BeBe Sweetbriar's FAME :: All a GaGa

Even the person down on their luck has something for which to be thankful this holiday season. I ate today and in this economic climate, I am extremely thankful. But there are some, including the FAMED, who have experienced so much in such a short time that thanks just doesn't seem to be enough.

This week I revisit the phenomenon called GaGa whom I had the privilege to interview a year ago with the release of her first album The Fame. Now with the highly anticipated release of her second album The Fame Monster, I thought we would revisit that interview so you fans can see how thankful she is that you have brought her from point A to Z, all in one short year. Oh, don't worry, I will tell you where you will be most likely to hear the FAMED GaGa on the dance floor over the Thanksgiving weekend.�

Has going GooGoo made GaGa a fame monster?

What a worldwind of a year the Lady GaGa has had. With her first album still on Billboard's Top 200 Chart after 56 weeks, the GaGa has released 8 new tracks on a revamped release of The Fame with a collection called The Famed Monster which provides a 2-Disc set that includes remixes of the first album favorites. It seems like yesterday the Lady was in San Francisco every other minute performing at Heklina's Trannyshack, San Francisco PRIDE, the Crib, and the defunct Energy 92.7 FM's year-end bash. But now, GaGa is on the music and video award shows with stellar live vocal performances (take note Britney), and keeping her bootie from hitting the stage (sorry, J-Lo) with precision choreography. She is dueting with diva of divas, Beyonce', and providing songs to the up and coming megastars like Adam Lambert, which is probably why she is too big of a star to take another interview with me... oh, well.

I had the privilege of interviewing GaGa on the eve of her first album release in the fall of 2008, and a year later, she is on the eve of her headline tour, The Monster Ball, kicking off this Friday, November 27 in Quebec, Canada. What a difference 12-months makes. I hope you enjoy the reread.�

Now, what did she say......? 

Now, what did she say......?�

So, it's not everyday that a blond young fad-startin' lady sings and dances her way into stardom within a few months after releasing her first single....oh, wait a minute, maybe it does. But this one has everyone going goo-goo gaga, and for good reason....she's actually talented.� I am speaking about Lady Gaga, The Lady Gaga, if you have any idea of her immense talent.�

Penning her own material, this Catholic Italian 22-year old from New York has also lent her writing talents to the Pussy Cat Dolls, and most recently Britany Spears.� Reminiscent of another platinum-blond talent, Gwen Stefani, GaGa puts on a grand show showcasing her lyrics through song, and sashaying to the beat of the music on stage.� With a keen eye for costuming, Gaga has a unique style that has most young girls dragging their mothers to the mall to recreate her look.�

On her way to San Francisco for two performances this weekend to promote her first full CD The Fame, (released October 28, 2008) I caught up with The Lady GaGa while waiting for her flight at LAX.�

BB:� You have had a meteoric rise since the release of Just Dance back in April of this year (my birthday no less, April 8th), what do you do to stay grounded with so much success so soon?�

GaGa:� I just love what I do. My whole life is my music and my work. I am happy that people recognize my work and have responded well to it.� I am thankful for that.� �

BB:� Do you think people have a hard time taking you seriously because you are young, pretty, and a pop princess? Is that one of the reasons for your grassroot approaches to getting your music out there?�

GaGa:� I think you hit it just right.� I feel I am doing it the right way by going out there and shaking hands, meeting the DJs and programmers at the radio stations. I am letting them know I am the real deal.�

BB:� You not only write your own material, but you lend your talents to others, such as, the Pussy Cat Dolls, and most recently, Britney Spears. Are you concerned that the potential success of others performing your penned songs may lead you to just being a songwriter and not a performer?�

GaGa:� No. I think it's great because I am a pop singer and a songwriter.� There are few out there that are both. But, I am a pop singer foremost, and will never stop performing.�

Playing her hometown

BB: How are you feeling about the tour with the New Kids on the Block?�
�
GaGa:� Amazing. I love the guys. I did a song for them on their CD, and perform with them on Big Girl Now. The guys have great drive and it is so infectious. You know you hear a lot of people say it can be bad to open for an artist because they limit what you can do in your performance. But, they are so supportive and have given me complete freedom.� On this tour, you will see things you have never seen in my performances before.� The concert stage allows for more than performances I have done on the club circuit.� I did a lot of research on the best staging equipment, screens, lighting, etc.. There is a lot of innovative stuff in this show.�?�

BB: What are some of the tour stops you are particularly excited about this Fall?�

GaGa:� I have to say, I cannot believe I am playing the New York Gardens (Madison Square Gardens). I have played every club in New York, but never the Gardens. Plus it's my hometown.� All my family and friends will be there, and I get a chance to show them how far I have come.� I am also doing a Perez Hilton show there. I love Perez.�

BB:� You are quite stylish and unique with your stage outfits.� Any plans to start your own fashion line as has Gwen Stefani, J-Lo, and Beyonce' and others?�

GaGa:� I would love to do a (fashion) line, but will wait until I have solidified myself as an artist first.� I think some have jumped out there early, and people get the wrong idea why they are doing it. They probably don't have much input.� But I will wait.�

BB:� You've done quite a bit of television appearances over the past few months both here in the States and abroad.� How do you like being in front of the camera so much?�

GaGa:� Love the camera. It is a little different performing because you have to be aware of where the cameras are. I really like Rome because of the audience there.� But all you have to do is give me any stage and a mic and I am ready to perform.�

