From the Latin Rascals to DJ booths around the world, Tony Moran has always shared his immense talents with the world. This time however, it's personal. After this summer's Pulse Orlando tragedy, Moran knew he had to do something. With help from vocalists like Nicki Richards and Zhana Roiya and director Karl Giant, their combined talents have made "High" (originally recorded by U.K. group Lighthouse Family) into one of the most blissful tracks for the dance floor in recent memory. Tony took a break from the DJ booth to chat with me about what it was like to put together such a meaningful project, getting back together with the Latin Rascals (occasionally) and what he hopes "High" brings to the community at large.
Did you feel that working on "High" and making it with such talented artists was something that was so needed for the community this summer?
I do. I can't speak for everybody, but it's something I needed to do. To take a stand and to say that "yes," this is a big problem, its a big issue, its global. The work starts here, to do what each of us can. In my case, I was able to make phone calls, one by one, and to speak with people and see if they would be willing to get involved. I'm not the kind of person who likes to ask for favors, so each time I had to share the story of what I believe and how every little bit counts. The only stress i felt was actually getting it out of my mouth! The speed in which everyone said yes and asked where they had to be, was amazing. No one was a prince or a princess. Even Project Publicity donating their time to get the word out was amazing, Everyone was great, just so we could all make that statement.
It was great to hear you back on a track again and partnering up with Nicki Richards and Zhana Roiya. You could tell when you hear the track that there was a great deal of passion behind it.
They came and I cannot even tell you where they came from! The director, Karl Giant, volunteered to do it as well, and I made some calls for camera, green screen, post editing, and every single person just asked to be where and when I needed them. I was so overwhelmed with emotion and satisfied. I thought I was going to have to be responsible for seeking out believers, and all i had to do was look in front of me and show that I believed. I wanted to communicate the message, sing that melody. I wanted a voice as powerful as Nicki Richards voice, that is so amazing that it goes all the way up into the heavens so that they know that they are not forgotten, that we are still fighting for them. I want to diminish fear, for people to congregate, and to make it easier for the youth of today to be able to understand that this strength is there for them through song and through example. I'm remixing dozens of people and finishing an album, but something like this is so important to me, I had to take the time.
Do you think that the industry has a responsibility to commit to projects like this when the community is attacked in the way that it was?
You know there is something about music, especially in our genre; music, whatever is in that gene that people call "gay" music is a big part of it. Whether you are LGBT or an ally, music is something that has always brought us together somehow. I think that it is so important that as artists, performers, producers, and remixers, we recognize that. It gives people an ability to feel and understand our message. It's not a speech; it's a song. If you like the song or the mix, you can let it stimulate you.
I was in Asia recently, DJ'ing in front of 27,000 people. The amount of young eyes on me was incredible. I looked at them and said to myself that even though I know that they live in an oppressed country, I was able to let them know that I got where I am from being the person that I am, and that they can also.
Unless something is required, I am not one of those people who is at the front of a picket line or jumping on a car. But I can express myself through music. To rally people around me in order to help me express that message. In this case, I started it on my own, but so many around me were ready to help, even people who compete in the business regularly. I just hope that this song was able to extinguish any fear or apprehension that people have to go somewhere they love, be with their friends, and do what they love.
Is what happened this summer going to change how you feel about playing in the clubs?
I don't think so. My biggest fear when I go and play in some of the biggest clubs in the world is, "Is my cd player going to skip." I will not let it be a fear that someone is going to come in and do something horrible like what happened in Orlando. I am not afraid of you. Destiny will make that choice for me. People are coming to hear me and I am going to make sure that they have an amazing time.
Were you able to always be open and express yourself fully throughout your life growing up?
Yes, I have been so lucky to have people around me since I am so young that were LGBT or not, that loved me for my creative energy and for what I believed in so greatly, which is the art of creativity. I don't think people cared if I was gay or not when I was growing up. Singing in The Latin Rascals when I was nineteen years old for tons of girls, I used to be afraid that people would "find out," but I kept going. You know, it's funny, every once in a while, we get together and do a concert as The Latin Rascals again, and I always say, it's like when The Temptations get back together (laughs). I don't breakdance anymore, but I can still get up there and sing the songs you all love.
Is "High" something you can be truly proud of?
This is not a "Lone Ranger" effort. I have "Tonto's" all over the world that I did not even need to ask to help me. I simply had to ask people for their time to participate on this project. It was so humbling that everyone said "yes" and was so generous. It was about getting the message out and enhancing that message. I was blown away; some I knew well, some of them I didn't. i want this to be something that contributes not just to the victims of this horrible tragedy, but something that enhances and gets into the minds of the young people who are just so easily influenced and are still developing. This isn't the AIDS crisis where people can hide. That was about our own personal responsibility; this is about having the right to live in our own skin, no matter our color, our gender, anything. Just express it.
("High" is available on iTunes)