Cute Little Queer Dude

According to various articles online, Joshua Klipp got his break by saying audaciously to Tyra Banks that he'd agree to be interviewed about trans issues on her show if she agreed to talk about his music - she loved his music and the rest is history.

From his 2007 blog:

"appearing on the Tyra Banks Show

getting my song placed on the L Word

making a music video with Margaret Cho

getting that music video on MTV/LOGO's Top Ten"

All of that, a Billboard chart song and his own hip hop dance crew, the self-styled "cute little white guy" is also one very hard working man. Google his name and you'll find countless links to reviews and performances, hit youtube and you'll find videos of songs and interviews too.

2007 seems to have been an amazing year for you - does it seem like a blur now or were you present/aware all the way?

I was present and aware every step of the way! Essentially being my own manager has a way of making me proud of every accomplishment and grateful for every opportunity. I don't take anything for granted. I also have goals for myself, and it's been incredibly satisfying to hit so many of them.

I just read 2 years' worth of blog entries on your Myspace - not only are you out in terms of gender, but it seems that you're out in terms of sharing stories and emotions with fans - what do you gain from that level of sharing?

It's definitely a risk. I've learned by putting myself out there that some people can be really cruel. but the majority of response and feedback is amazing. the bottom line - people are people - we all laugh, we all cry, we've all had our hearts broken, we've all taken risks and succeeded or failed. I think when people are just being real with one another, that's when we really start to relate to one another. We can reach out and just be human. Hm. You know i never actually noticed how close the words "real" and "relate" are. but now that i think about it, it makes complete sense.

What effect does it have on your privacy?

What privacy?! But seriously, as much as i share, there's also alot i keep to myself.

In queer terms, how do you feel about celebrities who stay in the closet?

Does that still happen?! I respect people's personal choices about coming out or not. I also know that seeing celebrities come out when i was younger had a profound impact on me - it completely changed and shaped my life growing up. That's why i think it's important people continue to exercise that courage if they feel they have it in them. It makes the world a better place.

Like a lot of transgendered people you came out twice; was it actually any easier the second time around?

Nope - i didn't think so. I struggled hard around accepting myself as transgendered. I didn't want it to be true because I knew what it meant - much like gay people struggling with their sexual orientation. It's no fun contemplating a life of awkward conversations, relationships, physical issues, doctor's office visits, etc. etc. I wanted to avoid it if at all possible, but the bottom line was, it's a lot like coming out as gay. If you have to do it, then you have to do it. Ultimately it was more important to me that I be honest and authentic than avoid coming out again. so I did it.

Were reactions any different to coming out as transgendered than coming out as a lesbian?

Definitely. I think the gay rights movement has progressed to a point where *most* people (or at least *more* people) understand or believe that sexual orientation is not a choice. People are far less understanding, however, around trans stuff. Some people think you can avoid it, identify as gay and that's fine. Some people think you're trying to gain privilege (ha!). A lot of people think it's completely optional to physically transition. Bottom line: a lot of people, even in my own life, didn't understand how necessary it was for me to transition until after I went through it. Then when they were able to see me as a man, it made complete sense to them. Coming out in general is an ongoing process we all deal with fairly regularly, but surely a transman is a man, so what influences your choices to come out or just be a man without saying, "Hey I used to be a girl?" It really depends on the situation. I bring it up if I believe it's appropriate, necessary, or can make a difference somehow. Contrary to popular belief, I don't run around carrying a trans-flag. I'm not in the closet either though - not even close. Some people probably think I'm not out enough or in-your face enough, but jesus, have they googled me recently?! Try it sometime.

I have a handful of transgendered friends, both mtf and ftm, and I think I've pissed them all off at some stage with this question - so if you don't want to answer, no problem. Do you have a penis?

Oh i have exactly what you need ;) but seriously, I think all transpeople look forward to the day when the media doesn't try to shine a light down our pants or up our skirts.

The acronym LGBTQI contains subcultures that refer to sexuality and subcultures that refer to gender - do you think it's a comfortable combination?

Sometimes yes and sometimes no. I think we're all grouped together because a lot of times these gender subcultures are outcroppings of the LGB community. That doesn't always work though, because as we know, gender and sexual orientation aren't the same thing. At the same time however, we have so much to learn from each other, and so many ways we can benefit from each other. For instance, I've watched so many transmen bridge gaps between the lesbian and gay men's communities. Outside of the community, gender and sexual orientation are frequently interchanged and used as discriminatory bases. For instance, a woman may not be fired because she's a lesbian per se, but instead because she presents as masculine. So there's an example of why it's important that as a community, we continue to come together and stand up for one another.

Do you consider yourself a heterosexual male?

