"It's just me and the piano, at last, having musical sex": Q&A with Rufus Wainwright

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"It's just me and the piano, at last, having musical sex": Q&A with Rufus Wainwright

POSTED: Friday, February 12, 2010, 3:00 PM

Filed Under: Interview

rufuswainwright.co

Rufus Wainwright, who takes the Borgata stage this Sunday (Valentine's Day for those keeping score at home), called me this week from his family home in Montreal to gab about his AC performnace and a few other tidbits that usually come up in a conversation between two gay guys — like divas, being out and of course, Lady Gaga.

City Paper: I saw you perform in Philadelphia on Valentine's Day last year and exactly a year later you'll be in Atlantic City. Why do you like to perform in this area on Valentine's Day?

Rufus Wainwright: I'm not going to say because it needs love [laughs], but I will say that I love doing shows on Valentine's Day that are close to New York so I can get home and get back into bed with my boyfriend that very night [laughs].

CP: What will people see at your show on Sunday?

RW: These are an interesting set of shows because they're the last shows I do before the tour for the next record, All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu. This is the last snippet of my former life when I was doing gigs to pay for restaurant bills in between writing operas and ballets and stuff [laughs]. Everything is up for grabs. When I get back on the road after these shows it'll be all very orchestrated and constructed, so this is the last of the loose.

CP: Tell me about your upcoming album.

RW: It's just me and the piano, at last, having musical sex.

CP: Elton John has called you the best songwriter on the planet. Can you share your writing process?

RW: I have somewhat boiled it down to a bodily function — meaning I don't have to plan it out so much. I just wait on the corner for the cabs to arrive, I just get in and hope they take me to the right place. Whether it's the lyrics or the music or a line on the piano or guitar — it's mostly about not thinking actually and the faster it comes the better.

CP: How has being open about your sexuality influenced your career?

RW: Initially I was honest out of laziness because it would take too much energy to keep lying at every interview and every show and every album cycle. It was more of a practical issue for me at first to get it over with and talk about it. But there was a reaction, meaning on one hand certain markets were closed for me — I didn't get as much coverage as other artists — but then on the other hand I also have extremely fierce and loyal grassroots support because I've been so truthful. I may not be injected with tons of cash, but I have a fierce following that will support me my whole life.

CP: Do you consider yourself a diva?

RW: It depends. In terms of a great performer and an elegant, luxurious trophy — then sure, why not. But in terms of attitude, being difficult and not giving respect to my fellow musicians, then no. I subscribe to the good parts of being a diva and definitely not to the bad ones, otherwise I definitely wouldn't be around still.

CP: Let's play a word association game. I'll call out a few words and you tell me what pops into your head. First, Lady Gaga.

RW: Look out! [laughs] I appreciate her. Lady laid down the gauntlet and I intend to pick it up.

CP: Sarah Palin.

RW: Oh my God. Lord help us. I think even God hates her.

CP: Philly cheesesteak sandwiches.

RW: Dangerous!

CP: One last question. If you were to generate a playlist on iTunes Genius based on your music what would you like see come up?

RW: I'd love to see Wagner but it's not going to happen. Wagner is what I want, so Wagner's what you'll get.

Rufus Wainwright, Sun., Feb. 14, $65, Music Box at the Borgata, One Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J., 08401, theborgata.com.

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Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

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