| . |
A - How and where did you
meet Amanda Lepore, and
what was your first reaction.
C- She was one of the first
people I met in the (NYC) club
scene. She is all Glamour &
champagne. I performed for
her birthday once and we have
been really close since.
Amanda is amazing, and I am
very protective of her.
Cazwell has collaborated over
the years with a who’s who of
downtown New York—Amanda
Lepore, Larry Tee, Boy George,
David Chapelle, The Ones, Chriss
Joss, Peppermint, GoodandEvil, Karl Giant, Lost Daze and recently opened for Lady
GaGa.
Gaga is fierce! The first time I performed ‘Just Dance’
with her was in a Lower East Side club on Ave C.
She threw me on the stage floor and started riding me,
then pushed me off into the crowd. It was amaaazing!
A- Collaborations seem to work well for you, who have you not worked with yet that is
burning at you and why?
C- Peaches… Definitely Peaches (Merrill Nisker, better known as Peaches, is an
Electroclash artist whose songs are mainly focused on sexuality). I want to work more –
with music, with nightlife…
meet Amanda Lepore, and
what was your first reaction.
C- She was one of the first
people I met in the (NYC) club
scene. She is all Glamour &
champagne. I performed for
her birthday once and we have
been really close since.
Amanda is amazing, and I am
very protective of her.
Cazwell has collaborated over
the years with a who’s who of
downtown New York—Amanda
Lepore, Larry Tee, Boy George,
David Chapelle, The Ones, Chriss
Joss, Peppermint, GoodandEvil, Karl Giant, Lost Daze and recently opened for Lady
GaGa.
Gaga is fierce! The first time I performed ‘Just Dance’
with her was in a Lower East Side club on Ave C.
She threw me on the stage floor and started riding me,
then pushed me off into the crowd. It was amaaazing!
A- Collaborations seem to work well for you, who have you not worked with yet that is
burning at you and why?
C- Peaches… Definitely Peaches (Merrill Nisker, better known as Peaches, is an
Electroclash artist whose songs are mainly focused on sexuality). I want to work more –
with music, with nightlife…
| . |
A- Ice Cream Truck is a huge hit with our audience – Its fun, catchy and the
video (boys) are hot. Where are those boys from and how do we meet them!
C- Lol. They are by buddies from the club, from me DJ’ing, from performing - My
friends.
A- You look really great in Ice Cream Tuck as well… How has your dating life
been since? Are you in a relationship?
C- Yes, I have a boyfriend. He is the one with the Cazwell tattoo at the end of
the video. It’s not my tattoo – that would be weird!
A - Tell me about your ink.
C- I have several, but my
favorite and most recent is
my Godzilla tattoo – that
was my dog’s name.
A - How do you think the LGBT community has taken to your music? Is this your
target audience? Who is?
C- I have all kinds in my audience, guys, girls, gay & straight. All I wanna do is
party and have a good time! I think everyone can relate to that right about
now.
A- What is your daily routine/schedule…Do you wake up early, work out, sleep
all day… What?
C- I definitely don’t wake up early! I try to get a lot of sleep. Hit the Gym. Never
miss Judge Judy… It is like watching God work!
A- When will we see Cazwell performing in South Florida?
C- Right now I have nothing scheduled, but would love to come down soon.
I would love to perform at Miami Beach Gay Pride this coming year.
video (boys) are hot. Where are those boys from and how do we meet them!
C- Lol. They are by buddies from the club, from me DJ’ing, from performing - My
friends.
A- You look really great in Ice Cream Tuck as well… How has your dating life
been since? Are you in a relationship?
C- Yes, I have a boyfriend. He is the one with the Cazwell tattoo at the end of
the video. It’s not my tattoo – that would be weird!
A - Tell me about your ink.
C- I have several, but my
favorite and most recent is
my Godzilla tattoo – that
was my dog’s name.
A - How do you think the LGBT community has taken to your music? Is this your
target audience? Who is?
C- I have all kinds in my audience, guys, girls, gay & straight. All I wanna do is
party and have a good time! I think everyone can relate to that right about
now.
A- What is your daily routine/schedule…Do you wake up early, work out, sleep
all day… What?
C- I definitely don’t wake up early! I try to get a lot of sleep. Hit the Gym. Never
miss Judge Judy… It is like watching God work!
A- When will we see Cazwell performing in South Florida?
C- Right now I have nothing scheduled, but would love to come down soon.
