One of Loverboy’s favourites, Rica Shay, is killing it right now. His last video ‘Turn This’ was directed by the talented team, Ash + Bone. We thought we’d talk to, Tito Soto, one half of the duo, who got bored at uni, halfway through his architecture course and started the University’s first fashion zine, The Thread. This lead to creating Ash + Bone with his partner Nathan Noyes.
As well as coming up with some stunning visuals on film, Tito is partial to bringing them to the stage too, either performing in some Freddie Mercury-inspired guise or a green sequinned wrestling sling. Anyway enough from us. Ladies and gentlemen heeeeeeeeere’s Tito.
What themes do you find yourself looking for in a potential project?
Right now, my work is kind of split three ways. Nine to Six I’m a theme park designer, then some nights I work on Ash + Bone Cinema projects, while other nights I’m hosting or performing. It’s pretty hectic, but extremely productive and FUN. I wouldn’t have it any other way. My range of projects is pretty broad. However, I’d say all projects I take on have to be EPIC, entertaining, but most importantly, FUN. I truly believe the best work is produced when it doesn’t FEEL like work.
Rica Shay’s new video is amazing. Congratulations.
Thank you! ‘Turn This’ was definitely a big adventure. We had this idea of having Rica Shay and his dancers come out of a chamber/elevator in the middle of the desert. For this, we had to build a fake elevator at our first indoor location to test it out, then take it apart and transport the pieces to our location in the desert the next day. We had one crew shooting in one location with another re-building the elevator in another location 30 mins away. Literally, as soon as we arrived at the second location, the cops pulled in to stop us. Thankfully, they believed us when we told them we were students, so they let us shoot for another 30 minutes AND let us take a shot of Rica Shay and the crew dancing in front of the flashing cop cars, which was pretty sick.
Who are you working with next?
I can’t say much about it right now, but we have teamed up with the incredible Boulet Brothers to produce our most ambitious project yet. I promise you, this is going to be next level. You’ll start hearing about it in a couple weeks and it should be out this winter on HeyQweenTV!
We understand you’re just as likely to be found behind the camera as up on the stage. What’s a Tito Soto performance like?
Depending on the venue, I like to direct a big, theatrical production. I love telling stories through lighting, special effects, multimedia projections, props, dancers, etc. I often tell my friends that while a drag queen attempts female illusion (or female parody), these days I try to serve 80s concert illusion, if that makes any sense? Sometimes, it’s serious, sometimes experimental, sometimes it’s just plain old 80s cheese.
I’m heavily inspired by rock stars like George Michael, Billy Idol, Boy George, Elton John, KISS, and of course my biggest and brightest, Freddie Mercury. I don’t think we see enough of these characters played out in nightlife entertainment. Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball was also a massive influence on me, it was basically the reason I became obsessed with show business and video. It also propelled me into coming out! Thank god…
What’s been your favourite look you’ve pulled off?
Hmmm. It’s hard to choose but perhaps the one I wore for my last performance at the 1st DTLA PROUD Festival this past August. It was the largest stage I’ve ever performed on, so I knew I had to really deliver. My beautiful and incredibly talented friend Gogo Amy was able to create a quick change costume that transformed from a Marching Band/Freddie Mercury look, into a super gay pink-sequined robe outfit, that once taken off, revealed a teal-sequined wrestling singlet underneath. Collaborating with her was amazing, she’s a superstar!
And you’re a serious fanboy for Freddie Mercury too, right?
It’s hard to express how much I adore Freddie Mercury. I blame it all on my father. All he played for me growing up was QUEEN, Van Halen, Journey and all the 80s I’m currently obsessed with. But Freddie was simply the best rock’n’roll singer of all time. Period. He could sing anything in any style, he even had an opera album in ’88! His spirit was infectious and his songwriting was out of this world. I’m obsessed with how he dressed and embraced flamboyant show clothing, but always managed to make it look sexy and masculine, and I think that’s what drives my personal style the most.
One of my favorite stories was when he had scheduled a gift to be delivered to Elton John on Christmas Day, a month after he died. They used to address each other in their drag alter ego names, Sharon and Melina. The gift was a painting from Elton’s favorite artist, with a note signed ‘Dear Sharon, thought you’d like this. Love, Melina. Happy Christmas’ The mere thought of this exchange, between my two #1 idols ever, gets me all emotional and teary-eyed. It resonates a lot with the relationships I have with my best friends here.
Lastly we’re named after the infamous Mariah song ‘Loverboy’. What’s your favourite Mariah song?
Damn, that’s a tough one. Well, I’ll be the first to admit that I am totally THAT guy that plays ‘All I Want for Xmas is You’ in July. It’s just the happiest/gayest Xmas song on Earth and I live for it. But if we count that one out, my favorite is definitely ‘Heartbreaker.’ It speaks to my Puerto Rican island soul.
Photos by Nathan Noyes.
See more of Ash + Bone at www.ash-bone.com and follow Tito on Facebook and Instagram.
