“I want fans to experience a taste of the self-discovery journey I am on, I hope the song encourages them to dance more. F more. Do that thing they’ve always wanted to do. If there’s something or someone standing in your way, move them.”
Intrigued? Well let us tell you all about the fabulous Joey Arrigo and his brand new single.
While his talents include being a dancer, acrobat, actor, teacher, choreographer and singer, Joey has became best known for competing on CTV’s So You Think You Can Dance Canada, but that’s just one adventure among many. Arrigo has played the principal character in Cirque du Soleil’s Volta, was featured in Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza and made guest appearances on Ukraine’s “Everybody Dance” and Disney favourite “Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure”. Oh and he’s also dipped his feet into the acting world as an androgynous evil queen (A Grimm Night, based on the Grimm Brother’s Fairy-tales) and Renfield (The Eve of St. George, based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula) – a man of many talents.
In addition to his artistry, Joey Arrigo is not only a strong advocate for mental health issues but also a National Ambassador for CANFAR (the Canadian Foundation for Aids Research). Having been HIV positive for almost eight years and more recently diagnosed with ADHD in late 2023, he’s no stranger to the struggles that life can throw at him, but encourages that these have also provided opportunities for growth. Arrigo is always eager to share his thoughts on what it means to live with HIV, to be sexually liberated and powerful with HIV and to ultimately thrive with HIV.
He’s now putting the spotlight on his musical side, embracing his voice and sharing it with the world with a sense of joy and pride. Having already made waves with his debut single “Let it Crash”, he’s ready to show that the party is only just getting started.
His sophomore single “Get Down” is accompanied by a fabulous music video, directed by Francis Luta and filmed at Pie in the Sky Studio 4 in Toronto. Every single moment of the stunning choreography was created by Joey Arrigo himself and as a whole, is designed to reflect Arrigo’s unbridled liberation.
Now without further ado, here is the super sexy video for GET DOWN:
Interview time!
How has life been since the release of your 2023 banger “Let it Crash”?
Life has taken many turns and provided so much knowledge to me as an artist and human. I made the decision to no longer be a drag queen named Vita Love, and to move forward with my male identifying artist. I am living in so much more clarity of who I am and moving forward with the art that speaks to my authentic self. “Let It Crash” was an accurate reflection of who and where I was last year and it sent me on this amazing journey to where I am now.
For a long time you’ve been best known for your incredible choreography to some iconic tracks, where did the inspiration come from to delve into making music of your own?
Music has always been a huge part of my life. Although my parents are musicians, Dancing and choreography was always my favourite way to connect to music. I always loved singing in my own time and I have had some wonderful opportunities to explore so many other sides of my artistic depth, including my connection to my voice. I have learned so much about my voice and how I can express who I am through my voice. Once I wrote and recorded GET DOWN, I knew that this was the song I wanted to make an epic, cinematic music video to tell a story and show the world who I am.
How did the creative process compare for your new single “GET DOWN”?
GET DOWN was a much simpler process because I realized I needed to write and sing about something that meant something to me, and something that my listeners could relate to. GET DOWN is about dance and sex; the connection that the 2 have on our minds, bodies and spirits; especially during summer, especially during pride! Dance and sex have given me so much in terms of learning who I am, what drives me and how I feel like myself. I wanted to create music for the gays.
The incredible music video has just premiered to the world, what was the most enjoyable element of creating the visual representation of such an anthem?
As dance and sex have paved the way for so much of my journey, this video explores parts of my spirit that got lost and needed finding and healing. GET DOWN reflects on my growth through sexual experiences and dance, through self-discovery, liberation, and empowerment. We metaphor our world and existence in a dystopian storm world and we use the Japanese concept of “Kintsugi” to convey the journey towards healing and self-acceptance, ultimately realizing their inner strength and ability to overcome challenges. I was able to show so many sides of my artist by playing these different characters; my broken inner child, my longing way finder, and my enlightened higher self.
If you could collaborate with any artist in the future, who would be your number one choice?
There are so many artists I would love to collaborate with from P!nk, Kim Petras, to Loreen (Eurovision winner 2012 & 2023), Olly Alexander and so many more. Each other these artists would bring out a different side of me that we have common ground on. If I had to pick one, I would love to collaborate with Loreen and bring her visual mastery on stage to life with my brand of movement and connection to music.
Could you give us a little teaser toward your plans for the rest of 2024?
DANCING WITH THE GAYS! Following the release of the single, remixes and music video on May 31st, come party with me at Toronto Pride events starting in June. Join the DJs that have remixed GET DOWN as I perform with them around the world. Check my website and social media for schedule!
Get social
There’s a whole bunch of ways you can support Joey, we’ve made a handy little list for you below so all it takes is a quick click;
Website I Instagram I Apple I Spotify I Youtube
Go show some love and enjoy!
