Pride

Trixie Mattel | Interview | Stingray Rising Stars

Stingray — Thu, 27 May 2021 20:39:28 +0000

Trixie Mattel | Interview | Stingray Rising Stars Stingray Thu, 05/27/2021

Stingray is celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, inclusion and diversity through PRIDE month. We couldn’t think of a better Stingray Rising Star than Trixie Mattel for the occasion!

Mattel is an American drag queen, singer-songwriter, comedian, author, actor, entrepreneur, television personality (she won the third season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars!), and CEO and founder of Trixie Cosmetics. She has released three studio albums: Two Birds, One Stone, and Barbara. It’s no surprise that she’s very busy being awesome! Nonetheless, she took the time to answer our questions.

What’s the most important advice that you would give to future drag queens and drag kings?

I would say drag is not the get-rich-quick scheme it’s drummed up to be. The government wants you to think that if you buy a wig on Amazon, you’re instantly going to be rich and famous. And I’m here to tell you that is not the truth. Okay? I represent the upper percentage of people who really lucked out with my career and just make sure that if you’re going to do drag, you do it because you love it, and you would never expect any return on it other than enjoyment, fulfillment, and artistic voice. Because then if something cool happens financially or you catch a break, it’s a cool bonus, but even if nothing ever happens, even if you never get a paycheck in your life, you still got what you wanted out of it. That’s the most important thing.

What is the worst lie you’ve ever told?

My bigger problem is telling the truth too often, hitting people where they live, not reading the room. Oftentimes in life, I find myself feeling like I’m in the twilight zone where I’m like, “Is anyone going to say what’s really happening here?” I’m always the one, who like after the fact, someone would say, “You didn’t have to say it like that.” Because I’m just like, “What? We had to say it.” So I’m problematic in the sense of just, I would rather air the building and move on. I don’t believe in telling white lies.

What was the funniest thing that happened to you while performing?

Oh, God. I mean, after the fact it’s funny, but one time I was performing at Oasis in San Francisco, and I was lip-syncing, and 30 seconds into a five-minute lip-sync number, I fell off the front of the stage. I fell off so fiercely that my hands wiggled like this on the way down, both of my shoes fell off, and I still had five minutes of a song to do. So then I had to get up and put my shoes back on in front of people and lip sync while people tipped me awkwardly. Tipping me like my face was covered in scabs. Like, “Just give her a dollar. Oh, I feel so bad.” I mean, it was so awful, but it’s part of the gig!

What’s the weirdest thing that a fan has ever given to you?

I am newly an owner of This Is It, which is the oldest gay bar in Wisconsin. And one of our bartenders, Michelangelo, today, before I left, said, “Oh, Trixie, I forgot, I have a gift for you. Don’t open it in front of me.” And I go, “Okay. Right.” I’m thinking it’s a love letter. I’m thinking it’s a ring, perhaps. It’s a little statue of a bald man that says “bald is beautiful” on it. So he’s been fired. No, I’m kidding! He’s in federal prison.

If you were arrested with no explanation, what would your friends think you’ve done?

If I was arrested with no explanation, I think it could be confirmed that I was selling counterfeit pussy. Honestly, if I ever go to jail, if I get arrested, it’s probably going to be like my 13-year-old Napster account being discovered and me going to jail for pirating music or something.

If you could ever be reincarnated as something, what would you want to be reincarnated as, and why?

If I wanted to be reincarnated, I would like to be a bird because I want to fly away. I don’t know where my soul is. I don’t know where my home is. Nelly Furtado.

What does pride mean to you?

Honestly, my pageant answer is pride is about the community and loving one another and making sure everyone’s accepted, and knowing who you are. But honestly, pride is usually the time of year where I do the things that I’m most ashamed of. If you know what I mean!

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Barbada de Barbades | Pride Essentials | Entrevue

Noémi — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 13:22:58 +0000

Barbada de Barbades | Pride Essentials | Entrevue Noémi Thu, 07/19/2018

Nous avons eu l'honneur d'interviewer l'IN-CRO-YA-BLE chanteuse, DJ et artiste Barbada de Barbades et de parler de sa musique, de sa vie et de son évolution au fil des ans.
Cette entrevue fait partie de notre couverture exclusive PRIDE pour le mois de la fierté.

Qui est Barbada? Qui est Sébastien?

