Artist Spotlight: BLACK JEANS

markstratis
Jul 1
3 min read

Person with dramatic makeup and wet hair framed by blue curtains, wearing a necklace. Moody blue lighting enhances the intense expression. — Photographer: Nelitza Yasmeen Rodriguez

Latest Release: End of the World pt.1

Let’s start at the beginning — what’s the origin story behind your music?

It’s a tale as old as time—if time loops through NYC’s underground in the late ’40s. I was raised next door to Lartis P’Chonski’s club, where drag queens, burlesque acts, and jazz freaks reigned. I’d sneak into the rafters and watch in awe. Eventually, I was offered a job cleaning up for a quarter an hour, but all I wanted was a shot with the house band, The Sick Fucks. One night, Yarp (our baritone) was out of commission, and Lartis turned to me: “BlackJeans, you’re up.” I sang, got chorked off the sqwang, and I’ve been performing ever since. A strange time-warp landed me in the 2020s, but the party never stopped.

How would you describe your sound to someone hearing you for the first time?

The color’s purple. The vibe? Confetti and clowns in your boss’s bathroom stall. It’s neon, it’s sweat, it’s the echo of a moon-howl in the desert while licking a red hot boot. It’s chaos dressed as a party you never want to end—because what would we have then?

Who are your biggest creative influences—musically or otherwise?

Willy Wonka was onto something. Bobby Shaw’s three-eyed weasel dance is permanently imprinted in my memory. Andy Kaufman made me cry, and I still don’t know why. I respect Charli XCX’s ability to make everyone feel hot. I grew up in escapism—comic books, drag, theater, film. That’s the lens I create through.

What’s a lyric or song you’ve written that means the most to you, and why?

“Carry On.” It explores the messy, ephemeral nature of love. To love something is to accept its impermanence. So I try to cherish what I’ve got, while I’ve got it.

Your latest release—what was the creative process like behind it?

YAUGHNIT? is the first single from my debut EP End of the World pt.1, produced with the brilliant Adam Thein. Across ten months and multiple cities—Ridgewood, Houston, Zoom—we captured chapters from my life. Adam never blinked, even when I pitched the most unhinged ideas. He’s a wizard of tones, instruments, vibes. This project was made with wonder, not pressure. Just two artists throwing a party in the booth.

🎧 Listen to the EP here

Being an indie artist isn’t easy—what’s been your biggest challenge so far, and what’s kept you going?

Letting go of expectations. It’s easy to get trapped in what you think should happen. My goal is to create with what I’ve got and not force the outcome. My people keep me grounded—collaborators, friends, fans. That’s the glue.

What’s a moment in your career that made you feel like “I’m really doing this”?

Any time I’m surrounded by community. Every show, every DM, every collab. I run an event series called End of the World—burlesque, drag, performance art, then a live set with me and The Sick Fucks. It’s a home for the queer kids, freaks, mixed kids, and misfits. Just like Lartis’ old club.

Visuals seem to play a big part in your work—how do you approach your aesthetic or branding?

We always keep a camera rolling. What you see is what we’re doing anyway. The weirdos I roll with keep things spicy—it’s more documentation than direction.

What’s your dream collaboration—living or not?

I’m lucky. My dream team is already here: Adam Thein, Aire Atlantica, TK The Architect, Megan Roe, and so many more. But I’ve got my eye on NYC event producers like Clowncult. And Izzy—we still need to make that track.