 "Photo: photo: courtesy of Leslie Hall")
It all started with a love for gem sweaters. After discovering one at a thrift store, Midwestern bouffant queen Leslie Hall decided to start an online museum devoted to her gem sweater finds.
Hall’s online museum, featuring photos of her modeling the tacky, bejeweled thrift store pieces, garnered her a cult Internet following. She decided to capitalize on that success and start a band—Leslie And The LYs. From there, her music career began and she was propelled to Internet stardom.
Armed with GarageBand beats, backup dancers, and skintight gold costumes, this Iowa lady delivers campy dance tunes about zombies, Dairy Queen, and being glamorous. Think Ricki Lake in Hairspray co-hosting Pee-Wee’s Playhouse. Her live shows are known for their elaborate costumes and legions of fans that show up decked-out in gem sweaters.
Hall’s newest release, Back To Back Palz, features the same laptop sounds and goofy subject matter, but sometimes with a more distinct country-music feel. In advance of her tour with Christopher The Conquered, the keeper of the gems spoke with the Advocate about her love for The Spice Girls, fan offerings, and foot massages.
Advocate: How did recording your new album compare to your previous records?
Leslie Hall: It was actually the exact same. However, I was fueled by Iowa’s thriving agriculture industry.
In what way?
Just like living in a cornfield, you start to smell it and live it and breathe it.
Is that why there are more country-themed songs?
Yeah, more country-themed, loneliness, and isolation. I think you can hear it in my lyrics.
I think [living in Iowa] keeps it pretty simple: quilting, folklore, craft sales. It allows me to focus in on what’s important in my life—television.
What TV shows are you watching?
Before I was on tour I was doing Lost, which was amazing. Intervention is one of my favorites. I love Cops on a Saturday night.
One of the songs on your new album is called “Moving Out Of Iowa.” Are you planning on ever doing that?
I think the only reason I would go is if Hollywood was calling, or if I won a free house in another state. That’s what it would take.
Should we expect a big Hollywood movie or TV show anytime soon?
Yes, definitely! I’m trying to get that in the works, so stay tuned, America. But it won’t be on the real TV, it will be on Internet TV, which is a much more realistic goal. I tend to set realistic goals so I can achieve them more and give myself high fives.
Your live shows are known for being over-the-top—what performers are you inspired by?
You know, I’m definitely inspired by the big-budget, Britney Spears sort of productions and shows. Those are the only ones I spend money on. I don’t want to see a band in sloppy clothes playing songs; I want to see those full productions with glitz and glamour.
What’s the best live show you’ve ever seen?
Good question! I would have to say, hmm, I’m gonna have to go with The Spice Girls’ Reunion Tour. From start to finish, that was the most organized, perfectly-executed, high-budget show I’ve ever seen.
Would you ever want to collaborate with the Spice Girls?
Yes. I would pay them to collaborate with me.
What kind of costumes can we expect on this tour?
We are doing mother-made, robotic-looking outfits with accessories like a shimmery vest and corn-cob arms that are added and taken away from the outfits.
How did you connect with Christopher The Conquered for the tour?
I played a couple of shows with him in Ames, Iowa, and he’s a sexy beast of a man and I figured that the gals and the gay boys would just love him. And they are. They’re proving to like him.
What else can we expect from your show?
It’s guaranteed to be a show and not a lazy man’s brunch. So if you get dressed up you’re gonna enjoy it more. And if you don’t wear shoes you can dance in, you’re gonna be seated at the table of Slobbytown.
How did you develop a love for gem sweaters?
Seeing the first one, I just thought it was so beautiful, and it was only like $2.99. I thought it was a terrible tragedy, so I decided to purchase every one I could find and make a website dedicated to their beauty.
You have a museum of gem sweaters—do you still actively go shopping for them?
No, I had to stop because I needed money for my cable bill, so now I just rely on donations and crazy fans who bring them to me.
I love my crazy fans. My favorite is when they make me vegan desserts like carrot cake. That is the best. But mostly, just having someone dress up like you with the blue eye shadow and the glasses and that hair, it just shows dedication, passion, and a love for my beauty. I can’t deny them that.
Are you still doing all your own promotion? Do you have a label or anything?
No, this is a one-woman operation. I crave attention. I crave foot massages. It’s rare, but I want them, and I’ll do anything to get them. And that involves making up songs and outfits and hitting the road.
Has that gotten you a lot of foot massages?
Oh my gosh, no! You brought up a really good point. I got a leg massage the other day, but that was it. Denver, don’t let me down.
Leslie And The LYs
10 p.m., March 16, Larimer Lounge
www.leslieandthelys.com
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