Interview with Luna Howl

This month, my blog post is an interview of a drag artist and I have the great pleasure of interviewing the self-described, glamour/ swamp witch, the ethereal punk demon of Rochester, Medway in Kent. They are also the host and co-producer of the Loco Cabaret.

Ladies and Gentlemen please allow me to introduce to you the one and only, Luna Howl by night and Nefi by day.

The Luna Howl

JGH – Nefi, thank you so much for taking the time to be interviewed. Please tell the readers about yourself and your pronouns?

LH – Hello my lovely thank you for having me. So when I’m presenting in drag I prefer to use she/her pronouns, in normal life when I’m just being Nefi then it’s he/ him. That being said I’m not too fussy either way

JGH - I love learning about this so put me out of my misery and tell us how you came up with your drag name, The Luna Howl?

LH – Ha Ha so this is one of my favourite questions to ask drag artists too. The name Luna came from an obsession with the moon in my youth which continued into adulthood so Luna seemed like the perfect first name. With the last name I knew I wanted something to connect it to mythology/demonic/dark fantasy and being a rather hirsute young man, I was drawn to Howl for the relation to Werewolves. I always say to people that ask where the name comes from “Luna because I love the moon and Howl because I’m furry like a werewolf”

JGH – When you came up with the name Luna Howl, what came first, the aesthetic of your drag or the name?

LH – I had always known that Luna was going to have a dark/sinister vibe. The aesthetic has always been of big importance to me. Being a bearded and hairy queen, I’ve never wanted to fit into the familiar female impersonation type of drag and have always searched to make something a bit weird/creepy but still being sexy and intriguing.

JGH – What inspired you to get into drag and when was this?

LH – I started drag in my final year of studying Fine Art at Norwich University of the Arts in 2015. I had been looking at a lot of gender-bending artists/photographers/performance artists and how they represent gender in interesting and unique ways. Through my research, I came across Leigh Bowery and the club kids from New York and loved how extravagant and fearless they were. I have watched Rupauls Drag Race for a couple of years and concluded I should look into drag as part of my course. One thing leads to another and I was approached by a drag collective in Norwich asking if I wanted to join their group and perform with them, which of course I jumped at the opportunity. Our collective was called Rosebud and we performed in various venues around Norwich, as well as headlining Norwich Pride 2015.

JGH – Describe your first time in drag, all those feelings, we want to know the “w’s” and that one “h”?

LH – My first time performing in drag was shortly after the Rosebud Collective had welcomed me into their arms at Gonzo’s Tea Room in Norwich town centre. I remember the date May 16th 2015, I remember before the show and the afterparty however I have hardly any recollection of my performance. I think I was so overcome with adrenaline and nerves that I just blanked whilst performing but everyone said they loved it so it must have gone well. I did a lipsync/ striptease to Alcohol by Brooke Candy, covered the audience in tequila and worked that stage OUT! It was such a blur but such an amazing experience.

JGH – Tell us all about Loco Cabaret and the cast of your show that you co-produce?

LH – So The Loco Cabaret is a drag and burlesque cabaret show held at Poco Loco in Chatham, Medway, Kent that has been running for just over 4 years now. The show is more of an alternative take on your typical cabaret show. We’ve had drag kings and queens, burlesque/ boylesque/ draglesque, sideshow performers, musicians, fire performers, spoken word artists, comedians, dancing lampshades (a very fun performer by the name of Kheski Kobler). Anything a little weird and bizarre is totally up our street. I started the show after moving back home from Norwich and realising there wasn’t anything in Medway for queer expression, let alone alternative queer expression. So with the help of my best friend and burlesque performer Olivia Nuclear Bomb, we started the show. We wanted a space that is inclusive and a safe space for those who might not feel welcome in other venues. Even though Poco Loco isn’t an LGBTQIA+ venue they have always stated that their venue is void of any discrimination or prejudice and I’ve always felt very welcome there.

JGH – What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you in drag? I am sure there are more moments than you can say because drag is a barrel of laughs but choose that one memorable moment that has really stuck with you. One that has stuck with me always makes me giggle. Mother nature called and I was using the cubicle that two blokes didn’t realise I was in. I waited to make my exit whilst they stood outside and discussed what they would do with me, if, a big IF they were in Thailand!!! I have never seen two red faces like I did when I stepped out from behind the door to wash my hands. Priceless.

LH – Omg so one of my favourite funny moments in drag was actually really early on in my drag career. We had just done a show in Norwich at a bar called The Birdcage and were all kiki-ing out the front. Drinking, smoking and carrying on. Then some guys from a stag do walk past and they’ve been doing a scavenger hunt around Norwich all night and they see us and are whooping and cheering and start chatting to us. Short and short of the story my drag sister was trying to crack onto the best man however apparently, he only had eyes for me. He came over and asks if he can kiss me! RIGHT IN FRONT OF EVERYONE! And this guy wasn’t just hot he was SCORCHING! So of course, I said yes and we kissed. Everyone cheered and I was so giddy that I fell over, pulling this guy with me whilst also covering myself in my drink at the same time!!!! A nightmare but also very funny.

JGH – That’s hilarious. You are a lucky soul!!! I have been doing drag for 9 years this year. 2021, and there have been many a moment where I have thought to myself, yes, keep going. Those moments come and go. What has been the highlight of your career as a drag artist so far?

LH – I would have to say the highlight of my drag career was performing at the Boomtown festival in 2019. It was as part of The Copper Fell Cabaret located in Paradise Heights (in the festival). The cabaret was filled with some amazing diverse performers and I met so many fantastic people there. So not only was it amazing to perform at one of my favourite festivals it was also a great chance to connect with fellow performers and make connections that have lasted to this day.

