by Albert Rodriguez - SGN A&E Writer

There's never a dull moment with Rufus Wainwright. Even on a hectic day, multitasking on several works-in-progress, this Gay icon is still in a playful mood and putting his signature wit on replies to a short list of questions. Because of a very busy schedule, it wasn't the easiest thing getting Wainwright on the phone - even for a quick seven minutes - but a little history goes a long way. In one of my first assignments as a music reporter, I interviewed this genius singer-songwriter just before he came to town and performed to a half-filled room at the former Crocodile Cafe. Since then, he's sold out every concert in each venue he's played at in Seattle, including The Triple Door and the Paramount Theatre. We're talking about a maverick here, an artist with such unique vision and flair that his albums, such as Poses or Want One/Two come across like mini-stage productions or classic films - I visualize lush period costumes and scandalous sex inside a medieval castle when listening to "This Love Affair," or I imagine a married professor committing adultery with a much younger student when I hear "The Art Teacher." This is Wainwright's gift, opening our imagination to a palette of opportunities, regardless of the risk. The Grammy-nominated artist will perform at Benaroya Hall on Sunday, November 8, as part of a six-city tour - visit www.seattlesymphony.org/benaroya for ticket information.

Taking time out from a work-loaded afternoon, Rufus Wainwright was kind enough to speak with me over the phone last week as he prepared for his upcoming Seattle performance. Here's what the pop maestro had to say when he waltzed into "The Music Lounge."

Albert Rodriguez: Although you're only performing in six cities on your upcoming tour, one of those cities is Seattle. Why are we so lucky?

Rufus Wainwright: I'm in the middle of a lot of projects, whether it's remounting the opera [Prima Donna] in London for the spring and also in Oslo in June, and presently I'm in the studio recording my next album, which is a solo piano-vocal record. So I've got these two very, very opposing projects in the works and taking up a lot of time, but at the same time I have to make some money to afford the Japanese dinners, and so I have to work. [Laughs.] Seattle has always been a Rufus hub, and it's one of the first cities where I came into my own and felt accepted, and had a wild and crazy time. They always ask me back, and when they do I can never refuse.

Rodriguez: Tell me about this performance at Benaroya Hall. Is it with a full band or string section?

Wainwright: It's me and the piano, and it's a great opportunity for me to run through some of these new songs that I've learned very well right now in the studio, take after take. So I can show off my practicing skills.

Rodriguez: I have two favorite Rufus Wainwright songs, "Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk" and "The One You Love." Where was the latter written?

Wainwright: That was written in New York. I had an affair with an oil rig worker from Calgary, who I actually met in Montreal and brought down here to try and pin down. He lived with his girlfriend, of course. That was sort of my desperate musical explanation of what was going on.

Rodriguez: Do you have any current celebrity or fellow musician crushes?

Wainwright: Well, you know, I'd hate to say it but I would take at least two of the Jonas Brothers.

Rodriguez: Leave me the other one! And, how about we split the Kings of Leon?

Wainwright: I don't know. I'm more into the sick Disney thing. [Laughs.]

Rodriguez: Do you like what's happening in pop music right now with Lady GaGa and the Jonas Brothers?

Wainwright: I respect Lady GaGa, in terms of really going for it and creating a phenomenon and delivering on a few levels. It's fun to watch. It doesn't really pertain to my personal interest in celebrity or music; I'm more interested in a real character, in a very human and vulnerable being, not so into the robotics. But she's really going for it.

Rodriguez: Your last project was the live recording, Milwaukee at Last. It's the first time, to my knowledge, that an artist has taped anything in Milwaukee. How did that come about?

Wainwright: I'm hoping to start a crazy trend, then you'll have a "Barbra Streisand live from Milwaukee" yearly broadcast.

Rodriguez: What's a Gay boy to do in Milwaukee?

Wainwright: Well, there's a lot to do in a Gay boy. [Laughs.] It's slightly starved for choice; everybody is very, very available. [Laughs.] With that being said, Milwaukee is a surprising oasis of the Midwest. Aesthetically it's very beautiful; it's on the lake and has very interesting architecture. Also, there's a kind of hidden quality to it because it is so over-exposed, for better or for worse. It's sort of in between Minneapolis and Detroit, it has a bit of both - it's funky, but it's not a war zone, either.

Rodriguez: Last year, you gave a special little performance for Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon. Are they as adorable in person as when we see them on screen?

Wainwright: They are frighteningly idyllic, and sweet and smart to boot. They're not pushovers, either, and I loved hanging out with them. Jake and I hope to work together on something. They're great.

Rodriguez: I'm curious, do you get hit on backstage by straight men?

Wainwright: I don't know if you'd say "hit," but there's always been an affinity between myself and straight men, and vice versa. I have a wonderful boyfriend right now, Jorn, and we're doing great. But I can always push the envelope again. [Laughs.] & Who knows, who knows, who knows! I don't intend on it, but I still have the superpowers.

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