Interview with Iskra Valentine: Founder of Varietease

Every so often in life you are lucky enough to cross paths with someone that inspires you, someone that you click with in a way that doesn't frequently happen. You realise that you have similar ideas and ideals, and you can bounce these back and forth between each other. I guess you could say it is a meeting of the minds. For me, Iskra Valentine is one of those people. Based in Perth, Western Australia, Iskra organises and runs the series of Varietease shows. These events showcase live performances of many different kinds, as well as a variety of stalls. In this interview she discusses the shows as well as the concept of neo burlesque.

To start off with, I asked Iskra what her favourite musicians / bands are. In regards to burlesque performances she responded: "The Dresden Dolls, Ruth Brown, Patti Smith, Blondie, and Peaches." Generally?: "Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, The Clash, Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds." Locally?: "Tomas Ford, Zx Specky, Hayley Beth, Strychnine Cowboys and Aaagh! Bats!"


What does it mean to you to be a subcultural girl?:

"It's who I am and in saying that, it just is. It's pretty hard to describe something accurately when you don’t even know you’re a part of it. Being a subcultural girl has it's amazing moments like being able to connect with others like yourself almost instantly over small things like new issues of a webzine, film festivals, obscure bands, strange crafts etc. Then there are moments where you feel completely out of place, alone and uncomfortable in your own skin wishing you didn’t stick out like a sore thumb. Like everything else in life, it has it's ups and downs."


Tell me about why you decided to start the Varietease shows?:

"I was sick to death of people complaining about how Perth was dead and uncultured and how everyone with a slight interest in the arts should just up and leave for Melbourne. Gandhi once said that we should be the change we wanted to see and I didn't see why this little mantra couldn't apply to everything around us. In October 2008, my friend Bridget Moore and I decided to put together our first show. Bridget and I had met a few years ago at a Dresden Dolls gig and the marriage of music and performance art had left quite an impact on both of us. With help from our friends on the Perth band scene like Fanny Adams, Red Music, Strychnine Cowboys, and The Brow, we began to morph our concept into reality. We had always been interested in burlesque and so we decided to add a couple of our original routines into the mix as well. The result was quite amazing and unexpected with about a hundred people turning up to our first show. It was then I knew we had our fingers on the pulse of something big!"

"I come from a country where women shouldn't be seen or heard so I guess something like Varietease was bound to manifest itself in my life sooner or later. The idea behind Varietease has always been to provide a platform for performers from all artistic walks to come together for one night and show people that Perth is not devoid of talent. I find it insulting when people say Perth is dead because they have obviously not met all the awesome people I have met while organizing these show. Apathy is something I am terrified of and Varietease gives me an escape from it. At the risk of sounding like a sap, the show has helped me grow and survive through some pretty terrible things that have come my way over the last year. I can only hope that it does something similar for anyone else who decides to get involved."



© Carla Adams 2008

What do you wish to accomplish with the shows?:

"I want Varietease to create a sense of community amongst performers on the Perth scene, be it Burlesquers, clowns, mimes, performance artists, musicians, designers, or poets. Everyone is welcome to be a part of the show. There’s nothing more I want than providing someone with their lucky break, a chance to show themselves and others their true potential."

"When I first started performing as a neo burlesque artist I remember wanting somewhere to perform but never knowing whom to approach. I hope that someone in the same position today would use Varietease as that launch pad that was never there for me. For art to be put on hold because there isn’t anywhere for an artist to go is simply not good enough. I hope Varietease will be the antithesis to apathy that is so prevalent amongst people these days and that it helps make things a little easier for talented people who are just getting started."

"I’d also like to see more women and men (yes, MEN) hit the stage with their own take on burlesque. Contrary to popular belief, there are no gender, size, or race restrictions to burlesque. With neo burlesque, the horizons are broadened even further to incorporate different subcultures and modern music. I really want to see how far performers can take things using their background, experiences and imagination."



© Matt Hanson 2009

How does your concept of neo burlesque differ from burlesque in general?:

"My take on neo-burlesque might not be the general consensus on the matter. To me, neo-burlesque is not necessarily a departure from classical burlesque. Rather, it incorporates elements of modern culture with classic theory and practice to create something new altogether."

