Diversity Rules Magazine

December 2020

Diversity Rules Magazine - _lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning_

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John Duff grew up in a suburb outside of Bal - more, Maryland, the youngest of two sisters and a brother. John Duff is out now with "Give a F-ck," his unabashedly theatrical-R&B-pa ersong; the second release from his upcoming, yet unnamed visual EP. With a tradi onal piano intro, soaring octave-jumping climax, and lush piano accompani- ment riddled with seventh chords and drama c turnarounds - it's his most Mariah Carey, Babyface inspired piece yet. The track is about unrequited love and although packed with word play, there is no hidden message. It's opening lyric refers to Duff's disdain of masturba on and desire for con- nec on. He says "Give a F-ck" and all of the songs from his upcoming visual EP are true reflec ons of himself as an ar st. "I'm not a ached to my success. I'm simply making music and visuals that I want to see in the world. I hope that maybe this song helps listeners feel empowered by their own desires, worth, and boundaries. That would be hot." "Give a F-ck" is being distributed independently and is available on Apple Music, Spo fy and all digital pla orms. Its video is available on iTunes, Vimeo, and YouTube. JRK: Before we get into the interview can you tell readers a bit about John Duff, where you are from, and all that good introductory stuff? JD: You know, I'm star ng to wonder if introductory stuff is actually good stuff. It seems like everyone likes a mystery, but alas I have already given so much of myself away... so it won't hurt to tell you that I grew up outside of Bal more Maryland. Ha. I did my first talent show when I was eight, got a BFA in musical theatre, worked as an actor in NYC for six years, and moved to LA four years ago to pursue music. That's the extremely abridged version. JRK: You have stated that the main message in your existence as an ar st is to do "whatever you want as long as you don't kill anyone, steal, violate, or drink and drive." How do you embody that mantra in your day-to-day life? JD: People are really hard on themselves. Many of my friends are convinced that they're horrible peo- ple, and I'm like - you're not. You're not even doing horrible things. It's about the awareness that we are not bad people simply be- cause we are human. Guilt and shame are enforced, in pre y much every culture, from a very young age. But that's counterproduc ve - so long as we aren't being negligent with other peoples' experiences, we're doing ok. You wanna wear a dress - great. You wanna be a slut - rock on. You wanna have too much to drink - ok, so long as you're not driving or ruining everyone else's night: who cares. Do unto others what you would have them do to you. These are just the super basic principles of most of the re- ligions and spiritual prac ces: don't be an asshole, honor yourself. JRK: Earlier this fall, you released the first single off your yet unnamed EP en tled, "Hokie Pokie." Can you tell us what that is about? JD: "Hokie Pokie" is a song about cunnilingus. It was wri en from the point of view of a woman. I had ac- tually wri en it for Willam, from when I had worked A Conversation With John Duff "Make Someone Happy. You Are Someone." By James R. Koury, Editor/Publisher 4 | Diversity Rules Magazine | Dec 2020

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