You meet the most interesting people at the theater. Take Kenyth Mogan, who happened to be a couple of seats away from yours truly at the Opening Night of bare. Turns out Kenyth is not only a bare fan from way back, but the man its hero Peter might someday become—an out-and-proud adult (and in Kenyth’s  case, one who’s about to debut his first EP, Fall Apart).

Blond, blue-eyed, farm-boy-next-door Kenyth, who bills himself as “The Wholesome Homo,” was generous enough to let this writer get an advance listen to its five terrific tracks, a trio of originals bookended by a pair of covers, each more infectiously hummable than the next.

Toni Basil’s 1981 smash “Mickey” (“Oh, Mickey, you’re so fine. You’re so fine, you blow my mind. Hey, Mickey! Hey, Mickey!”) is every bit as catchy three decades later, while Julie Brown’s 1987 album track “I Like ‘Em Big And Stupid” gains whole new layers of meaning when it’s a man who’s singing, “My father’s outta Harvard. My brother’s outta Yale. Well, the guy I took home last night, just got outta jail.”

Even better are the EP’s three originals: Matthew Hayes and Paul Harris’s “(Let Me) Unlock Your Heart,” bubble gum pop at its tangiest; fellow out singer-songwriter Todd Michael Schultz’s “One Worth Losing,” dance-floor-ready and hummable as all get-out; and “Fall Apart,” Kenyth’s own composition co-written with producer Tony Rotini, the one with the catchiest hook and the EP’s soon-to-be-released first single.

Production is so all-around professional, you’d think you were listening to the latest tracks from Britney or Carly Rae or Katy. And Kenyth’s ear-pleasing vocals fit each song to a T.

We were lucky enough to get Kenyth to sit down and answer some questions about his journey from Montana to Hollywood, and a possible future on the musical theater stage. Here’s our conversation:

 Your bio says you’ve been working behind the scenes in Hollywood while you were still in high school in Montana. How did you go about doing that?

When I was eighteen, [film makers] The Polish Brothers came to our quiet little town to film Northfork and I was cast as an extra.

So how did that turn into “working behind the scenes”?

While we were shooting, I was watching Michael in the director’s seat. He asked if I wanted to come hang out the next day, so I did and spent three more days working on set as a production assistant.

That must have changed your life!

After that I realized that I had no fear of contacting people. I’ve gotten to meet the singer A’me Lorain, who’s become one of my best friends, biggest influences, and strongest supporters. I was also in contact with producer Gabe Lopez, who’s been a huge inspiration and singers like Don Philip and Tiffany.

Kenyth with Tiffany and A’me Lorain

Growing up in Montana, did you always know you’d leave for Hollywood? 

If you ask anyone who’s ever known me they’ll probably tell you I’ve always said I wanted to live in Hollywood.

What’s the best part of living here?

The best part about living here is that you can meet anyone and make anything happen. For instance, I’m a huge fan of ABC’s Once Upon A Time, and am always saying, “Oh, it’d be fun to meet Snow, or Charming or the Evil Queen.” Well, a few weeks ago, I was at a concert with one of my best friends, turned around and boom! There was Lana Parrilla, the Evil Queen. It was the first time I’ve really been star-struck, but she was so nice and sweet. Things like that are always happening.

Is there anything you miss about your home state?

I miss my family and friends, the open spaces, and the summer thunderstorms.

When did you start singing, and at what point did you say, “Hey, I’m going to put out my own CD?” 

I’ve wanted to do music for a long time, but I kind of stepped away from it to focus on writing after my first book came out. Since moving down here, I’ve been surrounded by music and when my friend Todd Michael Schultz (who wrote “One Worth Losing” on the EP) said he wanted to introduce me to his producer, Tony Rodini, I thought I’d give it a shot. It’s been one of the best decisions of my life. Tony is extremely talented and really easy to work with. He’s amazing.

