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Divine inspiration
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by CHRIS BARRY Former hairdresser, drag artist, “door diva” and later DJ at the most swinging-est Miami nightclubs during the peak of that much-ballyhooed South Beach scene a few years back, celebrated international DJ Connie Casserole will be in town this Valentine’s Day for BBCM’s annual Red Weekend. The Mirror got on the horn for a taste of Casserole. Mirror: So where does the sound of Connie Casserole come from? You know, influences etc. Connie Casserole: My sound is basically very tribal, very progressive. I definitely like drums. Drums give me goosebumps, they make me feel alive—which is what I want my audiences to feel as well. But influences? Do you mean who inspires me? M: Sure. Or better, what did you listen to growing up? CC: Oh my goodness, the Cure, Skinny Puppy, Black Flag, Siouxsie and the Banshees. I had a big mohawk. I grew up in the ’80s, after all, so I was really influenced by gothic music. Of course, once house music hit, I evolved into that. I strongly believe in the progression of life. And I’m a huge Divine fan. I did a lot of drag as Divine because I really resembled her—especially when I was heavy. It’s funny because now I’m very good friends with Divine’s mother, Frances. M: How did that come about? CC: I was introduced to her after doing a birthday show as Divine in Fort Lauderdale. I showed up at the show already in drag, and of course I was running a little late because getting into drag takes a while, and when she saw me, she immediately started crying, saying, “Oh my God, you look so much like my son, Glen.” Then after the show, she came backstage and kind of demanded to see what I looked like out of drag. And when she saw me in my boy clothes, she started crying hysterically because of how much I resembled Glen—even as a man. So we became friends. It was a very exciting era of my life, meeting a lot of people from that Divine era—people like Mink Stole, who I wound up working with. Oh my, that was amazing, an honour. M: Your career is going well now, right? CC: Yes. I took a break for a few years. M: Why? CC: Um, I had some personal issues. I’d gotten really heavy and didn’t wanna be seen. I needed a break from the whole nightclub industry to redefine myself, to clean up both my act and myself. It’s very easy to get caught up in this industry and get lost in your character, your persona. I lost 145 pounds, but my life is back where it should be and I’m my own person again. I have my energy and drive back. There’ll always be temptation around, the drugs and booze and sex and everything. But now I know what my goal is and I just keep reaching for it. M: What can Montrealers expect from your big gig here? CC: Lots of drums. I just want everybody to have a great time, I’d love to have positive energy from everyone and just have a special, magical night, all together, for all of us. I’ve heard such great things about Montreal—the music, the nightclubs, that the people are very progressive. I hear there’s lots of hot boys there too, so that’s a big plus. WITH DJ NEILL MACLEOD AT |
