Ready for His Close-Up (and Yours)

He's young (24, to be exact), he's cute, he's talented and he's ready to share the spotlight. What more could you ask for in a man?

"I hope there's still snow on the ground... I think it'll make for a really cool backdrop," says Josh Duffy about his upcoming trip to Providence, R.I. On Jan. 26, Duffy will shoot the music video for his next single "I Will Love You" at Bravo Brasserie on Empire Street. The cameras roll at 5 p.m., and there's an open casting call for pretty young things to party in the video.

"The scene in the video is a cocktail party of music industry types," says Duffy. "So dress to impress!" Afterwards, the artist will host a meet and greet wrap party at The Alley Cat on Snow Street.

Currently promoting his debut album Artificial, Duffy has been enjoying plenty of early success as an out artist since appearing on the scene in the last few years. The New Orleans native has been getting oodles of coverage on LGBT radio programs, his album has topped the chart at OutVoice.net, and since imitation is the best form of flattery, it says a lot that he's already had his songs covered by other artists: "Safe," the title track from gay duo Jason & deMarco's latest album, is their rendition of Duffy's song from Artificial.

We caught up with Josh Duffy to ask him about the video for "I Will Love You," life as a gay artist, and where he plans to take his talent next.

Bay Windows: So what's the concept for the "I Will Love You" video?

Josh Duffy: It's pretty much about the struggle of a relationship. I'm playing the rising star in the video, and in it I tend to put my relationship on hold. My love interest is suffering in the love department because I'm not supplying needs: I'm not home, I'm always away, not answering the phone, doing the whole music industry thing.

Bay Windows: Any personal inspiration for this video?

Josh Duffy: [Laughs]. You know, I'm in a relationship of five years now with my partner, Joseph. He was actually my acting manager for three of those years. ... He's been behind everything I do, but I'm sure he's had his feelings. I'm sure there are points where I've put him on hold. It's not 100 percent true, though!

Bay Windows: You once had a full-paid music scholarship to Louisiana State University, but left to go right into the music industry full-time. Weren't you scared?

Josh Duffy: I made it through the end of my sophomore year. I was at a 3.7 GPA my freshman year, then I came out to my mom and dad my second year. It took a toll. You're in college, struggling to make ends meet, so I had two jobs. I was trying to make the grades, going through a breakup, coming out of the closet ... it was hitting me all at once. I think my very last GPA was a 1.7. Actually, I still could have kept my full scholarship but I decided I needed to take a break.

Bay Windows: Sounds like an emotional time. Is that where your latest music came from?

Josh Duffy: I wrote and produced all the songs, and they were inspired by that point in my life. It's kind of funny to sing those songs now because I'm not really going through those things anymore. A lot of those songs are about trying to find myself and cope with feelings. It was definitely inspired by those college years.

Bay Windows: You're honest and out about your sexuality, but do you ever find it limiting to be known as a "gay artist"?

Josh Duffy: People are always going to put barriers on you, but that's a good thing. If they didn't, you might not have any motivation to pursue things... To be a gay artist is definitely hard, but thankfully I've had a great two years performing at Pride festivals and getting the fan base together. ... I think they're excited that I'm doing it and helping to create a niche for other GLBT artists.

Bay Windows: How did you come up with the album title "Artificial"?

Josh Duffy: I was 18 or 19, and one of my jobs was to be a summer camp counselor for kids between five and 12. One of the camp directors was a good friend of mine [and] he had a double life: during the day he was a butch, straight camp director and at night he was a performing drag queen in Baton Rouge. I remember at lunch one day he was sitting next to me. I was looking at my soda can and it said "Artificially Flavored." I looked over at him and I was like, "Oh!" ... I wrote that song in five minutes. It was my dedication to him. ... Since then, I've seen other drag queens perform it [Laughs].

For more information on Josh Duffy, the "I Will Love You" video shoot, and to sample and purchase "Artificial," visit www.myspace.com/joshduffyonline