Perhaps best known from the hit play “Trinkets” a few years back and now with a future stage hit about to premiere, actor and recording artist Antwon LeMonte will soon be known by queer music fans the world over as Baquestar!
Thotyssey: Hey Blaquestar! So it’s still kinda balmy out there, but we’re definitely approaching Spooky Season… are you ready?
Blaquestar: I am so ready for Spooky Season; I love me some “Ween,” Hunty. Still gotta get my costume ready for the day, but I know I’ll think of something royalist or iconic!
I’m sure it will slay! So you are quite busy recording and rehearsing these days. We’ll get to the specifics in a bit, but are these fun or stressful times?
These times are so much fun, but quite stressful sometimes for sure; You know, living in New York for so long gets you used to a lot of stress. You just learn to pump right through it. You know what I mean?
Definitely! So how long have you been here now, and where are you from originally?
Well I was born in Nashville TN, and raised in Dayton, Ohio partially… and grew up in Xenia, Ohio, not too far from there. I’ve lived in NYC for almost 20 years.
Was music always a part of your life?
Yes, I feel that music was my calling. I always knew I’d be a creator and recording artist when I got to New York.
Tell us about your music. What sort of things inspire it, what’s it sound like, how long have you been creating it and where can we hear it?
My music now is just developing, and I’m very inspired by pop, house, funk, R&B, gospel and rock. One of my main inspirations is Michael Jackson. I also love Prince, Whitney, Donna Summer, Stevie Wonder and of course Beyoncé! I’ve very much inspired by our times and the times of those before me. These current times lead to a lot of stress to pump over. I think of Sahara Davenport’s “Pump With Me” when I bop around the city, so it’s definitely these times that get me singing and dancing over the stress-filled year. Right now, I’m low key on SoundCloud, just to get a taste of my vibe.
But soon you’ll be able to find it everywhere!
Many of us are gonna see and hear you perform live for the first time at Friday’s “Torch“ at Macri Park, the twice monthly original songfest jested by R0zegld and Danielle Cardona! Are you excited?
I’m so excited and so ready for the show! They are so awesome and wonderful to work with! And I get to share and perform my own music.
You’re also an actor. What’s been you’re overall experience in that realm?
I’ve had the honor of starring on some of the most prestigious stages in the world, and have been on screen with some of the most legendary and talented artists and creatives in the country as well. Mostly stage from my background, but I’m still dipping and dripping into my on screen skills.
You had a big role is Trinkets, a well-received play from Paul Alexander back in 2017! What was that experience like?
It was so evolutionary, and I was so flattered to be received so well by our community. I made it a point of mine to be truthful and present in what we told in our story to represent New York and it’s lovers at their peeks.
The new production you’re a part of is called The Village: A Disco Musical, to premiere October 6th at Dixon Place for a planned six shows! Nora Burns wrote it and will star, Adam Pivirotto directs, Robin Carrigan is the choreographer and the amazing cast features yourself alongside Chuck Blasius, Glace Chase, Ever Chavez, Ashley Chaconne, Antony Cherrie, Eileen Dover, Valton Jackson and Gabriel Reyes. Tell us more!
I’m so happy and honored to work with Nora Burns again. We did Trinkets together, and I had a blast with her. She just reached out and said “I have a role for you. Would you like it and are you available?” And I said “absolutely!” And that was that.
The rehearsal process has been crazy, but so, so much fun and really educational and inspirational. It’s a musical play featuring huge disco hits from the 70s and also featuring music from the late 80’s and intro into early 90’s. My favorite song is “Lovin’ Is Really My Game.”
The story is truly a spitfire of controversial politics for our community and a “laugh in” of fun fads and facts from the 70’s, the early nightlife years in New York. It’s also insight into our fashion, musical and cultural inspirations that we use to this present day! You’ll enjoy the show on so many levels, and have the opportunity to reminisce on the “good old days.” But [at the same time] you’ll be glad for the days we are in now, because we made it though.
Can’t wait to see it! What else is coming up for you?
I have my own solo show with my own band at Pangea on October 28th at 7pm. I’m debuting my music live with my good friends Misha Josephs, Jeramiah Long and Jackson Payne Brothers. We are called BLAQUESTAR and The Combinations!
Fun! Okay lastly… what’s been The Song of 2022 for you, if such a thing exists yet?
Oh yes, I love this question! It’s been “Break My Soul” by Beyoncé.
Thanks, Antwon!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Blaquestar’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram.
Thotyssey 