Sébastien est un gars sympathique, enjoué, positif et engagé dans un million de projets différents (dont certains incluent Barbada, évidemment). C’est aussi un gars qui aime s’informer, s’instruire et discuter d’enjeux de société (politiques, environnementaux, sociaux, etc.). Ce n’est donc pas surprenant que Barbada ait aussi ces traits de personnalité et ces intérêts, mais en y ajoutant une (grosse) touche de follie.

Barbada est une Drag Queen dynamique, drôle et surprenante. Elle excelle dans les styles disco, pop et dance, en passant par l’humour et les grands classiques des années 90. Son animation est hilarante et toujours bien adaptée au public présent, que ce soit dans les bars, les mariages et les grands festivals extérieurs.

Comment est née Barbada de Barbades?

Barbada est « née » le 5 février 2005, à l’issue du « Star Search », un concours de Drag Queen organisé au Cabaret Mado. Dès lors, sa carrière commence à se développer. Le même été, elle offre une performance lors de la fête Arc-en-Ciel de Québec. À l’automne, elle participe à une nouvelle édition du « Star Search ». Cette fois-ci, elle se rend jusqu’en finale, et remporte le concours en décembre. Elle se produit dans de plus en plus d’endroits à Montréal, bien que son fief demeure le Cabaret Mado.

Merci de collaborer avec Stingray Musique et de créer ta propre chaîne! Parle-nous de tes goûts musicaux et de ce qui t’inspire le plus.

En fait, mes intérêts musicaux varient grandement en fonction du moment de la journée ou de l’activité que je fais.

D’une part, j’adore la musique de film. Je l’aborde souvent avec mes élèves et je fais de nombreuses activités musicales sur la musique au cinéma et l’importance de celle-ci. J’admire la musique des compositeurs plus connus comme John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Ennio Morricone, etc. Ces temps-ci, j’ai un sérieux faible pour les musiques de films de superhéros (DC Comics, Marvel, etc.).

D’autre part, quand j’ai besoin d’énergie ou que je me prépare pour des spectacles, ma playlist se compose principalement de musique dance, pop, et des classiques (ou parfois des remix) des années 90.

Tu travailles dans une école primaire comme enseignant de musique et syndicaliste. Comment tes élèves et leurs parents ont réagi en te voyant dans le documentaire Ils de jour/Elles de nuit diffusé sur Artv en 2017? Est-ce qu'on est plus ouvert d'esprit qu'on le pense?

Je m’attendais à avoir plusieurs réactions diverses suite au documentaire (certaines positives, d’autres négatives). À ma grande surprise, j’en ai reçues moins que prévu dans mon milieu de travail. Plusieurs collègues enseignantes m’ont dit qu’elles ont regardé le documentaire, et quelques élèves aussi (une dizaine, tout au plus). La directrice m’a aussi témoigné de son ouverture et de son support inconditionnel, dans l’éventualité de réactions négatives de la part de parents ou d’élèves. Réactions qui ne sont jamais venues puisque tous les ‘feedbacks' que j’ai reçus furent positifs. Je suis particulièrement heureux de constater l’évolution des mentalités et l’ouverture d’esprit de la population québécoise. Certes, il y a encore du chemin à faire dans bien des milieux, mais les situations que j’ai vécues suite à ce documentaire m’ont énormément encouragée.

Es-tu surpris de là où tu es rendu dans le monde de la Drag?

Chaque nouvelle opportunité que m’amène ce passionnant métier me surprend. Je suis tellement étonnée de voir la diversité des contrats et des occasions qui se sont présentées à moi au cours de 13 dernières années. JAMAIS je n’aurais imaginé un jour être DJ pour des évènements du Cirque du Soleil. JAMAIS je n’aurais imaginé animer des spectacles extérieurs d’envergure, des mariages et des spectacles dans les bars de Montréal et de Québec. JAMAIS je n’aurais imaginé voyager à Toronto, Halifax, Minneapolis et plusieurs autres endroits pour faire des spectacles et divertir les gens. C’est FOU!!! #mercilavie

Comment ton Drag a-t-il évolué au fil des ans? As-tu l’impression que RuPaul’s Drag Race a eu un impact sur le milieu du Drag à Montréal? Crois-tu que l’âme de Guilda soit encore très présente?

Le transformisme, comme plusieurs autres formes d’art, a plusieurs sources s’inspiration et plusieurs tangentes différentes. Un peu à l’image d’un arbre : il y a un tronc commun qu’on pourrait appeler « Le Transformisme », il y a des grosses branches, comme la Drag, la personnification, le « Trash », le « look-a-like »; et il y a une foule de petites branches pour chaque style.

