Hey there Marc! Congrats on your latest single "Gay and Proud!" As you said before, the song is a celebration of life which was full of self-hate that turned into a life of self-love, acceptance, and peace. When did you realize that you needed to write a song about coming out and saying that you're gay?

Coming out publicly was something I knew I wanted to do, but wasn't quite sure how. I had no timeline in my head or set plan and I didn't set out to write a 'coming out' song, it just so happened to be something I coughed up one day and suddenly there it was - the vehicle in which I would come out to the world!

I found a particular line in the song quite interesting. It says: "One truth will never change, every human being is the same, straight or gay." That line speaks to not only those in the LGBTQ community, but also to those who are straight. Why did you feel the need to make this song relatable to straight people as well? What message do you have for them?

My intent with that line was to say how even though I'm out of the closet now, I'm still essentially the same person I've always been. For years people thought I was straight, but now they know I'm not. That doesn't really change all that much. Straight or gay, I'm still the same at the core. On a broader note - gay, straight, bi, trans, etc. - we all want the same things out of life, so why should any of us be treated any less than someone else or looked upon differently?

Music has always been a powerful way to move people and give them something to relate to. I'm sure there are still people out there that may be afraid to come out of the closet. What advice would you give to someone going through the same thing that you did since you were 8 years old?

Don't wait so long to introduce yourself to the world! You never know what's on the other side of the closet. For me, it was an overwhelming amount of love. What a pity it is to think I waited so long to feel that. If you can survive living in the closet, you're more than strong enough to handle life outside of the closet. Remember, you're just as good as anybody else, you're better than most. Know that! Feel that! Live that!

People who write great songs have done so for a purpose. It always seems to help them get through a rough patch in their life and to share their feelings with others who feel the same way. How much has music helped you get through those times before you came out declaring yourself gay?

I don't think any emotion I've ever felt is fully dealt with until it makes its way into a song. Every loss, every heartbreak, every joy, every triumph has found it's way into my lyrics. That's what songwriting is - the journaling of a human experience. We as humans are more alike than we think. As a songwriter, I stick to writing about what I know and have experienced. With each song, chances are someone listening will have experienced the same exact thing and will feel as if my song has soundtracked a certain part of their life, that's the highest honor a songwriter can have! Regarding "Gay and Proud" - I never would've been able to write that song had I not come to an emotional awakening of self acceptance. My self acceptance was fully realized and put into song, that's how I dealt with that aching need to come out. Once the song was written, I felt free. Now that the song is out, I AM free!

Not only are the lyrics in the song powerful, but your vocals are also just as equally powerful! They help the song convey the emotion of what you are singing about. When did you notice that your voice can convey that kind of emotion?

I suppose the first time I noticed I could cause an emotional response through singing was not long after I started singing in the first place. I was probably about seven or eight and was singing a christmas song at the time to my mom and a few of her friends and I just saw their jaws sort of drop and tears well up in their eyes. If you're really singing from the heart, that's the kind of response you can dredge up in people.

There are numerous music artists that have also come out of the closet. Which ones do you admire most and how have they inspired you to come out and write this song?

Back in the 90s there were a slew of influential artists that came out - Indigo Girls, Melissa Etheridge, k.d. lang. They inspire me greatly not only as LGBTQ+ icons, but as incredible musicians. They've paved the way for musicians like me to be able to come out and write songs about being gay. It's astonishing what doors they've opened LGBTQ+ artists. Their own living out loud and proud was a guidepost for me. They came out, continued to make great music, have a fanbase, achieve their goals in life, find love, so why not me? They had their turn and are reaping the rewards of it, now it's my turn.

Do you have any shows coming up this summer or even later this year?

No. I'm not entirely sure how this is all going to play out as of yet. But right now, I'm working on finishing the new album and then we'll have a look at the possibility of shows after that.

What else do you have planned for 2023 or even the future now that your new single is Out?

I think they'll be another single or two out by the end of this year. Somewhere between January and March of 2024 should see the release of the full length Gay and Proud album.

Is there anything that you would like to share with our readers?

The Trevor Project is an organization on a mission to end suicide amongst young queer people. One accepting adult decreases the risk of suicide by 40% for young LGBTQ persons. Visit thetrevorproject.org to learn more about the work they are doing and how you may be able to help!


Artist Links:

https://marcambrosia.com

https://linktr.ee/marc_ambrosia


Artist Bio:
Marc Ambrosia has spent the last ten years recording and releasing two EPs, three full length albums, and is currently in the process of recording his fourth. With Gay and Proud, his upcoming studio album, Trendsetter Award winner Marc Ambrosia is ready to celebrate something about himself that he's kept hidden for twenty years - he's gay.

"I've known I was gay since I was eight years old. Despite that, I never in a million years would have thought I'd be able to admit that to anyone, let alone publicly." Ambrosia says. "For so long, I felt rage, shame, and fear. I was so angry that I just couldn't be "normal;" I felt ashamed that I couldn't change myself, and I felt so afraid that someone might find out my secret. It took me twenty years to not only say I'm gay out loud, but also to accept that about myself and love that about myself."

The "Gay and Proud" single marks the first release from the upcoming album of the same name, which Marc is still crafting in the studio. According to Ambrosia, "The song itself is a celebration of life. A life that was so full of self-hate and one that finally became one of self-love, acceptance, and peace."