"I remember the comments made by a member of the audience at my first performance two years ago. I performed a routine to "Mandy Goes to Med School" by the Dresden Dolls- not exactly a very traditional burlesque number. As I joined my friends at the bar, the punter took a moment to explain that while she found my performance enjoyable, she also felt a bit ripped off because she was expecting feather fans, boas, glitter, tassels and crazy props not some chick dressed up as a nurse doing a routine about abortion and the right to choose. I guess that to me summed up the difference between what I was doing and what people considered burlesque to be and it's a shame that the two are not seen as complementary by the mainstream audience."

"There is a misconception that in order to be considered a burlesque artist you have to be a Dita Von Teese clone, and I mean no disrespect to Miss Von Teese when I say this. I have seen over the last few years what I like to call “The McBurlesque”. Suddenly, burlesque is all about buying seamed stockings, feather fans, corsetry and doing balloon pop/fan dances/ chair dances to old jazz/R&B, swing, and rockabilly tunes. I have nothing but appreciation for those who conserve and practice the classical form of burlesque but I do not think that being a retro hobbyist needs to be a prerequisite to being a burlesque artist. To me, Neo burlesque has no boundaries. There are no requirements as to gender, sexuality, race, culture, style or genre of music. It is the free expression of ones self set to whatever music tickles your fancy in whatever costume serves it's purpose. One of my favourite performers from Brisbane, Tiara Merchgirl, performs burlesque routines in traditional Malaysian garments and regularly features cultural identity as the subject of her burlesque performances. Likewise my other favourite burlesque artist, Beatrix von Bourbon, a regular on the international burlesque circuit performs her take on Sally Rand’s fan dance to Tori Amos' "Winter"."

"The word burlesque means "to turn things on its head". Neo burlesque simply finds new ideas and ways to accomplish this."



© Matt Hanson 2009


What can an audience expect at one of the Varietease shows?:

"The name says it all. Varietease -a sexy variety of art forms from every angle. There is so much Perth has to offer by way of music, performers and art it would be impossible to run out of options. Expect homegrown brilliance from quirky performance artists, energetic bands, talented designers and a whole lot more."


What would you like to see more subcultural girls out there doing?:

"Taking risks and incentive when it comes to something you're passionate about. That and being supportive of themselves and other girls. It is only too often that women fall into the trap of competing with themselves and other women to "be the best" when frankly there never was a competition. The sooner we get over that mentality, the sooner we can channel the wasted energy into something productive, wholesome and useful."


So there you have it! I was lucky enough to attend Iskra's second installment of her Varietease shows, and it was very entertaining as well as being a lot of fun. So if you live in Perth, be sure to keep an eye out for when the next one is being held so you can have an awesome night out!

At this point in time the next Varietease will be held on Friday the 26th of February at The Castle (111 Newcastle Street, Northbridge). This time it's titled: Varietease III: Fuck Forever- The anti Valentine's Day show cupid was warned about.


Photo © Zeb Idris 2010
Also, please note that W.A. Roller Derby will be having a stall instead of Perth Roller Derby.

Check out the Varietease myspace: http://www.myspace.com/varieteaseproductions

As well as Iskra's fan page on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Iskra-Valentine/93509145172

Interview conducted by Sally Kingsley

Not Just Boys Fun- Article by Lisa Jansen

“Not Just Boys Fun” - 7 Seconds

Man you’ve gotta problem, who made you fuckin’ king
A macho pig with nothing in your head.
No girls around you, their place is not at gigs,
Don’t want ‘em on the dance floor ‘cos they’re weak.
A woman’s place: the kitchen, on her back,
It’s time to change that attitude, and quick.

Showing us your phobias, you’re scared to see ‘em think,
You’d rather dress ‘em up in pretty lace,
All nice and colored pink.
You feel so fucking threatened,
When they stand out in front,
A stupid, passive piece of meat is all you really want
But it’s:
Not just boys’ fun

There’s girls who put out fanzines, others put on shows,

Yet they’re not allowed to get out on the floor.

Some make the music, well that you can accept.
Hell, maybe live you’ll get some tits and ass
You fucking moron, your brains have run amuck,
A girl’s only lot in life is not to fuck!


This reminds me of something that happened to me a few months ago. I was sitting at the bar after being done with bartending (I volunteer at a concert venue). Two members of a certain German band (one of them being in a relationship) and their roadie came up to me and pretty much asked me on the fly if I wanted to have sex with them.

