Phil Dutra

The Interview!

Thanks for taking the time to talk with us Phil. I know you have been very busy with your move, new job, and just getting used to L.A.

1.) How much of your music on "See The World" is about you and your life?

Phil Dutra: I guess there's a little bit about me in every song. I think that every artist creates through the filter of their own experience, even when you're "making things up". But I don't want this CD to be seen as a chronicle of my life. I want the listener to make each song their own and bring their own experiences to the music.

2.) Tell us about the "Space Buddha", were you the model?

Phil Dutra: Paul may be the "walrus", but I am the "Space Buddha"! That picture was actually taken on my bed in front of a big piece of blue fabric that I stapled to the wall ( my own make shift blue screen). We then took that photo and super-imposed me into space...pretty cool, huh? It came to me in a dream but in the dream I was smooth and silver. I shaved my entire body for the smooth part (I felt like such a circuit boy) and planned to have the graphic designer turn me silver with his graphics program. It didn't go as planned. So he turned me blue instead. My friends started calling me "Papa smirf". By the way, I'll never shave again. The razor bumps really sucked!!

3.) I noticed you like your South Park T, a fan?

Phil Dutra: I'm actually a South Park fanatic. When I bartended at Burkhart's Pub in Atlanta, Wednesday night was "South Park night" on my Bar. I would show several episodes and then the movie. I can't even guess how many times I've seen "Bigger, Longer and Uncut" (great title, huh?). I think that the creators Trey and Matt have hidden this brilliant satire of our society behind third grade toilet humor and I love it!! There's also a lot of gay humor that runs through most of the episodes. When I'm in a "funk" I'll put the movie in the VCR and I'm instantly in a better mood! It's much cheaper than therapy.

4.) Who was the most important musical influence in your life?

Phil Dutra: The Beatles...Yes, I know it's very cliché but when I listen to anything they've done, I'm in awe. The world goes away and I'm transported to the musical landscape that they've created!! I consider my songwriting to be the search for the perfect 3 minute pop tune and I consider their music to be the road map. When I decided to include a cover song on my CD, I chose George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass". I thought that, lyrically, it was a perfect ending to the story I was telling and the simplicity of the melody fit perfectly.

5.)Track number 9 on "See The World", which is "Fine Young People", great song by the way, what prompted you to write it?

Phil Dutra: When you asked earlier how much of the CD is about my life, I instantly thought of "Fine Young People". It's definitely the most personal song on the CD. It's about the moment I changed the way I perceived my world. I went from despair to hope and the CD itself follows that same path. At the time, I ended a musical partnership that had lasted for ten years and I was very down. I was feeling old and tired and I didn't know if I had it in me to pursue my music. I had to sort out my life and I looked around for inspiration. It was all around me. All of these people a decade younger than me accomplishing all the things I new I was capable of accomplishing. I got off my ass and recorded this CD.

6.)Atlanta to Los Angeles, quite a change. Was it a career move? Lots of
culture shock?

Phil Dutra: My partner Steve is an actor. He was touring quite a lot and was out of town for about 9 months out of the year. We chose L.A. so he can work in the same city where we both live. So far, so good. He just got his first part in a movie, so we're thrilled!! Atlanta in many ways is becoming a "mini-L.A."...poor air quality and bad traffic but on a smaller scale. It was a great place to live but after almost a decade, we were ready for a change. We have really fallen in love with L.A. It's truly a beautiful city with a great energy. I think we'll be here for a while.

7.) How has "See the World" affected your life?

Phil Dutra: One of the greatest gifts an artist receives is seeing the way their work affects an audience. I love the positive feedback I've received from people. I've been really moved by people telling me how they've been inspired by the music. That itself has reenergized and re-inspired me. It showed me that I can choose to overcome my doubts by seeing my own world in a more positive way and acting on that perception. I hope that what comes across on this CD is that life is basically about that search for happiness and that you can find that happiness by changing the way you see your world.

8.) Do you feel being an "out" performer has more positives or negatives? How has it touched your life?

Phil Dutra: I think that all the energy it takes to hide your true nature is wasted energy. Being an "out" performer is much less stressful. I also think that in many ways the music industry has changed, thanks to Elton John and KD Lang and Melissa Etheridge and all the other "out" musicians who in many ways are heroes for all of us.

We have a few member questions for you, they can get a little personal, hope that's ok?

Phil Dutra: Of course!!

From JimW: On your site you have a page on "Is God a turnoff" and the answer by your responses, no. How do you feel about religion/churches stand on GLBT issues and the community as a whole?

