By Ulla Kelly

Deb Adler has been entertaining diverse audiences professionally for over forty years. Trained in both music and theater, Deb's performance background includes everything from glee clubs, choruses, and classical choral unions, to folk groups, to solo performances.

You've been out and singing about it for a long time now – what are the biggest changes you've noticed?
Definitely the integration into mainstream. When I started performing as a "Lesbian-feminist singer-songwriter...

With her new CD, “Papercuts” coming out in South Africa at the end of the month, it seemed like a great time to talk to Karma; a firm favourite amongst South Africans since the nineties and Henry Ate.  I asked her about American things, South African things, queer things - and things about how she writes the kind of songs that stick in your heart and mind forever.  Unfortunately, I completely forgot to ask her how many of her fans are Buddhist.  2008 has seen her play on three continents ...

photo: scott graham

I’ve seen Stealing Love Jones play live a good few times, to big crowds and small.  I even saw Esjay do an acoustic set once.  I’ve also seen her play at lesbian events and she was not only truly cool and comfortable with it, but pretty flirtatious with the crowd too.  The music is fabulous - slightly offbeat, but mostly damn good rawwwk.  Esjay is one of those people who seems to have been born and bred for stardom.  She’s a natural; she’s straightforward, in-yer...

What’s it like being an out lesbian muso?

Great. We played a lesbian / women only gig earlier this year- was fun. There are good audiences out there and many talented lesbian musicians.

You’re UK based - please tell South African readers who you are and what you sound like?

We are an Acoustic female duo based in Nottingham. U.K. Called The Idolins, comprising of Karen Smalley-Turner (Vocals and acoust...

Author, activist, slam poet, facilitator, blogger, singer and scientist … and there’s enough in print and online for even a faraway South African to make researching you a full-time job - where on earth do you get the time and energy?
Well, I’m kind of naturally hyperactive I suppose. Plus I often have insomnia, which really helps create extra time (although it’s not so helpful with regards to energy).
I should also say that while I do or have done all of the things you mentioned, I don...

Aquila Wolf-Wild: The Lesbian Love Junkie

Actually she’s The Lesbian Love Junkie, an Australian singer and, believe it or not, lesbian.  Feel free at any point in this interview, to listen to her latest song.  It won’t cost you a cent and I guarantee it’ll make you grin.  It’s a brilliant stage name, isn’t it?  You’ll find her on Facebook as Aquila Wolf-Wild.  Finger right on the pulse of lesbian culture there and I’m convinced it’s ideal for a t-shirt (she says underwear firs...