They were not joking.

I was so shocked and disgusted at the same time, I could only look at them and laugh at the stupidity of their question. Then they tried to convince me to come to their hotel by telling me they had lots of weed and booze. First of all: I live in Holland. IF I wanted to do drugs, which I don’t, I could get them at every fucking street corner. Secondly: why would a few bottles of intoxicating liquid convince me to come over to a hotel room to fuck with three men I have never seen before or spoken to in my entire life?

I just laughed them off, not knowing what to say or what to think. That night when I finally got home, I realized that this incident didn’t ‘just’ disgust or shock me. Most of all I felt insulted. Why on earth would I let three men shove their (probably already overused) penises inside me, simply because they can stand on a stage and hold a freakin’ guitar? Why would they even think I would let them go ahead and use me for a deed that should be about loving and caring, like it’s no big deal? Do I look this available or is it just because I am a girl? Is this their normal routine when it comes to girls? Did every single girl they approached before me say yes and let three men take advantage of her lack of dignity? Her lack of pride, her lack of realization that she is in fact a woman and not a powerless creature born to lend her body to assholes like these just because they were born with a dick?

I’m sick of being treated like a freaking blow up doll at shows. I’m not there to fuck every boy with a mohawk or a visible tattoo, I’m not there to score punxrawk scene points and I’m definitely not there just to be seen and show off my ‘coolness’. I’m there because I love music and I want to meet people who are into the same stuff as I am, it’s simple as that. When I walk to the front of the stage and get into the pit, boys automatically assume I got lost in the crowd and ‘safely’ push me outside. When people stand close to each other at bigger shows, I feel men grabbing my ass. I don’t know why I wouldn’t have the rights to experience a show the same way as guys do.

Of course I do not want to generalize all the guys who visit shows, because when I go to concerts the main part of the audience doesn’t treat me like inferior shit. I just wish the guys who did treat me like I’m a prostitute handing out gift vouchers for free sex would think twice the next time they verbally raped me or any other girl out there who has or hasn’t experienced similar things as I did.

Thank you for listening.

Written by Lisa Jansen, originally posted in her Tumblr: http://smashtrash.tumblr.com

This is the link to the original entry:
http://smashtrash.tumblr.com/post/241755080/kimclit-iisabelle-not-just-boys-fun-7

Film review: Thank You Skinhead Girl

'Thank You Skinhead Girl' is a short documentary film written, directed, produced and edited by Sharon Woodward. It primarily focuses on the experiences Sharon had as a skinhead girl in her youth. It is a tribute to her years as a skinhead girl, and what they provided for her. She chats to two other women, and they discuss their experiences as skinhead girls. The three women were all skinheads in different time periods. Ali Palmer-Smith was a skinhead in its early days, from 1969 to 1972, Sharon Woodward, who is also the film maker, was a skinhead in the Two Tone revival days, 1979 to 1983, and finally, Bridget Faller was a skinhead from 1984 to 1987.


L to R, Ali Palmer-Smith, Sharon Woodward and Bridget Faller

To an outsider, the skinhead movement may seem to be a male dominated subculture. The media usually only portrays the skinhead males, even throughout this film the archive video footage is of male skinheads. However, as this film explores, it is truly a place where many females felt they belonged. The majority of films depicting the subculture are centred around the males and their experiences. In my opinion, the closest a film came to exploring a female's experience in the movement was probably 'This Is England', which depicted skinhead girls but hardly touched on the way they lived their lives.

I believe that Sharon is successful at displaying the skinhead movement as a female space through her film. The collective stories of the women, and the similarities between their experiences, convey the idea that the skinhead movement is indeed a place that they did belong. They all speak of feeling equal to their male counterparts, stating that sexism wasn't necessarily a part of their experience, unravelling the myth that it is only for boys. They identify as tomboyish girls, who find an accomodating place in this subculture. Sharon enjoyed becoming androgynous with her shaved head, it allowed her to escape male sexual attention. The girls felt more like little sisters to the males, and the males admired the girls who weren't going to take shit from anybody. Bridget mentions getting a spiderweb tattoo, and the artist tattoos a flower in the middle of it without her permission in order to make it more feminine, she recalls being upset because she did not want it to be girly.


