Poppers and Vogue...

Only just realised I haven’t done a me me me blog blub since New York. Well……

Past few months have can be best summarised by song; “Life is a roller coaster, just gotta ride it”. Thank you Ronan (shudder urgggh ick…I feel so dirty….)

Lets see now,
I’ve DJed on the main floors at Heaven and 93 Feet East, performed at Egg, Nude, Fannyshack and Gay Bingo, played Dr Lecter in Hannibal The Cannibal-The Musical, threw a Eurovision party (Ukraine were robbed!! Silly old tranny with a star on her head rules over bull dyke ballad any day), won heat 2 of Tranny Talent at Bistrotheque (with an edit of my 'Insanity of Modern Ceelebrity' show. Came runner up in the final), saw Justice and Daft Punk live, won Mr Trannyshack UK 2007 (as Later Hos...geddit? oh) , installed a video art piece in my first proper London exhibition, Left of Centre (which runs until November kids) and was part of the NYC Downlow at Glastonbury and Lovebox Festivals. And beat a few men up in-between. Non too shabby.


Glastonbury was brilliant. What a team! Everyone involved was excellent and we all became a little Downlow family.

I snuck away for a bit on Friday to see MIA but she was exactly that (Missing In Action) and we got Lilly Allen instead (ok I guess), caught Rufus Wainwright doing Judy Garlands ‘Get Happy’, Shlomo, Boy Better Know, Arcade Fire and Bjork who was bloody ace. The tunes, the visuals, the lasers. My!

Most of the time was spent in drag either doing the door, performing, hanging out of the window with a megaphone abusing punters or getting in a right old state.

Everyone involved is toooooo good and works bloody hard.
Its pretty depressing that the London gay scene hasn’t really embraced a lot of the people involved as they are amazing and those who know me (as in real life, not this interweb life ) know I don’t dish out compliments willy nilly.
I can’t imagine a lot of the fanny/granny drag set putting up with leaky tents and vile bogs going on stage to entertain without any drama whilst wearing wellys.
(I really shouldn’t bitch and there is a place for that but after seeing a few shows at London Pride a few weeks ago, it made me realise the depressing reality of those who make the money in this town and those who deserve to.)

Anyway, our tent was the best in the festival. Zoe Ball and Norman Cook said so. We also had Kevin Spacey lurking in the corners, Will Young queuing for his moustache to get in, Rosario Dawson getting trannyed up and a few naff celebs.

Sunday we all went to see Shirley Bassey (dressed as Ms Bassey) do what she does and the final night was very messy. Very very messy in every sense.

Dance of the Downlow - The Electric Slide
Song of the Downlow - Liza Minelli - Ring Them Bells
Phrase of the Downlow - Poppers & Vogue

Big thanks to all the guys from Horse Meat Disco (who played brilliant classic disco all weekend), Rob and Gideon for everything, John Sizzle Jonny Woo, Filthy Luka, Ryan ‘Wendy House’ Styles, Russella, Ma Butcher, Marc with a C, Suppositori Spelling, Booby Tuesday (RIP), Scotee, Le Gateaux Chocolat (we have discussed collaborating. Our name will be Chocolat Star Fish), Jeanette, Jay Jay, Peter, Jim Stanton, James Hillard, Felix, Severino, Robin, Terry, all the crew and anyone I might have forgot (sorry). It really was one if the best weekends I’ve ever had (despite the mud).

Glastonbury Pics

Same again for the Lovebox Festival in London but a much bigger venue. But like Glasto, we were packed out pretty much all day, one in one out.
Doing the door was fun, rounding up punters like sheep (its amazing what you can get away with whilst wearing a wig). Once again, whole thing brilliant. Saw Sly and the Family Stone (rather disappointing as Sly turned up for about 3 songs and looked and sounded like a rather broken Flava Flav). Sometimes legends should just stay legends in your head and remembered that way. Its like when I saw Liza Minelli make a tit out of herself at the Life Ball in Vienna two years ago. I wanted to say “No Liza, put the mic down and step away” before giving her a big hug and maybe a Valium)

Popped to the Joiners Arms with Mr Teds after Lovebox and then to a rather silly after party in Shoreditch with my partner getting in a right old state.

