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You asked for him, you got it! Jim Verraros is back and as fabulous as usual. He’s working on a new album, has two new movie roles in the works and his hilarious gay teen […]
Fausto Fernós is the host of iTunes’ #1 LGBT talk show, the Feast of Fun podcast, which he produces and hosts with his partner, Marc Felion.
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Fausto Fernós created the Feast of Fools in 1998 as wacky artists variety show in Chicago, Illinois. Feast of Fun grew out of an audio blog to promote the live show into the world’s most downloaded talk show aimed for gay people.
When he’s not blogging, recording or sleeping, Fausto can be found at the gym or appreciating the beauty found in nature.
Comments
Jim seriously gets hotter and hotter each and every time he comes on your show (pun intended) and I’m not even into younger men! Well, that being said, I love it when you guys have him over… next time I expect an invite for the sleepover though. Fausto, get on that. 🙂 So, the picture in question, obviously Photoshopped, but a nice fantasy for the chickens out there. Love You all!!!
-XOXO- Christopher of the Middle States (Former NYC Bitch!)
Jim, I love your passion man. I just love the dedication you have, it’s a real inspiration to other musicians out there.
As for Ian… well, I have to assume that he’s making a very sad, pathetic, degenerate attempt at humor. I mean, seriously, anyone that spends 90% of their interview time slamming his audience is either a plain idiot, or a dejected comedian that is making a desperate attempt at grabbing a few sales…. And, i think in this case, it’s probably both. That man just hit a really wrong chord when he started slamming people that work “9-5″…
As far as gay men not supporting other gay men, I’m with you Fausto, but I’m not so sure that it’s internalized homophobia at the base. It’s not so much that we hate each other, but that we are uncomfortable being friends and supporting the success of those that we want to “possess.” It’s probably a more base reaction, I think, than homophobia. When you think about it, hetero men are not often friends of hetero women. There are cases, of course, but not nearly as much as hetero male friendship. You are spot on with the Divas though. There’s no threat, no tension over feelings of attraction, so they are easy to latch onto.
Having managed a music store and having been privy to some of the inner workings of the music industry, I would like to offer a couple of comments:
1. The statement “gay artist with mainstream appeal” is corporate double-speak for “We are seeking an artist who is gay, but who doesn’t SING about being gay, the kind of person who can safely be put on Clear Channel in the most redneck area with a minimum amount of protest. Oh, and did we mention the MTV video will NOT have gay themes?”
2. In my less-than-humble opinion, Jim is making a HUGE mistake courting the major labels like Sony-BMG, Universal, Warner/Electra/Atlantic, and EMI.
At one time, the music industry was about discovering real talent, supporting the artist’s growth, producing a top-quality product, and then sitting back and enjoying the results, which was the “music” aspect of the company. Now, it is all about the “business” aspect.
The music industry is polluted with people who have their finger on the pulse of the stock ticker and give the obligatory glance at the Billboard charts. Some of the biggest “movers and shakers” in the industry are also some of the biggest contributors to the Republican party. Need I say more?
The major labels spend more time issuing press releases about which company is merging with which other company than they give to news about which exciting, new, and fresh artists are about to make their debuts on the radio. Individual artists and groups are seen as “products,” every aspect of which is tightly controlled. From the music they play to the band’s look to the marketing done, there is practically no originality. Then, when a “new and fresh” sound is actually found, the market is flooded with about half a dozen other “new and fresh” artists who sound pretty much the same as each other. Millions of dollars are spent promoting these artists, and if the company doesn’t see a significant return on its initial investment, then the artists are dropped, and the company is on to the next “new and fresh” sound. Innovation and creativity are not valued, and in fact, they are typically discouraged as not being “good for business.”
