Rufus Wainwright on “Unfollow the Rules,” the Pandemic, and How Opera Music Saved His Life

Rufus Wainwright needs no introduction. He is the golden-voiced singer we’ve all had on our iPods, playlists, and mix CDs. But despite his wide-ranging and glinting reputation, there is also much many don’t know about the acclaimed singer/songwriter. For example, Wainwright is an accomplished opera composer. And he wrote a record based on Shakespeare sonnets. Wainwright, along with his husband, is also a father, sharing custody of a lovely daughter with Lorca Cohen, who is herself the daughter of famed musician, Leonard Cohen. But beyond the famous limbs of the family tree, Wainwright is a kind conversationalist, generous and thoughtful in his responses.

Wainwright’s forthcoming LP, Unfollow the Rules, is a lush display of musical mastery. There’s the divine, resonant “Damsel In Distress,” the forlorn “Early Morning Madness,” and the dreamy “Trouble In Paradise.” Woven together, these songs showcase Wainwright’s life in composition as the artist is blessed with a voice box that must be shaped like the Liberty Bell. Unfollow the Rules was due out April 24 via BMG, but has been pushed back to July 10 due to the pandemic. We talked with Wainwright and asked him about his elegant new album, how his musical family helped to shape his artistry, and what he looks to for inspiration for his timeless songs.