In the last week I performed Shirley’s version of ‘Light My Fire’ at Gay Bingo (though there being lots of fans, my fires weren’t being lit. At least the sparklers went off at the end) which was very good fun, passed my first year on my Fine Art Masters at St Martinis and spent a nice day being a tourist around London for the day. (You really take it for granted how much this city has going on).

Lovebox and Gay Bingo Pics

Unfortunately had a few projects cancelled (due to unforeseeable circumstances) but on Wednesday I’m promoting the Gazelland Magazine Skin Issue Party at Trannyshack. Managed to round up some very interesting performers who appear in the magazine and despite a few niggles, really looking forward to it. Good to have something a little alternative in the West End.

Ooh and Friday I’m off to see the purple majesty that is Prince in concert (shame his new album is poo AND he gave it away with hate rag the ’Mail on Sunday’).

I need someone who speaks Hungarian. I'm in a Hungarian magazine called 'Pep' this month. They sent me the article but I have no idea what it says (except it mentions Jefree 'you must loove meee' Star). Article here.


Oh and if you haven’t seen it yet, there is a rather amusing blog about the gay scene in London. I don’t go out in my disguise enough to get photographed or attract attention (thank the lord-don’t really want to be a regular face on the scene-I’m an artist darn it!) but whoever it is (I’ve got a good idea) has got some folk truly riled. Every scene needs it pirate to piss off the purists.
http://www.naffnaffqueenqueen.blogspot.com/

And my favorite woman of the moment is Sondra Prill. Google her, revel in her story, watch the only two videos of her on youtube; a beachy version of Technotronics Pump Up The Jam and Janet Jacksons Nasty. Pure genius, I heart her. I WILL be doing my own version of Sondra on a stage near you. Perhaps.

This video about accessorizing is very amusing. Well I like to think so.

Anyway…I really should fix my wig

x

New York. So Crazy Right Now......

Yah its been a few weeks since I came back but I've been busy sine my return from the Big Banana (thanks to Chris for that term. Calling it the Big Apple is so last millennium.)

My trip started out a bit arsey as I had a chav couple slagging off my technicolored sequined jacket on the bus (for no reason except maybe they might have been desperate to get home and watch themselves on Jeremy Kyle. They judge and so shall I) and then a guy getting pissy about asking him to move so I could sit in the seat I'd booked on the plane.
Hardly a good start so I said, 'We're stuck sitting next to each other for quite some time so we might as well get on eh?' Got on famously after that.

Arrived in New York city all buzzy as I was popping my New York cherry. Stayed in Chelsea with my fabulous host Gazelle who is the editor of the freak chic mag Gazelland (The 'Skin' issue which is released June 07 will be a testament of our times featuring the chic freaks of London and New York at their rawest).

After settling in, I had a wonder to Times Square (not as slutty as I'd imagined but then again, I was basing my initial opinion on Annie Sprinkles') and was bombarded by advertising and neon. It makes Piccadilly Circus looks like pound shop Christmas lights.
What really surprised and disturbed me was that right in the middle of it all was an American Army careers advice booth, screaming out glamorous propaganda. 'Join the Army and you'll be a hero, travel the world, spend your whole time windsurfing, be a right hunk etc.
Having been in the Army myself (still hard to believe that I did two years in khaki-not flattering) I know this is all a load of bullshit to merely entice those who are desperate, have no ambition and/or stupid enough (I was desperate and a little stupid) into a career that messes with your sense of self and could have you sent home to your olds in a bag. All for what? Don't do it kids. They treat you like crap, not a human being. You are stripped of any individuality as they don't want an Army that can think, they want one that can follow orders.


Anyways….Wednesday, did my gay pilgrimage to St Christopher Street and The Stonewall Inn. There’s a statue commemorating the 1969 riots of two gay men standing and two women seated. Reminds me of a stereotyped gay club, the queens are up dancing having a whale of a time while the lesbians are sat in the corner talking about property and how to prepare mung beans.

In the evening I was invited to see the potty mouthed grande dame of New York, Joan Rivers by her lovely manager Chip. My date was Russella who was also over from London.

