Sparkle & Circulate With Justin Sayre

Julian Fleisher - the sophisticated vocalist, composer, bandleader, producer, actor and author - discusses his albums “Rather Big” and “Finally,” his book "The Drag Queens of New York: An Illustrated Field Guide"... and why he needs a boyfriend. Plus, he spills secrets about his musical collaborations with Kiki & Herb and Ana Gasteyer. And Justin sends us his best for the new year, if slightly belatedly.

Lady Rizo, the Grammy winning chanteuse, vocalist and songwriter, discusses her second album "Indigo" - recorded at the legendary Royal Studios in Memphis - and her annual Nina Simone tribute. She comes to the IOS studio to talk about growing up in a theatrical hippy family in Oregon and how motherhood has affected her as a performer. Plus, Justin takes on the holiday season and muses about the passing of 2017.

Kenny Mellman - one of the minds behind Kiki & Herb and Our Hit Parade - shares tales of recording and touring with his band The Julie Ruin, opposite punk icon Kathleen Hanna. Their latest album is "Hit Reset." Kenny describes how he and Justin Vivian Bond met and developed characters for their famous duo, plus discusses his upcoming solo record and Taylor Swift project. Also, Justin shares personal stories of how Kenny's various projects influenced his own life and work.

Jake Shears - the lead singer and songwriter for the fabulous neo-glam rock band Scissor Sisters - discusses the origins of the group, how their signature sound developed, and the amazing backstory behind their surprise hit “Let’s Have a Kiki.” He also tells the I.O.S. about his friendship and collaboration with Elton John, his upcoming stage musical of the Tales of the City novels and his secret crush on a band member.

Dick Leitsch is a dedicated activist for the gay community who served as the president of the New York chapter of the Mattachine Society and headed the legendary "Sip In" at the historic bar Julius over 50 years ago. He was also the first gay journalist to report on the original Stonewall riots. At age 82, he is a regular at the monthly Mattachine Party at Julius and now he joins the IOS membership to tell tales about his adventures. Plus, our host Justin Sayre presents his annual reflections on Gay Pride.

Amber Martin joins Justin to discuss her debut album "A.M. Gold" - which features collaborations with transgender pioneer Kate Bornstein and Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters - her love of vintage K-Tel records, and Mattachine, the acclaimed New York queer party she hosts with John Cameron Mitchell. Plus, Justin introduces some new Gay Slang including the soon-to-be-legendary "Girl Wha?"

Jinkx Monsoon - winner of "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 5 on Logo TV - joins Chairman Sayre and the I.O.S. to discuss the recording "The Inevitable Album" and her upcoming collection of new music, in addition to touring with her fellow queens and her work as a Trans advocate. Plus, Justin discusses his love of drag and how it's influenced his life and work.

The new jazz sensation - praised by the New York Times for her "phenomenal voice, easygoing confidence and impeccable taste" and called "irresistibly polished and triumphant" by The Huffington Post - discusses her latest album and current tour. "Dream Ago," her new collection of invigorating original songs and select covers, was just released. She and Justin discuss her trip to the Middle East with the U.S. State Department, their mutual admiration of iconic singer Carmen McRae and love for everything jazz.

  Isaac Oliver - author of the acclaimed memoir "Intimacy Idiot," called by "laugh-out-loud funny" by National Public Radio - talks online dating, casual sex, hookup apps and the current political upheaval. Plus, Justin reveals the reasons his live variety show The Meeting* will end after its eighth and final season this year.

Lady Bunny reflects on growing up Quaker, starting in classical theater, creating the legendary "Wigstock" festival, her current hit comedy show "Trans-Jester" and talks politics, politics, and more politics! Justin also contemplates the recent election and how to move forward in a world less amenable to our LGBT community. 

Jim Colucci, author of the terrific new book "Golden Girls Forever," tells Justin about his research into everyone's favorite Miami foursome, the inside story of the TV show, the truth behind the infamous feud between Bea Arthur and Betty White and - of course - the fate of Coco, the houseboy who never made it past the pilot. Justin also talks about how "The Golden Girls" has influenced his own life and work.

Justin Sayre chats with Carol Lipnik - the singer called "an ethereal vocal phenomenon" by The New York Times - about her latest album "Almost Back to Normal," her Sunday night residency at the downtown NYC club Pangea, and her influences from Mothra to Laura Nyro. She and Justin wax rhapsodic about Tennessee Williams, the 13th Century poet Rumi and B-movies of the 50s. Plus, Justin offers some simple tips on staying cool, calm and collected during the summer.

The I.O.S. welcomes famed artist Robert W. Richards - who has designed album covers for music luminaries like Peggy Lee, Lena Horne and Peter Allen - to talk about his new book "Seduction," a stunning collection of erotic illustrations. Richards regales us with stories of seeing Bette at the Baths, running away to Las Vegas with Dinah Washington, and his important work with the Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art. Also, Justin wishes the membership a great Pride and tells us about his new comedy album "The Gay Agenda."

Alaska Thunderfuck joins the I.O.S. to talk about her experience on RuPaul's Drag Race on Logo TV, her debut solo album and the "Battle of the Seasons," which is on tour now. Chairman Sayre talks about some meaningful recent experiences with our audience members and discusses our upcoming evening "Night of a Thousand Judys" to benefit the Ali Forney Center.  

Author Michael Schulman tells us the inside story on the creation of his new book "Her Again: Becoming Meryl Streep," plus the live evening of Oscar acceptance speeches he produces and a particularly eventful interview with Grace Jones. Also, Justin Sayre gives his take on the gays and their iconic divas. 

Nathan Lee Graham - currently appearing in "Zoolander 2" - discusses his collaboration with Will Ferrell, his longtime friendship with Eartha Kitt and his upcoming debut album. Plus, Justin reflects on how a vacation to Europe inspired a change in personal style and an investigation of the fashion icons of the 60s.

Cole discusses his role on the Hulu comedy program "Difficult People," his upcoming book "Room for Milk" and longtime collaboration with previous podcast guest Jeffery Self. Justin and Cole bond over their mutual love of Lucille Ball and Elaine Stritch and ponder the state of gay relationships. Also, Justin muses on the new year and his recent birthday. Featured music is by singer/songwriter Rob Townsend.

Justin interviews Nellie about her new album of 60's classics "My Weekly Reader," vegan restaurants and what to do about those pesky groupies! They chat about Doris Day, the evils of the internet and the challenges of songwriting. Also, Justin ponders the travails of the holiday season and the meaning of his birthday.

We discuss the documentary film "Do I Sound Gay?" with its writer and director David Thorpe, who interviewed Tim Gunn, George Takei, David Sedaris and other queer celebrities about the interplay between their sexuality and their voices. Thorpe gives us the inside story about what he discovers about himself and the world in the process. Plus, Justin gives us his take on the fall theater season and his latest California shenanigans.

"Sparkle & Circulate" welcomes Aussie singer and songwriter Brendan Maclean, who discusses his new EP "Thought I'd Cry For You Forever," his time on the set of Baz Luhrmann's film "The Great Gatsby," creating new music with RuPaul's producer Lucian Piane and collaborating with Neil Gaiman on a new song. Also, Justin gives the back story behind his debut novel "Husky," which is being released this month.