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Backstage at Glastonbury last summer, while Elton John performed his final UK show, singer Jacob Lusk stood out in his bold fashion choice. The American, who is tall and broad, often wears a smoking jacket or cape during performances. But this time, he opted for a bright Barbie pink suit with an orange stripe down the leg. Lusk recalls that he initially planned to wear a traditional English morning suit for Elton, but his stylist, Jo Hambro, suggested the eye-catching orange and pink combination. Lusk was initially hesitant, joking that he didn’t want to “look like a pumpkin” onstage. However, he ultimately embraced the idea and went with the striking pink suit.
As Lusk prepared to take the stage, he observed Elton from a stage where Paul McCartney, Lizzo, and other celebrities he did not recognize were present. “Oh, there was also a very famous racecar driver? I’m not sure if you’re familiar with him…”
Who is Lewis Hamilton? “I approached Lewis Hamilton and he said, ‘Hello. I’m looking forward to the show.'” And I was taken aback because he had a grill in his mouth and I asked, “Are you a rapper?”
Previously, there were many guesses about who would be performing with Elton: Dua Lipa, McCartney, Dolly Parton, and Britney Spears (who was seen at the Bristol airport) were all rumored to be joining him on stage. However, when the event actually took place, Elton chose Lusk, the lead singer of the Anglo-American band Gabriels, to be his opening guest. Elton has been a fan of the band since they released their first EP, titled Love and Hate in a Different Time, in late 2020. He described it as “one of the most influential records I’ve heard in the past 10 years”. At Glastonbury, Elton asked Lusk to contribute his soulful vocals to the 1979 hit song “Are You Ready For Love”.
“I remember it being a big deal,” says Lusk during a video call from Los Angeles. “I was extremely nervous and people were upset that I wasn’t Britney Spears. They were asking ‘where’s Britney?’ But I am Britney, bitch!”
Lusk chuckles, “And just like that, the moment passed,” he continues, snapping his fingers. “But I distinctly recall telling myself, ‘This is an incredibly unique and unforgettable moment. It will be something we remember forever.'”
Elton noted that Lusk’s singing voice was extraordinary, and this was evident to the large audience at the Pyramid Stage that night. However, this was not a surprise as it was slowly becoming a known fact: Gabriels was nominated for International Group of the Year at the 2023 and 2024 Brit Awards. Lusk possesses the impressive talent to transition between octaves flawlessly, from a deep baritone to a delicate falsetto. When I first heard him sing on the radio in autumn of 2020, on the single Blame, I immediately thought he was an iconic artist from the past that I somehow had missed, like Nat King Cole and Nina Simone had a secret child together. I wrote down the name “Gabriels” to search for later, and even that name sounded like it belonged to a band from the 1950s.
It is a fact that is not particularly exciting. The band, Gabriels, took its name from the street St Gabriel’s Avenue in Sunderland. This is where Ryan Hope, a British producer, keyboard player, and filmmaker and bandmate of Lusk, grew up. The third member of the band is Ari Balouzian, an American-Armenian composer from California with classical training. The unlikely trio came together in 2016 when Hope and Balouzian were in Los Angeles searching for gospel singers for a video series they were creating for Prada. At the time, Lusk was leading his aunt’s church choir and impressed the others with his ability to sing all the different parts they needed. Though forming a band was not their initial intention, Hope and Balouzian recognized the potential of this collaboration.
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Lusk shares, “Ryan asked me to stay at his house for a week. He’s the most outgoing of our group. He’s a muscular guy covered in tattoos and his home is located in Palm Desert, known for its party scene. The Coachella festival takes place there and there’s even an annual sex party.”
Lusk expresses, with wide eyes, that he was asked by a large, older Caucasian man to come to Palm Desert. He hesitated and thought, “Stay at your house for a week? A) I’m feeling anxious. B) I have no interest in being a submissive to anyone. C) What actions does this Caucasian man have in mind for me?” Despite Ari being technically Armenian, he appears Caucasian. Lusk refused to stay at the house with these men for a week, fearing he would be restrained and subjected to foreign objects being inserted into his rectum.
Lusk moves his head from side to side and responds, “No, not me.”
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Fortunately, he had a change of heart and no outside objects were brought in, so the three men began to acquaint themselves. Lusk had a difficult and eventful journey leading up to this moment. He was originated and grew up in Compton, Los Angeles and his father had a strong interest in music. “He had a personal recording studio, which was very uncommon in the 1990s,” Lusk explains. “He had a lot of expensive equipment, and I should have taken advantage of that and started singing, but I didn’t want to: ‘I don’t want to use samples. Just leave me alone!’ I missed out on that opportunity. I could have been as successful as Usher.”
Suddenly, Lusk’s father passed away at the age of 12. Lusk recalls he did not die from a violent cause but from a medical issue that remains a mystery to him. However, this event sparked a macabre curiosity in him. Lusk reflects, “I learned at a young age that death is a part of life. People die. And so, I made an unhealthy decision to eliminate everyone in my life from my imagination. I convinced myself that my mother and grandmother would die together, as they were always together, and I mentally prepared for it.”
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Currently, Lusk is experiencing a time of mourning for his grandmother, who passed away at the age of 80 in December. (For fans of Gabriel, her image was featured on the cover of the Love and Hate in a Different Time EP.) In response to this loss, Lusk has decided to dye his hair blonde. He explains, “I have always wanted to do it, and losing someone who is very dear to you makes you realize that there is no time to waste. There is no time for idle behavior.”
