Now that restrictions have lifted here in Spain, we’re finally able to revisit all our old favourite haunts and for better or for worse still find a bar playing this. One thing that has changed in the last two years however, and it’s unequivocally for the better, is the face of young Queer Spain. A new generation is coming through and they are more body-positive, gender-fluid and ethnically diverse than ever before – and we love to see the visibility! Spain still has a long way to go before Queer PoC are given the true representation they deserve but steps are being made with new artists coming forward and breaking down the walls.
One artist who has been making waves is Madrid-based Megane Mercury – a multidisciplinary artist who uses visual arts as their main form of expression, they also create music as a singer and as a producer and lead the artistic direction of all their musical and visual projects. Not only this but they also model on the side having been part of campaigns for ‘Levi’s Spain’, ‘Tinder Spain’ & GANT.
Megane also just dropped their collaboration with Catz ‘n Dogz, the Double A-Side ‘Toma’ & ‘Kiki’. Megane taks to Loverboy about their musical exploration and how Queer PoC are definitely still ‘almost invisible’ in Spain.
Hey Megane, I’m loving ‘Toma’ & ‘Kiki’. These are definitely a different mood to your other music. What took you in this direction?
I like all music genres so I try not to limit myself. For instance my first and second EPs have nothing to do with each other in terms of sound, but they still represent me – as do ‘Toma’ & ‘Kiki’. Electronic music is a field that I want to explore little by little and collabs like this allow me to challenge myself in doing things that I really like, but may not have tried.
How did the collabo happen?
Voitek from Catz ‘n Dogz contacted me on Instagram and told me that he wanted to collaborate with me. In all honesty I didn’t know much about them, so I looked them up on Spotify and I liked what I heard, so I gave it a try and it worked out really well. I’m so happy to collaborate with them because it was so easy and natural.
The word ‘toma’ is so connected to the traditional old-school Spanish culture of flamenco – was this in your mind when writing the lyrics to ‘Toma’?
I was thinking of this famous song by Conchi Martínez that says, “Toma que toma, Que toma, toma que toma, Que toma, toma que toma, Que toma ta” Toma in Spanish means ‘to give’, however in that song its not exactly like that cause it feels a bit like an onomatopoeia and it’s difficult to explain without the cultural context. I also wanted to write an empowering track so I added some lyrics about that.
Your previous album Desamor y Pop-Rock para Adolescentes is a total rock vibe. When I think of rock in Spain, it is 80s post-Movida Madrilena punk – is there anytime about this time that influences the music you make now?
Well in fact its more about 2000’s Spanish pop-rock however, all that post-Movida Madrileña punk has influenced Spanish music in general, no matter the genre so whether we use it as an inspo or not, you may find traces of that.
Vogue Spain has name-checked you as a Hot Talent 2021. How did this feel?
You know, it feels so random. For real. Hahaha. Like, at the end of the day even though it is a pleasure to be there, I can say for sure that it is not a thing that has brought me any work. Also I’m aware that on the internet things are easily forgotten and consumed as time passes so, it is always cool to be recognized by mainstream media, but recognition and exposure have good and bad sides.
Drag Race España has been one of the best, if not the best international series. Does it represent the Spanish gay scene? Who were you supporting?
I think it represents part of the gay/queer scene. It is true that for instance PoC people are underrepresented and even invisibilized in Spain, so it is hard to feel the queer achievements that Spain is having internationally like ‘Drag Race’ or ‘Veneno’ because we are never part of it. But I’m glad that it happened anyway. That said, I was supporting Inti, The Macarena, Hugáceo Crujiente, Arantxa Castilla La Mancha and Pupi Poisson. I think that they are the most interesting and the ones who have more projection. Also Supreme Deluxe as a host did it very well.
What does the world need to know about Spain’s queer community?
As I said, queer PoC are almost invisible, but we are here to stay and make a cultural impact. Spain is a really unique country where many influences converge, so the best thing about it is that you never know what’s next and that keeps you engaged. Also we are so funny and that’s always good.
Loverboy is named after the iconic Mariah Carey song. What is your favourite Mariah Carey track and why?
‘Emotions’ for sure, cause it’s still a bop and because I think it represents the 90’s energy and imagery with its sound.
‘Toma‘ & ‘Kiki‘ by Catz’n’Dogz feat. Megane Mercury are both out now.
Megane Mercury – Instagram / Soundcloud