Phil Dutra: Jim, I wanted to explore the question "is God a ‘turn-off’?" because I found people characterizing my music as "Christian Pop", which I couldn’t disagree with more. Some of the songs on the CD have "spiritual" themes but I wanted them to transcend religion and be about universal truths. I was raised Catholic and know all too well how organized religion has demonized the GLBT community. I grew up filled with guilt and self-hatred and, like many of us out there, I had no one to turn to. I had to resolve these issues on my own. I think that has actually been a great gift. It forced me to question any institution that would condemn a person for simply being the way God made him or her. It forced me to "find God" on my own, which has been a blessing in disguise. The Dalai Lama said of the Chinese invaders of Tibet that he was grateful for them because sometimes your enemies can be your greatest teachers.

from chad-o: How long have you and Steve been together?

Phil Dutra: March 5, 2001 will be our 8th Anniversary! We met in the fall of 1992, when he was Bartending at Burkhart’s and I was hosting the Karaoke show (trust me, it was a hoot!). I was interested in him but he had someone else in mind (see how he is?!) He got over "what’s his face" and we had our first date on that day. It was really Cheesy. We went to see the UFO abduction movie "Fire in the Sky" and then to Taco Bell for Dinner...Are we classy or what?!! On our third Anniversary I Got him, among other things, the video of the movie and Taco Bell gift certificates (see how I am?!)

from tinabe: Does your career have any effect on your relationship?

Phil Dutra: His did when he was touring for most of the year. It’s very hard trying to maintain the relationship when your thousands of miles away from each other. that’s the story behind track #3 on the CD called "Another Day Alone". Other than the "distance thing" I think we support each other's efforts very well. We both have a tremendous respect and admiration for the other’s talents. Every time I see him on stage I get all choked up because I’m so proud of him...I’m such a wuss!!

from Brye: Love the CD Phil, another in the works?

Phil Dutra: Brye, thanks for asking! No definite plans yet, but I’ve been writing a lot. I finished "See The World" in Atlanta right before we decided to move to L.A. Between the moving plans and settling in to a new city, I haven’t had much time to promote the current CD. I’ll concentrate on this one for a while and then move on. I’ll keep everyone updated through the web site.

Thanks Phil and members.

9.) Did you or do you have any particular goals for "See The World"?

Phil Dutra: Sound-wise I wanted it to be a guitar-driven catchy pop record. I wanted to take my time and make sure the production quality was excellent. I think that with producer Scott Patton, we achieved those goals. Promotion-wise I want to share it with the Universe.

10.)What made you decide to be public with your personal life? When and why did you make this decision?

Phil Dutra: I guess it’s a matter of what I find comfortable taking about, which is almost anything. As I said before, there are parts of my life in all of my music and whenever I’m interviewed it just seems natural to talk about the inspiration for the music. I think that, like it or not, details of every artist’s personal life become public whether they’re gay or straight and if Catherine Zeta-Jones-Douglas can talk about her husband then so can I!

11.) You talk about celebrity-spotting on your site? Having fun with that? Who have you spotted so far?

Phil Dutra: Yeah! It’s been real fun. The latest spottings were Jimmy Kimmel and Bobcat Goldthwait having lunch together and the Star of The WB’s new series "Nikki", who’s name is escaping me right now, having cocktails at Delmonico’s in Encino. We also saw Matthew McConaughey at The Abbey in West Hollywood.

12.) Do you think that L.A. will assist you in your career goals?

Phil Dutra: Yes, I do. Just by the sheer concentration of people in the music industry in this town.

13.) Any plans for a tour in the future?

Phil Dutra: Now that we’re settled into our new home, it’s time to get a live group together again. As far as tours go, nothing planned, but who knows what the Universe will bring!

Would you like to tell us about causes you support?

Phil Dutra: I make regular donations to AMFAR, UNICEF, Habitat for Humanity and Make a Wish Foundation. I think it’s important to give as much as you can to whatever causes you choose. By choosing generosity I truly believe that you, in turn, receive it!

Thanks again Phil, it has been great, any closing comments for our readers?

Phil Dutra: Thanks for letting me share my thoughts and I hope everyone enjoys the music!

Just click on the CD cover for "See The World" above to visit Phils' Website. Buy PHIL DUTRA Merchandise!! Go to PHIL'S STUFF FOR SALE and get Phil's Space Buddha on T-shirts, Sweatshirts, Coffee mugs and more!

You can download the entire CD for free at PLAYJ HOW COOL IS THAT!!? You can also purchase Phil's CD at AMAZON.COM Check out PHIL'S MP3.COM PAGE to hear as well as download most of his songs from "See The World"

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