Health Promo 03 (Getty) | Advocate.com
||  Music  ||
Comments (0)Post a CommentShare this page  
 

X Marks the Spots: Kylie International

Does every nation have its very own feather-loving, techno-dancing, gay-approved diva? Quite possibly.
An Advocate.com exclusive posted April 18, 2008
X Marks the Spots: Kylie International

If every country can have its own national airline, health care system, and postal service, then why not its own Kylie Minogue? Here we present a global cornucopia of artists whose look, sound, appeal (and local queer following) possess a certain je ne sais quoinogue.

Poland: Reni Jusis

The scoop: After hitting a first Fever-ish height with 2001’s Elektrenika, Jusis perfected the formula of savory dance-pop-electronica on 2003’s Trans Misja and 2006’s sparkling Magnes and topped Poland’s charts as a result. It’s easy to imagine Kylie fronting many of her hits, but Jusis -- who’s recording some songs in English these days -- might just bring it stateside herself. Her luscious, programming-driven new single and video, “Motyle,” would certainly fit snugly into X. Bonus: for years, Jusis has performed at Warsaw gay club Utopia.

Must-have Album: Magnes, 2006

Click on: www.renijusis.com

Mexico: Belanova

An evening in Mexico City’s Zona Rosa gay clubs wouldn’t be complete (or even possible) without hearing at least one mix of Belanova’s muy contagious 2007 hit, “Baila Mi Corazón.” Vocalist Denisse Guerrero belts out with a helium-tinged sweetness over thoroughly danceable keyboard-and-guitar confectionery. Hailing from Guadalajara, the band has garnered a Latin Grammy nomination and handful of number 1 singles. Best of all, its entire catalog is available on iTunes and Amazon.

Must-have Album: Fantasia Pop, 2007

Click on: www.belanova.org

Japan: Utada Hikaru

Although this Japanese superstar, known to fans as Hikki, dips her toes into many pop genres (including an R&B-styled, partially Timbaland-produced domestic Def Jam release, 2004's Exodus), we most love her forays into dazzling, sophisticated electronica. Be sure to YouTube her fantastically art-directed videos (some by her filmmaker-fashion photog ex-husband, Kazuaki Kiriya), including the richly synth-laden “Keep Tryin’,” “Passion,” and “Colors,” the latter of which features lesbian imagery.

Must-have Album: Ultra Blue, 2006

Click on: www.emimusic.jp/hikki

Sweden: Therese

Both as solo artist and collaborator with the likes of Stonebridge, Sunblock, and Dr. Alban, Therese Grankvist has cranked out addictive, electro-pulsing dance/house hits since the late '90s. She headlined the über-gay 2006 Sydney Mardi Gras, works glittery glam looks, and she’s Kylie-adjacent to boot: She cowrote and sang backup on Dannii Minogue’s “Perfection” and “Good Times.”

Must-have Album: “Put Em High” (single), Stonebridge

Click on: www.theresemusic.com 

Hong Kong: Faye Wong

Favoring cutting-edge collaborators, frequently reinventing her style and sound, and boasting an inimitable voice that led to an album with the Cocteau Twins, this singer and actress (she famously costarred in Wong Kar-Wai’s 1994 art-house hit, Chungking Express) has brought a crisp, alternative flavor to Cantopop. Like Kylie, she’s suffered a few tabloid-covered adversities -- bad breakups, a daughter born with a severe cleft lip -- that have only rallied her fans and public support.

Must-have Album: Faye Wong Live! 2004

Click on: www.wongfaye.org (English-language fan site)

France: Mylène Farmer (pictured)

Admittedly more Madonna than Minogue, with provocative lyrics and elaborate music videos (she gets crucified and wallows naked in a bloody puddle in 1999’s “Je Te Rends Ton Amour”), outrageous concert spectacles, forays into children’s lit, and iconic status amongst Gallic gays that make Mylène a must-know. And her bubbly young protégé, Alizée, saw a tasty new album released overseas December 28.

Must-have Album: Les Mots, 2001

Click on: libnet.wuggleworld.com (English-language fan site)

Finland: Regina

A dash of Kylie, a pinch of Röyksopp, and a squirt of Bhangra/Eastern flava distinguish this most eclectic Finnish trio fronted by Iisa Pajula. Think Body Language-era sound-wise.

Must-have Album: Oi miten suuria voimia! 2007

Click on: www.reginaregina.com

Ferber is a regular contributor to The Advocate and Advocate.com. Ferber’s blog can be seen at ewelthorpe.blogspot.com.

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

Be the first to comment on this story.

Back to top

Submit a comment for this story:

*Type your comment here (Required, 1000 characters max.):

*Name (Required): 

*Hometown (Required): 

*E-mail address: (Required, but will not be displayed)

Is this comment for publication? 
Yes   No

Daytime phone number: (Required for print publication only and will not be displayed)

Please enter the words you see in the box, in order and separated by a space. Doing so helps prevent automated programs from abusing this service.

  

If you would like to submit a comment for posting, please fill out the form above. 

All comments submitted via this form are subject to posting or publication. (To send a private letter to an Advocate editor or writer, please use the e-mail button at the top of the page, or use snail mail.) If you would like your comment considered for publication in The Advocate magazine, please include your full name, your city of residence, and a phone number where you can be reached during business hours so that we can confirm your identity. Your e-mail address and telephone number are strictly confidential and will not be shared or used for any purpose other than to contact you about your comment.