I was anticipating more from Joan to be honest. There were moments of genius but as a whole, left me a little flat. Amazing in how different she is offstage. She'll hate me for saying this but she was like a little frail old lady. I made her laugh with a sweat shop joke when she said she liked the same jacket that chavs had ridiculed a day previous.

Rushed back to get changed for my debut show in NYC at Slurp at The Cock (genius name) hosted by the fabulous and wonderfully warm Linda Simpson who edits My Comrade magazine (another excellent and well written alternative mag).
The crowd are quite cruisey so feared they wouldn't 'get me' but they screamed all they way through my two tracks (Two Magdalene Fuckers and Show Me Your Banana). Couldn't have asked for a better response if I'd paid for it!
Forgetting that the word 'Fanny' means 'Arse' in the States (The Tranny with the Bum?) I had to ask if they knew what it meant and a few screamed out 'Vagina'. Glad we got that cleared up.
The music at Slurp is as filthy as the clientele and there is an air of non-pretentious fun. A lot of folk were exquisitely dressed up and there was a lot of slutty sex, tea bagging and booze consumption. If you get the chance, I insist you go.

Thursday was more sight seeing (and shopping, well with 1.90 dollars to the pound, was rude not to-felt like everything was a half price sale) before going to Kino 41 promoted by club ledged Susanne Bartsch and Kenny Kenny which was a bevy of sleek style. In attendance were club stars Amanda Lepore, Lady Fag (who like me, rocks the gender bender look), Andre J, Cazwell, Zelda (an original from Studio 54 days) and other beautiful and glamorous creatures of the night.

Then hot footed it into a cab over to the Hiro Ballroom (nightmare to get in, even though I was on DJ Mehdi's guest list-the staff are rather rude so be prepared) to see the wonderful Ed Banger Records boys tear things up.

These French guys are the best thing about music right now and if you haven't heard one of the tracks from their stable on a dance floor recently, you must be dead. This isn't nu rave (always thought that a ghastly term, especially as I'm old enough to remember old rave. I don't see the point of making anything new or nu-just 'be' honey) this is pure sweat-down-your-crack-go-crazy-shake-yourself-around party music. They throw regular parties in London and they are simply some of the best parties I've been to and I've been clubbing for 15 years now-so go! Justice, DJ Mehdi, Busy P and SebastiAn-what a line up, what lovely fellas.


Friday, more tourist action and in the evening, a show at Area hosted by Michael Formika Jones Jones and James Coppola (who also promotes Unisex Salon hosted by Justin Bond. I didn't get the chance to go myself but everyone I met raved about it-sounds like the freakiest hot ho down in town right now).
Half the draglets and club freaks in NYC seem to attend Area-lots of fun. Surprised to hear a large amount of bootlegs (mash ups/blends/whatever the kids are calling them nowadays) being played.
Performed two tracks (Two Magdalene Fuckers (My video) and Pussycat Party Bloc Party-Banquet vs. Pussycat Dolls-Don't Cha both originally produced by Dunproofin ) and was followed by opera drag star Shequida and resident Peppermint.

Hailing cabs are a bit tricky if you’re dressed a bit freaky in NYC. Had a few who would pull over, take one look at me then pull off. Charming. Managed to flag one down and over to the second show of the night at Element for Bootie NYC.
Bootie is a San Francisco based night of bootlegs and bastard pop shenanigans. In the house were GYBO (a music mong board I frequent) folk Partyben, Adrian and Mysterious D, Katie Enlow and Lenlow. Nice to hang with musical people I know from the interweb.

Saturday was another Formika and Coppola night at Avalon, which used to be the infamous Limelight, the church come club where the homosexual massive go to worship.
Cazwell hosted a Go-Go Idol competition which was ironically won by a Brit who won by sticking his fingers in his bum (can't take us anywhere). Spent most of the night outside smoking as the no smoking rule forces all the naughty folk out.


When the ban comes to London, I feel its going to divide clubbers. They'll either put up and go outside or it will see the return of house parties. I'm all for the later.
The chapel is fun pop and electro but the main room plays that dull progressive, take your top off and show yer pecs stuff. It never peaks and just mixes on and on and on. Hey, the gays like that-good for them but I prefer a hands in the air like you really couldn't care vibe.
Went to breakfast at the Yaffa Café (despite going there the night before with the Bootie crew) and we fed our faces. I recommend the Moroccan style chicken dipper things-gorgeous.