Honnêtement, je suis d’avis qu’il y a autant de styles de Drag qu’il y a de Drags, et que chaque Drag, même si elles se ressemblent parfois, sont uniques, parce qu’elles trouvent leur inspiration à divers endroits.

Personnellement, je n’ai jamais suivi RuPaul’s Drag Race, par manque de temps. Mais je constate l’impact majeur de l’émission sur l’univers des Drags, tant au niveau du public qui vient voir nos spectacles qu’au niveau des Drags elles-mêmes. Par contre, une chose me déçoit profondément sur l’émission : il n’y a jamais eu de participantes ‘Bio Queen’ (des filles qui font de la Drag). Je crois que ça ajouterait à la diversité de l’émission.

Y a-t-il quelque chose qui t’intéresse en particulier en musique ces jours-ci?

Évidemment, j’aime beaucoup les nouveaux artistes émergeants. J’aime la nouveauté et la fraicheur qu’ils/elles amènent à la scène musicale. J’aime aussi les artistes qui, peu importe leur âge, sont capables de se réinventer, capables d’amener des concepts différents et de démontrer, à travers leur art, qu’ils ont un réel talent, pas uniquement une équipe de producteurs et de créateurs qui font quasiment tout le travail à leur place.

J’ai récemment découvert la chanteuse française Jain, et j’adore sa musique, son univers et sa créativité. Elle me rappelle un peu Stromae, un chanteur que j’affectionne particulièrement et que j’ai même déjà interprété en spectacle.

Malheureusement, de nos jours, je déplore le recours quasi systématique à l’informatisation de la musique. On transforme et parfois même on produit électroniquement les voix des chanteurs/euses, les sons des instruments et toute la musique en général. Même si je comprends le contexte, je pense que tout le monde devrait, de temps à autre, retourner écouter un ensemble vocal, une harmonie ou un orchestre pour se rappeler à quel point la musique ‘brute’, naturelle et non-transformée est magnifique.

Qui a été ton influence musicale la plus importante?

Mon Walkman jaune!!! HAHAHA Même si je n’ai plus mon Walkman depuis de nombreuses années, je me souviens PAR CŒUR des chansons que j’ai écoutées et ré-écoutées en boucle sur mon fameux walkman. Je me souviens encore de la cassette ‘DANCE MIX 95’ que j’ai écoutée ad nauseum. Encore aujourd’hui, je hurle ‘C’EST MA TOUNE’ lorsque j’entends les chansons qui jouaient dans mon Walkman. J’ai payerais cher pour retourner à cette époque où on appréciait encore plus les chansons, car c’était c’était tout un travail d’avancer et de reculer sans cesse la cassette pour trouver LA chanson qu’on voulait entendre. HAHAHA

Décris-nous ta journée parfaite.

Ma journée parfaite inclut trois choses fort simples : du soleil, une plage et mon équipement de plongée. Je suis réellement comme un poisson dans l’eau. J’ADORE faire de la plongée, principalement dans les endroits du monde où l’eau est d’un magnifique bleu clair et regorge de poissons colorés. C’est une sensation à la fois enivrante et reposante de pouvoir être sous l’eau, parmi toute cette faune. Sous l’eau, tout semble au ralenti. C’est fascinant!

Je rêve un jour de pouvoir faire de la plongée et de croiser de gros mammifères, comme des baleines. Ce doit être hallucinant comme expérience.

Du même coup, chaque expérience sous l’eau me rappelle l’importance de la faune aquatique, de sa diversité et surtout, l’importance de la respecter et de la protéger.

Tes trois Drag Queens préférées.

C’est tellement difficile à dire. J’aime une foule de styles de Drags, et quand je voyage, je rencontre souvent des Drags remarquables, alors c’est difficile d’en choisir que trois. Une chose est sûre, c’est que j’adore les Drags qui me font rire. Celles qui ont une animation hilarante, mais sans tomber dans la vulgarité facile. Celles qui performent des numéros créatifs, différents, drôles et surprenants.

Tombez sous le charme de la surprenante et hilarante Barbada sur Stingray Musique!

Pride Essentials by Barbada de Barbades

Site web officiel: Barbada.ca

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DJ Raphaella Brown | Pride Essentials| Interview

Noémi — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 20:53:37 +0000

DJ Raphaella Brown | Pride Essentials| Interview Noémi Fri, 06/22/2018

We had the honor to interview DJ extraordinaire Raphaella Brown and talk about her music, her career, and her evolution throughout the years.

