Diva Divo - Dance Magazine

“The funny thing is, I don’t come from a particularly political household,” Ari says. “Our favorite news program growing up was Entertainment Tonight! But I was always a very sensitive child and in high school I started to become aware of more social issues. Throughout Yeshiva we were always taught about the history of the oppression of the Jews and the holocaust, and how Jews had to always hide who they were and hide their practices. And while I was learning that, I was hiding who I was and hiding certain… uh, practices… as well.”

Ari’s ability to relate was doubtlessly instrumental to the serious social awareness behind Transport Systems. But fans need not worry: their favorite pop pin-up has plenty of fun on the album, too. He’s even brought some friends along for the ride, with diva Sasha Allen lending her pipes to the lead single, and rapper Mr. Man spitting rhymes on “Human,” a rework of the Human League hit. “I think it’s really cool for an African-American, hetero hip-hopper to be singing a song about being human with an out artist like myself,” Gold says. And he was equally ecstatic that legendary jazz saxophonist Dave Koz joined the proceedings. “We met at a gay wedding and then it [the collaboration] almost didn’t happen because of his tour schedule,” Ari says of Koz’ contribution to the song “Love Wasn’t Build in a Day.” “I didn’t give up, and he said in the end he was glad I was such a pushy Jew about it… he’s Jewish himself, so he can say that! I cried real man tears when it happened, cause it was so great to see this idea I had for over a year come to fruition.”

And with Transport Systems, Ari’s fruit is ripe with the depth of a mature humanitarian artist. While his fans are used to enjoying his buff bod, Gold hopes his increasingly insightful lyrics will have the same engaging effect. “I just really went there this time,” he says of his songwriting. “No holds barred.”

And wherever he goes, we’re glad to have Ari Transport us along.

TRIVIA:

Before he was heating up dance floors, Gold was a child vocalist! Little Ari performed voice work for childhood favorites “Cabbage Patch Kids” and “Jem and the Holograms.”

Though he’s the icon of choice for thousands of clubgoers, Ari is familiar with the other side of idol worship: He calls himself a “big dorky fan,” obsessed with Wonder Woman and The Bionic Woman, among other pop culture gems.

Ari cites Jodie Foster’s “The Accused” as being an instrumental film in raising his awareness of sexism, women’s issues, and the political power of art.

“Home,” a track from Ari’s debut album, was originally written for another openly gay artist: Kevin Aviance.

Though he says it has a “bad rep,” Ari admits to enjoying smooth jazz music… Anita Baker and Sade being two of his favorites!

Ari did backing vocals for the legendary Diana Ross on her album “Swept Away.”

Ari Gold On

The meaning of the title, “Transport Systems”:

In the writing process the themes of transportation, transformation, movement and progression kept coming up. Then the term “transport systems” popped into my head. I just liked the way it sounded and how evocative and open for interpretation it could be. And the suffix “trans” is a powerful one for gay people: transgression, transgender. And weirdly, one of the definitions of the word [transport]… is to “banish.” And that double-meaning resonated for me. I think moving forward is something we are really striving for right now as gay people: to move forward in the fight for our rights, and to move forward beyond the pain of having felt ashamed for being gay growing up.

The “military look” of the album photography:

I am wearing a flight helmet and flight suit on the cover, and the idea of taking flight went along with the concept of transporting yourself. I wanted it to look sort of futuristic and sort of World War Two-esque. While the album is political by nature - I sing about being a gay man which automatically becomes political in today’s times - I don’t really talk about the fact that we are currently in a war in this country. But I like that the album artwork evokes that. I think it looks as though someone just told the soldier on the cover that the war is over... the war in Iraq perhaps, but also the war for our human rights and even the war we have with ourselves. Cause that’s essentially what the album is about. All of that… and the fact that military is hot!!

The importance of AIDS awareness:

Honestly, I have never had anyone really close to me die of AIDS and I thank God for that. But I do see the younger generation thinking that it’s not going to effect them, and that’s dangerous. Luckily, I educated myself about AIDS in college and I have a lot of friends from older generations so they teach me a lot. I think that’s missing in gay culture: the communication between the older people and the younger kids.

Brushing off the “straight guy” fantasy in the song “Mr. Mistress”:

Look, fantasy is fantasy and there’s nothing wrong with fantasy. Things that are unattainable are always hot… that’s just human nature. But I do think it’s not the healthiest thing for gay men to only have a fantasy life around straight guys. We also have to find each other hot and sexy, as well. And the song is specifically about a man who found out that the guy he’s having an affair with is married with children. Once children are involved, it’s a whole other thing… cause I don’t want to be responsible for destroying that many people. I’ve spent too much time struggling to come out and accept myself to have to be a part of someone else’s secrets and lies. I think I deserve better then that. The man that is keeping his gay life a secret needs to take responsibility for his life if he wants me to be a part of it. It’s not fair for anyone involved. But I’m not trying to vilify the married man either, cause we all know how powerful homophobia can be in thinking we have to keep our sexualities hidden. It’s just not something I want to get involved with.

Being a DIVO:

This disc jockey was recently bad-mouthing me on the air, saying that I was a Diva. And so I called in and had to explain to him that the term “Diva” is a compliment. It was a term given to opera singers who gave these amazing performances, and in order to ensure that they could give such an incredible performance there were specific needs that they had… maybe certain teas, or not speaking for a week before the show, whatever. I think people mistake “Diva” for “primadonna.” I’m not a primadonna. But if you wanna call me a Diva or Divo cause I care about what I do and want it to be the best it can be… then go right ahead. I say “thank you.”