02 Apr 16
bruise . drag . drag interview . interview . madeleine . queens

BRUISE




Firstly, in your own words – who is the person behind Bruise?  
       The person behind Bruise is Ryan, just a normal teenage gay guy with a passion for art, fashion and design.
Why and when did you begin to do drag? 
       I started drag on the 28th of March 2015, which means I have been doing drag for a year now. I started drag because I studied contemporary art for 3 years and it just wasn't satisfying me. I wanted to expand my palette onto a new canvas (myself) I got the chance to do this when we got given the theme of “Gender” in class to make a piece about straight away I knew I wanted to do a drag photo series with boy me and girl me (I didn't have a name for my drag alter ego then). I thought it was going to be a one off thing, but it was so fun, kind of an addiction - the attention I got was kind of like a drug. I started doing “drag” then but it was my mission to perform - but my anxiety got in the way so since then I’ve used my drag as a mask for my anxiety. It helps so much - I can walk into a club so much happier and more confident as Bruise.
Have you ever had any regrets about doing drag?
       I’d say my biggest regret is not having the confidence at the start to try and perform, now I look at it as what's the worst that going to happen? I just go to the gig and kill it.
Where do you draw your inspirations from? 
       I take my inspirations from a lot of UK queens, two of the most influential queens to me are Atlantis & Smiley Vyrus, but people like Milk, Kim Chi & Trixie Mattel are my favourite Ru girls. Not only do I take inspiration from other queens but also horror movies and troll dolls.
I know you pretty well by now, but you gain more fans all the time – how would you describe Bruise to someone relatively new to what you do? 
       I'd say Bruise will leave your eyes black & blue, and wanting more…
What are some of your favourite songs to perform? 
       My favourite song to perform is I Do Coke by Kill The Noise, in which I do a whole overdose nose bleed choreography on the stage & the crowd love it- I also love performing The Bad Touch by The Bloodhound Gang where I pick a lucky audience member to sit on a seat on the stage and I bounce on them.
Who are some of your favourite queens?
       My Favourite Queens are Atlantis, Smiley Vyrus, Lawrence Chaney, Alice Rabbit, Frans Gender, Groundskeeper Fanny, Lill, Milk, Kim Chi, Laila McQueen, Trixie Mattel & Lisa Limbaugh.
You are fast becoming a fixture in the Glasgow drag scene - what is the nightlife like there?
       The Glasgow is so different from The Edinburgh scene which is where I perform every week on a Tuesday @ The Rabbit Hole, I’d say the Glasgow scene is very artistic and full of conceptual performances and queens & it's slowly becoming more like Manchester, which is awesome.
What are some of your favourite makeup products? 
       I'd say my three makeup products I couldn't do my face without are Kryolan TV Paint Stick, Jeffree Star Liquid Lipstick & Morphe 12p Picasso Palette.
What have been some memorable performing moments for you? 
       I'd have to say when I rubbed a cake all over my face and hair when I performed Pity Party by Melanie Martinez has to be one of the most shocking points in my performances.
What would your dream show look like? 
       My dream show - I haven't really thought about it you know, I like being the special guest at other peoples events like SUCK & MotherTucker. I'd have to think about what my show would be like. All I know is that it would be called “Not Another Domestic”.
What’s next for Bruise? 
       I hope to either this year or next start getting more UK bookings and performing in places like Leeds, London & Dublin - you’ll just have to see!



massive thanks to ryan shand. photography credits to ryan shand.

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