Sunday was a dull rainy day so after getting up and wondering around Chinatown, decided to take in a show (as you do). Wanted to see what Broadway had made of John Waters' 'Hairspray' but there was no show on a Sunday so settled for 'Rent'. Was good and very well done but the 'ooh we're poor artists, nobody accepts us and we've all got AIDS' part (which is the main storyline) grated a bit. I want see high kicks and high glamour in musicals.

Monday did the Staten Island ferry for a free view of downtown and the Statue of Liberty (smaller than I'd imagined) on a beautifully gloomy day. There was a big haze over the city and gave it a different edge to what you see in tourist and travel pics.
Had a look at Grand Central Station (wow! So beautiful, so moody, so quiet) and did a self portrait video there.

In the evening Gazelle took me to the Patricia Field (stylist to the stars) 1 year anniversary shop party. (There were a huge pair of 'star' earrings teasing me. Out came the card. I have no will.)
Met the wonderful designer Dres, the incredible and lovely Johnny Darnell, JoJo Americo and Paul Alexander from The Ones, Nicky London, Patrick Macdonald, Merlin from www.lastnightsparty and ate a delicious mouse of Patricia's own recipe (the rest of the nibbles were rather lacklustre though). When introducing myself to Perfidia, she thought I'd said Coleslaw instead of Holestar. Which stuck for the rest of my trip. Quite like that actually.


Was interviewed for a film about the House of Field. I always get baffled when being interviewed; afraid I'll say something inappropriate. After a lot of blag, I finished it off by saying "New York City, Eat My Pussy". Think that nailed it.

Tuesday was about time I saw some art (soooo lazy) and popped to the Guggenheim which half was unfortunately closed as they were doing a new show but the Family Portraits exhibition was fantastic. Had a bimble around Central Park and picked up a few more bits of tat I don't need in the Jewellery Quarter (it's a drag accessories paradise) before returning to Gazelles place to be photographed by the wonderful artist Olan.
Can't wait to see what he does with me.

Didn't fancy partying on my last night so Gazelle and I went out for dinner at Cafeteria (wouldn't call it quiet though, they play pumping house music really loudly while you dine).

Wednesday afternoon went to lunch with James Coppola at a Korean place (very nice) and then it was time to head out to JFK.

So, New York; was my first time and loved it. I would like to live there in the future but my heart currently belongs to London.
I met some amazing, unique and lovely people (please excuse the name dropping) rocking unique and fierce looks who I'll definitely be keeping in touch with. There are unfortunately some snooty and dull leeches/hangers-on, which you get everywhere I guess. I've never understood this mentality-posing is so 90s.
I think we think we currently have a more inventive music scene in London for my ears and music is very dear to me.

Big cheers to Gazelle for being a great host. When I asked him why he started Gazelland, he said he saw a club kid done and painted up to the nines. A club photographer refused to take his picture and was only interested in snapping the generic looking muscle mary, body beautiful homos so decided to start his own thing that celebrated the diverse and unusual. Hurrah for Gazelland!!
Like the UK, there is a homogenised 'look' that many gay and lesbian publications tend to lean towards but they are missing out on so much and who are they to say what is considered beautiful or the 'ideal'? Hetero mags do his aplenty and surely as gays are still marginalized by society, shouldn't they be celebrating our diverse, flamboyant and unique snowflake side? And I don't mean the odd drag queen chucked in at Pride events for freak factor either.

As history chronicles, London and New York have continually passed the crown of Western club scene capital to and fro. Berlin had it for a while, Paris is nudging its way in but in the history of clubbing and music, London and New York are the monarchy in the hot combination of innovative music and style

I've been asked back and when I get some money together again (contrary to popular belief, us dragsters don't get paid much y'know) , I'll be there but for now I've umpteen thing to be getting on with.

I'll be MCing with the Pirate Soundsystem at Nude, performing as Dr Hannibal Lecter in Hannibal The Cannibal-The Musical (written and directed by San Fransisco's Trannyshack Queen, Suppositori Spelling), creating some art for my Fine Art Masters at St Martinis, drumming up new music and performance ideas and trying to track down a producer who I can 'click' with musically and creatively.
I will find him/her/them eventually. I'm a stubborn sod. Yep!

