New York-based singer/songwriter/producer Keo Nozari's album 'Late Night VIP' has been hailed by Billboard Magazine as "an electro-funk-fueled pop sound that is equal parts Stuart Price and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis." His videos for 'Close Enough' and 'Question of Monogamy' reached numbers 5 and 6 on LOGO's video of the year charts. Fans voted 'Monogamy' LOGO's 'Ultimate Sexiest Video.'

Now, 'Rewind,' the latest release off Nozari's debut album, is rapidly climbing the Billboard club/dance charts. In the October 4 edition of the magazine, the song jumps to #18 with a bullet. You can preview his tracks at Keo's MySpace Page.

Keo was kind enough to talk with Muzo about his work with the Wideboys and Jody den Broeder, steamy shower scenes, what he likes in a guy, Internet porn, how his new album is responsible for causing 3-somes and much more:

Muzo: First off, congratulations on the recent success of 'Rewind.' When the song hits number one, and I have faith that it will, how do you plan on celebrating?

Keo: Hopefully with someone hot in my bathtub and a bottle of wine. LOL... Oh, and thanking all the Billboard reporters who made it happen! I'd invite them into the bathtub too, but you know...that could get crowded and expensive, and I may get in trouble for bribery.

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Muzo: Jody den Broeder and The Wideboys (two of my favorite mixers) have done remixes on 'Rewind' - how did you align with them?

Keo: Jody is a good friend who I've known for many years, in fact he mixed three of the original tracks on my album "Late Nite VIP." We've talked about writing some new material together which I hope happens soon--he's a great guy, super-talented and I respect him a lot. It's been an amazing year for him--between Madonna, Janet, Cyndi Lauper and Rihanna--so I'm just happy and grateful he made time for me!

The Wideboys I approached shortly after hearing their remix for Rihanna's "Please Don't Stop the Music," which I thought was stellar. I feel so lucky to have them onboard--it was great timing--especially since they've been nonstop ever since with Pussycat Dolls, etc. I'm especially a big fan of UK music and remixers, so it was great to have their international talent and perspective.

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Muzo: Regarding your new album 'Late Night VIP,' you've said:
"I set out to tell the story of all that late night can be--from a glittery, lusty, superficial night on the town, to the intimacy and uncertainty that darkness can bring. We often ask ourselves all kinds of questions in the dark and say things we would never dare say in the daylight!"
First off, Amen! Secondly, as a Late Nite VIP myself , I have to ask -- what have you said in the dark that you would never dare say in the daylight. Own it!

Keo: It changes daily. Recent questions have included: "How the f*&K did Sarah Palin get picked to run for VP?", "Can Barack be President already?", "What would Blair on Gossip Girl do in this situation?", and "How can I get [name of hot boy withheld] to come over and get naked with me?"

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Muzo: What do you do when you're not making music?

Keo: When I'm not making music, I'm either playing music--DJ-ing all over NYC--or writing about music as I also have a weekly music column in 'Next Magazine.'

Muzo: Will you go on a date with Muzo?

Keo: That's an awfully unfair question considering we live on different coasts! But it's always attractive when someone has the confidence to step up to the plate and ask. You were asking me out, right Muzo?

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Keo: Hmmmm...In addition to some really fun weekly parties I do, my favorites so far probably are a private birthday party I did where Deborah Cox also sang (she's amazing!), the Fords Model holiday party (the crowd, the crowd!) and my summer residency in New York's Fire Island Pines (such great energy!).

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Keo: Sweet. It's always good. Sticky can go either way...

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Muzo: What are your thoughts on gay marriage? Will you ever marry?

Keo: My thought is that people should be able to do whatever makes them happy--equally and lawfully. However, even though some people have called me "marriage material," for me personally marriage is not a priority--hey, I wrote a song called "Question of Monogamy" and did a video with naked guys in a shower! Do I sound ready to settle down to you? Just that expression "settle" to me has negative connotations... But I've learned to never say never!

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Muzo: What do you look for in another guy?

Keo: Usually like masculine, down-to-earth, intelligent guys in creative fields. Dorks! Sweet and sincere. Independent (and likes that I am, too). No drama. Humor is mandatory! Nice bod never hurts... : )

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Muzo: Who are your biggest influences--personal and professional?

Keo: More than people or things, I would say my biggest influences are music itself and spirituality. These two elements inform my life in a concentrated and deep way, and offer a true and renewable sense of joy. My spirituality isn't connected to any religion, but a connection to a well-being and creative force that guides me. Music is a part of that force. You could say music is my religion, I suppose!

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Muzo: Aside from MUZOPHILE RADIO - 24/7 Club Hits on Live365, of course , what music do you like listening to?

Keo: I enjoy a wide variety of music--vocal, Electronic music is always near the top like Dragonette and Sam Sparro; Pop/R&B like Estelle, Solange and Little Jackie; Pop/Rock like Katy Perry; and more quirky stuff like Lykke Li; but I also love Bossa Nova like Bebel Gilberto and Classical like Chopin.

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Muzo: Dream collaborators?

Keo: Any of the above... Chopin, however, may not be an option... Remixers I'd love to work with are Freemasons, Bimbo Jones and Moto Blanco. Of course, the classic pop people too like Kylie, Madonna and The SugaBabes.

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Muzo: Least favorite personal vices?

Keo: Procrastination, Internet porn and ice cream.

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Muzo: Complete the sentence: 'When having sex, I like...'

Keo: When he looks in my eyes and is really present.

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Muzo: Why should someone open up their iTunes right now and buy Keo Nozari's 'Late Nite VIP?'

Keo: Because my friend Matt--who has a lot of sex--says it's the best album to have sex to?! (He often jokes that's it's responsible for all his 3-somes...and that's really saying something! LOL). But more importantly, because the album has something a lot of people can connect to: it offers a wide spectrum musically and emotionally—dance to bossa nova, silly superficial to deeply personal. I believe the album truly has at least one song for everyone.

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Muzo: What's next for Keo?

Keo: I'm currently working on my new album (due in mid-2009)--and will hopefully have a new single out by the end of the year! And let's hope a Number 1 with "Rewind" (and the accompanying boy in bathtub with bottle of wine!).

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