A showgirl songstress, fire-eater and cyberpunk kinkster, it was Mystique Muse's introduction to the world of burlesque and kink in 2019 that unlocked their desire to immerse themselves in the world of alternative arts and fringe.
An artist with a background in the Melbourne live music scene playing in cover bands and indie/ alternative groups as well as spending time in the studio, Mystique relocated to Brisbane to study at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music.It was here they discovered a passion for the burlesque scene and pretty soon Mystique Muse was performing songs and parodies for local audiences.
"Mystique Muse was the alias for my burlesque endeavours," she says. "I joined the scene at the end of February 2019.
"The whole experience of burlesque really brought me to be comfortable and love my body and what it does as an art piece. I used to be the kind of person that would cry saying hello to people and was always quite introverted.
"Once I fell into burlesque, I fell into kink and sideshow circus (fire-eating)."
Recently, Mystique has released their debut single titled 'Trust Me' – think Kavinsky meets Goldfrapp-Portishead with hints of Kate Bush. "It is about the sensual POV of the art of BDSM and kink," begins Mystique.
"This song explores themes of passion, nurturing, and most importantly trust. . . Touch is a privilege and honour of another's body, and the process of someone being about to trust first allows opportunities for many other explorations of pleasure."
You're at a party (remember those!) and you're asked by a stranger what you do... how do you respond?
[Mystique Muse] That's a great question, I'm so glad you asked. I legitimately say this too: In the Muggle world I'm a recruiter and in the dark I'm a weirdo who likes to gallivant around stages and sing for laughs or shocked reactions.
'Trust Me' is your debut solo single... how does this track sonically introduce Mystique Muse as an artist?
With sudden changes of tempo and lyrics that delve into experiences with all kinds of people, it's safe to say it really showcases the pansexual being I have grown to be. The inner child is quaking with how free they feel, as well as being safe enough to share that with people.
Was it a natural path for your first solo release to explore the world of BDSM and kink?
Under the alias of Mystique Muse, yes.
This artist represents the side of me that has been put away for years. I grew up in quite a conservative household, so sexuality was simply something that was not to be discussed, let alone BDSM or kink. It was something that sparked my interest via the burlesque world and I've never looked back since.
Take us behind the curtain of BDSM... the average punter thinks whips, chains and ball chokers, but that's just one facet of the BDSM world, right?
For me, BDSM is an exploration of the mind first and foremost. It is understanding how to nurture someone whether that be in a passionate way or in a caretaker manner.
Delving into learning how to trust and be trusted, as well as the honour to be able to take my time with someone else's body. To explore how they like to feel pleasure, pain or just simply to feel something in general.
You collaborated with Melbourne-based musician and producer Josh Ten on 'Trust Me'; what did he bring to the project that enhanced the song; and do you plan to collaborate with him again?
He understands my whacky voice messages, vibe inspiration and brings the banter to the table 100 per cent of the time.
He is such a kind and patient soul, and I'm so glad to be working with him on new music. I'd like to think I'm the looks of the operation, but he definitely is the brains putting it all together. As for collaborating with him again, absolutely.
Was there a defining moment when you decided you'd like to pursue burlesque as a career option; and did that in-turn lead to your music making?
So interestingly enough, music came first as I had just finished off a bachelor degree in music majoring in classical voice when I started to get into burlesque.
My defining moment of wanting to start burlesque was after watching a show at Dracula's when it still existed down in Melbourne and I immediately wanted to know what those beautiful people were doing. Now that I've had a little intro into the underground burlesque scene in Brissie, I decided I'd merge my two loves into one.
How has your entrance into the world of burlesque brought about your own self-confidence, to step outside of your introverted personality to embrace new challenges and express yourself creatively?
Before I pursued burlesque, I was pretty insecure about my body.
I grew up being quite introverted and insanely shy (to the point of crying saying hello, crying at auditions, I was also known as the closet saxophonist because I wouldn't come out to play with my dad's band. . . she came out later in life instead, hehe).
After doing my first burlesque school showcase, and after seeing so many different and incredibly strong bodies perform unapologetically as themselves, I felt this wave of motivation to just love my body for what it can do too. A lot of reflection and just giving things a go without talking myself out of it really helped find my inner confidence.
Tell us about your fire-eating skills; firstly, how does one find out they want to eat fire as a performance artist; secondly, what kind of training is involved; lastly, any disasters while practising you'd like to share?
Fire-eating came about in my life after I witnessed what felt like the love of my life perform fire-eating in the all femme power house group The Fuel Girls at Brisbane Sexpo a few years back.
I also had the headmaster of the burlesque school run fire classes and I jumped on that bandwagon straight away. Not going to lie, it's such a psychological play. Fire is hot and it does in fact burn (who knew?!) so there are many times – even now – that I'll either find my groove and go or back out and try again another time.
Biggest disaster I've had has definitely been the time I lifted my head too quickly during an eat and burnt my nostrils. . . was blowing out black smoke and hairs for days.
You studied at Queensland Conservatorium of Music; how important was that time to your own development as an artist?
My time at university was imperative for my artist development. I learnt so many great foundations as a singer (as singing was something I took up later in high school).
It was so important for my development as a person too. I've met some incredible life-long friends and learnt how to grow up quickly as I had moved out of home at 17 from another state to study at the Conservatorium.
What's next for Mystique Muse; what other projects do you have simmering away?
More jams, fire and kinky times ahead of course. I am currently working on a music video for my single and will be performing as much as I can in the current climate. Recording more music in the near future with Josh is certainly up there on the list as well.
