Confessions of Dublin Drag Queens #1

The first installment of my interviews with Dublin Drag Queens is with Candy Warhol.

Tell me about how you got started out in drag?

Photo Credit; Evin Dennehy

"At my christening I was, like any other child, dressed in a white gown. Something about that white lace and a crowd watching me started it all! Years later in art college I began working on a project about my childhood and in my research I documented the many things I was inspired by as a child which still stuck with me. The Wizard of Oz and any fairytale with a villain always stuck with me. I watched 'Too Wong Foo' on repeat from the age of five. I identified with the misfit type, especially Andy Warhol and the Warhol Superstars. I was never allowed play with dolls and in my second year of college I created 50 dolls that made up my personality. I then re-created Warhol's moving portraits with about five alter egos I created. One of which was Candy Warhol, who was a living pop culture doll that could only live for fifteen minutes. I performed at art shows and then, seeing that there was no gay nights in Limerick at the time, created one and gave my character her first club gig. It all took off from there and the next month I was a contestant at Alternative Miss Ireland! The rest they say is Her-story!"

When people come to see you perform what can they expect?

I always describe myself as a full on acid trip. You can have a colourful bubblegum pop art experience. And the next minute it's your (or my) worst nghtmare right infront on stage. I'm most comfortable telling a story on stage through song and costume. Of course I like performing to pop songs that mainstream audiences will like, but I thrive off the left field. There are always that bunch that get excited for that too. I love those weirdos!"

What famous people do you admire?

I really love anyone that goes against the grain. Pete Burns is one of my biggest idols. What a character! His style mixed with Dead Or Alive's music is just fantastic to me. Candy Darling and Holly Woodlawn inspire me the most out of all the Warhol Superstars, next to Eddie Segwick. Icons. Mainstream I really love Nicola Roberts and Kelly Osbourne - I love an underdog and these girls just turned it out in the last few years!"

Favorite movie?

"The Wizard of Oz & Return to Oz will always be my favorites - always inspiring. My upcoming EP is an homage to both films. I also love The Neverending Story, Labryinth, The Witches, The Craft, Hocus Pocus and of course Muriels Wedding. I really admire John Waters & Tim Burton also, they create this bizarre world to fit all their movies. You know it's their work when you see it. Genius!"

Favorite singer?

 "Kate Bush! Her voice and how she creates a story around each song is astounding. My favorite singer to perform to. I also love Cyndi Lauper, cried when I met her. Sophie Ellis Bextor has always been brilliant to me and I was lucky enough to open for her this year in London and later dance for her with The Sink The Pink crew. Stevie Nicks, Gwen Stefani, Lady Gaga, Dolly Parton, ABBA, Robyn and Madonna."

Favorite song to lip-sync?

Again I love Kate Bush. 'Wow' and 'Running up That Hill' are my favorites. The Cranberries - Zombie, MNDR - Feed Me Diamonds, and ABBA - The Winner Takes it All.

Favorite Drag Star?

photo credit: AlphaPress

"Divine stands out for me a lot. I AM DIVINE! Leigh Bowery really took that punk drag act

 and flipped it around didn't he. They were the firsts. RuPaul and Lady Bunny will also be those untouchable faces of drag as well to me. Currently I love Alaska Thunderuck, Kelly Mantle, Poercealin, DuoRaw and Miss Fame among others. Over this side of the pond Davina Devine became an inspiration after we began working together and became friends."

What advice would you give to people wanting to start drag?
 

"I get asked that a lot and who am I to say do or don't. I think everyone should try it for Halloween. That doesn't mean you have to create a profile page and try jump on every show. Do that if you actually want a career. Not if you've watched a marathon of drag race and think you know the ins and outs. Leave the attitude at the door and support each other. I did a few gigs in London in September and the queens I met there were so tight knit and thrived on encouraging each other. We need that. It's hard work and you are always learning. I think that's the fun part for me. Evolving. Always be original and stick to your guns."

What's your confession?

"I used to always care too much what people thought of me. I crashed into the scene with no knowledge of what I was doing but I've learned to do what makes me happy. Be thankful and always remember you're a fish in a big pond - there is so much more out there to see! I can't wait to see more!"

So what's next for you?

My new pop up club night TRASH is throwing 'The Divine TRASH Family Christmas' December 14th in Pacinos Bar. We have a great lineup and a John Waters movie theme! I want to see queens and kids bringing it and having fun with us! I just finished my second single and the EP is almost done. I'm back to London for some gigs in March so can't wait to see my Sink The Pink Family again, had some of them over for the launch night of Trash and it was brilliant! Have some exciting projects lined up for the new year with some friends so I'm exicted! Plus my website is always updated with drag goodness!

Thanks so much for having me! See you at TRASH! XXX 

 

Confessions of Drag Queens

Photo Credit: PantiBliss

 With Rory O'Neil (Panti) winning 2014 Person of the year, and with the up and coming same sex marriage referendum, I have decided that for the next six weeks I'll be interviewing different Drag Queens in Dublin. These interviews will focus on hearing how they started out doing drag, what their inspirations are and how they see themselves as their drag persona.

Confessions of Unemployed Students #6

The last installment of my interviews with unemployed students is with Colm Roche, he is currently studying Digital Media in Tallaght IT.

