Drag performer Fab Panache is exploring new horizons by releasing a new single. She caught up with Graeme Watson to tell us all about it.
What is your debut single?
My single ‘Disillusion’ is coming out Friday 8 August, debuting live at the East End Bar & Lounge for the opening of ‘Au-Dela de Cirque Blue’. The track itself is a promotional tool part of the marketing of my comeback… Which becomes very evident in the first few lines when you listen to the song. But what it stands for is much more… being the efforts, strides and lengths it takes to pursue a career as a performing artist – we tend to push through no matter what and don’t settle for less. The music video which is currently in production is what I am most excited about though I have to say, it’s a real crafty creation which draws on some interested elaborate elements of “stardom”.
Who did you work with to create the recording? Who wrote it, produced it? What was that process like?
I’ve been working heavily on the track with the O’Connell brothers, two producers from Ireland who moved here a few years ago. We’ve always discussed projects in the past with each other and crossed ideas past one another… In fact there has been many a party we’ve sat round the table with drinks and a guitar singing ballards and indie to pop songs and I’ve recently been on break where the opportunity presented itself to create not only my first single and create an impact for the comeback of Panache, but to craft a few messages and take an artistic spin into a music video… before you knew it I was sitting on the O’Connells living room floor playing with various sounds and pumping out lyrics with a beer in one hand and a pencil on paper in the other! The boys have been great, they’re very creative and as a team I think we’ve made a pretty catchy track. It is currently being mastered by Kane Tenadii-Hay, and we are all excited for that!
How are you collaborating with Twisted Vaudeville Circus to launch the single?
I’ve worked with TVC for a long time now, and am contracted to them exclusively as ‘Hostess’, though on the agreed occasion I do hop aboard a boat full of naked men and host the odd one off event here and there. ‘Au-Dela de Cirque Blue’ is the TVC’s 4 year anniversary show, and the production itself will by my first event back in the Cabaret scene. As part of my comeback it’s a much larger scale event and technically equipped venue to say ‘BANG! I’M BACK BITCHES!’ As hostess of the Show it’s only natural I open introducing myself, and what better way to do so than a debut number?
The proceeds of the launch are going to beyondblue, why did you want to support this organisation?
Yes, 100% sales are going to Beyond Blue, not one performer is being paid for this event… The generosity is incredible. I don’t think I’m alone when I say that Beyond Blue is an admirable organisation highly valued for empowering people to seek help and supports recovery, management and resilience to those who are effected by depression and anxiety. In the LGBT community, drag industry or performance industry in general, life can get tough, in the beginning you start out trying to do what you love so so much while either holding down a day job or fighting against those who don’t believe in you… It’s physically and emotionally draining at times and there’s a lot of people out there affected by this. Mental illness is something I think all people in this industry can either relate to directly or through someone close to them and it’s important we raise awareness and get help for those who need it.
Catch Fab Panache at Twisted Vaudeville’s ‘Au-Dela de Cirque Blue’ at the East End Bar on Friday August 8th.
Graeme Watson
Photo: Rebecca Johansson of Compose Photography
