When The Hostesses Spoke to The Thrill Billies

When myself and Blau embarked on a Stag and Dagger adventure back in May, we were a little giddy when we stumbled upon The Thrill Billies Burlesque group. This group of ladies Violet Empire, Ottolie Divine, Lady Libertine, Cinzia Dubonnet and Ms Biouxsie Rouge, put on a very special performance and we just had to catch up for a little chat to find out more. 

So tell me a little about how you guys got started?  

LADY LIBERTINE: Ah, I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of making your acquaintance? My name…is Lady Libertine, a loyal lunatic, subject to The Thrill Billies & to the mistress of the function room, the beauteous Miss Violet Empire, whom I met over 3 years ago one painstakingly warm Summer’s eve…. Talk of Miss Empire starting Burlesque classes locally, cropped up in conversation with her over a few tipples of Gin…& Guinness, in which I informed another friend of mine whom was with me at the time, & who has now become the bewitching Cinzia Dubonnet of The Thrill Billies. Classes started but a month later in which many a keen soul rolled on up to see just what all the fuss was about! Violet taught us all the ropes of Burlesque, not just taking off stockings & strangling an innocent by passer with them, but also the history. Fifteen became ten, ten became eight & soon eight became the true Thrill Billies. We debuted in July 2009 at The Railway in Tulse Hill.

What influences your act and inspires you? 

MS BIOUXSIE ROUGE:  I'm a very comical person so I think that comes through on stage but that’s true for all of us. We try not to take ourselves too seriously; there's nothing worse than someone trying too hard to be sexy. I believe inspiration comes from the strangest places and the strange situations I find myself in which reflect in my performance.

Tell me a little about your onstage persona. Are you a bit like Sasha Fierce, only for on stage, or are you a bit Lady Gaga?

CINZIA DUBONNET: My onstage persona has formed quite naturally incorporating different parts of my personality. But it’s enhanced them rather than forming a split personality! I’m playful and fun but will occasionally need to be spanked!

LADY LIBERTINE: Lady Libertine was born in 1890 Paris, France. She moved to London at 10 years old with her parents & at 15 found the love of her life whom she could only meet in secret. They later ran away together & found an old & disused mansion on the top of a hill.She earned a living from running her own Lunatic Asylum & may have been wealthy but that was nothing compared to loneliness that she felt, night after night…Until she stumbled across Violet Empire, one absinthe induced evening…

A Lady? Yes, & as for Gaga? Well, I do have a cog or ten loose upstairs. Lest you’ve forgotten, I do run a Lunatic Asylum & have incidentally turned a little (ridiculously) loony myself…I’m afraid that I may be a little too fierce for Sasha Fierce as I do perform in a straitjacket onstage & have a knack for getting out of it at an alarming pace, but, this is Lady Libertine that we’re speaking of. Yet, with The Thrill Billies, our forces combine to create pieces so grandiose, flamboyant, tasteful &, need I remind you, expensive, that those leeching on us will be left helpless, breathless & on the edge of their unpaid for stools. Fierceness doesn’t even begin to cover what The Thrill Billies create once they’ve graced the stage with their undoubtedly infamous presence. Experiencing our unique troupe is more intense than playing with fire, unless you’ve become accustomed to that way of living…I’ve been Lady Libertine & you’ve been most irritating, I bid you good evening…

MS BIOUXSIE ROUGE:  Ms Biouxsie Rouge is easily recognised with a bursting flower perched on her hair and iconic dimples indenting her cheeks; Life and soul of the party. To sum her up; Cigarette smiles and Whiskey breath kisses.

OTTOLIE DIVINE: Ottolie Divine is ‘sleek and vicious’. She’s selfish, takes what she wants, but likes to toy with her victim in order to get it. You may have guessed she’s fairly sadistic, most of the acts she appears in are pretty morbid, but she has a sweet side that you mustn’t be led astray by.

There are definitely parts of my onstage personality that are my real character traits, but wildly exaggerated and camped up. There are other traits that appear when I’m onstage that seem to have come from nowhere!

VIOLET EMPIRE: Violet Empire is a strange creature, she started life as a proud, strong and somewhat meddling woman. She felt that others were simply put on the earth to entertain her, this is still true to some extent but she has grown into a more caring and motherly type. This probably has something to do with her role as madame of the group. She truly believes that what she has to say is worth a listen and if someone is seen to be uninterested she makes it her duty to involve them and find a common ground.   

Violet is very much like me, just more eloquent, elegant and funnier. She taught me how to dance and see myself as a sexual being, to appreciate myself on a more sensual and aesthetic level, and i taught her to crave human affection and give it out in return. We are like one another’s alter egos, a little partnership.

 

What has been your favorite performance so far?

