Punk meets Club Kid with the genre-defying queer outfit, Arch Femmesis. Izzy Morris chatted to Zera Tønin and Princess Stephen about visual inspirations, Nottingham’s queer spaces and the city’s LGBTQI+ scene.
Describe your sound to anybody that’s never heard you before.
Zera: Eclectic Electro Punk.
Stephen: We’re influenced by lots different genres, but there’s always an electronic side to it. It’s always quite a little bit experimental.
Zera: Very queer, very punk.
Stephen: Techno, industrial, garage, goth... a bit of Darkwave, Synthwave... you know, all the waves!
How did you both meet?
Zera: We met at a spoken word night at City Arts because our mutual friend was a young producer. I was stepping in because someone had dropped out and Stephen was headlining. I was like, ‘Oh, I like this person on the synth doing their stuff.’ We had a meeting and decided to collaborate because we just felt really aligned with what we were doing, each other’s aesthetic and artistry.
Stephen: We had a little jam together. Zera had already written lots of poems, so it was a bit easier. But in the first jam, we got three or four songs pretty well fleshed out. Obviously, we've come a long way since then, but you don't often find that with collaboration, just to click and get things done so easily. And even now, when we're in the studio, we get basics down in a couple of hours.
Zera: As time has gone on we’ve intertwined and understand each other more creatively. Stephen’s more of a Disco Sade Queen and I’m more of a Yoko Ono screaming down a microphone, pretending to be a fly.
Stephen: Zera comes from an art background and I don’t, so they’re always bringing more of the experimental edge, and me, well, I just like to dance.
Where are your favourite arty and dancey places in Nottingham?
Zera: Backlit Gallery. I really love and appreciate them. Had some amazing experiences at Contemporary as well.
Stephen: We're not in Nottingham as much anymore but Jamcafé is one, and the Lofthouse, where there used to be a lot of Northern Soul.
Zera: I used to work there. Trish and Ian Gardner, who run Fishergate Point, that was the first kind of establishment they had. And that’s where I worked at uni as a student, as a barmaid.
Stephen: The Chameleon has gone now, but that’s a special place for us as well. RIP!
As time has gone on we’ve intertwined and understand each other more creatively. Stephen’s more of a Disco Sade Queen and I’m more of a Yoko Ono screaming down a microphone, pretending to be a fly.
Any favourite queer memories in Nottingham?
Zera: The first ever pride event I did as a club kid was opening for Sasha Velour and Hungry at the Nottingham Contemporary and it was the first ever lip sync I did. It was so wonderful and amazing. And also working with Laganja Estranja for a queer showcase called The End of Gender where I met my current best friends. I actually found out I was queer, well, she told me I was queer and I was like ‘Okay.’ Also some really beautiful memories with DirtyFilthySexy - where it started for us as a band.
Stephen: And that’s who we’re playing with this year, DirtyFilthySexy.
Zera: Yes, at The Chapel. The last time we played there was for Queer Utopia. The tech staff were all queer and femme as well, which is rare to see. It’s a really good space.
Which other queer Nottingham artists excite you at the moment?
Stephen: G4y B0y, which is a collab between Franx and Thom, they’re amazing. They’re so funny and camp and out there.
Zera: We thought we were silly and camp, but they’re next-level ridiculous.
Stephen: And Baby Tap has been doing it for years. We love Baby Tap. Amazing techno slut soundscapes.
Zera: There’s been a big resurgence of queer/trans punks as well. Gender Envy, Retina, Cheap Dirty Horse, MINATORE and YAY MARIA too. Nottingham’s very underrated.
How do you find balancing music with day jobs, as a DIY band?
Zera: It feels impossible, but somehow it’s happening. There’s a lot of burnout involved. Stephen's working as a data analyst and is lucky enough to have a four day working week. So every Friday he goes on a little hike.
Stephen: And to the studio! It’s such a difficult industry to do full-time. We’re not all nepo babies or can rely on our parents to help us out.
Zera: The DIY struggle is real. Doing your own admin, booking tours…
Stephen: A lot of our merchandise and band stuff is designed by Zera as well, which is good in a way, because if people buy the merch, they’re also buying a piece of our art.
What inspires you visually?
Stephen: I love Vivian Westwood and Alexander McQueen. I try and incorporate fetishy type stuff as well. But my mood always changes. I always bring a couple of outfits to every gig. Sometimes I feel a bit more goth, sometimes I feel a bit more androgynous or flamboyant.
Zera: I’m really inspired by 70s/80s punk, new wave and blitz kids. While I’m a punk dishevelled mess, I always like to add that bit of elegance and opulence. I treat every show like a runway and each outfit is conceptual. Bin bags are my favourite.
Stephen: You’ve got a good eye for a vintage dress.
Zera: Rest in peace Sue Ryder on Hockley High Street. I was in mourning; I have so many iconic pieces from that shop!
What are your plans for the future musically?
Zera: We've got new music on the way. We're finally recording some of the old tracks, but being a long distance and DIY band, like, it's been hard for us to record stuff as quickly as some of our peers. So we're finally getting the classics down whilst also recording even newer stuff. Very retro, early 2000s like garage, hyper pop stuff and we're looking to see how our dynamic as a duo is going to evolve. BUT a special mention goes to our Rebellion Festival Debut which we are super pumped about!!
What is your advice for young queer musicians?
Zera: Beige indie boy bands aren’t all that. You’ll get gigs and find your community across soooo many different demographics. People from all different backgrounds will love and appreciate your art. Know your self-worth and be unashamedly authentic.
And any last words for LeftLion?
Zera: LeftLion are sexy legends xoxo
Arch Femmesis play Notts Pride for DirtyFilthySexy at The Angel on 27 July, plus Leodis Requiem gothic festival in Leeds on 13 July and Rebellion Festival, Blackpool on 4 August. They also have a couple of very tasty single releases coming up in the next couple of months, so keep your eyes peeled!
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