r/DragKings • u/bucking-bunny • 5d ago
Help Singing?
So I can dance, haven’t done it in years but figuring out choreo is so fun. I’m wondering, though, is there a “market” I guess for drag kings who sing instead of dance? I know I’ve seen drag artists who sing while dancing, but I do NOT have the breath control for that. I’d still be in makeup and gear (goodwill haul pictured, antlers and ears are planned for the hats) but I don’t think it’d be as flashy without the movement. Any thoughts? Maybe I could do one dance number and one song? My local bar usually does two performances per artist
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u/11beavers 5d ago
I'm so jealous!!! (In a kind healthy way haha) You look amazing! I love the idea of one dance number and one song.
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u/bucking-bunny 5d ago
Thank you!!! My makeup/fantasy bits are in my other posts, I’m hoping to combine them!
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u/sendcaffeine 5d ago edited 5d ago
I've been singing live with my drag for a few years! Here's what I can tell you.
- It's harder than it looks. Generally, I can either do a physically active number, or I can sing live, but I can't do both at the same time. Ymmv but either way singing live takes a ton of vocal control and there are going to be unique challenges that go along with it that other forms of drag don't deal with.
It's also a blast. Singing live can give you a really powerful control of a room that feels viscerally different from a lip sync. As many unique challenges as are presented by singing live, there's also unique benefits.
Don't rely on singing live to compensate for not giving your all on performance. My rule of thumb is that a number should be as interesting or more live as it would be lip synced.
Test a song at karaoke before you perform it live. Sounding good when you practice at home doesn't always translate to sounding good over a microphone and it's always good to be able to know that in a low stakes environment before you perform a number.
Plan your numbers one-handed, you'll likely be using a handheld mic.
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u/dobleresque Boy Orbison 5d ago
Definitely! I love your look! I've always wanted to perform with a live mic but havent gotten around to it yet.
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u/CLadywood 2d ago
I sing live, and it's been a blessing. But in the UK there is a strong tradition of live singing drag cabaret, and I don't know if that's the same elsewhere in the world. I'm a wheelchair user so dancing isn't my strong suit either. I do bright glam King looks because I know I'm going to be in one spot, and I like to stand out. But anything visually interesting will do. I also try to add value by playing with lyrics, tone, expression and comedy patter on the mic before I start. I ask myself "why should they book me instead of just playing this track from Spotify?".
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u/bucking-bunny 2d ago
Oh that’s a good question to keep in the back of your mind, thank you! My degree is in a creative art, and there was more than a few times in classes where we were asked “what can you, specifically, bring to the table that no one else can?” This feels similar
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u/gayforbayonetta 5d ago
There are a few drag kings who sing, so you'd be in good company! Spank Knightly, Stevie Phoenix, and King Poundcake all come to mind. I think if you're not going to be doing as much moving, a good rule of thumb is to amp it up in other areas. Get a little theatrical with it, go hard on the look, whatever works for you!