If you’ve hung around on Tumblr for any length of time, there’s a good chance that Matthew Camp will have come across your dashboard, even if you weren’t aware of who he was. Matthew is a go-go dancer, whose incredible body and good looks have ensured plenty of photographers have been pleased to get him to model for them.
However he’s a bit of a polymath, as he also makes his own fashions and even has a perfume he created. Now only that but he’s now turned to acting, starring alongside Tanner Cohen in the excellent Getting Go: The Go Doc Project, which reaches DVD in the UK on June 23rd.
We had the chance to chat with Matthew about his eclectic life and his attitude to sexuality, as well as making a movie where he essentially plays a caricature of himself.
How did you get involved in Getting Go?
I was approached by Cory [Krueckeberg, Director], the same email that they sent me in the film.
The director has suggested the film is almost a documentary that he and Tanner made about you. How much is Go based on you?
Go and I are very similar… or were at the time. Go seems to be a little of less unaware of himself than I am. I think anyway. Also I when I was portraying Go, I knew that I was playing a caricature of myself. The real me will talk your ear off about quantum theory, consciousness and big toes.
How much did you have to follow a strict script and how much was essentially improvised?
There was a lot of liberties taken with the script, however the main story was there. Cory and Tom [Gustafson, Producer] really let us make the characters feel real to us.
One of the film’s main themes is that the fact Go has a job that’s stereotyped as being shallow, but he’s actually an artist with a surprising amount of depth, while Doc is almost the other way around – sure of his deepness but more attracted to the surface things than he’s like to admit. Is that something you’ve had to face. Do people underestimate you because you are/were a go-go boy?
I have definitely faced discrimination because of how I look, and present myself. I think that’s not always a bad thing as long as your aware of how you’re perceived. Then you can take advantage of it and use it as an asset.
Matthew Camp & Tanner Cohen in Getting Go
There is something fascinating about people who seem overtly sexual, but there’s a lot more going on underneath that (for example with Getting Go I was reminded of Colby Keller – best known for muscly, hardcore porn, but actually a hipster arty dude). Do you think that’s mix of sex and art is something that’s helped you succeed?
I think everyone is affected by sex and sexuality. It’s one of the most powerful influences for humanity and I think one of the biggest controls that faces humanity as well. My own sexuality constantly surprises me, and i think that most people probably have the same capacity. I know that when people feel sexualy liberated it affects their entire life and community. I think that my ability to appreciate other peoples sexuality has really helped me succeed rather than exploiting my own.
Do you think Getting Go has important things to say about the modern gay world? After all, 21st Century gayness does so often seem polarized between being sex driven on one side and more political/social on the other, but perhaps needs to find a better synthesis between the two?
It is my belief that as our society is progressing down a more mentally synchronized path of existence, through technological advancement, the social barriers that separate us will begin to dissolve. I think this will have all kinds of novel consequences, such as blurring the sexual identities of individuals to an indeterminable state. For example, if you could experience the same exact neuro stimulation of anyone you choose. You could experience having sex with a vagina even if you don’t have one or ever wish to in the real world. These kind of interactions could potentially change the face of human sexuality forever. Therefore I think focusing on exclusive needs of minorities is inconsequential. We need to reinforce human rights and dissolve the things that separate us.
Is acting something you’re interested in doing more of?
I really enjoyed actin,g it seemed very natural to me at the time and I love the entire process. I definitely would jump at most opportunities.
How did you initially get in to dancing?
I needed money and had always been fascinated by the experience.
What about fashion, how did you get into that? You create some incredible stuff.
I have been making clothing for such a long time. It’s hard to say, it probably came from not being able to find the things that I wanted to wear. It really has blossomed recently because of the support of my friends. I have a very active imagination and I like to live in it as much as possible.
In fact you seem to have you finger in quite a lot of pies – acting, fashion, perfumes, modelling, tattooing – what is it that drives you to try different things? Do you worry about failure?
I don’t worry about failing. In fact I welcome it. Any opportunity to learn and be better is welcomed. I try not to follow money, I try to stay inspired from my heart. That usually makes things come out more successful. Also my creative process is very long. Sometimes when I design something it won’t come to fruition until years later. I mull over an idea and try and anticipate every step before beginning a physical process.
Do you have any tips for anyone who wants an incredible body like yours?
The best thing for your body is to start loving it. Stress and negative body image is what I found to be the worst for my physical health. Also let food be your medicine. Research your food, know what you’re eating, where it comes from.
And as someone who seems pretty body confident, do you have any tips for those people who aren’t?
Don’t give a shit about what other people think. Do what you want to your body, it’s yours.
Thank you, Matthew.
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