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 John Donnon catches up with out Australian pop star, Sam Sparro.
The release of Sam Sparro’s self-titled debut album has seen the Sydney-born singer/songwriter rocket up the pop charts in Australia and the UK, with his eclectic collection of melodic, soul-infused electro-funk, including the hit single ‘Black and Gold’, favourably compared to Prince. He embarks on a sold-out Australian tour this month.
So how does a boy from Australia get noticed internationally?
Well, for me the secret was to put the music out myself without permission from a major label, using things like YouTube and MySpace. I released ‘Black & Gold’ 18 months ago on MySpace, and from that Pete Tong played it on the radio; and from that major labels started knocking on my door.
Now you’re an internationally recognised pop star, do you ever have concerns that your past misadventures will catch up with you?
Such as what? (Laughs) Oh, probably, but I’m an open person, so there’s nothing that anyone could say that I wouldn’t say myself!
So it’s true you used to dance in your undies for a dollar or two?
Oh, I did for a couple of weeks or so and then I thought, ‘you know what, it actually isn’t that much fun’. I liked the attention, but most of it came from gross people.
You’re an openly-gay fella. Has there ever been pressure from the industry to curb your homosexual ways?
Not that I’m aware of, no. I think it’s kind of rude and disrespectful to ask someone to be something that they’re not, and when you meet me you get the message pretty quickly that I’m not someone you want to disrespect in that way. No one has had the audacity to ask me to lie about my sexuality.
So I’m guessing the invite from Madge to support her on tour got lost in the mail?
(Laughs.) Apparently, yeah. I said some nasty things about Madonna that I definitely regret saying. I’ve been a big fan of her in the past but I’m just not so keen on her new stuff. I was a bit rude, and it sounded worse when I read it back.
Your album contains a lot of social commentary for a pop album: are you a political sort?
I’m a thinker, I’m well read and think about the world around me, so that comes across in my writing.
You’ve been bagged out a bit for ‘Cottonmouth’ being vapid and ridiculous?
But that’s the whole point of it. Some people hated it and I love the polarising views of people. It’s better than being boring.
What can your Aussie audiences expect from you?
It’s going to be a dance party! So if you’re coming to the show wear some comfortable shoes and be prepared to have some fun.
Are you going to wearing your big white glasses?
Maybe! I haven’t figured out what I’m going to wear yet. What’s the weather like?
Sam Sparro performs at The Oxford Art Factory on July 16. His self-titled debut album is out now through UMA.
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Sparro in flight
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