Holestar New York Photos

Area , Avalon and other club pics by Mc Mike

New York Photos

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Video of Two Mag Fu**ers from Trannyshack UK Album

Vienna, Nails, Media Whore and Insanity of Modern Celebrity

Soooooooooo......beginning of February I went to Vienna to do a sing song at a new gay night Think Pink which was quite fun. Cyberqueen Zoly did a cracking show too-that guy know how to weerrrk it I tells ya.
Getting changed in the backstage area with pumped up muscle marys and go-go girls with fake boobies reminded me how much the clubbing scene I work in London now differs so much from Vienna.

Nice to bump into old faces I hadn’t seen in ages too.
Friday popped to see my kitty cats in their new home. God I still miss them but wasn’t as heartbreaking as the last time as I’ve learned to let go and happy to see they are content with Ingrid (even though seeing Monkey pick on Merkin still sadness me).
Spent the rest of the weekend with the amazing and wonderful Mr Eddie Cole. We had popcorn, watched silly things on TV, drank vodka and talked to ‘Frank’.
Saturday, we went to see The Rounder Girls perform at an anti racism thing which was a good laugh. The girls do this thing during their performance of Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves where they break it down and each freestyle over each other. Seen it loads of time but always makes the hair on my neck stand up. I want Lynne Kierans voice! She’s been a huge inspiration to me and both her and Eddie have given me a lot of good advice about the ‘industry’.



Eddie, Marcello Denardo and I then went to Why Not. Luckily Sasha (Drag code name Charlotte) now runs it so got us in for free and gave us a few cheeky tipples. We danced and drank and danced some more. Eddie was on top form and I haven’t laughed so much in ages!
Before I went back, had lunch with my good friend and photographic collaborator, Armin Bardel. Had a lovely Tafel Spitz and catch up.
All in all a great working and play weekend.

Photos from the whole she-bang here http://www.flickr.com/photos/23627719@N00/sets/72157594545667186/


Upon returning, went the Kokon to Zai Fashion Party hosted by Jodie Harsh. That was good fun until some county bastard stole my bag (twice in a month-aaargh!!!) literally put it down to move to a new seat turned and it was gone. Decided to leave as felt pretty fucked off and decided to have a quick look in the loos in case someone had slung it in there, only to have someone slam my fingers in the door. The nails on my ring and middle finger on my left hand are still quite fucked.

Later that week I was on the judging panel for the Trannyshack Pageant (pretty poor show to be honest and having people come up to me after asking why they didn’t win was a bit disheartening.)

Have been getting back into college (well I am doing a Fine Art Masters and should be showing my face more regularly) Gave a presentation of my work and have now been asked to give a lecture about it. Ha!! Holestar the visiting lecturer!


Been a bit of a media whore lately too. Have appeared in no less than 5 magazines in the last two months Gib (Austrian Gay Mag-not too chuffed with what they did and the old naff photos they used), AXM (Interview and pic from the Horse Meat Disco Vogue Ball competition I won), Front cover of QX with the Trannyshack gals for the album launch, Boyz (same), Love It! (Very funny. Did a Mistress piece about trampling. The reason I did it was to show how journalists change things to suit their readership. I recorded the interview on my dictaphone and will blow up the mag article so people can see what is written and hear what was actually said.) and QX again with a full page interview and ad for my solo show. (Click here to read it).


DJed for Colin Rothbarts’ big birthday do. Mamma Shamone tore it up as did Miss Odd Kid in the kitchen. I ended up playing on the worst DJ console known to man for hours so relied on playing party tunes which worked. My very good bud Tom Oke played too. I’ve always known he is a good DJ but he really blew me away. That boy needs gigs!!!
Got absolutely trolleys and met the fabulous Peter Glam and Dean Pervert. So nice to be at a party full of amazingly creative and inspiring people.

