March Muses

Released

22 Mar

This month, on the Dyke Digital set we discussed all things menswear, queer muses and on-stage-style with the super and sapphic musicians Amaroun and Maisie Johnson - our two March Muses. The incredible Amouroun is a Black British singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer based in London, whilst the wonderful Maisie is the lead vocalist and guitarist of the Macclesfield-based, and unapologetically queer, band - Queen Cult. Shot by the amazing Amy Lauffer Neff, the pair don a range of menswear from classic suits and formal layering to experimental knitwear.

Being a March muse yourself, who are your biggest muses? Style influences or Queer icons?

Amaroun: I have to be honest, I don't know if I have one. I write from experience. If I had to choose then it would be my wife-to-be because she has boss energy, exudes graceful power and presence. Also one of the most creative people I know. But icon! My icon has to be Maya Angelou. She’s graceful and has a consistent humm of wisdom, was a queer ally and has peace that will penetrate generations.

Maisie: I think my first queer introduction musically was Ani Defranco. My icons have to be the entire cast of The L Word, to be honest!

How is the month of March serving you?

M: My band, Queen Cult, is currently on a UK tour with Fort Hope which is so crazy! It’s such a big tour so it’s serving us lessons - certainly an educational experience for us! But we LOVE it and want more!

A: Truthfully, March is hard. Sometimes you have to go through hard times, especially as a queer person to get to the shines. Let’s just say I am fatigued by things out of my control but grateful for my chosen family.

Amaroun, your work and visuals seem to be heavily linked. What is your process when it comes to matching or relating your lyrics and sounds to the visual aspect of creating?

A: When I write songs I see the images and visuals. It’s exciting for me to have those two things connected. I share the feeling with the song with my creative director (Pippa Alice) and we make it happen. I’m an independent artist so we have to use what’s around us. For example, there is an image for my new release ‘Conditions’ which features a bath filled with milk, I got in it and we took a close-up of my face. The image felt raw, powerful and vulnerable which really fit with the song. Also, I am constantly on Pinterest building my visual world.

The styling for this shoot was menswear only. How do you feel wearing menswear? Do you usually or often?

M: My style is quite androgynous anyway, so I wear and buy men’s clothing often. But I really believe by now, clothes should be genderless - I’ve never really understood why it’s so categorised. I feel most comfortable when I’m dressed practically, but I always try to include a little flare of taste, whether it be the cut of the t-shirt, the length of trousers or a statement item.

A: Put it this way, when I go into a shop I gravitate to men’s clothing. I love things that are baggy and loose and I am more likely to get that in the men’s section. I think it's actually always better quality. I’m not sure if that's the patriarchy playing out in fashion?

What was your favourite item or outfit you wore on set and why?

A: Definitely, the black and white suit with the cape. I’m a lover of vampire films and I felt like a vampire. If you haven’t watched Interview with a Vampire - do it now! That's how I felt.

M: I felt DADDY AF wearing the shoes with the sparkly flares! It was giving just the right amount of 70’s rock star.

Masie, do you think that being based in Macclesfield has played any role in developing your queer style and/or identity?

M: It’s definitely had its ups and downs growing up in a small town. It was more the lack of influence and lack of queer resources that stunted my expression and own sense of style early on. It probably took me a lot longer to trust my own thoughts on what felt good on and for me. I really had to look deep and hard not only outwards but also inwards to find it. But now I could not give a f*ck about what people think about how I express myself. I got there. And that feels good.

How has what you wear generally played a role in your queer experience, especially being the musical muses you both are?

M: I suppose it’s like a book cover isn't it? How you project yourself out into the world can sometimes give off a one-tracked vibe of who you are. People have often perceived me based on what I wear or how I express myself on stage, to be very confident and comfortable in my own skin as a queer person. But I think sometimes that can make people forget you are still human and though those things are all true, you are multifaceted and have more than one side of you, and it's impossible to be only what you see.

A: I am most drawn to feeling comfortable, that's why I like things loose. I can’t say I consciously use what I wear to express my queer experience, I only consciously do that through music. What I do know is, is that what I wear definitely contributes to getting me in the mode and mood for performing. But to be honest, I’m usually focusing on my hair.

Do you have any events or launches coming up that you are looking forward to? Any clue on what you’ll be wearing? Do you have a usual stage go-to stage outfit?

A: I’ve been quite quiet with Amaroun over the last few months. Focusing more on other projects. I’m working on some music with Fyfe Dangerfield. He was in a band called the Guillemots. We’ve been collaborating on some songs that I’m excited to share. We’ll be releasing what we’ve been working on from late April. However, I do have a headline show on September 27th of March at the Servant Jazz Quarters for my Alt Folk project False Idah. I’ll probably be wearing something very loose and lofi. A large T-shirt, baggy trousers and letting the locs hang loose or up in a half-bob pineapple.

M: We will be shooting some visuals for a new single shortly and I think it’s absolutely going to involve me in some form of suit! My stage go-to fit would 100% be a crop top or vest (it gets hot up there) boots and wide-cuffed trousers/jeans. I like space to move. Told you I was practical! Haha.

What are you working on at the moment? Any new music on the horizon?

M: Queen Cult have a new song coming out on the 5th of April called ‘Stop Calling.’ It’s about unwanted attention or maybe you've just been mis-sold some insurance?

A: I'm in my Alt Folk era, my sad girl f&*k you era ha! I’ve started a new project called False Idah and released a track called ‘Conditions’ which is a peek into what I’ve been going through at the moment. I opened for the South East London Queer Choir on March 19th at the beautiful Rivoli Ballroom which was such a gorgeous show. Queer people everywhere feeling free, loving and supporting each other.

As for the rest of the year, I have a headline show for this project on September 27th at the Servant Jazz Quarters. Tickets on Sale in April. I’m also working on songs for Amaroun. I’ll be releasing on April 17th. So keep your ear out. On the horizon is more music, different projects, loose clothes and following my own life rhythm. Let's see if you can keep up!