John Duff is Keeping Us Guessing

Musician and performer John Duff has kept us guessing and anticipating since he first hit the music scene six years ago, going viral with his independent music hits like “Girly”, “Rich”, and “Hokie Pokie.” He is unapologetically himself whether he is celebrating the fading line between feminine and masculine, embracing his sexuality, or challenging the norms that have been set by the queer community. Whether he is performing at a Pride, being interviewed on a podcast, or meeting you at the club, he is unabashedly himself. His latest hit, “Be Your Girl,” is an homage to 1940s nostalgia, mashed up with a disco texture, and featuring the showmanship and bravado of Tom Jones, Cher, and Frank Sinatra.

“Be Your Girl” is a graduation of sentiment, going out to that young Duff whose parents told him to sing Elvis and Frank Sinatra. His early work was devoted to that Duff who wasn’t allowed to sing Britney Spears in the talent show and was bullied as a kid to the point he couldn’t take the bus in middle school. Rather than become a victim of his bullying, he used it as a growing experience and gained the confidence to explore his art truthfully.

Unfortunately – no matter what is popular – there will always be hatred, judgment, bullying, and criticism on this plane of existence. Teaching children otherwise causes more damage than good, because it creates an expectation that will surely be shattered. Look at nature – society aside – nature wants us all dead. So, I think the solution comes from within. It’s about finding the love in yourself and only seeking love from those who are ready to give it.

Some of my most hurtful bullying came from ONE table of people, whose acceptance I desperately wanted – unbeknownst to me, there was a whole cafeteria of people already accepting me. For young people, and all people – acceptance is there. Find the people who give it, reciprocate it, and BAM: community.

“Be Your Girl” is the first single from Duff’s upcoming concept album, yet to be titled. It’s a journey in musicianship and nostalgia, a direction that Duff says he will continue to work in. He maintains that if he can make this kind of music, he can do anything.

I’ve been working on it for four years. The whole project is inspired by the songs I used to do in talent shows when I was a kid and the songs my parents had on their jukebox. It started because I didn’t believe you could make songs like that anymore, but we did. There are about 13 of them!

What was his creative process in starting this project?

I’m sort of an encyclopedia of music and lyrics – so I don’t have to do too much digging. There aren’t many popular songs I don’t know, from the mid-1930s to the present. I’ve been banned from “Name That Tune” every time I’ve ever played because it’s “not fair.” [Laughs]

In terms of process, I couldn’t have executed this without my dear friend Eren Canatta. A lot of times I’d come in with lyrics, or a chord progression, and I say – ‘hey, what if we made this song that sounds like The Beach Boys?’ Beyond that, it’s just kind of matching sounds to the old records. Mimicking strum patterns on guitars, microphone levels, and drum sounds.

The single is about wanting to be wanted, to be desired, and is something John has personally felt in relating to his years in the business.

We all want to be chosen! All the time. Whether that’s romantically, in career, in friendship, in family. In the video, I portrayed the “want to be chosen” by being a contestant in a beauty pageant. I like to keep things general and let people apply their own meaning.

The sound and the look in Duff’s music video for “Be Your Girl” is definitely a new image for John, but that’s nothing new for this artist. He has constantly refreshed his look and sound, making each single and album a refreshing surprise.

I’m a musical theatre boy at heart. This was sort of an homage to that part of my life – showmanship. I think showmanship was the most important part. Showing that I can be fully dressed, and still keep your attention.

I think people enjoyed it – at least the ones I’ve heard from. Pleasing everyone will never be an option, so as long as it has resonated with someone – I’m happy. A lot of new admirers have shown up, like artists I really respect – I don’t want to name drop… but…. [Laughs] That’s been very validating.

Duff comes from the world of musical theatre. This video is just at home in a new Broadway show or at midnight at the club. Fun fact, Duff personally costumed every look in the video, over 40 outfits. He studied musical theater at Syracuse University to hone his performing skills and eventually made his way to New York City, getting work regionally, Off-Broadway, and commercially for over six years.

Keeping his finger on the pulse of what sounds are going to be popular next or how to surprise his fans with new textures and looks is nothing new to John. How does he do it?

I’ve always just done what I love to do. For me, it’s about creating what I see missing in the world. With my first song “Girly,” back in 2018, I was thinking, ‘I want to see someone just be SO gay.’ And so that’s what I did. Last year when everyone was being SO gay (even the straight artists) I played straight and did “Somebody’s Daughter.”

This year, as music evolves further into repetitive lyrics and minimalist beats, I explore the classic theatrical foundations of American popular music. Whatever I do next will be whatever everyone else isn’t doing.

In today’s age of easy access to technology and multiple platforms to release content on, Duff has kept his voice heard above the din of all the music that comes out. As an independent artist, that is no easy feat.

Did you know there are over 100,000 songs uploaded every day? To have over 1,000 streams puts you in the top 10% of artists globally. I think it’s all about perspective, cause sometimes I feel like I’m not cutting through the noise. That’s often when I take my clothes off.

John has not been shy in showing us some skin or enticing us with thirst traps. His material often celebrates sexuality, and he does so with style and sensuality. With our community under attack socially and politically, with an emphasis on our sex, Duff sees the importance of continuing to push the envelope.

Honestly, half the time when I do it, I’m having a laugh. I don’t take anything too seriously – it’s my mantra. I do love my body though, and if showing my body empowers someone else – or gives them a little boost of energy – that’s awesome. Sexuality, for me, you know – I like the theatre of it. Theatre of the taboo.

I don’t want people to think there’s one way to be sexy, or that being an internet exhibitionist is required to gain the interest of the gay world — it’s about authenticity. And it’s very authentic for me to be half-naked. I’m cheeky.

In addition to the ear candy that is “Be Your Girl,” Duff has collaborated with Eric Kupper for a series of remixes.

I love Eric Kupper. This is our third collaboration. Most of the time, when I’m making music – I’m very hands-on. With Eric, I’m saying – here’s my vocal, go crazy. It’s an exercise in surrender, and it’s great every time.

With so many different directions John can go in, what does he want most in the near future?

Just to perform, and for my art to find itself. I’m doing a residency in Provincetown this summer, and did some amazing pride gigs in Chicago, New York, and Pennsylvania. More of that!

Looking back, how has John changed the most in his six years in the independent music industry?

I’ve tried everything and listened to everyone. If anything – at this point, I’m more like the person I was before I ever got started… because that’s the person who got me here.

And his message to his fans?

Be kind! Be safe! Don’t leave your drinks unattended!

“Be Your Girl” and the remixes are streaming on Spotify and all major streaming platforms.