Kristine W was ‘raised by drag queens’
RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
rich@dallasvoice.com
Singer Kristine W may be famous for her hits like “One More Try” and “Feel What You Want” back in the 1990s. But time has not stopped the dance diva. Empowered by her family and her craft, the singer is about to open a new chapter in music.
And Dallas fans might want to cross their fingers, too: “If I can get everything organized, I’d love to release the album at MetroBall,” she said recently by phone.
Kristine W is one-half of this year’s headliner lineup at the annual dance party thrown each June by the Greg Dollgener Memorial AIDS Fund. Also on the bill is Debbie Gibson.
MetroBall 16 will go down Friday night, June 2, at Station 4 with Jada Pinkett Fox emceeing the night. The goal is raising funds for the organization, which helps people impacted by HIV/AIDS meet emergency financial needs.
Prior to Friday night’s performance, Kristine discussed the positive vibes of her new music and why she can’t even when it comes to all the new anti-drag queen legislation.
Dallas Voice: You have new music coming out previewed by the empowering anthem “Can’t Look Back.” Is that reflective of where you are right now? Kristine W: Thank you and yes. The song just makes me happy, but it’s also about celebrating those people who stick with you and who offer that unconditional support and love. It’s a great message I think.
Does it hint at the vibe of the new album? There is an uplifting theme to this album. It’s powerful. I’ve been working with some of my famous music friends on this, and we came up with new ideas, new things every day. I’m really so excited to create this with all of them.
What was different about this recording? Well, you know, as creators we were all trying to survive the isolation of the pandemic. Studios were shut down, and, of course, no one wanted to share microphones. So we just started Zooming each other and writing songs that way. I did some streaming shows with Chris Cox. But when things first reopened, I was back in my element — everyone was. I did a show in Salt Lake City, and we were just celebrating being together again. So creating magic and positive fun was euphoric for this record.
Well, the community needs positive fun and magic right now. I’m blessed to be supported by the LGBTQ community. The community has been in the trenches for a long time, and here we are again. Years ago, I released Land of the Living as a way to give hope to those living with AIDS. I hope this record can be some sort of hope for today’s times.
As an artist who has flourished with queer audiences and clubs, how do you process today’s current events and political conversations? It baffles me. I can’t believe we’re having these conversations, and really it’s beneath us. Drag queens are so fun, and they have the biggest hearts. This whole narrative around drag queens makes me angry. Ru and Lady Bunny and Chad Michaels are friends, and it makes me so sad for them and all the others to be attacked.
You have a long history with queens. I was kind of raised by drag queens when I was at the University of Las Vegas. I learned so much about makeup and wigs. These politicians we are dealing with are very shallow. I don’t even want to dignify their whole points.
Your mother passed in 2021. How did that impact your new music? It was hard to finish “Can’t Look Back,” but she used to have this saying: “Here’s to the men who might’ve been,” and I got stuck on that. I even ended up putting in this song. But it made me think “Where do I go from here?” To me it was genius and she deserves credit for that song.
For tickets, visit GDMAF.org.
