Blake Lewis is one of those guys who, despite fame and success, stays very true to who he is. He has an endearing guy next door charm to him, with just enough edge to make him a sexual icon. His Seattle music scene roots are reflected in his songs, giving them an unpolished sincerity. Moreover, his travels and maturity have given him the ability to produce very impressive, danceable and upbeat music. It is hard to classify his music as it is in a constant state of evolution. Blake Lewis is one of those artists who is able to take you on a journey through his music, exploring the full spectrum of emotions from love to loss. He impressed the American Idol judges with beat boxing a Seal song, and even though he had already carved out a name for himself in the Seattle music scene, Idol launched him to stardom. His debut album Audio Day Dream was released in December of 2007 and hit number 10 on the Billboard charts with Blake penning 12 of the 13 tracks. His second album, Heartbreak on Vinyl, was released on October 6, 2009 and charted #7 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums, with over 4000 copies sold in the first week (1000 of those were digital downloads). He has since been hard at work touring and working on new projects and has recently moved back to L.A. to focus his passion for music. Blake will be a headliner for this year’s Pride Festival, playing on the Cox Communication main stage on Sunday July 18th at 4:55 p.m.

GLT: How old are you?

BL: I turn 29 on July 21st.

GLT: Happy Birthday, almost! So where are you originally from?

BL: Seattle. I did not like the whole Hollywood scene and life so I went back home after the show and then moved back to California a month ago.

GLT: So how do you feel about playing 2010 San Diego Pride?

BL: I feel great about it. I mean its Cali and sunshine. I know I will have a good time. Besides, it’s right before my birthday, so that should make it even more fun.

GLT: Do you have a boyfriend or a girlfriend at the moment?

BL: No I am single. I dated a girl for a little while, but she just wasn’t the one for me.

GLT: What was the motivation for naming your newest album Heartbreak on Vinyl?

BL: Seattle, originally. Just the atmosphere walking around there and growing up in Seattle provided a lot of inspiration for me and this album. Also, some inspiration came from Union Square in New York City. But yeah! Walking down Easy Street in Seattle and feeling the emptiness and silence it has about it. Also, I wrote it about falling in love with music, and that’s how the actual song and name came about.

GLT: What is your favorite track on the album, and why?

BL: I wrote them all, so… man, they all mean so much. If I had to pick, the first one that comes to mind is Binary love, as it is very strong and powerful. Another would be Our Rapture Of Love. I wrote and produced half of it about a woman I was in love with, that I had been with for five years. I left My Baby For You is about leaving California for her. It was interesting to make and write. I got a lot of emotion out on this record and self realization through music. However, I also have a lot of upbeat dance and pop songs on the album, too. It was just a total mixture of everything I was going through and what I was into at the time.

GLT: How would you describe your music?

BL: Well, I am not a big fan of labels, but if I had to label myself it would be Indie, some electro and rock and pop. More important to me than labels is taking the listeners to an emotional place, a happy place or to make them dance. I would hope that through my music they can feel and relate to me and what I am feeling. That’s what my music is all about.

GLT: Who are some artists that you would like to work with in the future?

BL: Oh jeez, that’s a hard one. There are so many! Prince would be one. Jill Scott and Harry Connick Jr. I could name a hundred producers, just in the dance and DJ world. I love being creative with others. There are a ton of people and artists who inspire me. My mom as well!

GLT: What is your favorite type of music?

BL: Let’s see, I was a Dance Head so I like DJ Master Beat. I love, and always have loved Electronic music, Drum & Bass and House music. I also like a lot of pop and Indie fusion. Right now there is just a lot of really good music being made and produced. It just needs the people supporting it and buying it.

GLT: You must know that you have a huge gay following. How do you think that happened?

BL: I am very honest and open. They like my music I think, because it has feeling and emotion. I am pretty blatant. When I shower I am a pretty boy, I guess (laugh). I am all about uniting people and equal rights are something I believe in. There are a lot of words in this country that are not applied and should be.

GLT: When did you know you wanted to be a singer and performer?

