SCENE: A low white stage with lightbulbs is set in a
terraced enclave. A cable wire runs between
the side walls just behind the stage at eye level. On it Hangs T-shirts of different kinds (vests, crew-neck, vneck, long-sleeved). On each T-shirt is printed a name in an Edwardian Script: “Matt”, “Juliet”, “Ben”, “Ani”, amongst others. There is a chrome and black vinyl swivel chair on the stage and a notice concerning the time of the next performance.

PERFORMANCE: The artist switches on the
stage lights, and selects the playlist from his ipod. The
music starts. The artist unbuttons and removes his
shirt, chooses a T-shirt from the cable wire, and puts
it on just as the vocals of the song starts. The artist
mimes singing the song with as much emotion as he Can muster. The process is repeated for each of the following fourteen tracks: Some quiet and acoustic,
some hard and experimental rock, pop.. some male and some female vocalists. All dealing with love lost,
regret & memory... some are celebratory. Some tracks are performed sitting down, others standing up. By the end of the performance the artist is visibly out of breath & sweating. He takes off the last T-shirt; puts on his original shirt, switches off the stage lights, gives
a slightly self-conscious and embarrassed bow, and leaves.
 

STATEMENT

This performance is my own take on the traditional drag-cabaret, and is inspired by the tortures of love, the highly personal nature of self-made music compilations and the corporeal nature of some music-induced aesthetic experiences (with a tip of the hat to Gozales-Torres concerning the stage design of course...)

It was performed at the Bijou Art Studios open day event as part of the X-Cape fringe.

Performance Playlist Discography:

The Magnetic Fields (2004) “I don't really love you anymore” from the Album I (Nonesuch Records). Written & Performed by Stephin Merritt.

Faithless (2001) “Crazy English summer” from the Album Outrospective (Cheeky Records) Performed by Zoë Johnston.

Poe (2000) “Haunted”  from the album Haunted (Sheridan Square). Written & Performed by Poe.

Ane Brun (2003) “Are they saying goodbye?” from the album Spending time wih Morgan (DetErMineRecords) Written & Performed by Ane Brun.

The Magnetic Fields (1999) “I don't want to get over you” from the album 69 love songs vol. 1 (Merge Records) Written & performed by Stephin Merritt.

Juliette & the Licks (2005) “I never got to tell you what I wanted to” from the Album You're Speaking My Language (Fiddler Records) Co-written & performed by Juliette Lewis.

Ani DiFranco (1994) “Falling's like this” - from the album Out of range (Righteous Babe Records), Written & performed by Ani DiFranco

Wendy Mcneill (feat. Ane Brun) (2005) “Such a common bird” from the album Duets (DetErMineRecords) Written by Wendy Mcneill, performed by Wendy Mcneill & Ane Brun.

The Dresden Dolls (2006 ) “Sex changes” from the album Yes, Virginia... (Roadrunner Records). Written and performed by Amanda Palmer & Brian Viglione.

The Magnetic fields (1999) “The book of Love” from the album 69 love songs vol. 1 (Merge Records), Written & performed by Stephin Merritt.

Tobias Froberg (feat. Ane Brun) “Love & Misery” from the album Duets (DetErMineRecords) Written by  Tobias Fröberg, performed by Tobias Fröbergs & Ane Brun.

Muse (2003) “Endlessly” from the album Absolution (Mushroom Records), Performed by Matt Bellamy.

The Magnetic fields (2004) “Its only time” - from the album I (Nonesuch Records), Written & performed by Stephin Merritt.

Death Cab for Cutie (2004) “Marching bands of Manhattan” from the album Plans (Atlantic), Performed by Ben Gibbard.