Unlike so many nascent superstars, Rufus Wainwright has lived up to his buzz. On the occasion of our interview, he's dressed like he just stepped off the catwalk, bedecked in washed-out brown leather pants and a charcoal Perry Ellis sweater. His music - timeless-sounding piano and acoustic guitar-driven orch-pop -- perfectly suits his nasal, brooding lyrics and lovelorn themes. In conversation, Wainwright is quick to credit centuries-gone rock star equivalents, putting his hands together as if praying, glancing upward and taking on a pseudo-Italian accent to declare, "My Papa Verdi, looking over me in the heavens."

And while those influences helped shape his distinct sound, credit also goes to his own pining heart. Wainwright's life seems the perfect well to lap up inspiration, a point well proven on his self-titled debut. From the illustrious "Danny Boy," about his painful fall for a straight man, to the upbeat single "April Fools," there's no coyness with Wainwright. Along with praising his talent and looks, he unabashedly professes his desire to have a hit single, be a star and, ultimately, receive the attendant adulation. And Wainwright has all the necessary ingredients, from the musical know-how straight down to the drama-queen antics. Welcome to the soap opera that is Rufus.

How did it feel to be named Rolling Stone's best new artist of '98?

God, it was very bizarre. I totally wasn't expecting it. I thought I'd be Best Artist in the New Yorker or something, but to go right for Rolling Stone, I felt totally popular all of a sudden.

Are you currently writing or recording?

I'm not recording, but I'm writing a lot of songs. Basically the same old stuff, but also new songs about how I'm just afraid of certain crazy fans. Songs about restraining orders. I think it's just something that happens to you when you tour a lot and you get a certain amount of paranoia. There's paranoia that comes with the territory.

So when can we expect the follow-up album?

Some time in the fall. I intend to go right at it at the beginning of the fall. So that album will be out in the winter. Whatever, I want to whip it out as fast as possible because I'm about ready to explode. Hopefully before all the computers break down, that's my main concern.

You're on your first full headlining tour right now. What can people expect from your live shows, the ones who haven't seen it yet?

Well, they can expect some mighty sassy outfits for sure and burping here and there. I have this burping problem when I sing because I drink beer too fast. And, you know, a really beautiful array of songs and profile shots and smiling -- love, love, love.

Growing up in a musical family, did you always know that you'd pursue music professionally?

I also went to art school for a while and did painting. That would have been the other choice. But music, I'm kind of a ham and I love to get up in front of people, so it was better than painting that way, so I went with it. So I could show off.

Your parents, Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, are pretty revered musicians. Did you feel a lot of pressure to match what they had done?

Well, I mean, I felt a desire to make it as kind of interesting and as thoughtful and good, basically, but not so much pressure. I knew what worked. I knew I had an angle.

Give us a happy Rufus childhood memory.

Dancing around in an apron and pretending to be Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, with a little stuffed doll that I called Toto. And being totally oblivious that my father's in the corner having a nervous breakdown watching me do this.

And the Gods game you played with your cousins?

Yeah, oh, that's great. Playing Greek Gods in the park and me being Zeus and everyone else being Hades. Of course, I had all the super powers or whatever. And then you have me delegating all the power. I love terrorizing my siblings and cousins. It's great being the oldest.

Who was your first true love?

Actually, my first true love was a girl, Zoe Kennedy, when I was about eleven or twelve. I met her in England and we never kissed, we never did anything. She really loved me too and then, whatever, for about a year I pined and pined. I was miserable without Zoe. I went and met her in England and we just had this really romantic time walking through Hyde Park and going to the British museums. It was like, you know, Lady Di and Charles before the fall.

So would you say that you fall in love easily?

Well, not anymore. I did at one point. Now, I'm like scrounging to fall in love. I don't fall in love as easily. I mean, I'm looking for love a lot more, but I don't fall in love as easily.

How do you feel about being the gay community's latest poster boy -- or only poster boy, I should say?

Well, whoever wants to buy my record and put me on their wall as a poster boy, I love. I'm thrilled. I mean, now maybe I will find love.
Do you feel a lot of pressure though? Is it a lot of responsibility to do or say the right thing?

Well, it's a responsibility, to be honest. I mean, I must admit it's great being a poster boy. I'm very critical of the gay community, and there's sort of a split going on now and I think it's important for me to voice my true opinion, even if they don't enjoy it. Because, whatever, otherwise I'd just be promoting margaritas or something.

You're also a big hit with the teenage girls. What do you think they see in you that they can't find with the latest boy bands?

Well, I smile. And also I know how to, you know, I notice what they're wearing too, which a lot of guys don't notice on girls. I go, 'Oh, nice shoes.'

What's an ideal day off for you?

Oh, God, an ideal day off for me is definitely in bed watching Oprah with some guy next to me who is, you know, whatever, massaging my feet or something. I'm a total princess.

Okay, anything that you want to say to any of your fans?

Yeah, well, keep up the good work of being a Rufus Wainwright fan and believing in hapless affairs of devastated emotions.

LIZA GHORBANI
(March 31, 1999)