BL: Wow, 13 or 12! I have been doing this since I was young. My mom was a singer and guitar player. I traveled around Europe and different countries at a very young age. So, it gives you a very different perspective of the world. I also had an a cappella group in high school. It was a lot of fun and I was rocking a mic every night. Then in 2004 I had a number 1 song in Seattle.

I also went to a lot of raves around ’99, and I was very established in the Seattle DJ/dance community. I think that is one of the reasons that the gay community also embraces me.

GLT: What musicians inspired you to get into the industry?

BL: A lot of artists have given me inspiration. Artists like Duran Duran, The Police, U2, Joy Division, Depeche Mode, Erasure, my mom, dance music and hip hop. I am inspired by all things. What inspired my beat boxing were things like cartoons, Peewee Herman and just goofing around trying to make fun sounds, as a kid with my friends.

GLT: What was American Idol like for you?

BL: I will give you five words: Real, amazing, hard work and crazy.

GLT: Who was your favorite person on the show, and why?

BL: Well, I dated Haley Scarnato and she is amazing. I don’t think that I could just choose one, though. I really loved working with all of them and I am still in contact with them all.

GLT: Who was your least favorite person on the show, and why?

BL: Sanjaya. But it was not just me that felt that way. In the end though, it was fine. It just took longer to understand him. That, and we just stayed out of each other’s business. Then again, we all made it a point to stay out of each other’s space.

GLT: How have you developed as an artist?

BL: I have matured in my music, and my song writing process is faster. Every transition I go through helps me develop as an artist. I also go to shows and see bands play all over the world. I seek out bands that I haven’t heard of and check them out. I am very active in the music community. Now that I am in L.A., it is going to be new and I am out to experience the world and what L.A. has to offer.

GLT: Do you listen to Eve or DEVO?

BL: Yeah of course! Just the other day my buddies and I were riding around listening to Whip It.

GLT: Where are your favorite places to go and things to do in San Diego?

BL: I like to hang out with one of my close friends DJ Dan and watch fireworks. Also, I really enjoy the coast or the beach to relax; I think I will be down here more often.

GLT: While you are here will you attend any of the circuit parties or gay bars? If so, which ones?

BL: I don’t know. I am flying in and out and I think I am going to Ibiza the next day, so Pride will be my last show, before I go party.

GLT: Do you have a lot of gay friends?

BL: Oh for sure. My best friend, since fourth grade, is gay. My other close and out friend DJ Dan is gay. Also, I am really good friends with a fashion designer, who makes a lot of my clothes.

GLT: What are your favorite things to do in your free time?

BL: Movies, I love movies! I also really like going to the theater, photography, making videos, taking my dogs out and socializing.

GLT: What do you think about gay marriage?

BL: I think that it’s great and should be legal. I support equal rights for everyone.

GLT: As Katy Perry would say, have you ever kissed a boy and liked it?

BL: No, but I might for theatrical purposes.

GLT: What is your favorite food?

BL: Definitely Cuban and Venezuelan food.

GLT: I heard you are very close to your family. Do you miss not living closer to them?

BL: Yeah. Yes and no. I am an only child, so I am the glue that holds them together. They need to relax and just be them. I go up there often and my friends are also my family. I am super social, so that helps too.

GLT: What is the most crazy thing that has happened to you?

BL: When I performed at the White House for President Obama. I was very nervous!

GLT: What is something that you say all the time? Like your phrase.

BL: I have kind of loaned it to a friend and they are going to use it for their album cover. It is silence is golden, but I choose noise.

GLT: What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

BL: I had sex in public.

GLT: What are some words you live by?

BL: Well, I have really good morals and I try not to be judgmental. Besides that, I believe to thine own self be true.

GLT: Where do you see your career going from here?

BL: Um! Definitely I want to globalize. I plan on going all over the world after Ibiza. I will go to Spain and I want to hit up Japan. My goal is global domination! I am writing and working on another record. I am writing for a lot of people and I have a side project almost done.

GLT: Well Blake, we at the Gay & Lesbian Times wish you all the success and a very happy birthday. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us and we will see you at Pride!

BL: Thanks you guys, and a very happy Pride to everyone!