Scissor Sister's Ana Matronic on Loving SF, New Projects & Finding Fulfillment

Ana Matronic, best known to audiences as the lone female founding member of the decidedly Queer dance/rock outfit Scissor Sisters, who've recorded four critically acclaimed albums, earned three BRIT awards, and played to enthusiastic, adoring audiences worldwide. Ana and I became pals when her star first began to rise here in San Francisco in the mid 90's when she broke out among the early artist innovators at Heklina’s infamous Trannyshack club held every Tuesday nights at The Stud. She was the first woman, or 'faux queen' as the title has now evolved, to compete for the crown in the coveted ‘Miss Trannyshack’ contest. She nearly won. Her Pop’s & Lock dance skills were riveting and rival that of any dancer who ever graced the stage on ‘Soul Train’.

These days she's blossomed into a full on Renaissance woman: performer, musician, writer and artist. Her jam-packed creative schedule includes: full-length solo album currently in the works and set for release later this year. She's a member of the Joshua Light Show, carrying on the tradition of hand-manipulated live psychedelic imagery using liquids on an overhead projector. Her work features prominently in Liquid Loops II, a digital document of current liquid techniques. In 2010, she contributed a chapter to CBGB: The Comic Book and is currently working on her own comic series. She has also recorded and performed with New Order, Duran Duran, and Rupaul’s Drag Race winner Sharon Needles. This coming week she returns home to San Francisco for two events accompanied by her husband, the artist Seth Kirby, and one of her best friends, Juanita MORE. Up first: Wednesday, a intimate performance experience at Juanita and Joshua J's popular, long running weekly event, Booty Call Wednesdays at  the Castro's QBAR and then, Sunday, April 28th, 'Shall We Kiki' over at Public Works. The Biscuit caught up with Ana by phone in of all place Davis, California- Girl what are you doin' in Davis? I'm here performing in a few hours with Seth and the rest of the Joshua Light Show. We're supporting Medeski Martin & Wood, a great Psych/Fuzz band, playing at the Mondavi Center. It's gonna be fantastic! Being part of this art/light show is the best of both worlds. Working with liquids n the projector incorporates all levels of performances. As you add liquids they change and metamorphosis-as if they've a mind of their own-I get lost within those moments. I listen to the music and construct images along with it. I'm captivated by this type of creating. My Mom was a visual artist-a painter-and I always felt like I was searching for that one medium that'd light a fire under me in the same way painting did for her. The (Joshua) Light Show found me and I was hooked. It's alchemy really as much as art. How did you meet your husband, Seth Kirby? Through a mutual friend in 2001 at a Hungry Housewives show in New York City where he was doing the visuals. Those images captured my heart. We were friends for about a year and a half-I didn't know if he was into me so I gave him a test-and he passed! We have an amazing life together. I hear tell you're working on a solo album. I am! And here's a little exclusive I haven't told anyone else-it's going to be entitled, 'Afterlife of the Party'. It's an album meant for the dance floor but incorporating all the elements of musical genres I've always loved-Industrial, New Wave, a touch of Goth darkness.  Witchy. Maybe a whole new genre right there? Witch Wave? It's more introspective I think. The whole album is a real family affair. My sister-in-law is providing photographs, Seth producing, best friends helping with branding and logo.

How is working with Juanita MORE? I love Juanita. She is one of the most inspiring people I know-I feel lucky to call her friend. She loves life and it's reflected into everything she does. She's seen hard times-in her own life and in the lives of those she loves-and still remains a rock of positivity. Both events are going to be great fun. At Public Works I have the legendary, vogue innovators, House of Ninja supporting me. Benny, the founder of the House of Ninja, and Javier are coming out from NYC. Neither have never been to SF so that adds a special element all on its own. Wednesday Seth and I have been digitizing vinyl from the 90's, dance classics for our turn on the tables. These beats are going to bring to bring the children to floor and make them work.  What do you miss most and SF and the Castro? Hands down-the people-my friends. The connections I made in the City are the most enduring and closet friends I've ever made in my life. Coming here is like having a love bomb dropped on my head. What's post SF look like? I'm off to Sweden. I'll be the on air color commentator for BBC3's coverage of Eurovision's 2013 Song Contest alongside UK radio personality, Scott Mills.  I'm really looking forward to it. I understand you can have cocktails while working which always makes things more fun-PLUS-Bonnie 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' Tyler- is representing UK this year and I can't wait to see her perform. I gotta say you seem amazingly happy. I am. This new album, and all my art really, is about finding fulfillment. II believe my job is to make people happy really. That's huge-and exciting-and everything I've ever wanted from life.