Published in the winter 2010 issue of MyLIFE magazine
Boy George began his career as the lead singer of Culture Club in the ‘80s and has since become one of pop music’s most colorful figures.
Boy George has been busy these days working on a new album and will be performing in the U.K. in a series of concerts this winter titled “Up Close and Personal.” He is also supporting Talenthouse, founded by George’s long-term collaborator, Amos Pizzey. Talenthouse is a revolutionary way for new artists to showcase their work on the Internet.
We caught up with Boy George and asked him about his new project.
MyLIFE : You seem very willing to help artists in their creative process by lending your support to Talenthouse. What would be the perfect story for you—of someone who uses this new medium and becomes well known on a global scale?
Boy George: I guess everyone has his or her own personal idea of what success is. I would say that being able to make a living out of doing what you love is the best kind of success. I’m excited to support the Talenthouse platform, as it gives artists a chance to showcase their work, find projects and gain exposure. I’ve obviously experienced global success, and while it’s exciting to begin with, in the end your fame tends to get in the way of your music. Right now I’m just concerned with creating things I’m proud of—things with substance that touch people. How many records I sell is out of my hands. It’s been such a long time since I was involved in the big machine of pop music. In my career, I have always collaborated with lots of different and amazing people. I have a simplistic message for anyone who wants to create music, and that is to simply do it from the heart, without any unrealistic expectations. If you have too many expectations, you will probably never feel satisfied.
MyLIFE : Do you see this medium as a springboard for someone who may not otherwise have the means to demonstrate their artistry?
Boy George: With the big record companies folding at an alarming rate, people are looking to the Internet for new ways to be heard—to promote their work and hopefully inspire each other. Talenthouse, for example, is designed specifically for the creative community and provides opportunities for artists anywhere they may be in the world. In addition, I have just signed my first online record deal with The Orchard, and as far as I’m concerned, the Internet is the future for promoting and selling music. It’s sad to think there will be less hard copies of recordings, but you can’t hold back change and people are more into downloading—and this has and will continue to shape the future of the music industry. Sites like Facebook, Twitter and Talenthouse allow artists like me direct access to their audience. Through Twitter, I can speak directly to lots of people and use that medium to promote my own work, or the work of people I admire—even turning a new audience on to something classic like an X-Ray Spex song, or other vintage gems like “Violence Grows” by the Fatal Microbes. I might tell them about a book I’ve read or simply what I’ve made for lunch. I even tweet recipes.
MyLIFE : Are there any other new projects you are currently working on?
Boy George: I’m starting a monthly night in London called “Dose” to showcase new talent and hopefully to lure some big name artists to come and do something out of their comfort zone. It will mostly be an acoustic affair, with maybe a piano or a set of bongos. The focus will be on the music. I know so many amazing singers who need to be heard, so I’m hoping to create a real fun, quality night for people who love real voices. I’ll also be releasing my own new material in the coming months and will have a dance E.P. out soon.
MyLIFE : You have voiced your opinion on shows like American Idol before. Do you think Talenthouse can bring “hope and inspiration” back to music?
Boy George: I don’t have too much of a problem with things like American Idol—I just find the choice of judges quite suspect. In England we have The X-Factor, and you have people with a mild amount of talent judging others, which seems a bit of a joke. These shows tend to go for people with a story or some tragic past, which they can play up in the media, and very often great singers get overlooked. I think you have to see these shows for what they are. It’s mostly cruise ship-style entertainment. I don’t think “hope and inspiration” have ever been far away … a little blurred by the dry ice maybe. That’s why I’m excited by the concept of Talenthouse, where artists have an opportunity to reach a global audience and are judged by the global creative community, encouraging great talent to rise to the top.