This interview is part of our exclusive PRIDE coverage for Pride Month. ?

Who is Raphaella Brown?

An ambitious DJ from Amsterdam (since 2000) with lots of passion for her work.

How has your music evolved over the years? How do you keep your sound intact?

I am always looking and listening to the audience, of course, I have my own style, but I started with vinyl back in the days from (Disco) Classics to Hip Hop to House and of course the needed Chart Music (remixes). And now it’s a mix of those styles, also depending on where I spin. Hotel-parties are of course completely different from a Sexy Club Night.

To keep my sound intact, I make sure I release several mixes of different styles, like my 90% RNB mixes and ‘Just A Funky Beat’ - house mixes or even my Disco, and Hotel Lounge mixes. Every weekend I keep up with the developments in the music industry and make sure I have the nicest songs and best qualities or remixes of them.

Thanks again for collaborating with us! What does your Stingray music channel aim to say? What do you want your listeners to feel?

I mostly want the listeners to enjoy the recognizable songs! Maybe a little feeling of nostalgia and fun. Music always brings back memories, and hopefully good ones ?

What PRIDE memory from your life stands out to you stronger than any other?

Mostly playing music in Amsterdam before thousands of passengers en listeners. Always a pleasure to see everyone enjoy and be completely themselves, loving each other and being free to do so. This includes the wonderful and breathtaking outfits. How can you not love pride? Every pride is a gift to humanity. Live & Let Live…..Love & Let Love.

In your opinion, what role does a DJ/Artist have in society?

Like Madonna once said: ‘Music Makes The People Come Together’. Forget everything else, live in the moment, respect each other and enjoy the good vibes that I am sending out and enjoy it. That is my role as a DJ.

Is there any particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?

Excuse me for naming more than one, since it depends on my mood:

Misty - Donny Hathaway
Little Ghetto Boy - Donnie and/or Lalah Hathaway
Randy Crawford & Joe Sample - Rio de Janeiro Blue
Prince & Rosie Gaines - Nothing Compares 2 U
Bush - Letting The Cables Sleep (the N O W remix)
Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran

What have you done in your career that you’re most proud of?

All of it, every single weekend, making people happy and the trust that I get from those who contract me. But if I have to choose: my (or any actually) club nights in Club Nyx (called BxBy GxT BxCK) are really awesome and of course… Milkshake Festival (thanks to Janey ? !)

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Everything happens for a reason, embrace it and move on.

Describe your perfect day.

To have my outfit(s) ready, my make-up, hair and music spot on, (re-) organizing my studio/music, to then give an awesome party at the local club and after that maybe even a relaxed after at my place with nice friends. And to top it off… watch a cool Netflix series in bed before I fall asleep.

Name three artists you’d like to be compared to.

It is hard to answer that question since I do not share the feeling to be compared to anyone. I would love people to get to know me as Raphaella Brown. But I do love Maya Jane Coles’ soulful house music and how she spins. Same goes for the twin-duo Nervo and their energetic sets. And last but not least… I really really love what Dimitri From Paris does with his funky grooviness.

Tune in on Stingray Music and dance all night to Raphaella Brown's channel!

Pride Essentials: '90s-Today by Raphaella Brown

Twitter: @DJMissBrown Instagram: @djraphaellabrown Facebook: /DjRaphaellaBrown

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Pride Essentials: '90s-Today by Raphaella Brown

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Sandy Duperval | Pride Essentials | Interview

Noémi — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 09:58:34 +0000

Sandy Duperval | Pride Essentials | Interview Noémi Fri, 06/22/2018

We had the honor to interview singer, DJ, producer, and artist Sandy Duperval and talk about her music, her life, and her evolution throughout the years.

This interview is part of our exclusive PRIDE coverage for Pride Month. ?

Who is Sandy Duperval?

I love that question. Sandy Duperval is a passionate DJ, vocalist, and record producer, trying to change the world, one beat, one melody, one song, and one dance at a time.

How has your music evolved over the years?

It's been quite a journey with an unexpected turn of events. I started as a Gospel singer struggling with being Queer and thinking I didn't fit anywhere. When I decided to pursue a career in music, people would tell me not to because they thought musicians only played in the subway. With my grandmother's and mother's support, I pushed through. Going to music school connected me to DJing but never in my crazy mind did I dream that it would lead to becoming a professional DJ who simultaneously sings while spinning records. As they say, everything happens for a reason, so I roll with the punches and trust my purpose.

