Ask A Straight Guy: Ra Ra Riot's Wesley Miles

Ra Ra Riot plays tonight, 3/19, at the Black Cat. Doors open at 8.

There are a lot of ways to find out about good new music. Magazines, blogs, even those (quasi_ music stations like MTV all have their place, but nothing will take the place of a recommendation from a trusted acquaintance. So when my friend Julie told me she was friends with Syracuse band Ra Ra Riot and that they would be worth checking out, I listened. And I nodded my head and tapped my feet the entire time. When he's not singing catchy songs, Ra Ra's lead singer Wesley Miles (pictured) takes the time to answer journalists' queries, like the ones below.

The New Gay: When did you first realize you were straight?

Wesley Miles: In second grade I had a crush on a girl named Lauren. I can't remember her last name, but she was a taller girl with black hair and lived only around the corner and we played this game like manhunt, in the playground at school. One game she planted one of her big tan hands on me and I knew.

TNG: What is your least favorite stereotype about straight people?

WM: That we aren't funny and have poor taste in art, even if its kind of true.

TNG: What are the biggest challenges faced by a straight guy in today's culture?

WM: There are so many big challenges for straight men, where to start... Maybe making close platonic friendships with straight women. It can be very difficult at times and it's so taboo!

TNG: What kind of bars do you like to go out too?

WM: I don't usually go to bars, so its difficult to say what kind I like... any kind with a good DJ, and no jukebox with a bunch of crappy classic rock.

TNG: Do you find that a given stereotype about straight social culture doesn't apply to you? If so, how do you go about changing its reputation?

WM: I used to think that I had good fashion sense, and I still think that I did. But then I lost all my favorite good clothes and I don't really have any money to buy nice new clothes. In short I stopped caring, and then I stopped looking cool, and now its too late to get
back there because it would feel so contrived.

TNG: What obligations, if any, do you think you have to the gay community?

WM: Everyone has an obligation to support their rights as people.

TNG: Just out of curiosity, where'd your bands name come from? it always makes me think of that "Ra Ra Rasputin" song, but I doubt that's the inspiration.

WM: I wish, that's a pretty funky song. The video is pretty hilarious too. The name came from a friend of [bandmate] Milo's.

TNG: Why should people come out to see you play at the Black Cat?

WM: I promise we will all have fun.