Whats the hardest thing about being an unemployed student?

"I suppose it's always worrying about where money is gonnna come from. I just got the first instalment of my student grant, but in the back of my mind I always know that it's temporary and it'll run out sooner or later! Without a steady income it's always a worry."

How do you manage?

Photo Credit: Meadhbh Gomez

"Thankfully, I have some money saved up from working the last couple of summers so that helps a bit, but it can't last forever."

What are you listening to at the moment?

"I've gone a little bit old school lately, Metallica are my band of choice at the minute! I'm hoping to get over to Sziget festival in Budapest next August and I'm hoping they'll announce a headline slot. That's optimistic thinking though. Other current listeners are London Grammar, Cancer Bats, Alice in Chains, The Smiths and a fantasic man named Mark Lanegan. Queen of The Stone Age fans might be familiar with him for his work with them but his solo material is outstanding. Beautiful."

So you would recommend them?

"I'd definitely recommend him and anyone who doesn't like Metallica can f*ck off."

 If you could give any piece of advice to a large group of people, what would it be?

"Probably just try not to worry about small things and just enjoy yourself. It's something I definitely need to learn how to do myself though. You know, your own advice is the hardest to follow. I think Batman said that. But yeah, especially college sh*t, there are in fact enough hours in the day to get things done, even if you have to stay up all night. They'll get done so don't worry about it and take things at your own pace."

What's your confession?

"I'm without question the laziest human on earth. I suppose it ties in with my advice from the last question a bit. I currently have a 2,500 word essay on something I have no clue about which is due in roughly 18 hours. This is an essay I was told about six weeks ago and the deadline was actually extended two weeks. I'll have to stay up until about 8am to finish it but it's amazing how easily I can justify to myself reasons for not starting. Like brushing my teeth for 20 minutes or doing a survey for a friend's blog! But hey, no point worrying. It'll get done. It'll be pretty sh*t more than likely and nowhere near the word count, but done nonetheless."

Confessions of Unemployed Students #5

The fifth installment of my interviews with unemployed students is with Siomha Ni Dheasmhunaigh, she is currently studying physiotherapy in The Royal College of Surgeons.

What's the hardest thing about being an unemployed student?

"Not being able to buy all of the clothes I see, that I instantly fall in love with. That, or constantly having to ask my parents for money!"

How do you manage?

"I make a lot of my own clothes and I always
 manage to sweet talk my parents into giving me money."

What are you listening to at the moment?

"A lot of SBTRKT"

So you would recommend them?

"Most definitely, get involved."

If you could give any piece of advice to a large group of people, what would it be?

"Be original, NEVER follow the crowd and don't give a f*ck what anyone else thinks. Life is too short."

What's your confession?

"I'm a genuine people-hater. It stems from my condition of bull-sh*t intolerance. I either instantly fall in love with someone or it takes me a good while for them to grow on me. Its good though, it keeps me grounded and I'm only surrounded by people who are awesome."

Confessions of Unemployed Students #4

The fourth installment of my interviews with unemployed students is with Jack Doyle, he is currently studying Computer Science, Linguistics & French in Trinity College.

What's the hardest thing about being an unemployed student?

"Keeping my account balance over 0"

Photo Credit: Amiee O'Mahony

How do you manage?

"Odd jobs and freelance stuff"

What are you listening to at the moment?

"Mac DeMarco"

So you would recommend them?

"Yep"

If you could give any piece of advice to a large group of people, what would it be?

 "Keep fit, save money, realise that you can probably learn something from everyone. Don't b*itch about people, don't put things off, always have a go at anything you're interested in. Always wear a condom and have lots of fun. Sorted.

What's your confession?

"I don't know what I want and I don't aspire to anything - it scares me because I'm living on autopilot. I'll probably look back in a few years and wish I had done more instead of wasting time."

This one time, #MacDeMarco was arrested at a concert...HIS concert: http://t.co/j9SAQMBfrr
— Diffuser (@DiffuserFM) November 17, 2014

Confessions of Unemployed Students #3

The third installment of my interviews with unemployed students is with Leanne Bickerdike, she is currently studying Drama in DIT Rathmines.

What's the hardest thing about being an unemployed student?

Photo credit: Shauna Brennan

"The hardest thing I would say is just finding the funds to go out and do normal things.. Cinema and clubbing. It's a hassle to be depending on grants and family, but sure what can you do... No jobs anywhere " 

How do you manage?

"I mainly rely on my grand parents who I live with... They give me the money I need but I'm in need of a job soon, can't be depending on them forever

What are you listening to at the moment?

"Surprisingly enough I've been listening to a lot of London Grammar, not really my style but I've taken a liking to them.
Also a rapper called Watsky, what a f*cking gem."

So you would recommend them?

"If I was to recommend anyone it would definitely be pearl jam, they're my go to band for everything.
Such genius." 

If you could give any piece of advice to a large group of people, what would it be?

"If I was to give any advice.. It would be to do what you love and love what you do.. Go mad sure who cares,
  Don't take sh*t from people and drink as many naggins as humanly possible" 

  What's your confession?

 "I am the lizard queen."

Livejournal.com: Via Jeantapergirl