I met you when you happened to hear me talking about Steve Grand’s latest single, and obviously, like Steve you’ve decided to make who you are as a gay man part of your public persona. How important is it to you to be seen as not just a pop singer, but as a pop singer who happens to be gay and who sings songs about other guys and not about the opposite sex?

I’ve never really felt the need to hide or deny my sexuality, and started the process of coming out when I was fourteen. Now, knowing I’m from Montana, a lot of people are going to atomically think “OMG, that must have been a terrible experience!” I want to assure you that it was not. I’ve been blessed by having some of the most amazing family and friends, but I know that’s not the case for a lot of people. If I were to suddenly start singing about girls, or putting a female love interest in my music video, not only would I be disrespecting myself and all those who stood by me, it would be a slap in the face to all of those people who were not as lucky as I was.

Two of the covers on your CD (Toni Basil’s “Mickey” and Julie Brown’s “I Like ‘Em Big And Stupid”) were originally sung by women about the guys they were into. Are there ways in which the songs take on new meaning when they’re about a boy whose mind Mickey blows or a man who likes his men “big and stupid”?

I don’t think so. I’m of the mindset that love is love regardless of gender. Now, if I was referring to myself as a “she,” that’d be strange for me, but other than that… Hopefully people will like it. I did get Julie Brown’s opinion on “Big And Stupid” she was very positive and supportive of my take on the song.

Of the remaining three songs, though two are by songwriters other than yourself, “Fall Apart” you co-wrote yourself. Any desire to do an all-Kenyth Mogan CD or will you stick with a mix of covers and originals?

Eventually I do want to do an album or EP of completely original songs, whether written by me or for me by other writers. A few years ago Don Philip told me that covers were a great way to break into the business and several friends in the business have told me the same thing over the years. For right now I’ll probably continue doing a mix of covers and originals until I get better known. I also need to work on my songwriting before I try to write a whole album.

 How did you hit upon the moniker “the wholesome homo,” and how do you plan to use your Montana farm boy-next-doorness as a selling point for Fall Apart?

The moniker was kind of given to me, but I like it. Hopefully the farm boy-next-door thing will help because I’m not the typical artist, but more specifically not the typical gay artist. There are so many types of guys out there. Not all of us are muscle-headed steroid monkeys or super flamboyant twinks. I’m kind of the “everyman” and I think people can relate to that. Plus, I don’t want to take my clothes off to sell my music.

One last question, since this is a theater review site and since I met you in the audience at a musical, how much of a theater fan are you? 

I have a deep love for the stage and actually grew up in theater. When I was in college, Peter from bare was my dream role and I used “Role Of A Lifetime” in every audition.

Any desire to show off your talents on the musical theater stage?

It’s been a while but I’ve started working with this great vocal coach named Marija K and would love to get back into musical theatre again. Someday.

Thanks so much for taking time to chat with us Kenyth, and best of luck with Fall Apart!

Kenyth Mogan press photos by Tyler Schuelke

 ABOUT KENYTH MOGAN:

Billed as the “wholesome homo” – Kenyth Mogan has been making connections and working behind the scenes in Hollywood since he was still in high school… in Montana.  He’s worked on movie sets, web-series, and even published a manga-style graphic novel called “The Phoenix Chronicles: Awakenings”. Now, seven years after moving to Los Angeles he’s finally taking his first steps into the musical spotlightwith the release of his first EP “Fall Apart”. Teaming up with producer Tony Rodini (from the band New Country), the five track EP consists of two covers and three original songs.The title track (and first single) “Fall Apart” was co-written by Rodini and Mogan. Other songs on the EP include “One Worth Losing” written by up and coming pop singer Todd Michael Shultz as well as a cover of Julie Brown’s 1987 novelty hit “I Like ‘Em Big and Stupid”.The album will be available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and many other online retailers and is currently up for presale at http://kenythmogan.bandcamp.com

A Music video for “Fall Apart” will debut in late October or early November.

Sound samples: www.soundcloud.com/kenyth-mogan

Facebook: www.facebook.com/KenythMusic