Pop-inspired drag band The Vixens sashayed onto the cabaret scene in 2015, clinching second place in Drag Idol UK. Since then, Tia, Fanny and Dixie have been a permanent fixture at Halfway to Heaven; they’ve created their own pop videos, and even appeared on the X Factor. Jason Reid caught up with the trio this week…
Hey Vixens, good to finally pin you down for a natter. How did you three meet?
Fanny: We met in a KFC. I was sniffing a box of popcorn chicken, Tia was chowing down on some wings and Dixie bought the place.
Tia: Actually, we met in utero. We’re biological triplets. A bit like those beautiful ladies from 90s pop group Hanson.
Dixie: Ermmm no, it was at an orgy. I hope the sex tape doesn’t come out. Our eyes all met across the room, and we thought: “Hey! Let’s start a drag band!”
Tia: Actually, it’s none of the above. We met performing in a musical together.
I was gonna ask about the orgy, too, but I thought better of it. So moving on, who’s the boss?
Fanny: I feel like Tia and I are the sweet lesbian couple who adopted this poor defenceless redhead and raised her to be a beautiful young bitch. Who wears the trousers in the relationship depends on how our outfits co-ordinate that day.
Tia: It’s me.
Dixie: It’s definitely Tia.
What makes for the perfect girl group?
Dixie: Girl groups are best when they’re fun, fierce and relatable. Little Mix are a good example. They’re like the non-drag vixens, although they got a little bit further in the X factor than we did.
Fanny: Take a pinch of Girls Aloud, a sprinkle of Destiny’s Child and give it all a Little Mix. Don’t forget to bake well for the perfect rise and no soggy bottoms.
Tia: When we figure it out, I’ll let you know.
Who was your pop idol when you were growing up?
Fanny: Celine Dion, Eurhythmics and Whitney Houston. Then I discovered the Spice Girls and totally forgot about them for a while.
I must’ve watched Spice World almost every night for a year
before bed.
Tia: Blondie and David Bowie were my idols when I was growing up. The first gig I went to was a Bowie concert. Of course, the Spice Girls were a significant part of my formative years and Spice was the first album I ever bought (on cassette). I also had a huge obsession with Eurovision. When I was little I loved S Club 7 and B*Witched. My teen music tastes seemed to be mostly Blink 182, Eminem and Bowling for Soup.
Dixie: Most of my childhood favourites were groups like Steps and the Spice Girls. I remember learning the dance routines with my sister and singing along in front of the TV. A lot of fierce, independent ladies spoke to me, such as Britney and Pink. I think my musical heroines probably had an impact on my move into drag.
Which song from the past decade best sums up your personality?
Fanny: Cheap Thrills by Sia, because I’m the original Essex party girl and times are hard so the rates have dropped.
Dixie: That’s Not My Name by the Ting Tings, because no one ever remembers me.
Tia: Timber by Ke$ha, because it’s pretty common for me to go down. And I’m a lumberjack in my spare time.
Go and See…
The Cocoa Butter Club – Her Upstairs
Tuesday 24th November
A refreshing new monthly event at the recently refurbished Camden queer party den, featuring performances from artists of colour. Sadie Sinner, Phoenix Fagbutt, Evelyn Carnate, Gavino Di Vino and Vienna Vavoom will all be performing and making the march into winter more bearable.
Royal Vauxhall: Royal Vauxhall Tavern
16th, 23rd, 24th November
Relive the infamous night Diana, Freddie and Kenny escaped the glare of the media spotlight to party at the UK’s most iconic LGBT venue. Following a successful run at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe the much talked about Desmond O’Connor musical comes home for a limited run.
The Vixens – Halfway to Heaven
Every Saturday
This week’s interviewees bring the party to Halfway every Saturday at 10pm (drag time). Escape the reality horror show that is 2016 and dance around your handbag while the girls serve up the live music and laughter.
