Britneys", and I love truth in my music: people who are true to their spirits and express those spirits through their music! Outkast, Annie Lennox, Bjork, Garbage, Billy Strayhorn, Janis Joplin, Peter Gabriel, Justin Tranter, Eric Himan -you get the picture! Ernest Barteldes: You have an EP out. Do you plan a full CD release? Scandelle: Yes my album is coming! Currently I'm in the process of developing new songs and screening musicians for my live band. I prefer to go into the studio to record most of the album with live musicians as opposed to an electronic process. It's more "me" to do it that way! I expect to have the album completed before March, 2005. I'll be dropping singles along the way, so be sure to keep checking in when you can. Ernest Barteldes: What is your personal background, i.e. where were you born, where did you grow up? Scandelle: I was born in the Projects of Fort Greene Brooklyn. That's were I learned to be tough and have the balls to fight for what I deserve. Respect was the way of the land, baby. It was that way then, and it's that way now! I have to say that in spite of the extreme surroundings in my childhood, I have mostly happy memories of my friends and the people in the neighborhood. It was a small bunch but everyone looked out for each other. Ernest Barteldes: What's next for Scandelle? Scandelle: THE WORLD BABY! I didn't survive this long to end up still fighting for pennies over the who gets the next $2.00 gig at the local dive! I feel it's time for Gay and Lesbian -Trans entertainers to see ourselves at the top of the ladder! Think Big, damn it! It's the only way to change the system! I intend to reach as many people as my music will allow! From New York to the Stars! One fan at a time! Won't you join me?! |
 
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