I think that Jim would better serve himself by courting an independent label. Indie labels tend to be in the business for the artist, and they are used to marketing that goes outside of the tiny box that the majors tend to allow. The indies tend to let the artist do the creative work, and they lend their expertise for the marketing and distribution of the recordings. One such example that comes to mind is Koch Records, which is the label that signed William Hung. Koch’s business-to-business marketing campaign once used the theme of “Increase the size of your Koch,” which should give you an idea of their corporate mindset.
Disclaimer: I do not have any financial interest in any recording, distribution, or broadcasting company. I speak only for myself.
I’m behind on my listening – Fausto, remember that YOU are in charge. Turn questions into statements. Next time you want to do / say / sing something on the show, just do it; don’t ask for permission, because you don’t need it. That way, you don’t open yourself to getting hurt feelings and it’s other people’s problem if they don’t like it.
Ok, I got a little tied up in my rant and forgot to make my point clear: Jim is an original. He is not like anybody else on the radio. Because of this, the major labels are not going to have a clue how to market him, and he is better going with an indie label that will be capable of thinking outside of its corporate box when it comes to promotion and distribution.
I do wish him well in his quest for a contract.
Your advice to Verraros seems very sound, David! Jim, I hope you’re listening!
This show was fabulous.
Still, I always get all antsy when people start talking about generalized sexualities and try to validate or even describe large swaths of trends between gay and straight people and what’s popular and what gays do to straights and vice versa. Sexuality is so personal. So trying to associate trends with what a person happens to feel (and how they act on it) at a given microsecond starts to get silly.
My favorite quote comes from Gore Vidal: “The reason no one has yet been able to come up with a good word to describe the homosexualist (sometimes known as gay, fag, queer, etc.) is because he does not exist. The human race is divided into male and female. Many human beings enjoy sexual relations with their own sex, many don’t; many respond to both. This plurality is the fact of our nature and not worth fretting about.”
I identify as a partnered gay male. That identification could change at any given moment given a really bad fight or a really good friendship, Needless to say, I am feeling many many societal pressures pushing me in different directions anyways.
The Rescuers! Bernard and Bianca! I had the audio book when I was little. That is so nerdy. “When you hear the sound of the chime, turn the page.” *ding!*
Loved hearing Jim on the show again; he’s so sincere. Loved Ian Benardo too – so fake, and so absurd! A winning combo.
Maia, you won the tickets!
HOORAY!!!!
This makes my day!
Plus, I’m glowing with a warm maternal glow because we’re getting a second dog, and I’ve been sneaking out at lunchtime to visit her at the shelter and bring her chicken. Tiny lil’ black and white border collie with the gentlest personality.
AND the weather is great. What more could I ask for?
Yay!!!
esp. looking forward to Actor Slash Model…
What’s up with this guy? Wow. I didn’t know who he was until I saw his photo on the site. Now I remember seeing him on American Idol. Didn’t he give the judges all kinds of grief before leaving? Anyway, he made for a great show. I’m not sure I buy into any of what he was saying, but it was entertaining all the same.
Great show guys, I love it when Jim is on!
Jim, you’re amazing guy.. thanks for coming onto the FoF and sharing your music. I can’t wait to hear your new album! The songs you played were radio-worthy and I loved them. I have such a crush on you and your voice!! hehe I can’t believe you’ve never heard Madonna’s acoustic version of “Don’t Tell Me” on Letterman. You use the same opening rift on “Welcome to Hollywood” as she does. You need to go independent man.. Screw the labels. You’ve got mass appeal, especially to the GLBT community.. I relate to your lyrics and wanna dance to your beats.
I like the comment about your first love.. I think we all had a seven year old “playmate” or two.. or three.. hehe when we were seven, that is..
Okay, I thought Ian was such a joke on Idol.. but you know what, what he said really hit home. Fausto’s right, he’s definitely working a character and gettin paid for it, but Ian was right about how other gay guys are our own worst enemies. We can be so jealous and hateful.. Ian was funny and I wish him the best. May he make a million of his own for his brand of comedy and 15 minutes of fame/shame.
