Elton John, kd lang, Rufus Wainwright, Melissa Etheridge, Adam Lambert - these artists share an obvious similarity. Successfully, each has winded the industry storm that is mainstream music and has been creatively and commercially embraced by fans and their peers. The same is beginning to happen to John Grant, an up and coming singer-songwriter who presents a raw, haunting style on his album, Queen of Denmark - already, he's been featured on Spin magazine's "10 Best Albums You Might Have Missed This Year". The opportunity to not miss Grant live in concert comes December 18, when he performs at the High Dive (www.highdiveseattle.com) in the Fremont district. Via email, I caught up with Grant this week and here's what he had to share with me.

Albert Rodriguez: How would you describe your music to anyone who's never listened to it?

John Grant: I'd say it's like seventies AOR times David Lynch, plus eighties synth solos.

Rodriguez: What truly inspired you to write "Jesus Hates Faggots"?

Grant: I got sick of accommodating stupid, ignorant assholes and rejecting myself because of people I didn't even like or trust because they decided I was an "inferior" being not deserving of the same rights as other "humans".

Rodriguez: What comes to mind when you hear "Seattle"?

Grant: Hot men with beards, beauty, coffee, rain, pine trees and talented, amazing friends.

Rodriguez: Will you have time to explore our city?

Grant: I will not and it pisses me off.

Rodriguez: Which song do you recommend people listen to first on your CD, Queen of Denmark?

Grant: "It's Easier" or "TC and Honeybear".

Rodriguez: When you're writing music, does the music or lyrics usually come first?

Grant: Usually, I get the lyrics first.

Rodriguez: What are your live performances like?

Grant: I talk to the beautiful people who came to see me 'cause I want to connect with them as much as I can, and I sing my heart out.

Rodriguez: Where will you spend the upcoming holidays?

Grant: I'll be in Berlin.

Rodriguez: Are there any artists you follow closely?

Grant: Yes, the Knife/Fever Ray, Neko Case, Miniature Tigers, Jimmy Edgar, School of Seven Bells, David Bazan, Brigitte Fontaine, Black Devil Disco Club and Gonjasufi, and I will buy whatever Portishead does because they just keep getting better

Rodriguez: Will you come back to Seattle in 2011?

Grant: !$&@! yes, if I have anything to say about it!