What good is a Vegas-themed NYE party without karaoke?
That’s exactly what we asked ourselves before pouncing on Wil Mclean of Shameless Karaoke, to host the karaoke portion of our NYE Lucky ’13 night in the Melody Bar.
Find out what Wil has to say about karaoke, Shamless-ness and Meat Loaf and The Spice Girls below:
Gladstone Hotel (GH): How did you stumble into the world of Karaoke hosting?
Shameless Karaoke (SK): I stumbled into karaoke the way most people do, I stumbled into a bar where there was karaoke in the back room. I was pressured into singing by a girl who I was trying to impress. I bombed out on my first song, total deer in headlights choke show. But the host was awesome and encouraged me to try again. I did that night and did moderately better. Not one to settle for moderate I went back weekly for months until I got over my stage fright. The host and I eventually became friends and when he became to busy to host his own night, I would take over occasionally. And the bug had bit so deep at that point that I had no choice but to start my own.
GH: What’s so Shameless about your style of karaoke?
SK: Shameless Karaoke is all about putting yourself out there. I’ve worked hard to develop a night that encourages a sense of community, not just a room full of people golf clapping until it’s their turn. I try to incorporate humor and fun into my hosting so people feel at ease and are more likely to take risks. I’ve got a great following and they push each other to try new things and make new singers feel like champions by dancing or singing along.
GH: How will this Lucky ’13 NYE karaoke differ than your typical Shameless set?
SK: Well apparently this New Years set I’ll be channeling my inner Elvis (which will be a first for me) so in traditional Shameless style, I’ll be diving into that head first. If you’re going to go Vegas, go big or go home right?
GH: Right. For the record, we think you’re going to be big!
GH: So, you’re alone in a private karaoke room on Bloor… which 3 songs do you sing to yourself?
SK: My go-to karaoke songs in an open room style are usually pump up songs that get the crowd moving or singing along.
I think if I was alone in a room I would try some real mood killers or songs that would be a challenge that I wouldn’t otherwise get the opportunity to sing. “Against all odds” by Phil Collins, “I only have eyes for you” by the Flamingos or “If you leave me now” by Chicago. Actually now that I look at that list, I may have to sing them at my next show anyways.
GH: What’s the one song you wish you could pretend not to have?
SK: Oh I think the one song ANY karaoke Host would LOVE not to have (but is constantly requested) is “Paradise by the Dashboard light” by Meat Loaf. It’s way too long, few people get the timing and you really have to sell it to make it interesting. That followed by “Summer Nights” from Grease and “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. The latter usually being a group of people who only know the last quarter of the song because of Waynes World. But it’s in there, and once in a while someone really nails it and all is forgiven.
GH: One Direction or Spice Girls?
SK: Definitely the Spice Girls. Specifically “Stop” or “2 Become 1″ because I can’t lie, I love the Spice Girls.
Catch Wil/Elvis in the Melody Bar this NYE from 10pm-3am. And trust us, karaoke gets more shameless with champagne.
Reserve your Lucky ’13 tickets online before it’s sold out!
