Sing Out: The Trevor Project Concert

Three bands will be singing out loud for the nonprofit that helps gay teens and others at The Trevor Project Benefit Concert, January 22 at Caf� duNord with Hotels & Highways, Mia Dyson, and out gay singer-composer Eric Himan.
This is the second annual benefit concert organized by Eric Hansen.

"Rather than write a check, I decided to make an event like this to get more awareness for the charity," said Hansen, who previously worked with the staff of Caf� du Nord.

"They've been very generous," said Hansen. "So all the proceeds go to the Trevor Project."

Last year's concert at Caf� duNord included the bands Acoustic Minds and Gregory Douglas. Hansen noted that this year's artists are personal choices.
"I always look for independent artists," he said. "These are all bands I've seen before on tour, gotten to know a little bit."

The Trevor Project has received a good bit of attention from recent Hollywood benefits, which featured performances by a range of big celebrities, from Darren Criss to Lady Gaga.

"Obviously, we're not raising the kind of money that the Lady Gaga show did," said Hansen, "but just raising awareness for their national hotline is worth it."

Hansen also shared his own personal interest in the nonprofit. Fourteen years ago, his father wished him a happy birthday in a January phone call, but also shared the sad news that a boyhood friend of Hansen's had killed himself. "We had a conversation just days before he died," said Hansen. "Ever since then I always think there is some thing I should have done."

Straight but gay-friendly Mia Dyson and Hotels & Highways will perform. And, in a music first, Eric Himan, who's appeared at numerous Bay Area venues solo, will perform with his + Bandmates.

When not touring or performing near his Tulsa, Oklahoma home, Himan, an award-winning singer-composer, airs a semi-monthly cooking show, Trial and Eric. How did the musical whiz kid, who released his seventh studio CD, Supposed Unknown, last year, end up hosting a cooking show?

"I started taking cooking courses," said Himan, "I just thought wouldn't it be neat to cook a Hanukkah dinner over the holidays. About four months ago, I talked to someone with the local [Tulsa affiliate, did it live online, and that turned into me having my own cooking show."

Once mystified by the science of cuisine, Himan is proud to have learned a lot while sharing it with online viewers. "It doesn't seem that complex anymore. The idea of the cooking show is to show people that they can do it. With most recipes, once you look back, you realize it didn't take too long."

With his latest CD complete, and a new single "You're Gonna Need Me" available as well, Himan said he's taking his music in a new pop rock area. In this special full band gig, Himan and crew (Ted Scott , Todd Shaver and Erin Nelson; each music teachers from Tulsa) will perform Himan's original music, plus some very interesting covers of pop standards. Himan said he's enjoying the new collaborative project. "We can play around a lot and everyone has a talent of experience."

While the Trevor Project means a great deal to the singer, being identified as gay is less important than people hearing his music. "I was just out from the get-go," said the 32-year-old singer. "Back in 2000-2002, I was getting compared to Rufus Wainwright because he was the only other out artist people had to reference. I would play so many pride festivals where people were like, 'I don't know what to do with you. Are you a lesbian or a drag queen?'"

Saying that he was influenced by a lot of women singers, "I remember not even thinking about gender," he said.

But even though he's proudly out, don't expect his lyrics to be about rainbows and unicorns. "It's hard to be an artist and be out and not feel that there's a pressure to pander," said Himan. With few exceptions, he said, "I don't directly address men in my songs. Melissa deliberately does that, too. I think it's interesting when other people do it, but for me, it's a more of a direct relationship between me singing and you listening."

Himan has performed at many LGBT-related benefits, and admits he has to be choosy these days. He has done events for The Trevor Project in Washington DC.

"There are a ton of causes, but The Trevor Project is a direct line to somebody," said Himan. "I feel like it's the reality, and it's a chance. If I don't know what to tell you, I know someone who can. We all need that for ourselves and others who are going through a hard time."

Tickets for the January 22 benefit concert are $10-$25, sliding scale. 8pm. Caf� du Nord, 2170 Market St.
www.cafedunord.com
www.thetrevorproject.org
www.erichiman.com
www.miadyson.com
www.hotelsandhighways.com