JGH – I know, like myself, you make your costumes for your shows. Please tell us about your creative process? I always find that mine ends up looks vastly different from when I started out to the finished costume. Does this happen to you?

LH – This definitely happens a lot. Generally, I’ve made up a routine and am thinking of the outfit that would go with that performance. So, I already have an idea of what I’m envisioning outfit wise. I might start with a sketch if it’s going to be a very intricate costume but a lot of the time I just go for it. Depending on the outfit I’ll start with base elements like bra/panties and work on top, or if I find a pattern that is close to my vision I’ll work from that. But yeah it never normally turns out exactly how you imagine it, that’s only ever happened once for me haha.

JGH – If a budget for a look was not an issue who would you get to make and design a costume for you and why? I have always wanted a piece made by the House of Canney in the States. Total dream of mine!!!

LH – Wow if money was no issue I’d want pieces made by Westwood, Mugler, old Alexander McQueen and many more. So, so, many pieces I’ve seen from archives and fashion magazines I’ve always dreamed of wearing but being a gigantic 6’3” out of drag I can’t see that happening hahaha. That being said I have a very good friend who is a designer and his dresses are just gorgeous and structurally astounding. Konstanty Murzynski Atelier, who makes these stunning black and white pieces that I fell in love with years ago.

JGH – Which costume of yours that you made are you most proud of?

LH – The costume I’m most proud of is a little devil costume I made in the first lockdown. I made it out of an old red velvet dress. made a bodysuit, cropped long sleeve top, and the part I’m most proud of was a pillbox hat with devil horns. Everything is covered in rhinestone (which took forever!!) and I haven’t had an opportunity to wear it for performing yet so I shall have to get on that.

JGH – What is your favourite colour to work with either in fabric or makeup and why?

LH – Not to sound too goth about it but the colours I generally gravitate to are black and red. Being a bit of a spooky queen these colours lend themselves well to this sort of aesthetic. However, I do like to push myself into other areas and using different colour palettes. I feel it’s always good to explore alternative avenues and always try to push yourself to try new things. Nothing is off-limits.

JGH – You have used crystals in some of your looks on Instagram. Nails, makeup, costumes and props. What is your number one tip for applying crystals to a surface for any readers that may want to try this out? I would always suggest that when applying them for use in makeup, make sure spirit gum doesn’t get in your eye…LOL. Seriously though, a detailed brush from a local arts and crafts shop is the perfect tool to apply that spirit gum.

LH – So my best tip for attaching gemstones and rhinestones to fabrics is to use Gem-Tac rather than e6000 as some stones have a metal backing and e6000 can actually eat away at the metal and then the stones fall off however from using Gem-Tac I’ve never had this issue. When sticking stones to nails I always use nail glue as you don’t want them popping off. However, I can’t advise anyone the method I use to apply stone for makeup as I used lash glue haha spirit gum is probably a better method.

JGH – I am sure I already know the answer to this but what is your favourite season, time of the year and why?

LH – Even though I and Luna are both Taurus babies of course my favourite time of year is the autumn/ Halloween season. Being an alternative queen I’ve always been drawn to this time of year. And as a performer, it’s a lot easier on you in cooler temperatures haha.

JGH – For anyone starting out on their drag journey what advice would you give them as well as three top tips for their makeup bag?

LH – My main advice for anyone starting out on their drag journey is to just be genuine and find your own personal direction with it. We’re lucky that drag has become so much more accessible over the past couple of years and therefore so many different types of drag are available for people to see. Whether you want to be spooky, cute or a mixture of the two. Do what you want to do and don’t let anyone turn you away from your personal path. my 3 top tips for your makeup bag 1) an eyeshadow palette with a variety of colours and tones. You can get some really good quality inexpensive palettes on beautybay.com (I actually use a couple of them myself). Especially when starting out you’ll be playing around with a lot of different colours and colour combinations so having that available is a great way to make sure you don’t limit yourself. 2) a good setting powder for your foundation. I use Airspun but Ben Nye have some great ones. This is what is going to keep your foundation and cream contour from rubbing off and smearing so it’s essential. 3) a good variety of brushes and a beauty blender! You can’t use the same brush for every part of the face so you need thick brushes, thin brushes, some brushes to apply, some to blend, some to wipe away excess product. There is a brush for everything so have your bases covered. And a beauty blender to blend your foundation and cream contours is a must for achieving a smooth blended finish.

JGH – What do you love about drag at the moment and what do you hate about drag at the moment?

LH – The thing I love about drag is that it gives people a chance to play!! Play with gender, play with expressing different things about themselves that they might not be able to in normal life. It should be fun! The thing I hate about drag is that there is still the idea that female impersonation is still the only form of drag. There is a multitude of directions open to people wanting to experiment with drag and I’m by no means saying that female impersonation is a bad or outdated part of drag, I’m just wanting people to widen their scope of what’s possible and open to them.

JGH – Thank you so much for answering these questions and been interviewed for this month’s blog post. Please let the readers know where they can come and see you and how they follow The Luna Howl?

LH – So you can find me on Instagram @thelunahowl (https://www.instagram.com/thelunahowl/?hl=en) and for enquiry about booking at thelunahowl@hotmail.com.

It has been a great read learning about Nefi, The Luna Howl. Please go and support them on their creative journey and get inspired.

For now, I leave you with this…

“Don’t worry if you are making waves just by being yourself. The moon does it all the time.” – Scott Stabile

Write soon…xoxo