Wonderland Burlesque's Down The Rabbit Hole: Lene Lovich

Wonderland Burlesque's 

Down The Rabbit Hole: 

Lana Pellay

Down The Rabbit Hole merely places a spotlight on something slightly unusual that's caught my interest. With the help of Wikipedia, YouTube, and other sites, I gather information and learn something new.

Today, we take a look at the work and history of the multi-talented performer Lana Pellay.

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From Wikipedia and other sources:

Lene Lovich is an American-British singer and animal rights activist known for her interesting stage fashion and unique vocals. She first gained attention in 1979 with the release of her hit single Lucky Number, which peaked at #3 on the UK Singles Chart and made her a leading figure of the new wave music scene. To this day, she continues to have a very devoted fanbase.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Lovich moved to England at the age of 13, where she met guitarist and songwriter Les Chappell, who later became her long-time music collaborator and life partner. She developed an interest in art and theater, enrolling at the Central School of Art and Design in the autumn of 1968, where she took saxophone lessons. She would spend the next seven years performing and writing in various capacities, more on the fringe of the entertainment world; she danced as both a go-go girl and an oriental dancer, visited Salvador Dali at his home in Spain, and dabbled in various theatrical productions. 

In 1975, she joined the band the Diversions and shortly afterwards wrote the lyrics to Cerrone's single Supernature. The Diversion released three singles and an album on Polydor Records without success. After the band broke up, Lovich started looking for another band to join and contacted the radio presenter Charlie Gillett, who got her to record a demo of Tommy James and the Shondells' song I Think We're Alone Now and played it to Dave Robinson of Stiff Records, who decided to sign Lovich. The song was released as a single and appeared on her debut studio album Stateless (1978), which produced the single Lucky Number.

Lovich's musical style combined her own quirky inventions with contemporary punk rock and new wave styles.

She released two more albums, Flex (1979) and No Man's Land (1982), on Stiff Records, as well as the EP New Toy, featuring the title song written by Thomas Dolby. 

Lovich co-wrote with Chappell and Chris Judge Smith and performed Mata Hari, a play/musical at the Lyric Hammersmith, London in October and November 1982. During this time she was having disputes with Stiff. The success of the show and pressure from Epic, her U.S. label, persuaded Stiff to release and promote No Man's Land.

After leaving Stiff, she independently released the sing Don't Kill The Animals with Nina Hagen and began making concert appearances on behalf of the organization PETA. 

In 1989, she independently released the album March - which contained the US dance hit Wonderland - before taking a 15-year recording hiatus. She completed several tours of the US and contributed to several projects. After having focused on her family, she came back in 2005 with the release of her album Shadows and Dust. In 2013, she established her own publishing label, Flex Music, and released a re-mastered version of all her previous albums in a limited edition box set. She continues to make occasional live appearances and as well as contributing to various music projects.

Lucky Number - Lene Lovich

Say When - Lene Lovich

Bird Song - Lene Lovich

New Toy - Lene Lovich

It's You, Only You (Mein Schmerz) - Lene Lovich

Don't Kill The Animals - Lene Lovich and Nina Hagen

Wonderland - Lene Lovich

(New York Extended Mix)

 

 

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Wonderland Burlesque's As The Diva Turns! - Heidi, Marina, and OK GO

Wonderland Burlesque's

As The Diva Turns!

Heidi, Marina, and OK GO

 

Spotlighting some recent diva turns...

I must say, you are in for quite the treat.

Up first?  Well, I like her taste in samples (Situation - Yazoo), and I like her taste in men (see video). So, yeah I like-like this song and I think Heidi makes the most of what she's got to work with - which is the very definition of a diva. The song is Body Language, and a tasty slice of pop it is!

Then, whipping about like Beethoven in a semi-classic Ibiza mood, it's the ever-creative Marina, reading from the good book of how to deal with a 'please-no-more' ex, with the pulsating Cuntissimo.  

And finally, channeling a bit of Beatlesque charm, it's those visual wizards known as OK GO, with their latest mind-blowing video, simply Love.

All in all, a trio of destined-to be-classic diva turns.

Do what you like-like, indeed!

Midweek hump?

Feeling in the dumps?

Here's some music to make your heart jump!

