Get Out! GAY Magazine – Issue 525
Featuring content from the hottest gay and gay-friendly spots in New York, each (free!) issue of Get Out! highlights the bars, nightclubs, restaurants, spas and other businesses throughout NYC’s metropolitan area that the city’s gay a population is interested in.
Featuring content from the hottest gay and gay-friendly spots in New York, each (free!) issue of Get Out! highlights the bars, nightclubs, restaurants, spas and other businesses throughout NYC’s metropolitan area that the city’s gay a population is interested in.
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Hi, Irene! What inspired you<br />
to begin your house music<br />
journey, and why never<br />
before this during your<br />
career?<br />
The music scene has always<br />
been a huge part of my life. I<br />
enjoy writing my own songs<br />
and singing covers. A few<br />
years ago, my band, Our<br />
House, began performing live<br />
at some of the best known<br />
cabaret and jazz venues<br />
throughout Chicagoland. At<br />
some point, I was approached<br />
by Rachael Cain, owner of TRAX<br />
Records, with an intriguing opportunity<br />
to dip my toe in the House Music genre.<br />
While it was certainly not an obvious path<br />
for me, she was convinced that I would be<br />
great, so I took my best shot! And, to my<br />
happy surprise, I just love it! Sometimes<br />
life takes you down a different path than<br />
you expected, and I have found that if I<br />
am open to trying new things, life really is<br />
amazing, and I live every day to its fullest<br />
on and off the stage.<br />
What is it that attracts you to house<br />
music?<br />
Being a dancer my whole life, my body is<br />
in tune with the rhythm and beat of music.<br />
Performing house music makes me<br />
want to dance and brings me back<br />
to my younger years. I love being<br />
a woman my age and having the<br />
energy and flexibility to move and<br />
groove with the best of them.<br />
What other genres of music are<br />
you exploring as a singer and<br />
why?<br />
I am interested in a certain sound<br />
more than a genre per se. Lately,<br />
I’ve also been doing some detailed<br />
research on Stevie Nicks and why<br />
so many loved her sound…which is<br />
unusual. Also, Joni Mitchell. I love<br />
the earthy type!<br />
Knowing what you know now,<br />
what advice would you give to<br />
baby Irene?<br />
I was a very active and adventurous<br />
baby. Let’s just say I kept my mom<br />
very busy. My favorite place to play<br />
was in our pantry. I would put every<br />
single pot on my head and parade<br />
around the house, complete with<br />
a spoon and fork serving as my<br />
instrument.<br />
PHOTO CREDIT BILLY HESS
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