Following week did Nude at Ministry of Sound with Jonny Woo, Russela Ryan Styles and Mr Teds. Theme was Neon Orgy. First up we were Gods and Goddesses. I was Juno the Goddess of fertility so had my strap-on on (again). Wankerish crowd were pulling at it so every time one of them did, I made them suck it. I don’t know what it is with that kind of crowd, they see a freak on stage and think they have the right to touch us. Fucks.
The next two sets were in the bar which were much more fun. Long night but love working with those guys.

Wednesday 14th was the premiere of my new show, ‘It Ain’t What You Do It’s The Way That You Do It’.
Started off doing new track I’ve done with Scott Houzet called ‘Show Me Your Banana’ which is uber uber gay (go and have a listen on my myspace page www.myspace.com/holestar). Then did a little Holestar bootleg medley followed by my new concept performance piece ‘The Insanity of Modern Celebrity’.



In a nutshell, the piece is about the rise of media driven modern celebrity, where talent isn’t necessary to be famous.
What happens when the fame and adulation is taken away, there is nothing but a media persona, nothing to fall back on and nobody is interested in who you are anymore?
My twisted take is that you go crazy and lose focus with reality. There are constant reports of so-called celebs going into rehab for drug and mental reasons, is this a by-product of fame? I see fame as the drug of the 21st century and is clearly highly addictive, evident by the endless amount of people who put themselves up for reality TV shows and do all they can to retain their spot in the light.
Anna Nicole Smith was a perfect example of this; she wanted fame and aspired to be Marilyn Monroe. Did that desire for fame ultimately cause her demise? Interesting that her death is shrouded by similar conspiracy as Monroe.




There has always been humour in my art work (shame most of it is not online, was removed as it was considered immoral and disgusting by the site providers, heh) and ’The Insanity of Modern Celebrity’ is an attempt to make performance art more accessible and entertaining in what some would consider a low brow and populist medium.
Art for all I say. Lets not confine it merely to the gallery, let everyone have a gander and enjoy.
If people don’t get the concept, that’s fine. I intend for them to be entertained regardless how they receive it.

In it, I lip synch and have taken many audio sources from TV, ads, films, music and edited them together (a long and painful process!) so its all very quick and uses things from Mommy Dearest, French & Saunders, Shake n Vac, Prince, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, Gnarls Barkley, Nikki Big Brother, X Factor and the end part of Pink Flamingos.

Video of Show Me Your Banana(with Vanilla Lush and Ritzy Crackers throwing around some bananas and being slutty)




Video of Bootleg Medley





Video of The Insanity of Modern Celebrity
On its way




Then there was the Kavinsky EP launch party at Sin (nice looking but awful club. £4 for a beer!!) Whole thing from start to finish was incredible!! DJ Mehdi knows how to work a crowd into a frothy froth! SebastiAn, Surkin and Kavinsky also played (Justice, Oizo and Buzy P didn’t show-bah) and the whole thing was top top drawer! A few of us stumbled to the dodgy bar on Hanway Street after. Tom and I were very very battered!



The Saturday I did a turn at Bastards’ new home, The Macbeth. Did Two Magdalene Fuckers as the E-Jitz were in the house from Aberdeen, The Insanity of Modern Celebrity again (better the second time, felt more relaxed) and Andy Dunproofins’ Pussy Cat Party as a finale. Good reaction, enjoyed it.

Video of Two Mag Fucks


Finally have a copy of the Trannyshack album. Rather pissed off with the record company that they haven’t credited E-Jitz anywhere on the CD or DVD. Name is also spelt wrong. It’s listed as Hideaway (Two Magdaline Fuckers) - Holestar. Wrong.
I insisted that it be E-Jitz featuring Holestar and that they get a credit for the track as it’s not mine, my idea or concept, I’ve just covered their original bootleg. I believe credit should be where it’s due.

Annnnyyyhoo
Next week I’m off to New York. The Big Apple (or the Big Banana as my good friend Chris likes to call it).
Exciting. Its my first time and a bit nervous. Got three shows (one that I was really looking forward to got cancelled but hey, 3 is good for a nobody like moi), tickets to see Joan Rivers (friend of a friend job), going to an Ed Banger party (should be interesting to see how an American crowd react to their crazy shin digs) and have been told by my Mother to go and see a Broadway musical. I’m going to plum for Hairspray I think. Would be incredibly rude not to yeah?

xXx