California Dreamin' with Jason Mraz

After four years on the road touring to support his platinum-selling debut, Waiting for My Rocket to Come, and its Grammy-nominated follow-up, Mr. A-Z, Jason Mraz decided what he really needed was to chill out.

Great for him; a long, restless wait for fans of his neo-hippie, quick and clever music. Luckily he emerged on the other side seeming seriously grounded -- and with an album full of sweet, dreamy California-style rock songs.

I couldn't for the life of me snag a ticket to one of his tiny, sold-out shows, but I did manage to get him on the phone this week to talk about the new CD, his dream lineup for a tour circa 1974, and his high school career as a cheerleader.

Oh, and then there's the part you're really interested in:

Describe your sexuality -- not using the words gay or straight.
[Long silence] Awesome?

That is an awesome answer, thank you. I saw a quote where you talked about being “bisexually minded.”
When I was in high school, one of my best friends came out, and he became a magnet for [me to have] more gay friends. When I moved to San Diego in '99, the first guy I met -- who championed my career -- was a gay guy, who turned me on to my manger, who's also gay. I just have this community of gay friends. You can't help but just be in love with your community regardless of who there is straight or gay. Seeing all the love in my gay community, it's always made me wonder well, maybe... Who knows who's out there for me? I go back and forth between being single and not single, and certainly when I'm single I keep my options open -- although I've never had a gay relationship. Only a couple of random, random, quick gay club experiences.

Wait -- what is a “quick gay club experience”?
Well -- [Laughs] There's been truth or dare night when everybody's just kissing everybody and you just go for it, you know? There are some dirtier things that I'd rather not talk about, because they're kind of gross and awkward. Here's the quick version -- no, I can't even tell you. It's pointless.

Really?
I'll tell you, and then you have the right to choose not to put it in your magazine. It was a typical Ecstasy night...

For the rest of that story, you'll have to go to Out.com. If you can't wait the final stretch until We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. comes out on May 13, you can hear alternate versions on two EPs available now. Pre-order the whole package at Atlantic Records or iTunes. 

Here's a representative sample of Mraz in concert. He's singing "Song for a Friend," which he often intro's as a song about love between dudes.

Comments

[jessica b]

Ahhhhh love me some Mraz. So great to see him featured here! He gives great interview, no?

Oh but that concert clip...I call it the coitus interruptus youtube, haha.