America’s latest queer pop export is on more guestlists than you (and us).
Words by Dylan B Jones
Where do we even START with Dorian Electra. We love them. They’re a shimmering, latex-clad beacon of hope, shining through the murky, bleak ooze of this year’s pop culture landscape.
Like, remember when Luke Skywalker crash lands in that swamp in Star Wars and the local pondlife is shook? Well, Dorian Electra is the pop music version of that.
Dorian is of the PC Music school of hard knocks – their beats are full of infectious electric energy, with a good glittering dollop of irony. They’ve had a great year so far, with a guest spot on Charli XCX’s latest mixtape and a couple of cult hit music videos propelling them into subculture stardom!
We chatted to Dorian about supercool stuff – you know, just like, vibes, VIPs, vices, Vespas…THE USUAL.
Hey Dorian! What’s your idea of a great vibe?
When everybody at a party or event is being friendly and nice to everybody else, regardless of who they are, and not trying to appear “cool” by acting aloof! I love it when people are friendly!
What gives you goosebumps?
The song “Vertigo” by U2. Also a lot of random things give me goosebumps and I like to use it to gauge if I really think something (like music) is good (in a really instant physical/subconscious way).
When did you decide you wanted to be a VIP?
The moment the doctor cut me out of my mother’s womb. I was like “I can’t wait; like everybody else to come out the basic way. Let me into the world NOW, doctor – my name is on the list!” JUST KIDDING! Hahaha. But for real, I was born a HUGE baby, weighing 10 lbs, two weeks early and my mom had to have a C-section – sorry mommy, love you! My personal philosophy: Everybody is a VIP.
PC Music and Charli XCX are huge here in the UK, and there’s a real subculture…you have quite a similar aesthetic. How do people react to it over in the US?
I’ve been so inspired by PC Music and Charli’s music and it’s been such a pleasure to get the chance to work with them both! PC fans and Charli fans alike (of which there’s a lot of overlap of course) are super passionate and I feel like they’ve been so supportive and welcoming of me and my work, which I’m really grateful for. It’s also really cool to see that they both have such a strong queer fanbase, which is why I think my stuff resonates with a lot of them.
Settle something for us…Los Angeles! Amazing or horrible?
Amazing! But could also be horrible depending on your perspective, experience, environment, etc! Like most things, I think it’s “what you make of it.” Before somewhat settling in LA in February, I traveled for four years with no home base. And for every city I visited, I always felt like what made the experience for me was the people I knew there, not really “the city” itself you know?
What’s the most glamorous thing you’ve ever done?
Everything glamorous I do is an illusion. It’s all actually tons of sweat and stress and safety pins and duct tape holding it all together in an attempt to look effortless.
What’s the most important thing in the world right now?
Not totally destroying our planet. Not blowing each other up. And working to figure out ways to live together that are fair, just, and effective.
What do you think about social media?
I love Instagram (for the most part). There was a point in time when I used to love Facebook. I can’t stand Twitter personally, but I really respect it and recognize how radical its impact has been culturally and politically. Around 2000, when I was 14, MySpace and YouTube basically gave me a reason to be an artist and start making music and videos because I had a place to share them and a community who would watch/listen.
What’s your favourite trash TV to watch?
Gossip Girl!
Where did you wake up this morning?
Originally when I started answering these interview questions I had woken up in NYC and was on a plane to Chicago. But now, this morning I woke up in New Orleans, and am currently on my way to Houston (my hometown!)
Tell us about your music! What’s coming next?
I have two singles and music videos in the works right now!
FINALLY…what’s your life advice to anyone else who wants to be a fab music creature?
Be nice to everybody, always. Treat everyone with respect, especially those around you working hard to do something for you. Always be nice to sound people. Don’t be afraid to speak your mind when you see something going on that you don’t believe is right even if it’s being done by somebody more “powerful” than you. I also think it’s really useful to try to challenge yourself to be purposefully different and focus on something that’s unique to you! Try not to follow trends in music or fashion just because you feel like you have to, I think doing this has helped make me a more interesting and confident artist.
Dorian Electra’s latest single, VIP, is out now. Follow them on Instagram @DORIANELECTRA
