Ricky Rebel – The New Alpha

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I call it Glam Pop. One music critic said that my music sounded like the love child of David Bowie and Madonna.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I look up to Bowie, Prince, and Madonna. They are my Holy Trinity of musical inspiration. I also appreciate them as entertainers and actors. They are multilayered artists who had a message.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “The New Alpha.”

 

A) I wrote “The New Alpha” to talk about my gender. I was feeling pressure in interviews to admit that I was “gender fluid,” but I am not gender fluid. Makeup and clothes do not change my gender. I am all man, all male, every day.

 

Q) How did you come to work with Tommy Joe Ratliff on the song?

 

A) Tommy direct messaged me on Instagram one day because he saw that we had similar views on certain social/political topics. He and I both love freedom of speech and expression. I invited him over to record in my studio and he turned “The New Alpha” into a rock anthem.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) It was the most commented and liked video that I have ever produced. The video tells the story of Rebel being trapped in a box of conformity. I think my fans can relate. Society tries to separate people, put us in a box, label us and force us to pick one side over the other. I just allow myself to be.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) My art director Elena Nazaroff and I co-directed the video and we spent a lot of time making sure that the message of freedom of expression was clear. I invented the idea of “The Wheel of Gender” that spins and “turns” me into different genders. The final gender is Alpha, which is a person that accepts who they are and finds balance between their masculine and feminine sides.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) I usually start with the track and then play the song as I am driving. Lately, I have been making quick voice memos on my phone and then producing the track over that vocal idea. I made most of “The New Alpha” that way. I have a rule: If I am not laughing while I am creating the track, then it’s probably not an A+ track. The ones where I am hysterically laughing are the best tracks because what I am saying is so blunt, naughty or real.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) Like I said, I write and produce most of my music; however, I do collaborate with others every now and then. World renowned DJ Hector Fonseca remixes a lot of my music and turns them into club bangers. We had two Billboard Top 40 hits on the Dance Club chart, “Boys & Sometimes Girls” and “If You Were My Baby.” Our new remix LP is called Life Is a Runway and it features Drag Race diva Vivacious.

 

Q) Talk about how starring in videos for My Chemical Romance led to you becoming a solo artist.

 

A) I was asked to be in My Chemical Romance’s music videos “Na Na Na” and “Sing” as a character called “Show Pony.” I performed for the CD release party in Hollywood. Working with Gerard Way made me realize how cool it was to be in control of every aspect of your music and visual art and I was inspired by that. My face was shown on MTV and my Twitter blew up. I have loyal MCR fans to this day.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Ricky Rebel performance?

 

A) My shows are fun. People have a good time. They like to see me be free. I think it gives them license to be free in their own lives.

 

Q) What songs off your album The New Alpha are you looking forward to performing live?

 

A) I like playing this album with a full band. I feel like it brings out the rock side of the record and it sounds amazing. One song, in particular, feels great to perform called “Sheep” and it’s about my take on the zombie world that we live in. People are lost and afraid to think for themselves. I get angry when I see people that cannot step away from their peers to be true to themselves or try to censor people that they disagree with. I’ve never been a follower.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new album as a whole?

 

A) I want to inspire people to think for themselves. Be a man and learn how to stand on your own sometimes and take responsibility for your life. Be authentic. Love people and have lots of fun safe sex. On a personal note, I want people to know that I am a sensitive guy but not a passive guy. I am conservative, liberal, masculine, feminine and everything in between.

 

Q) What did it mean to you to be discovered by Michael Jackson?

 

A) Michael Jackson was a hero of mine. You can imagine what it felt like to have him as a boss. He gave me my first break in the industry and I will never forget that. He asked my pop group No Authority to perform at the Neverland Ranch and invited hundreds of fans to come and see us. He did not come out during the show because he did not want to take attention away from us. He was a class act and the King of Pop forever.

 

Q) What advice did he give you that you really took to heart?

 

A) Michael told me to “stay away from girls” because they ruin bands. I took that to mean that I should avoid letting relationships steer me away from my dreams. After I met Michael Jackson, I made sure that my partners supported me and my career. If not, I gave them the boot.

 

Q) Why is it so important for more gender and sexual fluid artists to be gaining more attention and acceptance in our society?

 

A) I think it’s important because gay people and androgyny have always existed, yet we do not to this day have a number-one song between a man and a man. Certain closeted gay male singers still have to hide behind their image and sing songs about other girls even though they do not have sexual relationships with them. We need to let people know that we exist and that it’s ok and the world will not come to an end.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) I loved performing at the Cannes Film Festival in France. It was one of the greatest places to visit and perform. The people loved my music and the way that I presented myself. Grown men with their wives would approach me, tell me how beautiful I was, kiss my hand and call me “mademoiselle.” European men tend to be a little more comfortable with their sexuality.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) I want to work with Kanye West. I have always loved his tracks. I like how outspoken he is. He’s a Rebel like me. We would make beautiful, naughty, and provocative music together.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) Honestly, I am not listening to any particular band or album at the moment. I am not fully inspired by music these days. Artists play it too safe. Most of them have nothing daring to say. I am listening to politics. I am inspired by people speaking their mind and getting other people involved. I like fire starters. I am an anti-political correctness, no censorship, freedom of speech and expression advocate.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) Every week I go live to all of my fans on Instagram, Facebook and Periscope. It’s important for me to connect with them, answer questions and share my world. When you take the time to interact with your fans you realize that they’re real people from around the world that are inspired by you and support you. I used to be afraid of the intimacy but now I am pulling them closer to me.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) I want to tell you that I appreciate you with all of my heart. Without you, there’s no Ricky Rebel. A Show Pony like me needs fans like you to perform in front of. I hope that I always inspire you to be yourself and live authentically.