The queen of substance and heart returns to Adelaide Fringe, with the South Australian premiere performance of 'Shut Up And Sing!’.
The award-winning Leather Lungs will bless audiences with his four-octave voice in a hilarious cabaret romp. 'Shut Up And Sing!' is a heartfelt, honest exploration of how we can always find a way to have fun and find joy.
A fierce, frisky, fabulous performer, he'll present a night of debauchery, belly laughs, and celebration.
It's important to acknowledge the negatives and figure out how to thrive through them, and the aim of this show is to share a little joy. This performer has already won Best Cabaret Weekly awards in 2020 and 2021 at the Adelaide Fringe, and now he's back for more.
Leather Lungs will present mesmerising renditions of the likes of ABBA, Elvis, Whitney, Liza and more – but before he graces the Adelaide Fringe stage, we caught him for a few questions.
For the uninitiated. . . Give us the Leather Lungs elevator pitch.
Leather Lungs is the daring deviant master of falsetto and stiletto whose savage wit has audiences in hysterics before he blows them away with his four octave vocal range.
This is a South Australian premiere! What can audiences expect at ’Shut Up And Sing!’?
Without giving away too much, this might be my best show yet! It’s camp and kooky, it’s honest but hilarious, and it’s brutal yet beautiful! It deals with some of life’s universal themes, particularly the idea of finding joy even in the face of greatest adversity, and using your voice! Sing out Louise! ('Gypsy' reference)
It’s a bit of a ‘rebirth’ for you. Why is this?
I left a relationship that was both toxic and terrifying. I lost who I was and felt trapped and numb. It got to the point where I felt like a shell of a human. I was finally able to leave, but instead of being a phoenix rising from the ashes, I became more of a peacock, pulling up their tail of feathers to proudly show the world how beautiful life can be, on the other side.
Where did the show begin? What things inspired you when you were putting it together?
The show was initially sparked from my own experiences over the past few years but I never let it fall into the 'pulling out the world's tiniest violin' show! It’s seriously funny. People have wet their pants laughing. Literally! It began last year with a trial of jokes, songs, writing, re-writing, and listening to people I love, and trusting creatives around me who gave me honest feedback. The show is a commentary on life and the world but it’s very much a celebration of all the laughter and love to be found.
If we told you to ’shut up and sing’. . . What’s the first song you’re giving us and why?
Definitely a ballad version of 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. It was in one of my previous shows and I still have audiences message me about what they felt in the moment, which is honestly the best gift an artist can get! Sir Mix-A-Lot’s 'Baby Got Back' is my go-to karaoke song though!
Why is this show perfect for Adelaide Fringe?
It literally covers all the best things in life! It’s stupidly funny, it’s bloody beautiful, it’s real, it’s raw, and I will give you energy like you’ve never seen. The costumes are incredible (thanks mum!) and you get to hear me belt out some phenomenal songs live.
What got you into music/performing in general?
My mum is one of ten siblings and my dad one of eight, so we grew up in Aotearoa (NZ) with huge garage parties and someone always had a guitar and was singing. My nana Missy was a singer on my mum’s side and my nana Chipmunk was the most hilarious woman I’ve ever met, always in wigs and crazy costumes playing vinyl at double speed!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
No one is coming to save you. There is nothing that a knight in shining armour can do for you better than what you do for yourself. Also, you can be kind and still say f... off. Oh, and get therapy and drink water!
Do you have an inspirational figure, famous or not, alive or not, who you’ve always looked to for inspiration in this field? If so who, and why?
Oh that’s an easy one. It’s always been Judy Garland and Freddie Mercury. Not only for being phenomenal performers but for the way they pushed through their own adversity and gave 1000 per cent in life AND on that stage every time. And that’s very much how I live my life both on stage and off!
Leather Lungs plays The Lark at Gluttony - Rymill Park (Adelaide Fringe) 27 February-17 March.