- uptonking from Wonderland Burlesque

Body Language - Heidi Montag

Cuntissimo - Marina

Love - OK GO

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Wonderland Burlesque's As The Diva Turns! - Chloe, Sabrina, & Nathy

Wonderland Burlesque's

As The Diva Turns!

Chloe, Sabrina, & Nathy

Spotlighting some recent diva turns...

I must say, you are in for quite the treat.

Up first? Hitting the times right where they live and partying like it's 1981, we have the lithe Chloe Quisha talk-singing her way through the exacting Sex, Drugs & Existential Dread.

 

Then, floating through the air like a wistful spring breeze, we have the heartfelt ache of Chloe Qisha and the diaphanous Need U To Need Me.

And finally, coming to a Zumba class near you,  sassy and tamale hot, we have the vivacious Sabrina Claudio, giving it her all in the smoking Erotika.

All in all, a trio of destined-to be-classic diva turns.

Tequila, do your job, girl, indeed!

Midweek hump?

Feeling in the dumps?

Here's some music to make your heart jump!

- uptonking from Wonderland Burlesque

 

Sex, Drugs & Existential Dread - Chloe Qisha

Need U To Need Me - Sabrina Claudio

Erotika - Nathy Poluso

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Wonderland Burlesque's As The Diva Turns! - Lizzo, Rebecca, & Halsey

Wonderland Burlesque's

As The Diva Turns!

Lizzo, Rebecca, & Halsey

Spotlighting some recent diva turns...

I must say, you are in for quite the treat.

Up first? Lizzo, as we've never seen or heard her before. Musically? It's vintage Avril Lavigne meets Broadway Camp. Visually? Hey, honey, Cher wants her weave and her outfit back and Michael Jackson's kids are looking for a payday. But, hey... it's all in good fun and good fun it is. Can this girl do anything wrong? She looks good! I'm thinking Super Bowl halftime!

 

Then, bringing us a bit of old-school Dallas drama, it's the ever-evolving Rebecca Black's wall of sound, smacking reality in the face with the floor-pounding ethereal promise of Salvation.

And finally, screeching away like a D.I.Y. punk rocker who's downed a few too many Adderall with a six-pack of Monster energy drinks, we have fan-favorite Halsey, exploring her inner dominatrix with the acidic slasher Safeword.

All in all, a trio of destined-to be-classic diva turns.

Tequila, do your job, girl, indeed!

Midweek hump?

Feeling in the dumps?

Here's some music to make your heart jump!

- uptonking from Wonderland Burlesque

Love In Real Life - Lizzo 

Salvation - Rebecca Black

Safeword - Halsey

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Wonderland Burlesque's As The Diva Turns! - Selena, Dove, & Perrie

Wonderland Burlesque's

As The Diva Turns!

Selena, Dove, & Perrie

Spotlighting some recent diva turns...

I must say, you are in for quite the treat.

Up first? Breathless and dizzy as that first rush of love, we have the re-energized Selena Gomez, with a healthy assist from Gracie Abrams and Benny Blanco, spinning a dish of pop-lite like only she can, with the delightful bop of Call Me When You Break Up.

Then, pounding with an urban-electro pulse, a real exciter from Dove Cameron with the dancefloor-filler Too Much.

And finally, with a darling slice of retro fun, we have the lovely Perrie Edwards, at her most enchanting, as she invites us all to join her on the musical joyride of Rollercoaster. 

All in all, a trio of destined-to be-classic diva turns.

Oh, it's so like you to put me down, down, down, indeed!

Midweek hump?

Feeling in the dumps?

Here's some music to make your heart jump!

- uptonking from Wonderland Burlesque

Call Me When You Break Up - Selena Gomez, 

Gracie Abrams & Benny Blanco

Too Much - Dove Cameron

Rollercoaster - Perrie

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Wonderland Burlesque's As The Diva Turns! - LISA, Clementine, and Daya

Wonderland Burlesque's

As The Diva Turns!

LISA, Clementine, and Daya

Spotlighting some recent diva turns...

I must say, you are in for quite the treat.

Up first?  Celebrating her new found freedom and redefining herself for herself with an urban disco beat, it's LISA with able assists from Doja Cat and RAYE.

Then setting course for Ibiza, its the lovely Clementine Douglas with Sonny Fodera, laying it down sensuously with a song which pulsates so vibrantly you can't help but imagine the remixes to come.