Ah that's a really good question. To be honest, before I transitioned I would've said yes. Now, I'd say I'm just queer. I'm definitely attracted to women, but it feels to me more a question of where i find community. I feel way more comfortable in a community of queer people than heterosexual people. Not sure if that makes sense or not.

Did having your song as the backing track for an L Word sex scene increase your lesbian fan base?

I think it did a little bit, yes! It certainly didn't drive the women away.

Have any of the celebs you worked with become friends?

No not really. Celebs are very protective of who's in and out of their inner circle. Not that i'm not worthy, just that i don't push it. I'm grateful for the opportunities and then move on.

You said that combining your pre- and post-transition vocals on "Little Girl" was "emotionally resolving," - would you mind talking a bit more about that? What did it teach you/tell you?

Before I transitioned, I was scared to death of losing my voice through the transition process. There was no medical research, no information other than anecdotes about what might happen to my voice. As a singer, my voice is my most primal form of expression, so the thought of losing it would be like a dancer risking the use of their limbs. Recording "Little Girl" was the whole process come full circle. I had the opportunity to not only sing again, but sing alongside my pre-transition voice, and almost as if reaching back through time to my former self, comfort myself and assure myself I was going to be alright. I was alright - I made it. so as you can imagine, I completely lost my s*** after recording that track. It was cathartic and amazing. What an incredible experience.

What did you have to do to look after your voice throughout your transition?

I took voice lessons the entire time (with a short break near the beginning when it was dropping fast). I also had to learn how to take better care of my vocal chords, had to stop drinking any caffeine, drink alot more water, vocalize regularly; that sort of thing. A doctor at Stanford University actually followed me through the whole process and has since published the first article about it.

What kind of groupies do you get and do they give you stuff/write you poetry/throw underwear at you?

Haha! Most of my groupies are very down to earth. They just write me and tell me about their lives or ask me about mine. They tend to be very shy (or not), or drunk, or horny. You know, it's really all over the place...

Cute little white guy ... hip hop ... I'm sorry, but I'm going to ask you what's probably a very moronic sort of question; what do you think of Eminem?

I think he's a really talented lyricist. Some of his s*** is brilliant. Some of it is really messed up. In general though, I think the guy is very smart.

Have you ever recieved any negative reactions from black people for calling yourself "cute little white guy"?

Never. Most black people laugh when they hear it. In fact, i purposely chose to include the "white" part because I got sick of hearing people described by their race - except when it came to white people. Like "white" is somehow the default and everyone else is black or latino or...? So it's just one little way i try to call that s*** out.

Where do your songs come from, what inspires you?

Lots of sources. I work closely with my producer Kristopher Cloud. he usually comes up with the basic track and i lay down the lyrics and melodies. sometimes he has a strong feeling about the song's subject matter, so i try to put myself in that mindset when i write. Other times he just says go for it and I lay down whatever is really inspiring me at the moment. Inspiration can come from a break-up, a homeless person, or something a friend said. It comes from everywhere and anywhere really. You just have to keep your eyes and heart open to see it when it's there.

If you could only be remembered for one of your own songs, which would it be and why?

"Little Girl" because that song can change the world.

What does being on stage feel like?

Mostly superfun. And no, i don't really get nervous.

You personally email mp3's to people who sign up for the mailing list on your website - do you think that brings you closer to your fans and how does that interaction affect you?

Yes when my computer's working properly - that's true I do! I always invite people to contact me. Some people do, some don't. Some people do a lot then it tapers off, other people just pop in occasionally. It's alot of work to keep up with it, but I'm so honoured that people think enough of me as an artist to want to reach out to me.

Got any interesting groupies?

Only great groupies.

What was playing Stockholm Pride like for you compared to playing at Prides in the USA?

First of all they were WAY more organized than any pride i've played in the States. And better funded, too! But seriously...playing Stockholm/Europride was a once in a lifetime experience. it was really cool to play at an international level. I think European audiences, on the whole, are really grateful to see artists from across the pond, and much more willing to get into it than alot of American audiences. Then again...get anyone sufficiently liquored up and it's gonna be a fun show.

Ever been to South Africa?

No but that would be fun!

What does the future hold for you and your music?

I have a new album coming out next spring. I also think i'm going to start working more with the young up and comers, show them what I've learned and help them with artist development, learning the ropes, that sort of thing. I will get more involved in the production end probably - organizing shows, writing music for other artists, etc. I'm also working more on getting back into live (as opposed to track) music, spending more time with my guitar and keyboard! I'm excited to see where that goes.

If this interview was a concert, what would you yell at the end of it?

Damn South Africans are nosy!! And all my love....

www.cutelittlewhiteguy.com