Photo By : Dusty St. Amand
H. Alan Scott
@Halanscott
"I'm H. Alan Scott. (I once did an episode of Oprah where they let me warm up the audience, and I got them doing a call and repeat with my name. "I'm H.," and they'd say "H." ANYWAY, when it came time for my part of the show, I stood up and the audience went, "H.," so Shirley MacLaine, the guest, said, "Who's H?" So I said, "H. Alan Scott." Then Oprah said, "H. Alan Scott," and I died. I share this story because every time I say, "I'm H. Alan Scott" I think of that moment.)" .. I couldn't think of a better intro to Who H. Alan Scott is than how he introduced himself to me. Once a mormon in Missouri, Now a converted jew living in Los Angeles. The writer/comedian has been making people laugh for years. With an impressive catalog under his belt working with MTV, VICE, Esquire, Huffington Post, Thought Catalog, Daily Dot, Nerdist, and Fusion. Not to Mention being the Co Host to the Hilarious Golden Girls Pod Cast 'Out On The Lani'. He embodies the type of queer artist i admire, driven, compassionate, strong, successful and creative.
Rose With A Rising Dorothy-H. Alan Scotts Mix
00-2:49- Madonna- Why's It So Hard- When H.Alan told me that growing up he would disguise his Madonna CDs in more "masculine" CD cases to hide his sexuality, I immediately thought of Madonnas "Whys It So Hard" From her !992 "Erotica" I can picture him in his youth, Unsure of who he his or whats in store for him, listening to the lyrics being sang by Madonnas Breathy vocals "What do I have to do to be accepted, What do I have to say?, What do I have to do to be respected,How do I have to play? What do I have to look like to feel I'm equal?" her words Echoing the same thoughts and feelings we all struggle with as a young queer kid. Wondering why its so hard for people to accept we're different, wondering if we'll ever be in a world of just love.
2:50-6:26- Mary J Blige- Gonna Breakthrough - One of H.Alan's self professed guilty pleasures Mary J. Blige's Gonna Breakthrough from her 2005 Album 'The Breakthrough' is the kind of song you blast for an instant boost of positivity . Her soulful voice builds with the music as she preaches the power to breakthrough into the unknown. " I want Blige's raw honesty and confidence." H.Alan said, "She's able to be vulnerable AND confident, it's just so hot and real and honest and I want to be her so so bad." If you blast this song loud enough, close your eyes and just feel it, You can't help but feel a little like Mary J. Blige yourself.
6:26-9:34- Laura Mvula- Overcome- When i started working on this mix i knew i needed to include this powerhouse of a song by the British Singer Laura Mvula. After getting diagnosed with cancer H. Alan used his comedy and voice to chronicle his experiences, Making his journey public and opening up conversation just took bravery and strength that can only be admired. This song represents that. With lyrics sung over music crafted by Disco God Nile Rogers, laura Sings confidently " When your head is heavy low, And the tears they keep falling. Take your broken feet and run, With the world upon your shoulders Nowhere left to hide Keep your head up carry on" A song about doing exactly what H. Alan did Overcoming whatever life throws at you. This song sounds like strength this song sounds sincere, this song reminds me of his journey.
9:35-12:55 Dua Lipa- New Rules- One of the most listened songs on his apple music currently, Its hard not to find Dua Lipas break out single catchy as fuck. Swapping out the club friendly radio version for a live acoustic rendition. I wanted to give him a different version of a current favorite to think about boys to.
12:55- 15:24-Lucinda Williams- Like A Rose- A song from his heart, When asked why he has such a connection to the country rooted song from Lucinda's self titled Album, H. Alan simply responded by saying its beautifully lonely, With lyrics promising to open up, i can't help but think maybe thats what he's been searching for, That certain someone to open up to. Someone to be his rose.
15:24-19:06-Blood Orange- Best To You- After getting to know H. Alan, I began to discover a much more emotional and raw side to the quick witted comedian. He like most of us still deal with the pressures of dating in the modern age. A hopeless romantic at his core, how deep his emotion and love runs seems to be overlooked by the men that come through his life. Hailing from Dev Hynes second album under Blood Orange 'Freetown Sounds' Best to you deals with the acute loss of identity that can come with a one-sided relationship. Having to dim the light inside yourself to not overwhelm your counterpart is never something we should do. Mixing exuberant and light sounding beats to contrast the sadness of the lyrics sung by 'Empress Of' Best To You is a song i can hear echoing in his heart.
19:06- 21:52- Tegan And Sara- Boyfriend (basement sessions)- Going hand in hand with the last song of yearning for love. Coming from the canadian sisters newest album 'Boyfriend' s not only one of the most listened song on his apple music today, but also throws back to his college days when he went through a self proclaimed "weird lesbian/folk direction" Boyfriend when stripped back on this acoustic version really bring you back to where Tegan and Sara began. Heartfelt songs about love played perfectly on a guitar.
21:52-24:58-Lorde- Supercut- If you go on H. Alan Scotts Instagram you may come across a video of him dancing in his kitchen to Lorde's Supercut from her Melodrama album. New on the Lorde Train H. Alan was quick to let me know how much he's fallen in love with her new album and this song in particular, making it a no brainer to add to this mix. Finding a new artist you connect with is a sure fire way to have them soundtrack a section of your life, and i hope to immortalize this present moment in his using this song.
25:00-28:04-Robyn/Royksopp- Monument- Not a fan of concerts or music festivals, H. Alan is selective in those he attends, When asked what his favorite live moment of music was he responded by telling me it was seeing robyn at Radio City Music Hall. Anyone who's seen Robyn perform knows she a force to be reckoned with. Shying away from her more danceable pop songs i chose to include her collaboration with Royksopp. Highlighting this song because it embodies the longing we all have to create something everlasting. With his countless Tv appearances, His Writings living in the inter web and his upcoming Doc "Latter Day Jew" its safe to say H. Alan has made a monument of his love of life that will live on for all of us to enjoy, laugh and learn from.
28:05-32:42- Annie Lennox- Train In Vain- When asked what are some albums he could listen to on repeat, Annie Lennox's Medusa was at the top of that list. The Eurythmics lead singers second solo album sounds like nostalgia at its finest. Choosing Train In Vain because of its play with happy sounds and sad lyrics that H. Alan is so fond of. This song with its gospel sing and repeat is easy to get stuck in your head, which i hope will bring H. Alan back to those fine moments he's had listening to Annie's Medusa album.
32:43- 38:17-Janet Jackson- All For You- In his own words "if Janet Jackson is playing i'm dancing" being one of his favorite artist of all time, i had to add his favorite song from Ms. Jackson to this mix. Its nearly impossible to not groove and not sing the chorus to the early 2000's single. Being one of my favorite Janet songs i can see exactly why he loves it so much
38:18-End- The Golden Girls- Miami Is Nice- From the Tattoo on his arm (which Betty White has seen and loves) to his hilarious Golden Girls Pod Cast 'Out on the Lanai' its a well known fact that H. Alan Scott loves The Golden Girls, It was me wearing a Golden Girls Shirt that actually started our friendship and i could not think of a more appropriate ending to his mix than using The 4 ladies singing Miami Is Nice from one of their episodes It just felt right. H. Alan Scott You got Style.