I would love to perform at Miami Beach Gay Pride this coming year.
| . |
www.ambiente.us SEPTEMBER |SEPTIEMBRE 2010
CAZWELL | From Music, Burger King and Ice Cream to Lady
Gaga, Dior & Amanda Lepore
by Herb Sosa
Cazwell likes to do it on the train to Connecticut, in cafes, and
most recently on his kitchen table by the window in his NYC
apartment…Write his music, that is.
The New Spirit of NYC Pop Music as he is often referred to has taken nightlife in
the city as well as dance floors across the world, for a summer spin, and made
rainbow sprinkles on our ice cream and sweaty boys the dessert of choice for
the season.
Born Luke Cazwell in Worcester, Massachusetts, he soon discovered and
embraced the NYC energy, nightlife and pulse. Cazell started his performance
career in Boston with a rap group named Morplay, by soon found himself moving
to NYC. “Boston is all about old town money and being easily impressed by how
you speak and present yourself – It’s a very collegiate town. New York to me is
the center of creativity & artistic energy.”
A | How do you see NYC before and after Sept 11? Has the club scene changed
and why do you think?
C | It’s been over 10 years now, but I remember that back then a lot of people
were down on the city… New York used to be good, New York used to be hot.
The Electroclash Festival (a term coined by Larry Tee, is a style of music that
CAZWELL | From Music, Burger King and Ice Cream to Lady
Gaga, Dior & Amanda Lepore
by Herb Sosa
Cazwell likes to do it on the train to Connecticut, in cafes, and
most recently on his kitchen table by the window in his NYC
apartment…Write his music, that is.
The New Spirit of NYC Pop Music as he is often referred to has taken nightlife in
the city as well as dance floors across the world, for a summer spin, and made
rainbow sprinkles on our ice cream and sweaty boys the dessert of choice for
the season.
Born Luke Cazwell in Worcester, Massachusetts, he soon discovered and
embraced the NYC energy, nightlife and pulse. Cazell started his performance
career in Boston with a rap group named Morplay, by soon found himself moving
to NYC. “Boston is all about old town money and being easily impressed by how
you speak and present yourself – It’s a very collegiate town. New York to me is
the center of creativity & artistic energy.”
A | How do you see NYC before and after Sept 11? Has the club scene changed
and why do you think?
C | It’s been over 10 years now, but I remember that back then a lot of people
were down on the city… New York used to be good, New York used to be hot.
The Electroclash Festival (a term coined by Larry Tee, is a style of music that
LGBT/Latino/Hispanic Civil Rights unitycoalition.org |
| . AMBIENTE ONLINE STORE |
Fresh-Squeezed Paradise MIAMI RIVER INN miamiriverinn.com |
FLOWERS|ART ESSENTIALS flowerbardesign.com |
UC|CU MEMBER DISCOUNT CARD |
WORDS & IMAGES MATTER. Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation glaad.org |
SHOP AT THE DOT MDGLCC Members offer some great discounts & specials. |
fuses NewWave and electronic dance music) in
2002 changed a lot for the better I feel. Now I feel
a new sense of Pride & creativity in our city,
especially in Brooklyn.”
A - Your music, a mix of electrified dance music
and old school hip hop, is often called the– How
would you describe your work?
C- Just imagine if Biggie Smalls ate Donna Summer
A- What do you enjoy most, performing or
producing/writing?
C- I enjoy both the studio & stage. I am working on
some exciting stuff right now. My new production
with Amanda (Lepore) is due out this month. Look
for our new singles & videos for Marilyn & Get into it.
Cazwell is also executive producer, brainchild and songwriter
behind International transsexual icon Amanda Lepore’s debut
album “I…Amanda Lepore”. The album features such Caz
-penned Lepore classics as “Champagne,” “My Hair Looks
Fierce,” (which has already been tapped for a television theme
song!) and the rambunctious pop punk ode to love “Cotton
Candy.” Caz also guest stars in the “Cotton Candy” music video
directed by Bec Stupak which is Amanda’s premiere release for
her album.
2002 changed a lot for the better I feel. Now I feel
a new sense of Pride & creativity in our city,
especially in Brooklyn.”
A - Your music, a mix of electrified dance music
and old school hip hop, is often called the– How
would you describe your work?
C- Just imagine if Biggie Smalls ate Donna Summer
A- What do you enjoy most, performing or
producing/writing?
C- I enjoy both the studio & stage. I am working on
some exciting stuff right now. My new production
with Amanda (Lepore) is due out this month. Look
for our new singles & videos for Marilyn & Get into it.