How do you keep your sound relevant after all these years?

I travel and listen to as many different DJs and radio shows as I can. I've always been a firm believer in mixing different genres and eras together. The past influences the present and in the future, the present comes the past. I believe it's important to be as cultured and open-minded as possible to remain creative, interesting, and relevant.

Thanks again for collaborating with us! What does your Stingray Music channel aim to say? What do you want your listeners to feel?

Thank you for the opportunity. I selected artists that have some of the best music out there but unfortunately, are not necessarily getting the platform and exposure they deserve. Showcasing the quality of music that is being produced by self-identified LGBTQ+ is crucial to me. A lot of the material I selected is music inspired by personal experiences involving homophobia and bullying. Growing up and struggling with my own sexuality, music was my escape but I longed to find artists that I felt I could identify with, back then there really wasn't. Coming out seemed like an impossible journey, every artist who would attempt to do so would see their career fall apart. I hope this list inspires and helps fight some of the prejudice.

What PRIDE memory from your life stands out to you stronger than any other?

Being one of the ambassadors of the first Pride Canada in Montreal, last year. I grew up in a very religious and homophobic environment and it took me over 15 years to come to terms with my sexuality, self-love and self-worth. Knowing that I was finally in a position to help others and represent a community I am so proud to be a part of, made this one of my biggest accomplishments and by far my fondest pride memory.

What have you done in your career that you’re most proud of?

In one word, EMANCIPATION. Everything I’ve experienced I’ve finally put in my music. Freeing my mind, my heart and my soul have enabled me to travel the world and constantly reach a new audience. I’ve been DJing for some of the biggest LGBTQ+ events across Canada and abroad. I’ve also opened up for acts such as Bob Sinclar, Lil Jon, Travis Scott, Ultra Nate, Brandy, Mya and been on tour with Natalie Larose. I am proud of my ability to live freely and let my love for music and art guide my journey.

You’re a DJ, vocalist, producer, singer, and you were a finalist on Star Académie in 2004 … Is there anything you don’t do?! What are your goals for the next ten years?

Lol! There is so much I haven’t done yet, that I am working on at the moment. I’m finishing my culinary management degree to pursue my career as a Chef in parallel to my music. My grandmother was a Chef and she loved music but couldn’t sing to save her life lol. I want my life to honor hers because she enabled me to become the artist that I am. Everything I do in my career and in my life is done to keep her legacy alive.

What’s your favorite picture of yourself? Can you walk us through/describe that captured moment?

Another good one! I did a candid photo shoot with Kadeem Ellis, a Toronto Based photographer, about 2 years ago. There is one particular shot in front of a pink wall, where I was looking away smiling. I remember that moment because, it felt like after almost dying in 2009, losing my mother in 2012 and my grandmother in 2014, I was finally at a peaceful, hopeful and joyful place in my life. I had finally realized how much power there was in letting go of the pain, holding on to the great memories of unconditional love and knowing that everything has a reason to be, including me. I am here, I am queer, I am free, I serve a purpose and I am ready.

Name three artists you’d like to be compared to.

I’m working on it but I would love to be compared to Calvin Harris as a producer, to Imaani as a vocalist and Roger Sanchez as a DJ.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Learn, learn, learn because there is growth in every experience, good or bad. It’s like a video game, every stage has tools that help you complete the next stage of your life.

RuPaul said it best: if you can’t love yourself how in the hell you gonna love somebody else? What does this quote mean to you? And how have you managed to keep your head up all these years?

So true! In French, my grandmother would always say: “La charité, comme toute chose bien ordonnée, commence par soi-même.” Which means: Charity, like anything well organized, starts within. For example, if it’s crucial to wear your own oxygen mask before helping anyone else in case of emergency on a plane, why should it be different in life? You have to go out there and get as many tools as you can to enable yourself first before being able to help anyone else. Besides, If you don’t love yourself, how do you know what others should love about you? Self-love can’t be given to you and once you love yourself, it can’t be taken away.

Make sure to crank up the volume to Sandy Duperval's eclectic channel on Stingray Music!

Pride Essentials by Sandy Duperval

Twitter: @SandyDuperval Instagram: @sandyduperval Facebook: /sandydupervalofficial

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