VIOLET EMPIRE: My favorite performance so far would have to be our first, where we will perform again on the 18th of June.  It was crazy and all over the place. I had just been in hospital and couldn't do the show so I gave myself the role of compere. I watched the girls perform in front of an audience for the first time and felt an enormous amount of pride for them all and what they had achieved. That first performance set the wheels in motion for everything that was to follow.

OTTOLIE DIVINE: Stag & Dagger was great fun as we were given the royal treatment and had the chance to meet lots of other great acts. I enjoy all our gigs, but another really great one was a collaboration we did with a life drawing class, The Drawing Room, where we modelled various poses in burlesque bits and bobs for a couple of hours before wowing the artists and a few other spectators with our show. It was very intimate, and the artwork that was produced was amazing.

You will find these little minxes on their blog here and their Facebook here.

Ezzie x

Interview with Laura Whiston

Laura Whiston, of Whisty Blogs Dublin Fashion, is one of my favourite fashion bloggers. A vixen of vintage and a mistress of charity chic, she combines fearless style with rascal attitude. Naturally I wanted to ask the lady herself a few questions about her views of all things fashion and blogging.

How did you get into blogging?
It was a natural move really. I was working as a fashion writer in a monthly magazine and I realised that there was a lot of things that I wasn’t able to include in the mag pages. Things that maybe didn’t suit the readership or were just too alternative to feature in such a mainstream publication.


What qualities do you think a person needs to be a fashion journalist?
Dedication, determination, an all encompassing passion to do the job and a thick skin helps as well. I will add however, that when it comes to getting your foot in the door, luck comes before writing-talent in very many cases.









How would you rate fashion in Ireland?
I would say that at first it can seem very safe and mainstream; a lot of very talented designers feel the need to move abroad, especially as they are starting out. If you take the time and make an effort, however, you will find fashion and style that is fresh and exciting as well as being typically Irish. Ireland has a lot to offer those that are more open minded about fashion, you just have to go the extra distance to find it.


If you could steal someone’s wardrobe, who would it be?
Jimi Hendrix. No doubt.


Which item in your wardrobe best reflects your personality?
Mood dependant, but anything in there that is individual with a good story to tell. (There are a few pieces that answer that description, I can assure you).


What's been your most outrageous stage outfit so far?
(Does this mean blog outfit or outfit in general, neither of which are ever particularly outrageous!?) One of my favourite style posts was when I wore an Edwardian-style coat and diamonds with hot pants and ‘bondage’ tights. The shots came out really well and it’s really good fun mixing up different era’s, moods and styles.

What advice would you give your 18 year old self?
Good lord, what advise wouldn’t I!?! When I was 18 I wasn’t ever afraid of wearing something different to my peers. (As my school alumni photograph will attest to, and much to the unfathomed amusement of my Head Teacher). I would advise myself to keep that attitude and try hard not to toe the line when it comes to what I wear. I would say to myself, remember to keep things ‘now’ but always ensure that you keep your personal style integral to the overall look.



Yours Stylishly,
Laura Whiston, (Whisty)

Interview with John Blek and the Rats

Taking their inspiration from the revelry of music and friends, the bitter end of the bottle, the bruising passage of life and all that comes with it, John Blek and the Rats are a fresh folk outfit from Cork whose melancholy is tempered by a penchant for a good ol’ hodown and a hollerin’. Currently set to release their third EP “A Long Way From Home”, they are embarking on an Irish tour which will take them to Whelan’s Upstairs 6th of January and Cyprus Avenue 8th January (amongst other places) as well as international dates in London and Berlin. Their EP will be available for sale at live shows in January, Plugd Records, Bandcamp.com and iTunes. The band consists of John (vocals, guitar, banjo), Niall (drums, harmonium), Luke (bass),  Aisling (vocal, mandolin, harmonium) and for the Christmas tour  Jack (electric guitar).  I spoke with John O’Connor and Aisling O’Riordan and here is what they had to say.

How did the band form, and where did the name come from?

John: The band name is a play on the name of the French artist Blek le Rat who was doing stencil graffiti in the 80s. I’ve been a fan of his for a few years now and when I was starting the band it was just me on my own so I didn’t want to pick a name that would limit progress. As it stands we gig a lot in Ireland and the UK together but due to the hindrances caused by circumstance we can’t do that all the time. The name allows me to go away and play solo shows while still adding to the momentum and progression of the entire outfit. Over Christmas we’ve played shows all around Ireland and in February we’re all going to London for 3 shows and then in late February I’m travelling to Berlin for a week of solo shows. The band name expresses our passion and respect for art as well as our want to keep pressing forward sew our seeds in new ears.

Aisling: The lads were playing for about a year and a half when I joined. I’ve been playing with them now for about seven months, it’s crazy how time flies when you’re…having an interesting time! I’m joking of course! The last seven months have been the craziest in my life but I wouldn’t swap them for anything. I’ll get a doing for saying that now. Like John said, the name is a play on the name of the French artist Blek le Rat who was doing Banksy style graffiti in the 80s, if you look on his Wikipedia page we’re listed as an external link!

