Our Round Corners mini-interviews situate artists outside their given media. MICK RAUBENHEIMER speaks to Louise Eksteen, queen vocalizer of psychedelic Love Rock outfit Gay Thing (along with co-conspirer Evert Snyman on drums and kinky posturing), about all things art, and their new psych-love project Pollinator, which is set to bring the business of the bees and the birds into FM frequencies up everywhere.
When did you first identify as a creative artist?
I was around 6 or 7 years old when I wrote my first song, although it was only when I hit puberty that I started to perceive myself as someone with something to express creatively.
Outside of your medium, what branch of art most stimulates you?
The art of drag fascinates me. I find it is conceptually the simplest way to give a full expression and mirror of our relationships with ourselves and art. In turn paying homage to the feminine and the power of femininity, which resides in all of us.
Which artist/s in said discipline have significantly inspired you, and why?
Rupaul Charles is my biggest inspiration. He coined the term “You’re born naked and the rest is drag”. For me, as a doubtful artist it’s good to be reminded that everyone has their own form of self expression and that it is valid and worthy of others’ time. We’re all equal on the playing field and being true to your own voice is really the only way to gain the recognition you deserve. Yes, I am a bit of a hippie.
What, to you, is art’s most important function?
For me it is to connect people. Whether it blows your mind or you see yourself in it, art joins humans together by stirring up our emotions.
Local creatives (in any medium) that currently excite you?
One of my favourite new bands in Gauteng is Apocalypse Later. They have amazing songs with a great variety of sounds.
What specific work – be it in literature, music, or visual art – do you return to again and again, and why?
Kate Bush is my ultimate inspiration. A big theme for me is self expression and the different ways to do it. She is so vocally diverse and isn’t afraid of experimenting, even if it doesn’t conform to societal perceptions of beauty.
Any current project you’re unveiling/wrapping up?
I’m currently in studio with Pollinator. We’re releasing our album, Fruit, on the 1st of September. The album will be a jam-packed listening session of 17 songs, ranging from good old rock to funk and soul. We recently released our first single off the album, Racehorse, and the music video is up on Youtube. I’ve also started to brainstorm my solo project, which will be on stage next year sometime.
Who: Louise Eksteen
Band: Gay Thing
What: Fruit releases in September, 2017
Web: https://pollin4tor.bandcamp.com/, https://gaything.bandcamp.com/,
https://soundcloud.com/bridereunion
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