And finally, spatial with a hypnotic throb certain to induce a trance, it's Daya, giving gentle but fervent voice to Dom Dolla's hopeless metropolitan vision, on the delectable Dreamin'.

All in all, a trio of destined-to be-classic diva turns.

I'm gonna show you to the light, indeed!

Midweek hump?

Feeling in the dumps?

Here's some music to make your heart jump!

- uptonking from Wonderland Burlesque

 

Born Again - LISA feat Doja Cat and RAYE

Tell Me - Sonny Fodera & Clementine Douglas

Dreamin' - Dom Dolla feat Daya

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Wonderland Burlesque's As The Diva Turns! - Gaga, Jennie & Jourdin

Wonderland Burlesque's

As The Diva Turns!

 Gaga, Jennie & Jourdin

Spotlighting some recent diva turns...

I must say, you are in for quite the treat.

Up first? Finally. At last. The Gaga we all love and adore - the one who takes us to the dance floor - is back! So get your disco shoes on baby girl, Lady Gaga is spinning pure industrial magic with the heart-pounding Abracadabra!

Then, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, we have Jennie with help(?) from Dominic Fike, mourning the loss of a love that shall be named, as she imparts the R&B chill down of Love Hangover.

And finally, it's the lovely and luscious Jourdin Pauline, looping it old-style with an insistent groove sure to light up your sweet tooth as she slow stirs the bubbling Sugar.

All in all, a trio of destined-to be-classic diva turns.

Morta Oo Gaga, indeed!

Midweek hump?

Feeling in the dumps?

Here's some music to make your heart jump!

- uptonking from Wonderland Burlesque

 

Abracadabra - Lady Gaga

Love Hangover - Jennie feat. Dominic Fike

 

Sugar - Jourdin Pauline

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Wonderland Burlesque's As The Diva Turns! - Megan, Dua & Melanie

Wonderland Burlesque's

As The Diva Turns!

Megan, Dua & Melanie

 

Spotlighting some recently-released diva turns on the part of three one-named phenoms this week.

I must say, you are in for quite the international treat. 

Up first? Take-no-prisoners Megan Thee Stallion with an assist from Flo Millie, rocking the high school old-school with the pin-to-the-beat Roc Steady!

 

Then, in a classic diva move, we have the ever-versatile Dua Lipa - live at The Royal Albert Hall - truly in command with the epic Training Season. 

And finally, delivering more of her fourth-dimensional brand of fantastical pop, my favorite modern seer, Melanie Martinez with her long-awaited truth-of-the-moment spectacular SPIDER WEB.

All in all, a trio of great turns.

You can tell who I am from the back, indeed!

Midweek hump?

Feeling in the dumps?

Here's some music to make your heart jump!

- uptonking from Wonderland Burlesque

Roc Steady - Megan Thee Stallion feat. Flo Milli

Training Season - Dua Lipa

SPIDER WEB - Melanie Martinez

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Wonderland Burlesque's As The Diva Turns! - IRENE, ROSÉ, & BENEE

Wonderland Burlesque's

As The Diva Turns!

IRENE, ROSÉ, & BENEE

 

Spotlighting some recently-released diva turns on the part of three one-named phenoms this week.

I must say, you are in for quite the international treat. 

Up first? Channeling a bit of vintage Janet Jackson joy, the buoyant, effervescent Irene with Like A Flower.

 

Then, hailing via New Zealand and South Korea, we have the smoky-voiced ROSÉ, yearning to be his Number One Girl.

And finally, the the matter-of-fac  pop of another New Zealander, quirky, kinetic BENEE with Animal.

All in all, a trio of great turns.

Too much pressure might get squashed, indeed!

Midweek hump?

Feeling in the dumps?

Here's some music to make your heart jump!

- uptonking from Wonderland Burlesque

Like A Flower - IRENE

 

number one girl - ROSÉ

Animal - BENEE

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Sunday Diva/Three From The Hip: Charli XCX

Sunday Diva/Three From The Hip:

Charli XCX

In my own personal big gay church there is a wing dedicated to those who belong to the Rhythm Nation. These divas got us to think, encouraged us to love and respect ourselves, made us feel sexy as hell and... most importantly, got us to dance!