Sharon, 1982

Another common thread is that the girls in the group weren't fans of other, 'casual' girls coming on to the scene just to chase the skinhead boys. Bridget in particular speaks of girls returning a few days later with 'perfect' skinhead girl feather cuts, while she was trying to grow her hair into one for years. In other words, girls were accepted if they were interested in the movement for the right reasons.


Bridget, in her skinhead days

The shared rituals of getting ready to go out are also discussed, and I feel that this further portrays the experience of girls in the skinhead movement as there are common aspects. The discussion about what clothes they wore also conveys the way in which fashion is a big part of the way the girls identified themselves as skinheads. Pride in their appearance, and self, is a key theme. Old daily habits and behaviours are shared with each other as well as stories about old boyfriends. Sharon's inability to get rid of her old crombie highlights how the years spent as a skinhead girl are ingrained in her, that although her life has moved forward, those years were important in shaping her.


Sharon brings out her crombie for the first time in 25 years

The film is enjoyable to watch, the stories recounted by the women are amusing, and touching in parts, and I'm glad to finally see a film that truly documents the experiences of females in the skinhead movement. I'm sure that a lot of skinhead, and ex-skinhead girls, will be able to relate to Sharon's experience where being a skinhead provided her with a place to grow, evolve and find pride in herself. I found it very refreshing to finally see a film completely dedicated to skinhead girls.

For more information about the film, check out Sharon's myspace here: http://www.myspace.com/SharonKayWoodward

This is the trailer for the film:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=54474671

I'd like to thank Sharon for giving me the opportunity to review her film, I truly appreciate it.

Written by Sally Kingsley

Interview with Lake from Red Stripe Clothing

Lake is the owner of Perth based fashion store, Red Stripe Clothing. Sadly since this interview was conducted, former co-owner Janelle decided to move on to other projects, making Lake the sole owner of the shop!

Red Stripe is by far my favourite store, not only because of their amazing stock, but because of the super rad people that work there! I stumbled across the market stall in my oh-so-punk-rock teenage days, and I've grown up and evolved along with it. It provided me with an opportunity to make friends with people who had similar interests to me, and it will always have a special place in my heart.


Red Stripe's artwork, created by Glitter Sniffer: http://glittersniffer.deviantart.com/

What are your top 5 bands / singers:
Lake: Ricky Martin, Rod Stewart, Savage Garden.. Haha! For serious, I really like too many bands to list, but I love good, old fashioned rock 'n' roll, psychobilly, some (good) hip-hop..

What does it mean to you to be a subcultural girl?:
Lake: I guess being open-minded.


Lake and previous co-owner, Janelle
(copyright 2006, fotomethodika.com)

When did you start the business and why?:
Lake: I started red stripe in Oct 2001 with two friends, Agatha and Bryn. We did it because we loved making clothes for ourselves and our friends and couldn't find the stuff we wanted to wear in shops.. so, we started a little market stall. I remember applying at the Subiaco Station street Markets in September 2001, I was on the way home from Agatha's house at about 11am after a massive night, hadn't even brushed my teeth, and I got off the train and went to the Office area and enquired. The lady I spoke to was really-super nice and encouraging and said when they have a vacant stall she'll call us.. I got back on the train and saw my black and white stripey shirt had beer and grenadine stains all down the front of it, my makeup from the night before was all over my face.. I looked like such a derro-freak. Then the lady actually called me back (!), about a month later and we had one week to get stock together and find racks, a counter etc.. It was nuts.

Was it a difficult task to establish the business / how did you go about it?:
Lake: It was pretty tough at first, I was at university studying Italian and had two other jobs, so sewing was what I did in any spare time I had, I can't believe I did so much back then, I guess I was pretty focussed on making the market stall look good with heaps of stock. I spent all the money I had on fabric, and we just kind of did it, we had no experience and I had never studied fashion, design or business, I just made it up as I went along I guess. I made mistakes but that's how you learn! Haha. After a while Agatha and Bryn moved on and Janelle came along.


The old market stall

Did it take a long time to gain a following of customers? How did you promote the business initially, if at all?:
Lake: It didn't take that long to get regular customers, as we were the only people doing what we were doing in Perth, so when people found us who were into the same things as us I think they were pretty excited and came back to see what was new. We met some of our best friends (and employees!) through the market stall. We used to make our own flyers and posters too, real crazy black and white photocopied cut and paste things with heaps of leopard print, and handed them out to people who looked like they might have been interested, and stuck up the posters in nightclub toilets etc.


