This mistress of the macabre and her thrilling theremin are becoming a nightmarish fan favorite at Brooklyn’s premiere queer punk palace Purgatory… the house of Samara Slaughter! [Cover photo: Pat Plush]
Thotyssey: Hello Samara! Thanks for chatting with us today! July is basically over already, how is the summer treating you?
Samara Slaughter: Hey, thanks for having me! This summer has been way more productive than I originally thought it would be so far. Along with performing on a somewhat regular basis, I’ve started producing my own shows at Purgatory–and hosting other shows put on by friends of mine on occasion–and I couldn’t be happier.
I have an idea that your “whole thing” onstage is some live music, some drag, and / or some performance art. Is that accurate?
Yes indeed, a little bit of everything! My whole thing is Unsettling, Disturbing, Grotesque and Alarming with a little bodily harm in the mix, to summarize in just a few words. If something’s gonna freak you out mentally or even physically, that’s what I aim to emulate.
Everyday is Halloween! So where are you from originally… and were you born into the macabre?
I’m a native New Yorker–born and raised in the Bronx, but now I reside in Queens. I definitely was not born into the macabre; growing up, I was such a squeamish little baby, I couldn’t even stand horror movie trailers. But I was always a fan of fantasy in video games and media, and you can never talk about fantasy without it getting dark twisted at some point. So I really eased myself into those themes as I got older.
Do you have an all time favorite character from that world?
Oh God, there’s so many… and they’re all either super evil, or alignment ambiguous. I’m talking Arthas the Lich King in WoW, Morrigan from Dragon Age, Nightmare from SoulCalibur… and the list goes on. I wouldn’t even say I wanted to embody these characters, but there is something about someone who disrupts the system that’s always interested me.
Tell us about the music you perform onstage.
Well, most times I perform with an instrument (which is typically my Theremin), I’m doing it in drag to a song that already exists–and more so adding to the experience. I find that I gravitate mostly to the genres of Metal, Punk, Noise, Alternative rock, Gothic, and anything alike. These genres already do so much to move away from popular music and soundscapes, so it fits perfectly with not only my drag but an obscure instrument like the Theremin. I have technically made original music before with it, but nothing recorded–and what I have done has been mostly freestyle and vibing instead of playing a written piece. But I do want to eventually start playing works of my own regularly. I’m just still very new to playing instruments in general.
How did you start performing as Samara in New York?
November 16th, 2022 was my drag debut, just about seven months ago and about a year after I had been to my first drag show ever. I started at the second ever “Whoopsie Wednesday” open set at Purgatory after I had met my Drag Not Mother (she could never claim me, because I can’t be contained) [Unintelligible Screaming] who encouraged me to perform. It was the creative outlet that I needed. A few months after that, I started bringing my Theremin to the stage after I was inspired by other performers who incorporated instruments into their performances.
And so began your relationship with Purgatory, the queer punk capital of Brooklyn!
Purgatory is like my home away from home at this point and it’s mostly thanks to [Unintelligible] for curating shows that bring musicians and drag artists together.
As you mentioned earlier, you’ve started producing shows there! Tell us about “Friends & Family,” your new show that comes to Purgatory at 7:30 on Wednesday, August 2nd.
I host and perform alongside my favorite bands in the scene, and this Wednesday we’re highlighting A Total Wreck and their EP release, with Insouciant and Plastic Baby Jesus. I’ll be the frightening host screaming your ears off; the bands will melt your faces. And if you’re still looking for something to do after that, “Whoopsie Wednesday” is right after.
Next up for you at Purgatory: you’re competing in the first preliminary round of this year’s epic “Mx. Nobody” on August 4th! Will this be your first big competition?
Yup, first competition ever!
On August 5th, you’re starting the night with an early show at a secret location!
I’ll be performing at Lil Park Drag Show for “Halloween in the Summer.”
Then later that night you return to Purgatory for an event called “Vaguely Upsetting.”
It’s a benefit showcase raising funds for the Navajo Water Project and the theme of the night is “Vaguely Upsetting.” There’ll be an indoor art gallery, acoustic sets, drag and a sideshow–it’s gonna be a lot in all the best ways.
You’ll be venturing into Ridgewood a few days later!
I’ll be at Trans-Pecos on August 9th.
And then on the 14th, you’ll be at Purgatory once again… this time performing at a party that Xaddy Addy is hosting there: “The Masquarade.” That looks fun!
Indeed, and of course it will be a masquerade themed event… which I’m especially excited for!
Have great shows all around! My last question: would “Padam Padam” be better with a Theremin?
Everything is better with a Theremin.
Well said! Thanks, Samara!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Samara Slaughter’s upcoming appearance, and follow her on Instagram.
Thotyssey 