BB:� You were here in San Francisco just a few weeks ago performing at GusPresents Crib Club Party, and back again tonight.� As you prepare for another performance on Saturday (October 18th) at Gus' monthly ADONIS with DJs Luke Johnstone and Kevin Lee, tell me how you feel about performing in front of the SF gay crowds.�

Loving SF

GaGa:� I LOVE San Francisco. One of my first club audiences was here. I got so much support and love from Energy 92.7 FM.� It is great because I have fans there. I mean, I can do 4 shows on 4 different days in SF and each one will be packed.� It was great performing at the Crib, SF Gay Pride and at Trannyshack with Heklina.� Heklina extended a huge opportunity to me by letting me perform at Trannyshack.� It really introduced to me to the gay scene here on the West Coast. I told her I would do a good job for her, and she went crazy over my performance. Before you know it, I was closing Pride.�

BB:� Tell me a little bit about your next single?�

GaGa:� Well, we are still working Just Dance.� It isn't over with that one yet.� It's starting to get some Top 40 radio play.� I know it has the potential of being a Top 5 pop song in the US.� We released Poker Face in Europe. Many think that Beautiful Dirty Rich is the next single in the US since I did a video promo with the song for ABC's show Dirty Sexy Money, but it's not.� As I said, we're not through with Just Dance. I keep telling all the radio programmers that this is a pop record not just a dance tune.� It smells and taste like New York.�

And so do you, Lady GaGa....so, do you...!�

Now, I remember what she said......�

Lady GaGa's The Monster Ball Tour makes a stop at San Francisco's Bill Graham Civic on December 13 and 14. That's two days to goo-goo over GaGa.�?�

More FAME on the following page.

Sink your teeth into Folsom Friday

On Friday, November 27, the Folsom Street provides a trolley for all to frolic to the bars along the street. What a way to work off your Thanksgiving dinner... of course while dressed in leather or a uniform. While the Bears may be in Palm Springs for a Lazy Bear Weekend, it kicks off at 9pm on Folsom Friday with a FREE shuttle to cart you from bar to shop to bar. You can meet Mr.SF Leather 2009 Brandon Clark at Mr-S-Leather Shop and enjoy an open bar and food until 10pm; Tony Koester hosts the return of the Power Shower at Powerhouse; bring your profile print out and get a chance at winning an Apple iPod at Truck; drink specials for anyone wearing a jock strap at Chaps; DJ Medic throws down at the Lone Star Saloon; and you can end up at Blow Buddies if your heart, or whatever, desires until 4am. The streets of San Francisco just became one street on Friday, Folsom Street.�

Folsom Friday, Friday, November 20, Shuttle to various venues along Folsom Street, 9pm-2am, $5-$20, www.folsomfriday.com�

 Speechless in ShangriLa

The ultimate Asian party is and has always been ShangriLa at the End Up. This once a month after hours party brings its Thanksgiving weekend edition this Saturday, November 28 with $5 Jack Daniels drink specials to warm your tummy all night. Djs Kevin Lee and Drewbad open it up before special guest dj Wayne G from the UK takes over the deck. Whether you are Asian, a lover of Asians, or just in the need for some bangin' music on a Saturday night, you should take a run at ShangriLa. Always FREE before 11pm.�

ShangriLa, Saturday November 28, End Up 401 6th Street at Harrison, 10pm-6am, $15 after 11pm, $20 after 2am, www.theendup.com�

Telephone a friend, Industry at Mighty is here

With the Bare Chest 2010 Calendar models in the house, and a portion of entry proceeds going to the AIDS Emergency Fund, Industry gives us somewhere to recover after Turkey Day this Saturday. Always housed at Mighty, Luke Johnstone and Jamie J's monthly warehouse party has been one that is anticipated from month to month for some time now. The VIP Chill Lounge has tons of goodies this month including a free massage table, giveaways from Centaur, a fruit and candy table, beats by DJ Beatdaddy, and a FREE bar until midnight... Hello! In the main room helping Johnstone hold down the music, DJ Russ Rich gives you plenty of reason to take your shirts off, even if the hundreds of men crammed in the space doesn't. It's always a late night at Industry, so bring your pjs.�

Industry, Saturday, November 28, Mighty 119 Utah Street at 15th, 10pm-late, $15-$30, www.industrysf.com�

Meet Alejandro on World AIDS Day

Trigger always seems to bring to you, and this monumental Tuesday on World AIDS Day they kick off their new offering, TANK Tuesdays. This is another event featuring DJ Hawthorne. This man is the hardest working dj/promoter in San Francisco. With Twisted, Wunderland, Ghetto Disco, and Gloss Sundays gigs on a regular basis, I don't where he finds the time to do another party, but here he is. Dubbed as the muscle boy happy hour, Hawthorne is joined by James Torres in the dj booth while the boys pump it up on Trigger's dance floor until 10pm. In the words of our Governor, Tank Tuesdays will pump you up!�

Tank Tuesdays, Tuesday, December 1, Trigger 2344 Market, 7pm-10pm, NO COVER, www.clubtrigger.com�

Past-Future Tidbits 

Though I couldn't make it, I heard the new Wet 'N Wild party at Club 8 last weekend was great. I take a look-see next month; The Beebs will be performing at a Moscone/Milk Memorial and Candlelight Procession on Friday, November 27 at the St. Francis Luthern Church on Church Street, and I'll be throwing down an acoustic vibe at Popacoustic at Martuni's with some of my performing friends on Sunday, November 29; On Monday, November 30, DJ Jimmy Strano brings his new gong show like show to the Mix with Do Or Die. This kick-off night will have guest performers which include your columnist. �?