Continental promo
< Back Comments (0)Post a Comment Bookmark and Share   
 

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. HTML formatting and hyperlinks are NOT permitted.):

*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
  • View From the Hill: The End of DADT?
    Defense Secretary Robert Gates revealed that lawyers are exploring ways to ease enforcement of the military's gay ban, but cautioned that the law doesn't leave much wiggle room. He need look no further than DOD history for a lesson in altering the policy.
  • Hot Sheet: Week of July 5
    When you get back from that big 4th of July barbecue, unwind with Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno and your favorite B-movie-mocking, basic cable robots.
  • Hungry Like the Wolf
    A master of viola, ukulele, piano, and harp, Patrick Wolf is a music prodigy -- one who, the night before this interview, spit on a cop and got himself arrested.
  • Soapside: Advocate's Guide to Daytime
    Forbes March talks about playing gay, Otalia fans outraged, update on One Life to Live’s Patricia Maurceri’s firing over gay plot point, Phillip Chancellor III big reveal, and Erica Kane goes to Africa.
  • The Faces of Federal Prop. 8
    With the federal challenge to Prop. 8 moving full speed ahead, Advocate.com sits down with the two couples named as plaintiffs in the suit.
  • Mommy, the Gays Are Coming
    After a year of advancements and celebration for gay and lesbian Colombians, the community takes to the streets of Bogota for the country's biggest pride ever.
  • The Pride of Antwerp
    Advocate.com hits the gay-friendly streets of Antwerp with openly gay police commissioner Serge Muyters.
  • Excerpt: Mean Little Deaf Queer
    In an excerpt from her humorous and harrowing new memoir, Mean Little Deaf Queer, Terry Galloway recalls her early childhood, describing feelings of ugliness, confusion about gender, and being one of the boys.
  • Top Political Blogs
    From Joe.My.God to The Daily Beast, Advocate.com spotlights a few of the best blogs that cover politics, inside and way outside the Beltway.
  • The Diva of French Television
    A hot young screenwriter who has made gay OK for millions of French viewers, Nicolas Mercier sips champagne, dons a feathered hat, and says he wants to see Colin Farrell and Jude Law go at it.