With the release of his dark single and music video, 'Deciduous Boy', Brisbane artist James Halloran is set to perform his debut work at the New Globe Theatre this month.
After several years of performance, experimentation, and growth, this is an offering of wild lyricism married to human existential crisis. Audiences can expect lush, Celtic-influenced string arrangements and James’ theatrical flair. The theatre will be totally transformed through immersive, surround lighting, seducing the audience to join James’ strange, otherworld.
James shares with scenestr his Top 5 queer icons.
1. Klaus Nomi
Aesthetically I can never go past Klaus. His whole German, '80s Dadaist revival thing is to die for. After performing as Bowie’s back-up singer, he was told by the glam icon that he would be hooked up and be the next big thing, but after the gig he never heard from Bowie again. He was also among the first celebrities to die from AIDS when they were still calling it ‘Gay Cancer’. A cult phenomenon in both the opera and art-rock world, his music is fucking weird and I love it. Also, did I mention he was a pastry chef to pay the bills? Because he totally was.{youtube}HmLk2vSXXtk{/youtube}
2. Kate Bush
A much more well known, camp-as-tits icon. Kate is part of what I call my holy trinity, which includes her, Tori Amos and Bjork. Kate makes the list not only because she has been a massive inspiration to me musically, but I mean… come on. She literally wrote a song in the '70s about spying on two gay Muslim men partying in their apartment and longing to be with them. I also love the musical rank that is the B-side of 'Hounds Of Love'; a song cycle about what it would be like to drown.{youtube}_w_m86INkbw{/youtube}
3. Nina Hagen
A similar vibe to Klaus. Nina Hagen is the ‘Godmother of Punk’; she is another opera-singing rocker whose on-stage persona is the strangest thing you’ve ever seen. From her pacifier earrings to her chicken noises, this woman has the whole package. She still performs regularly at the age of 61.{youtube}YP3Uu9Rt6Gc{/youtube}
4. Hedwig
Okay, though technically not a real person, Hedwig ticks all my boxes. From the incredible musical Hedwig & The Angry Inch, John Cameron Mitchell plays a transwoman from East Berlin, Germany. She is an unrecognised genius whose songs were stolen by her ex-lover who has become one of the biggest names in music. The music is fucking phenomenal.{youtube}SiRQnrxcj8Y{/youtube}
5. Anohni
Anohni is an incredible musician formerly of the band Antony & The Johnsons. Her music is incredibly orchestral and her voice is so fragile and moving. A self-proclaimed witch, Anohni is an eco-feminist and her recent album is all about the destruction of the earth due to patriarchy and corporate greed. You will totally dig it.{youtube}aUEoic7ro_o{/youtube}
James Halloran performs at the New Globe Theatre 16 October.
