World of Difference

Houston, we (don't) have a problem.

"The fact is, I don't feel like being abrasive right now," says Houston Bernard, the locally based electro/dance musician who will premiere his latest music video, "I Feel Gorgeous" at a party and performance at Club Caf? on Jan. 17.

Formerly self-described as a "bi porno electro punk rapper," Bernard has amassed a wide and international fan following that until now has been largely predicated on a shocking, sexually charged persona. In 2005, his album Whores Have More Fun made waves in LGBT music, and received critical kudos (placed by The Advocate in its Top 10 independent releases of the year) despite song titles like, "Lick, Suck, Dick, Fuck," "Ride It Cowboy," "Str8 Actin" and of course, the title track. Combined with his outrageous stage shows and a wardrobe that showcased lots of vinyl pants (but very few shirts), the provocative artist earned a lot of attention for his sound and image. He earned plenty of supporters for the political and LGBT activist implications of his work; but he also garnered detractors who saw his aggressive brand of sexuality as crass and vulgar, rather than sensual and steamy.

Bernard admits that persona may have turned off as many listeners as he turned on. As a result, his 2008 album See the World reveals a kinder, gentler side of the artist. There's still plenty of sex and politics, and navel gazers can take heart that Bernard's beloved abdominals still grace the cover. But overall, the mood is more celebratory and uplifting and less confrontational.

"I used to be really, really angry. I grew up in a blue collar town with a chip on my shoulder," says Bernard, who was born in Oklahoma, spent his early years in Alaska, and moved to Worcester, Mass., at age 13. "I was outspoken, I was over my head," he says of his music career. "I got into fights and it's been very in-your-face. It's been violent, and I had always grown up with a Gandhi philosophy."

"I've always been a disco, hippie type," he adds.

If its early success is any indication, See the World is vibing with peaceniks and club kids alike in a whole new way. The feel-good single "Say Goodbye" saw its music video voted #2 of 2007 by viewers of gay cable network LOGO, and "I Feel Gorgeous" maintains that shiny, happy sensibility of love, unity, and self-empowerment.

"I'm a big believer that everyone is sexy, lovely and beautiful," says Bernard, who was inspired to write "I Feel Gorgeous" by a magical summer in Provincetown and the concurrent request to submit a song for a "curvy girl workout" mix. He's also wrapping his next, locally filmed music video, "Luv."

Cue the chorus of turtledoves, right? Bernard knows fans that discovered him through his ribald lyrics and shocking stage shows might require a period of adjustment, but he also believes it would be disingenuous to rehash his past work when his headspace has evolved in a much more peaceful direction.

"I moved to New York, and I got more angry," he says of the time during Whore's production. "I remember when [gender subversive singer] Kevin Aviance was attacked right outside my favorite bar. I felt so guilty that I wasn't there to do anything about it. But when you push negativity, it's going to be negative in terms of change. I'm deciding to plant seeds of positivity, to spread positivity. ... I have to follow what my soul tells me."

And there's plenty of soul on See the World. "It's 180 degrees from the last album," he says. "The new album has piano ballads alongside the dance tracks, acoustic stuff... it's eclectic, like my music taste. It's still political in nature but it's not as in your face. I think there will be wider appeal."

Bernard says that his music has changed to reflect a shift in his attitude and approach to life. "I was very in your face about my politics," says Bernard. "But I have close who friends who are gay, but also right wing. For me, that's a challenge: to get along, first of all, but also to try and understand them. But in order for people to change, especially strong willed people, I don't think it's always important to throw things in their face."

He adds that keeping an open mind is a two-way street. "I was pretty abrasive," he says. "Now, I'm not going to change my opinions, but I understand other opinions more... You can't take it personally, and if the conversation isn't moving forward, than we just agree to disagree."
Bernard also suggests that his recovery from a hard partying lifestyle is responsible for a newfound approach that tempers extremes with a dose of reflection.

"I had a huge change in my life," he admits. "I kind of hit rock bottom in my situation, where my habits - it could be called addiction - got the best of me. I thought it was time to stop, take a break and take a good look at myself in the mirror... I pretty much sobered up and decided to start taking care of my life. There was a lot of joy in drinking and partying every night, but there was a lot of non-joy on waking up, feeling like crap, and feeling like I wasn't living up to the best of my abilities."

With See the World, Bernard's abilities are finally stealing the show. He hopes his local fans will come out to experience it.

"This is the first time I've performed in Boston in a couple of years," he says of the Club Caf? appearance. "For those who are expecting the same thing as last time, they're going to be very surprised. The last one was dark and underground; this is positivity and fun."

Houston Bernard hosts the video release party for "I Feel Gorgeous" and performs live at Club Caf? (209 Columbus Ave., Boston) on Saturday, Jan. 17. No cover. For more information on Houston Bernard, visit www.houstonbernard.com.