One such musical brat?

Charli XCX!

While undeniably beautiful, her real super power is her ability to write massive smash pop hits. 

To say she's smart is an understatement.

To say she's got her fingers on the pulse of modern society? 

Well, now you're saying something.

It's true. She's brash and bold, with a fresh sense of humor and... a need to be nice.

This is not your typical poser with a diva fetish. Far from it. Though she can count those on the cutting edge of pop music as familiars, she's much more interested in making quality music with a long lifespan. She wants her fingers in many pies, her prints all over the charts, with an eye on becoming a true musical influencer. 

And while fashion may dictate, she loves to buck a trend, bend a standard and skewer those who pose. She lives unafraid and will to work hard for herself and on the behalf of others. 

On the scene since she was 14, her focus has shifted multiple times, but one thing remains as true as that knowing look in her eyes...

This is not your ordinary pop princess. 

No, sir. 

This one means to be queen!

(But not a mean queen.)

The gospel according to her?

Well, here are three from the hip, dropping from her lips.

The topic? Cool vs. Nice

"I'm not interested in the idea of celebrity."
 
"I really just want to change the way women think about themselves. A lot of young girls are quite lost."
 
"There's something about girls together, uniting, that I just thought was cool."
 
"In the '90s, there was always this continuous pitting of women against each other in the media, trying to make them battle it out."

"I think debate is good. Everyone has an opinion, and it's definitely healthy to voice those."

"If there's intelligence behind an opinion, then I'm all for expressing it, but I would never just start a fight with someone for the sake of it - that's just not me."
 
"Females should stand by each other, especially in an industry which seems to try so hard to pin us up against each other and make us fight. It's not about that for me. I refuse to be sucked into a twisted world of insecurity and lose who I am."
 
"I think I'm a girl's girl in the sense that I support women a lot, and I'm definitely all for girl power, but I think I'm quite a tomboy at heart - even though I love my fashion and dressing up, I think my essence is very boyish."

 

"I just feel like the songs I write lend themselves to this girl-power feeling, and those are the artists that I looked up to when I was younger."
 
"I spent a lot of my teenage years experimenting with who I was as a person and not really getting it right. And then, I think, I realized that I just had to chill out in life."
 
"I was never the cool kid in school, and loads of people told me that I was weird, that I dressed uncool and did uncool things, that I was too nice, too happy."

"When you're growing up, I think there's this idea that the coolest people are the ones who are really rude and feverish. But I've come to realize that isn't cool."
 

"I think the best people are the ones who are just as nice and fun. This is really cheesy, but you only have one life - why spend most of it pretending to be cool?"

"I feel like I'm a pop star without being a diva."
 
"I feel like when people meet me, I'm very much not what they expected I would be. I'm not a diva, and I'm not mean to people or have weird rules."

"Being nice is awesome. You have more fun; you meet more people."

"I get on with people. I don't hang out with people who aren't nice. It's like, be real or go home."

"You should respect the people you are around."
 
"My one thing is respect. I don't care about anything else. You should respect everyone around you - the people who work for you, peers. Be classy."

"My philosophy is to treat people how you want to be treated."

Boom Clap - Charli XCX

1999 - Charli XCX with Troye Sivan

360 - Charli XCX

And one last parting shot...

Most of my favorite artists are strong females.

From the moment I stepped into this industry, I've always had to fight for my ideas and for my voice to be heard.

 

I think it's awesome when a woman is in control of everything she's doing, especially in an industry like this where people think that doesn't happen often, but it really does - well, from my knowledge and how I manage my own project.

 

When I got signed, I had just turned 16. I felt like I had to continuously have these confrontations with older men who were doubting my ideas because I was a woman, because I was 16.

 

I actually think it doesn't even matter what age you are or what sex - though that does play into it sometimes - you always have to fight in any kind of creative world because nobody knows your own brain and your own creative ideas better than you do.

Some people think of feminine as just being pretty and quiet and sweet, but I also think being feminine is being angry and also being sexy and aggressive and passionate.

 

If you're in control of everything, then no matter what it is, you can make that feminine.

 

I believe I deserve everything that could maybe happen. And I don't think that's a cocky thing to say because I've worked really hard, and I've never bitten the hand that fed me, and I've always been really respectful