Premium Content:

Felix Da Housecat – Virgo Blaktro & the Movie Disco

Felix Stallings is not alone in the electronic music circles of Detroit and Chicago in being rather partial to a pseudonym, but unlike his peers in the rather sober Underground Resistance circles, Felix (or as he’s most popularly known, Felix Da Housecat) has always been quite partial to a more cartoonish, light-hearted dancefloor vision. Here, Stallings adopts the persona of Virgo Blacktro, an electronic entertainer plotted in the mould of Prince, Sly And The Family Stone, and perhaps rather less predictably, George Michael and the Pet Shop Boys – electro in spirit, yes, but with a vocal presence and production gloss that places Felix more in step with modern disco revivalists like Armand Van Helden, Alan Braxe, or Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter than any slamming techno idiom. Many of the tracks here are compacted and quite short, giving Virgo Blacktro the quick, skippy feeling of a neatly-selected mixtape rather than an artist album that rather outstays its welcome. There is space for one epic, though, in the shape of Tweak a five-minute disco stomp that builds to a thumping climax, like Josh Wink’s Higher State Of Consciousness recreated on the disco floor with a synth that squeaks like a deflating balloon. Going on this, one suspects the name Virgo Blacktro is one you’ll hear again and again.

Latest

On This Gay Day | In 2012 local activist Isabelle Lake passed away

Isabelle Lake is remembered for her activism in the LGBTIQA+ community.

Gillian Anderson and Hannah Einbinder star in ‘Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma’

The latest film from emerging trans auteur Jane Schoenbrun is bringing a very queer slasher to our screens.

Magda Szubanski shares her cancer is in remission

After eight months of battling stage four mantle cell lymphoma, Magda Szubanski has announced she is in remission.

HBO releases official trailer for ‘The Comeback’ comeback

Valerie Cherish returns for a much-anticipated third season of the cult comedy hit The Comeback.

Newsletter

Don't miss

On This Gay Day | In 2012 local activist Isabelle Lake passed away

Isabelle Lake is remembered for her activism in the LGBTIQA+ community.

Gillian Anderson and Hannah Einbinder star in ‘Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma’

The latest film from emerging trans auteur Jane Schoenbrun is bringing a very queer slasher to our screens.

Magda Szubanski shares her cancer is in remission

After eight months of battling stage four mantle cell lymphoma, Magda Szubanski has announced she is in remission.

HBO releases official trailer for ‘The Comeback’ comeback

Valerie Cherish returns for a much-anticipated third season of the cult comedy hit The Comeback.

Hannah Beazley voices support for LGBTIQA+ community following offensive flyers

Hannah Beazley has reaffirmed her support for LGBTIQA+ communities in the wake of a wave of offensive flyers being found across many suburbs

On This Gay Day | In 2012 local activist Isabelle Lake passed away

Isabelle Lake is remembered for her activism in the LGBTIQA+ community.

Gillian Anderson and Hannah Einbinder star in ‘Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma’

The latest film from emerging trans auteur Jane Schoenbrun is bringing a very queer slasher to our screens.

Magda Szubanski shares her cancer is in remission

After eight months of battling stage four mantle cell lymphoma, Magda Szubanski has announced she is in remission.