Even though Lusk used to sing in church during his childhood, he never believed he had any exceptional abilities since his gospel choir was filled with remarkable singers and musicians. It was also worth noting that Kendrick Lamar, a famous rapper, also attended the same high school as Lusk. However, in his early twenties, while working as a spa concierge, Lusk decided to audition for American Idol, which was the most popular TV show in the US at that time. He made it to the 2011 season and eventually landed in fifth place. However, he faced severe criticism on social media, which was still a new concept at the time, rather than from the judges (such as Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler).
Lusk stated that the experience wasn’t entirely negative. He also pointed out the contrast between reality shows now and then. He expressed sympathy for the current participants who are treated like livestock, whereas they were the prized ones back then. They were given some freedom to roam around, unlike being force-fed through a tube.
A factor contributing to Lusk’s positive view of his time on Idol is the admiration he receives from people, frequently from the LGBTQ+ community, who tell him that he was an inspiration. Lusk shares, “One of our background singers is transgender, and she said, ‘Jacob, you have no idea. You were one of the first queer individuals we saw on a TV show like that.’ Even though I wasn’t open about my sexuality, I was very expressive. I dressed in a sophisticated manner, wearing suits, rather than being a spectacle. I also had a strong singing ability.”
When they first came together to form the band, Gabriels, Hope and Balouzian were unaware of Lusk’s past as an American Idol contestant. This is not surprising, as Lusk had a period of time where he was out of the public eye. During this time, Lusk provided backing vocals for Diana Ross and Beck, but eventually grew disillusioned with the music industry. “After Idol, I ended up homeless,” says Lusk. “For a few months, I stayed in a Motel Six. Shout out to my manager, Jimmy Austin, who helped me out by paying my rent and taking care of me. I hit really low lows during that time, including being unemployed and receiving food stamps.”
As Gabriels began to form, Lusk was employed at a company specializing in athletic eyewear called Goodr, a job he thoroughly enjoyed. Reflecting on the experience, Lusk shared, “It’s hard to believe, but the CEO was an actual flamingo named Carl, it was a whole unique situation. Look it up on Google – it was quite chaotic. I started off as a squirrel, then became a parrot, and eventually held the title of The Sheriff. At work, we even had designated times for taking shots. My manager once said to me, ‘I want you to leave this job and make a grand exit that dazzles everyone!’ That was her exact words.”
When the events of Gabriels began to occur, Lusk took action in the same way. According to Lusk, his experience on American Idol was a unique opportunity that not many people get. It is even rarer to get a second chance. As a plus-sized African American male who is attracted to males, the chances were even more limited. Therefore, he is fully committed and dedicated to giving his all, going above and beyond.
You probably have noticed that Lusk is not one to hold back. This directness is also evident in his songwriting for Gabriels. The band, having previously released a few EPs, debuted their first full-length album, Angels & Queens, in two parts. Part one, consisting of seven tracks, was released in 2022, while the remaining six songs were released last year. The lyrics frequently touch on themes of love, heartbreak, faith, and grief. Lusk’s vocals, at times soft and at times powerful, are complemented by the grandiose production of Balouzian and Hope. The use of horns, percussion, and strings adds to the emotional atmosphere of the music, often culminating in rousing conclusions.
Lusk expresses, “In Gabriels, I am fully myself. It allowed me the freedom to embrace my true identity. While I may not use the term homosexual, I am a unique and unconventional romantic individual. It is clear that I do not identify as heterosexual. I was able to represent all aspects of my personality and even incorporate elements of church and R&B in my performances. Being able to be authentic at all times allows my music to be deeply personal.”
During his performances, Lusk assumes a more exaggerated version of himself, shedding his reserved persona. Fed up with being labeled as “Baby Luther” in reference to soul singer Vandross, he made a pact with Gabriels to only go by the name Jacob Lusk. This explains the flashy capes and hats that resemble those worn at Ascot. Lusk admits to spending thousands of dollars on his unique wardrobe and when he takes the stage, he gives it his all. “I’ve become a firecracker, something I wasn’t before. I’m bouncing and galloping across the stage, which is a little absurd.”
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The flamboyant actions of some of that have taken inspiration from Harry Styles, as Gabriels accompanied him on his tour in the US in 2022. Lusk explains, “We are friends now, but we were not back then. So for me, that tour was a learning experience. This man manages to fill arenas and perform 15 times at Madison Square Garden. It was a chance to observe his crowd interaction and the structure of his performances.”
Lusk’s future plans may include a move to the UK this year. While he envisions living in Hampstead, the high cost of housing in London may require him to consider other options. He currently isn’t in a romantic relationship, but believes that starting a new life in a different city could be beneficial for him. “I’m currently single and ready to mingle,” he jokes. “But who knows, that could change. When I first arrived in London in 2021, I realized how liberating it was to not have the pressure of others constantly watching me or the constraints of the church. It made me reevaluate what truly matters to me: having a family, getting married, and having kids. Ultimately, I just want to be happy.”
Regarding Gabriels, there will be fresh songs released in the future. However, prior to that, Lusk is planning to feature as a guest vocalist on a few tracks this year, and he suggests that there may also be some solo material. Lusk explains, “It’s important to realize that Ari and Ryan never wanted to be in a boy band or seek fame.” But does this mean the end of the band? Lusk assures, “Gabriels will continue to exist. I have no intention of leaving the band. Absolutely not.”
Earlier, Lusk was scheduled to perform at Elton John’s Oscars celebration tonight. Lusk recognizes that he is in a fortunate position as he remarks, “It’s almost as if it’s a spiritual experience… Elton isn’t handing the torch to me. It’s more like he has this sacred cloak that he wears and he has entrusted me with a part of the hem to hold onto. And I know it may be controversial to say, but it truly feels that way.”
The first album by Gabriel, titled “Angels & Queens”, has been released.
Source: theguardian.com