Old shop fliers at the old market stall, on the left

What were your primary goals for the business? Have you achieved them?:
Lake: For me I didn't really start out with a set goal, it was more a day-to-day thing where I just did what needed to be done. I didn't even imagine I would or even could have a proper shop with real, human employees!

Is it difficult to make a living out of the business?:
Lake: It was at first, and I had a couple of jobs to support me and my sewing. Now running the shop is my full time job. In terms of time, the shop (red stripe clothing) has taken over from my fashion label (red stripe), which once was my priority. When we moved from the markets to a proper shop in Northbridge, in March 2004, we started to do a lot of importing and now have an internet store, so the shop has changed from having primarily locally made stock to mainly imported. I'd like to get back into sewing heaps more, but maybe once I finish TAFE at the end of this year (I'm learning spanish part-time).


Lake gutting the original shop site

What are your future plans for the business?:
Lake: Haha, who knows!!

You are both fairly young business owners, do you think this has been a hindrance?:
Lake: Not really, I feel like I had a lot less inhibitions then, especially because I had no idea where the business (or me as a person) was heading. I've grown up alot since I was 19 (I'm 28 in december).


Red Stripe's interior

What has been the highlight of owning the business?:
Lake: Meeting awesome people has to be the best side-effect, along with having access to super-mega-hot clothes, shoes and accessories!! Haha! Also I pretty much can do what I want!

What would be your advice for anyone wanting to set up a business similar to yours?:
Lake: Um.. just do it - you have nothing to lose. (except maybe some money - but it's worth it if you tried your hardest!).


Red Stripe's exterior

What would you like to see more girls out there doing?:
Lake: Being creative and actively involved in whatever they are interested in. Being confident and feeling good about themselves, and not trying to impress others.


Red Stripe's older artwork, also created by Glitter Sniffer: http://glittersniffer.deviantart.com/

Red Stripe is located at 8 - 10 Roe Street, Northbridge which is opposite the Perth train station.

They also have an online store, for all you people outside of Perth: http://www.redstripeclothing.com/

You can also add them on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/redstripeclothing

Or follow them on twitter: http://twitter.com/redstripeshop

Article written by Sally Kingsley

Review of Gossip album: Music For Men

Since their last album, Standing in the Way of Control (released in 2006), Portland's Gossip have signed to a major label, that label being Music With a Twist, which is a part of the larger Sony Music Label. They've also been propelled into the spotlight, and now receive a lot of major radio airplay.



With Music For Men, they've also teamed up with big wig rock producer Rick Rubin. Having such an experienced producer on hand is evident in the album, the sound is BIG and the transition between songs is very smooth.

I've been a huge fan of this band for a few years now, and it's been really interesting to see the transition in their musical style. Their earlier works were largely bluesy punk rock, but they've transitioned into a more electro, even disco-like, act. Standing in the Way of Control acts as the perfect bridge between these two styles.



In my opinion, the album is all killer no filler. The songs make you want to get up and dance. I've got no doubt that they will do exactly that when they are played in clubs around the world.

Hannah Blilie's drumwork lays down a simplistic yet perfect base for the bass and guitar work of Brace Paine, which is what drives the direction of the songs. The cherry on the top of this musical sundae is, of course, the versatile and soaring vocal stylings of Beth Ditto. The voice that has got the whole world talking.

'Dimestore Diamond' acts as an introduction to the album, and prepares the listener for the songs to come. After that the faster tracks kick in, with first single 'Heavy Cross' coming in second. Highlights on the album for me are the fourth track, 'Love Long Distance' and eleventh track 'Four Letter Word'. They are easy to relate to, good sing-a-long and dancing tunes. To be honest, I've found myself addicted to these songs and have listened to them repeatedly since I got the album. Final track, 'Spare Me From The Mold' is also an excellent song.

Beth has received so much media attention, I'm glad to see that now her music has become successful, and that people are no longer just paying attention to her looks.



So, basically if you want to dance like it's still the '80's, get ahold of this album. It won't let you down!

Now excuse me while I go partake in some bedroom dancing...

Article written by Sally Kingsley