Hi girlies,
This is The Deviant Dispatch. I’m Mo, your guide to the underground. I write about NYC-based events, gay shit, and cool kid gossip. There will be snark, typos, and lots of Charli XCX updates. If you like what you see, become a paying subscriber, share this with someone, or hit the heart button at the top of the post.
Last week was all about Bushwig drama and while I’m note sure I’m done talking about it, we’re going to temporarily shift our focus to other matters. First off is something I wanted to bring up last week but just didn’t have the space.
The lesbian pop trio MUNA put out a song called “Silk Chiffon” with cult hero Phoebe Bridgers. MUNA is a band that enjoys immense popularity with young cosmopolitan lesbians. This has not translated into commercial success. A music industry insider revealed to me they were dropped from Sony after allegedly failing to turn a profit. Bridgers is far more successful, so maybe this song will be also? The music video that references “But I’m A Cheerleader” is certainly charming! Let’s all hope the gay ladies have a hit on their hands.
In other music news, pinkpantheress is possibly collaborating with Danny L Harle. If you don’t know the name pinkpantheress, you may have heard her rave-ready songs on Tik Tok. Her breakout song “break it off” was hugely viral on the app, but instead of fading away pinkpantheress kept releasing catch songs like “pain.” Her latest hit “just for me” even has a full music video, which you can see below.
Now alternative pop music fans are buzzing about the possibly that she’ll collaborate with Danny L Harle, one of the biggest PC Music/hyperpop producers. This is all based on Danny L Harle posting a picture of pinkpantheress on his Instagram that he seemingly took. Either way, keep your eyes and ears on this artist, and if you have the time listen to this interview between her and Charli XCX.
Speaking of Charli, here’s some conjecture about what her latest Instagram post could mean from some stans.
A song and music video with Charli XCX, Christine and the Queens, and Caroline Polacheck? I’d certainly love to see it, especially since Charli has conquered her fear of the dance routine. Until we know more, listen to this chaotic remix of her new song by Umru, Aaron Cartier, and 4 other hyperpop people.
America may have a new party starter coming to our shores. DJ and vocalist Chippy Nonstop tweeted that her ban on entering the country has been lifted. Nonstop got very publicly deported in 2015. The time away from the US has seemingly been good for Ms. Nonstop: she honed her DJ skills, created the feminist workshop Intersessions, and put out a full length album with DJ Genderfluid. Let’s hope a couple of NYC shows are next.
Speaking of shows, holy sh*t there’s so many this weekend! With Governor’s Ball packed full of drunk teens and both Bartees Strange shows at Mercury Lounge sold out, here’s your itinerary of where to go this week. See you out there!
XOXO
Mo
Turbo Kunt
When: Thursday, 11pm-5am
Where: Nowadays 56-06 Cooper Ave
What: The next generation of BK queer techno ravers are connecting with their foremothers. The current collectives of Discakes and Club Carry have tapped a BK legend Juliana Huxtable to join the lineup for Turbo Kunt. Huxtable was DJing in Brooklyn back when large warehouse venues like Nowadays were still mostly illegal, but her punishing genre-hopping sets are still very much what the kids are playing. Rapper and aspiring Juggalo Lustsickpuppy and r&b crooner Tama Gucci also will be performing.
How much: $15 for trans non-white ravers, $25 otherwise. $30 tickets at the door.
Str8 to DVD: She Work (5th Anniversary
When: Saturday, 6pm
Where: The Vale of Cashmere, Prospect Park
What: Str8 to DVD has been going on so long that when they started they refrenced Bath Salts as an inspiration. This show has polished Manhattanites like Janae SaisQoui and off the cuff improvisers like Cuntyham. It’s also the last Str8 to DVD in the park before the ghouls move to their new home venue Cmon Everybody.
How much: $5-10 suggested donation
Melting Point
When: Saturday, 10pm-4am
Where: Market Hotel
What: Expect a multiracial mosh pit. This is the first Melting Point since founder and organizer Brytani Caipa passed away. The rave promises to be as ear-splitting as ever. Gabber mastermind Nurse, warehouse pop dou Club Eat, techno scientist LOKA, experimental act Food Corps, and more join the bill. As is always the case with Melting Point, the rave is a fundraiser for Al Otro Lado. They’re bi-national organization providing no-cost legal and humanitarian aid for deportees, refugees + separated families.
How much: $20
Claud LIVE @ Elsewhere
When: Saturday, 6pm
Where: Elsewhere, The Hall
What: Indie pop singer Claud is a tenderqueer for the next generation, creating lilting songs about love. Supporting is the indie rock rocker Frances Forever, whose song “Space Girl” went very viral on Tik Tok and proved that the genre isn’t going anywhere the next few years. The show is 16+ so expect lots of gaybies there and plenty of pure vibes.
How much: $18
Mermaid Dance Party @ The Broadway
When: Saturday, 10-4 am
Where: The Broadway
What: This is a shameless plug: I’m DJing this theme party at the Broadway. Still, there’s plenty that’s objectively good here. Hyperpop producer cute boys and Club Quarantine founder Joopiter will also be playing beats. The club kid Thee Suburbia and Spectrum founder Gage Spex will be giving shows. There’s also a costume contest, and the venue will be filled with balloon sea creatures.
How much: $10
The Green Flamingo
When: Saturday, 9 pm
Where: a secret downtown manhattan location
What: The demonic drag king God Complex has created a weed-fueled speakeasy show. There will be drag of course, but also burlesque and carnivalesque circus acts. Edibles will also be available.
How much: $45
Cake Boys Take The Cake: Finale
When: Sunday, 6pm
Where: 3 Dollar Bill
What: The Cake Boys are a collection of drag kings and things that consistently have some of the most creative drag numbers in Brooklyn. The past month they’ve been hosting a drag king pageant, and now they’re throwing a huge finale at 3 Dollar Bill. Aside from the talent of the competitors (my money is on Klondyke for the win) there’s also the appeal of being in a drag space not overrun by gay men. Plus the judges panel has some serious wattage: activist queen Junior Mint, kooky nightlife dou the Nobodies (featuring Ariel Italic back from retirement!) and Tenderoni. The final judge is especially gaggy, as he just won Alaska’s Drag Queen of the Year Pageant Competition Award Contest Competition. The blessing of one of the biggest kings all the way from Chicago should clue you in this pageant finale isn’t to be missed.
How much: $15
2nd Grade LIVE @ TV Eye
When: Tuesday, 8 pm
Where: TV Eye
What: The Philadelphia band 2nd Grade makes charming pop rock that sounds like they could be radio jingles. The tenderqueer band Bluish will be opening, and they do have what it takes to make me get choked up. Just don’t be fooled by the $20 burrito at the food stand outside: not worth it.
How much: $12
That’s it for this dispatch. If you liked it please consider hitting the heart button on this post or forwarding this email to a pal! If you’re the pal please subscribe. I write once a week about upcoming worthy events underground, news & gossip, and gay shit. You can send me tips about those things by emailing thedeviantdispatch@gmail.com. If you care about drag queens, illegal parties, independent music/art/film/fashion, Charli XCX, and rebellion, you need to support The Deviant Dispatch.