See the Contact page for sending comments for reasons other than responding to Advocate editorial and news stories.

Please note that comments sent by fax or snail mail are unlikely to be posted, although they will be considered for publication along with all letters received via e-mail or via this Web page. Comments that chiefly concern Advocate.com content will be considered for posting only on the Web site. The Advocate reserves the right to edit submitted comments for grammar, spelling, obscenities, or libel; we will, however, do our best to preserve the original comment's style and intent. Comments considered for publication in The Advocate magazine may also be edited for length.

More Exclusives
  • Great American Couple
    In an exclusive excerpt from his new book, Hollywood Bohemians: Transgressive Sexuality and the Selling of the Movieland Dream, Brett L. Abrams explores the relationship between Cary Grant and Randolph Scott, who led homosexual lives right under everyone's nose.
  • Mormons Gone Wild
    After one man undresses missionaries for his calendar, LDS Church–owned Brigham Young University strips him of his degree.
  • Constructive Impatience
    Stung by the Warren decision, GLAAD's former executive director Joan Garry offers the Obama transition team some sage advice.
  • Boxer Goes Trans for Eli Stone
    Often perceived as male by confused casting agents, boxer-body builder turned actor Dallas Malloy felt a deep connection to the trans minister she plays on Eli Stone.
  • Mamma Mia! Rises Again
    Meryl Streep and company managed to top Harry Potter and Titanic at the U.K. box office, and now Mamma Mia! is poised to break similar records on DVD. Director Phyllida Lloyd talked to Advocate.com about bringing one of the biggest musicals of all time to the big screen.
  • The Other White Meat
    As one of the subjects of the documentary about the drag pageant circuit, Pageant, opening in select theaters, and one of the contestants on RuPaul's Drag Race, premiering next month on Logo, Victoria "Porkchop" Parker may not look or act like your typical female impersonator, but make no mistake, she is one of the best.
  • The Religious Defense
    In an excerpt from her new book, Bulletproof Faith: A Spiritual Survival Guide for Gay and Lesbian Christians, author Candace Chellew-Hodge incorporates the wisdom of Xena: Warrior Princess to illustrate her theories as to how gay and lesbian people of faith can protect themselves from those who attack their views.
  • Photo Finish
    Did Prop. 8 backlash cause art censorship -- or its reversal -- at Brigham Young University? Could be, as BYU photography student J. Michael Wiltbank found when his contribution to a two-week-long art exhibition -- eight pairs of benign portraits, each depicting an LGBT-identified BYU student alongside a supportive friend -- had been removed.
  • The Divine Miss M.
    Since the death of performer Wayland Flowers in 1988, his over-the-top puppet creation Madame has been seen only sporadically. But with the launch of her new casino tour, Madame is back.
  • Whither NLGJA?
    The leading professional organization for LGBT journalists is facing a crisis that threatens its very survival. In a changing media landscape and a tough economy, how does a small nonprofit live up to its mission and retain members?
  • The Road to Equality
    Barbara Boxer, the U.S. senator from California, understands why her gay constituents are furious over Rick Warren's role in the inauguration -- it feels like Proposition 8 redux.
  • A Call to Action for Barack Obama
    In the wake of the decision by President-elect Barack Obama to select Reverend Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration, Equality California executive director Geoff Kors calls on Obama to live up to his promise of "One America" and prove he is the ardent supporter of LGBT equality he claims to be.
  • Gays Shut Out of Cabinet
    As if the news of antigay pastor Rick Warren's invitation to deliver Obama's inaugural invocation weren't insulting enough to LGBT Americans, we're now hit with the reality that no openly gay people will be seated at the cabinet table to weigh in on the next antigay flap.
  • Wading Your Way Through Hollywood
    Reichen Lehmkuhl switches hats for his second column and leaves the activist at the door as he offers some sage advice for Hollywood hopefuls. Whether you're gay or straight, what Reichen has to say about "talent" puts the business that is entertainment into perspective.
  • The Better Angels?
    President-elect Barack Obama's choice of Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration puts LGBT Americans on notice: While the next four years hold unprecedented promise for our rights, we may sometimes feel forsaken.
  • Stage Doubt, Screen Doubt
    On Broadway, Doubt -- the story of a steely nun facing off against a heroic priest, whom she fixates on for giving special attention to the school’s only black (effeminate) kid -- worked because of a top notch cast and its unique brand of stylized narrative. If only the excellent Meryl Streep and Viola Davis were enough to make the movie work quite so well.
  • People of the Year: Al Gore, Chad Griffin, and Lawrence King
    This week Advocate.com is going to highlight our remaining People of the Year, who range from activists to entertainers, politicians to students. Today we take a look at environmentalist Al Gore, political strategist Chad Griffin, and slain student Lawrence King.
  • Dame Edna's Fond First Farewell
    As Dame Edna prepares to bid audiences adieu with her First Farewell Tour (take that, Cher), she sits down with Advocate.com to talk about her maybe gay son, Michelle Obama's dresses, and her plans for matrimony in America.
  • Push for 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Review Gains Steam
    In the last week both Gen. Colin Powell and the Joint Chiefs chairman, Adm. Mike Mullen, have gone on record about reviewing the military's gay ban, leading some D.C. insiders to conclude that the incoming administration has put the wheels in motion behind the scenes.