Cazwell is also executive producer, brainchild and songwriter
behind International transsexual icon Amanda Lepore’s debut
album “I…Amanda Lepore”. The album features such Caz
-penned Lepore classics as “Champagne,” “My Hair Looks
Fierce,” (which has already been tapped for a television theme
song!) and the rambunctious pop punk ode to love “Cotton
Candy.” Caz also guest stars in the “Cotton Candy” music video
directed by Bec Stupak which is Amanda’s premiere release for
her album.
| . |
Cazwell has performed at Radio
City Music Hall as an opening act
for Cyndi Lauper True Colors Tour
(“Radio CIty was a big production.
Amanda and I performed with
twenty-two drag queen
‘Rockettes’ and an additional 16
dancers with 2 costume changes. I
learned a lot about keeping things
under control to say the least!”), at
the Dior Homme’s 2008 after-party
in Paris with electro upstarts
Justice (“Performing for Dior was
an honor. Very intimidating since
Paris is hard to impress. Not to
mention having Karl Lagerfeld at
your show, you want to turn it
out.”) and has been notoriously
hosting outlaw Burger King parties
in your city with troublemaker
Daniel Nardicio.
A- I seen Beyonce at Burger King…
Where did that come from?
C- Johnny Make-Up… lol. He was
saying one day at the studio…I
seen Beyonce here…I seen
Beyonce there…I still don’t know if
it’s true, he is very convincing.
It’s only funny because Beyonce is
all about beauty & being proper.
I seen Britney Spears at Burger King
wouldn't be as funny!
City Music Hall as an opening act
for Cyndi Lauper True Colors Tour
(“Radio CIty was a big production.
Amanda and I performed with
twenty-two drag queen
‘Rockettes’ and an additional 16
dancers with 2 costume changes. I
learned a lot about keeping things
under control to say the least!”), at
the Dior Homme’s 2008 after-party
in Paris with electro upstarts
Justice (“Performing for Dior was
an honor. Very intimidating since
Paris is hard to impress. Not to
mention having Karl Lagerfeld at
your show, you want to turn it
out.”) and has been notoriously
hosting outlaw Burger King parties
in your city with troublemaker
Daniel Nardicio.
A- I seen Beyonce at Burger King…
Where did that come from?
C- Johnny Make-Up… lol. He was
saying one day at the studio…I
seen Beyonce here…I seen
Beyonce there…I still don’t know if
it’s true, he is very convincing.
It’s only funny because Beyonce is
all about beauty & being proper.
I seen Britney Spears at Burger King
wouldn't be as funny!
| . |
LGBT/Latino/Hispanic Civil Rights unitycoalition.org |
| . AMBIENTE ONLINE STORE |
Fresh-Squeezed Paradise MIAMI RIVER INN miamiriverinn.com |
FLOWERS|ART ESSENTIALS flowerbardesign.com |
UC|CU MEMBER DISCOUNT CARD |
WORDS & IMAGES MATTER. Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation glaad.org |
SHOP AT THE DOT MDGLCC Members offer some great discounts & specials. |
WORDASSOCIATION
New York - Nightlife
Amanda Lepore - Lipstick
Success - Money
Favorite personal item I own - Headphones
Best flavor (Ice Cream) – Green Tea
My secret talent – Telling when someone is lying
If I could live anywhere, it would be… - Hawaii
If I couldn’t make music, I would be… - Working
in fashion
I have yet to conquer… - Not drinking
I want to be known for… - Being loyal…
And making Gay people cool!
A Special Thank You to Matthew Dailey at Peace Bisquit
Photos courtesy of Marco Ovando
www.cazwell.com
www.everythingamanda.com
CLICK HERE for more Herb Sosa
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE.
Do not reproduce without citing this source.
New York - Nightlife
Amanda Lepore - Lipstick
Success - Money
Favorite personal item I own - Headphones
Best flavor (Ice Cream) – Green Tea
My secret talent – Telling when someone is lying
If I could live anywhere, it would be… - Hawaii
If I couldn’t make music, I would be… - Working
in fashion
I have yet to conquer… - Not drinking
I want to be known for… - Being loyal…
And making Gay people cool!
A Special Thank You to Matthew Dailey at Peace Bisquit
Photos courtesy of Marco Ovando
www.cazwell.com
www.everythingamanda.com
CLICK HERE for more Herb Sosa
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE.
Do not reproduce without citing this source.
“When I go to a club
I want to party and I
want to make music
that makes other
people want to party.
I’m not necessarily
trying to make
people think too
hard, I’m
trying to
make
them dance.”
I want to party and I
want to make music
that makes other
people want to party.
I’m not necessarily
trying to make
people think too
hard, I’m
trying to
make
them dance.”