How would you rate the current music industry in Ireland?

John: There’s definitely a lot happening in Ireland at the moment as regards good bands making good music. The likes of Squarehead in Dublin and The Altered Hours in Cork are producing sounds that you can’t help but be impressed by. As well independent labels like the Richter Collective ,which is run by my cousin, are doing great things for the credibility and work rate of the independent Irish music industry. There has been and is still a fundamental failing in many bands in Ireland. People don’t reach far enough, there is an abundance of hobbyists and not enough professionals. There are too many bands in this country to even begin to take note of half of them. Musicians need to stop being so lethargic and begin to aim higher. Villagers getting signed to Domino was a massive boost for the Irish scene and gave a lot of people a lot of hope. It’s time now for people to stop lazily dreaming and start being a bit more enterprising with their music. We have a new independently released EP coming out soon, we’re touring this country, the UK and parts of Europe as well as building up a list of supporters and contacts everywhere we go. There’s a lot of work in it but it’s so worthwhile.
Aisling; I think that there are some amazing bands on the Irish music scene at the moment. Bands like Squarehead, The Ghandis (who we get to play with in Dublin on Jan 6th) and The Ambience Affair are making great music without the help of major labels. There is a distinct lack of major label presence in Ireland, it was really great and rare to see a band like O Emperor get picked up by Universal Ireland. It’s also a big step that Villagers got signed by Domino in England. It seems that things are much more organised in Dublin with Indie labels like Any Other City and the Richter Collective who are helping out smaller bands with releasing EPs. This scene is very much disconnected from the Cork scene, here there are also some great bands but who have nothing to work towards! If there were more independent labels in Cork, bands would have something to achieve and would work to get better. I’m hoping, in the way that the Dublin scene has improved that the Cork scene will grow a lot more over the next few years. There isn't a lack of great music, just a lack of organisation.

Who would you consider to be your biggest musical influence?

John: Well it was my Father’s collection of tapes that got me started listening to music in the first place. We always had a lot of Harry Belafonte, Blood Sweat and Tears, Willie Nelson, Glen Campbell and Bob Dylan playing in the car, so I suppose that’s where it all sprung from in the first place. Folk music in general really satisfies me. There’s no need for finesse it’s as much (if not more) about the lyrics than it is about the music. Because of it’s lyrical content being so important it’s constantly evolving too and being updated. If we were to pick current acts that inspire us as a band we’d probably pick Arcade Fire, Sam Cooke, Emmy Lou Harris and Fionn Regan. As a band we have a pretty diverse taste in music.
Aisling; There are lots of people I’d consider influences; The Beatles were a band I grew up listening to along with Steely Daly and Stevie Wonder. I also love a lot of Motown bands like Martha Reeves and the Vandellas and The Supremes. For John Blek and the Rats I’m influenced a lot by Emmylou Harris. Grevious Angel, which she did with Gram Parsons, is one of my favourite albums. Bands that I love at the moment are Villagers, The Morning Benders and Beach House.

What were the first and last music albums you listened to?

John: First that I can remember was probably Willie Nelson either City of New Orleans or Always on my mind and the last is definitely Villagers Becoming a Jackal. Have had it in the car for the last month I’d say.
Aisling: The first album I remember having was a compilation of TV theme tunes from kids shows. My favorite on it was the theme song from Josie & the Pussycats but it also had the theme from Mr. Blobby… The album I’m listening to right now is Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest. Helicopter is one of my favorite songs of the year.

What song best describes your current state?

John: The meaning of the Ritual- Villagers
Aisling: Paper Bag – Fiona Apple

Is there a difference between what you wear on stage vs. street?

John: Not really. We wear what we wear normally on the street but we might formalise it a little more. I’m a big fan of a nice western shirt, Niall recently has taken to Dickie bows and ties, Aisling is now and forever shall be the owner of the biggest collection of vintage dresses I’ve ever seen and Luke is partial to wearing his Grandad’s trilby or a tasty pair of suspenders. We enjoy getting dressed up for shows it’s all part of the occasion and adds to the experience for ourselves and the audience. How you present yourself is important. A doctor wears a white coat, a mechanic wears overalls why wouldn’t a musician have his or her own uniform.
Aisling: there are definitely a few dresses that I keep for wearing at gigs but there isn’t much of a difference between my ‘street’ and ‘stage’ style. I’m very much inspired by the vintage clothes shop I work in Positively Vintage and the lovely girls I get to call my boss. I always get the boys clothes from there!

If you were given an unlimited costume budget, what would you dress the band in?

John: Unlimited you say?…. I’d dress every band member head to toe in the autumnal amber glow of 50euro notes.

Where’s the most unusual place we might find you?

John: Inside your head with our songs going around and around to the point of inducing near lunacy.
Aisling: Or the pub but that’s not that unusual for us!

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Blau x