Prince Poppycock joins the Seattle Men’s Chorus this weekend for an amazing new show, God Save The Queens. If you like anything to do with the British Invasion or just consider yourself a Queen then you should tickets to this show! Prince Poppycock took some time out of his busy travel schedule to talk to us. Check out our interview below and get tickets to the show here.
Earle Dutton (ED): How did you get started in music and singing?
Prince Poppycock (PP): Have you ever seen the show Gypsy, well I lived it! I can’t really remember a time where I wasn’t singing, and putting on little performances at my parents parties. I guess because of sheer determination, or stupidity, I never stopped.
ED: Who were your musical or stage influences growing up?
PP: Streisand taught us long ago that the mirror has two faces, and I’ve been studying my own face for a lifetime.
ED: How did your persona, Prince Poppycock, come about?
PP: That’s funny, I’ve been pitching a TED Talk entitled: How my persona Prince Poppycock came about. It’s an hour long, it’s hilarious and brilliant.
ED: How did you come up with the name?
PP: I was very interested in French existentialism in my 20’s. One of the things I found so appealing about it was that rather than trying to find meaning of life, it essentially declares life to be absurd. I found this to be very freeing, and I wanted my stage name to reflect this. Fun fact, most people think that the derivation for Poppycock is English; however it is in actually Dutch. It was originally spelled poppekak and it means doll excrement.
ED: What is the worst or maybe weirdest job you have had to support your musical career?
PP: The worst would still have to be waiting tables, it really can be an interesting window into peoples personalities. I think its always a good piece of advice that you can learn a lot about people when you see how they interact with their wait staff.
The weirdest would definitely be costume stylist on a series of pornographic movies and photo shoots.
ED: How does it feel when you don the wig and mantle of the Prince?
PP: I think with costuming and glam it gives you a certain kind of armor, as well as the ability to create ourselves rather than be stuck with the person we were born as, it’s very liberating.
John Andrew Quale AKA Prince Poppycock
ED: What can Prince Poppycock do that you can’t?
PP: He’s actually verse.
ED: What did your parents think about you performing on America’s Got Talent?
PP: Who can tell? Of course we are always looking to please our parents, but mine taught me at a young age to look inward for validation. My father was unfortunately unable to see me on television which was difficult for me but I know in spirit he was there every step of the way. My Mother couldn’t have been more proud, and was able to be part of the studio audience and caught on camera.
ED: How would you classify yourself and why?
PP: I tend to prefer the word Artist. The world will always need more art and more love, especially in times like this. I think artistry is essentially a human trait, however it seems to being removed from the human genome, along with empathy. The drag community has always been a home for me of course, and remember the old saying, “whether leather or feather it’s all drag.”
ED: What is your favorite piece to perform live right now?
PP: I’ve been performing ‘stay calm’ for some time now, but the US is putting children in cages at the border so… I’m performing ‘holding it together’ at the moment and it’s ‘my favorite’.
ED: Where do you get your inspiration?
PP: Jasmine flowers. Hero’s. The youth. The collective unconscious.
ED: How do you stay creative or what makes you feel creative?
PP: Have you ever heard of Beyoncé? Next Question (LOL)
ED: Can you tell us a little about your performance with the Seattle Men’s Chorus?
PP: Well I’ve been sworn to publicity so I’ll do my best.
Not to beat around the (Kate) Bush… But I am a lifelong Queen so I’m hoping to represent the crown well. Speaking of royalty, I’ve long been inspired by HRH George Michael, so I’m thrilled to be in Seattle walking down a harmonious Yellow Brick Road with some of the city’s top vocal talents.
ED: What else would you like to do while here in Seattle?
PP: I prefer great food and lovely people, so thank Starbucks I’m in Seattle. I hope to eat, drink and be Gay during my stay…
My first husband was gay, but I repress.
ED: Do you have a message for LGBTQ youth?
PP: Well I have three favorite quotes.
- “Don’t take anything personally” -Don Miguel Ruiz
- F*ck ‘em F*ck ‘em F*ck ‘em F*ck ‘em F*ck ‘em F*ck ‘em F*ck ‘em” -Judy Garland
- “Nothing makes one so vain as being told that one is a sinner” -Oscar Wilde.
- And course pride is a sin! So happy pride!
Seattle Men’s Chorus’s God Save the Queens plays two performances only at McCaw Hall on June 22 and 23 at 8pm. Tickets are $25-$78 and available at www.seattlechoruses.org or over the phone at (206) 388-1400. The Seattle area box office is open Monday through Friday, 11:00am-6:00pm.
