Continental Drift

plastic soul: Long before John Cameron Mitchell & Stephen Trask's deliciously offbeat Hedwig & the Angry Inch came into pop cultural prominence, there was Yolanda & the Plastic Family. There are a few sharp differences, though—starting with the fact that the former is not a transsexual, but a man.

Beyond that point, Yolanda—the button-pressing creation of delightfully eccentric singer/tunesmith Roger Anthony Mapes—displays none of the dark tragedy inherent in Hedwig. Rather, he radiates joy and warm spirituality.

But Yolanda is also a shrewd political animal who lures listeners in with wild, over-the-top drag and energetic pop/soul music, and then konks them over the head with a well-phrased, thought-provoking bit of material on issues ranging from racism and homophobia to religion and misogyny.

All one needs for proof is to witness one of the New York-based artist's live shows, which are akin to riding a rollercoaster without the strap to hold you in place. Yolanda takes you on a raucous journey that you're not likely to forget, but it's one that you're certain to want to experience again and again.

He has just issued an eponymous three-song EP that's designed to whet listeners' appetites for (and raise funds to finish recording) Intimacy, a full-length set that will follow 1999's fine Welcome to Yolandaworld. Intimacy is tentatively due in early 2003.

The EP opens with "Primal Sensation," a statement-of-purpose jazz-funk jam that balances simple chants of self-love with lines like "I fight my demons 'cause I have to turn darkness into light."

The songs "Freedom" and "Let Me Love You" are both feel-good anthems about blurring the lines of sexuality and race. "Freedom" is particularly strong and mainstream-friendly, with its pop-funk groove and easy-going lead vocal.

"I felt like it was time to give people a taste of what I've been working on in between shows," Yolanda says. "I feel like I'm growing and expanding my horizons, while remaining true to who I've always been as an artist. I'm proud of the progress I'm making, as both a performer and with my band."

Yolanda's Plastic Band currently comprises Jess Jurkovic (keyboards), Dan Freeman (bass), David Berger (drums), Robin Burdulis (percussion), and Martha Seyler (backing vocals). However, we admit to also enjoying the times when the artist simply takes the stage alone with an acoustic guitar. When you look past the persona that he projects, there's a fine, richly soulful voice to be heard.

Apparently, we're not alone in our praise of Yolanda. He was honored during the recent Stonewall Society's Pride in the Arts 2002 Awards, earning citations as best transgendered act and best 2002 Camp Pride Song for "Eat Me."

"It's the first award that we've gotten, so it was a major thrill," he says. "It's great to be noticed for doing good work. It's encouraging, and it helps to keep us moving when the times get tough."

Yolanda & the Plastic Family will spend the remainder of the summer and the fall balancing recording sessions with club dates. At the moment, most of their gigs are in the New York area (including a monthly residency at the always-festive Meow Mix club). Yolanda is available for solo acoustic gigs around the U.S.

New Yorkers can also see the act on its weekly Manhattan Neighborhood Cable program, which airs Thursday evenings at 11:30 p.m.

For additional information (or to purchase the EP Welcome to Yolandaworld), visit yolanda.net or call 212-981-9373. The artist is also available at yolanda@yolanda.net.