Fausto you nailed it on why gay men are so evil to one another. You’s so smart…
Jim, e-mail me if you want Madge’s acoustic “Don’t Tell Me”
I always look forward to when Jim is on the show. Always entirely too entertaining. Jim keep up the good work, best of luck in all your future endevours, and if you ever in Milwaukee…look a Fool up!
clearly this guy is a Borat wanna-be….and I love it!
Yay for more Jim!!!
While the invterview with Ian was funny, I was bummed that it took 10 minutes away from time with a real musician/talent…Jim. 🙁
great show. Jim is so awesome.
and i can’t believe you talked to Ian on the show. when i saw him on this season’s American Idol he was such an asshole!!! he was so anti-immigrant and Nationalistic, calling out on Simon like that calling him an illegal immigrant, and demanding to see his Visas and demanding that he should be judged by real Americans. and he was so snobbish and self-centered bragging about how rich he was with his ugly chinchilla or whatever animal boa he was wearing. and he was really ugly too. i wanted to see him get the shit beat out of by a bunch of illegal immigrants. xD and hearing him on the phone call proved how much of a self-centered idiot he was. xP he thinks he’s such hot shit. and i’m sure he was just trashing American Idol like that because he made such an ass of himself on it. i don’t see how anyone could like him. xB if any homosexual deserves to be severely gay bashed its Ian. ho-yeah i’m a bitch- but i can’t stand him. xD
I love that you consider insulting a guy about being British and asking for his visa and he makes well over 100 million a year to be anti-immigrant.
Amanda Steinstein found the Feast of Fools through an ad that was placed on craigslist.org. The ad read: “Rejected by American Idol? Humiliated by your peers? The Feast of Fools wants YOU. Bring us your geeks, your misfits, your outcasts, your oddballs. We want big chested, bold women to sing, crack jokes, collaborate and dance in our musical variety shows.”
Thank you, Patricia! I appreciate the compliment. You are the coolest mom in the entire Podosphere!
Oh, yeah, as far as the “interview” with Ian, that will go to the top my list of “Least Favorite Moments” on the show. Right up there with the pretentious “Astrologer to the Stars” interview.
Oh please please please don’t bring Ian back. God, what an obnoxious turd. Maybe it’s my living in LA for so long, but he was SUCH a catty gay NYC stereotype…just grating.
Jim Verraros on the other hand is a sweetheart. Bring him back any time you like. 🙂
BRING BACK GABOR!!! 🙂
Darling, anything for youse.
The first time I saw and heard him from your show. I was and still am instantly hooked in him. He’s so cute and yummy, I just wish I could have a beau who sounded and look like him. Ehehehe!
It’s a bad thing that here in DR (Dominican Republic) there’s not much English FM radio nor a healthy and savvy gay lifestyle (sorry but most of them are still in the closet). Anyways, a big shout out to all you there guys, keep the goodies coming…….
Gabor accent was killer close on my list to catwoman and the robot voices fucking….Ian has his thing, but i think (and my opinion may be crap) infusing that bit with him halted the show for a bit…its was one out of very few times I didn’t want to re-listen to podcast right away. i needed some music first to deal…I dunno why, i’m sure Ian is a nice guy and maybe was nervous , but eh. Iwas expecting more fun with F&M+ jim……but he as on fridays episode so its not like i’m pissed or anything. noce podcast as asways but had a eh moment…..so 3 1/2 starts for once? lol. much dorky love boys.
Rochelle (from MN)
I assumed the whole Ian thing was a fake, and I LOVED it!
(was it actually for real??)
Another amazing show with Jim – loved his first cd and can’t wait for his new cd to come out. 🙂 I thought the guy Ian is crazy and doesn’t deserve an ounce of fame – he has had his 15 minutes lets hope the timer will stop soon. Jim deserves to be signed by a major label and hope they will soon.
the insurance companies don\’t want you to know…
Information on the life insurance industry…