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Yolanda,
Lisa Jackson and Brie at CBGBs
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In
1982 a young hippie musician named Roger Anthony Mapes came to NYC
from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, with a recording contract (with the
Chrysalis Records label) and lots of energy. Twelve years later,
burned out and tired, with no artistic or personal direction, he
retreated to Vermont, to join the Radical Fairies, an organic
organization that celebrates god/goddess and mother of Earth. It
was there, in a communal lifestyle that Yolanda was born. In his
own words, “I found a power in the expression.” Never wanting
to be a boy or a girl, he says, “I found a sense of balance and
a renewed spirit. And then, the songs just flowed from me.” A
rejuvenated Yolanda, with a new direction and purpose, returned to
New York City seven years after she left. The
single "Angels," first released in 1998, brought
attention and praise. Billboard magazine gushed, saying, this
could be "one of the strongest ac/pop (acoustic pop)
compositions offered in months."
I’ve
known Yolanda for several years now, and we sat down over the
summer to talk about his past, his present and his future. To say
his stage persona is outrageous is an understatement. And,
that’s just the way he likes it.
“My outfits are certainly shocking, but they’re also a
statement which says, take me as you will because I won’t fit in
any box you choose to build for me. It seems that people always
perceive you as something. I sometimes wonder, are they afraid of
diversity?” At first people didn’t seem to get what he was
about. But, his music speaks volumes, and when he sings, “we are
angels – struggling to be human,” you begin to get a glimpse
of the light that emanates from within him. “It was the lesbians
that accepted me first,” he said, “and then, after I sang,
people would say, oh, O.K., now I get it”
Being
the OUTMUSIC “2003 Musician of The Year,” overwhelmed him.
“I’m blown away by the talent in our community, artists like;
Lisa Jackson, Justin Tranter, Allison Tartallia, Dutchboy, Robert
Urban, Jamie Anderson, and so many more. I was so honored. This
award let me know that with all my faults, that indeed my light
does shine.” On stage and off, Yolanda’s light is always on,
and his efforts are tireless. Whether working on GLBT fundraisers
for NYAGRA (NY Assoc. Gender Rights Advocacy), the NY GLBT Center,
and countless others, or giving a hand to friend in need, he
continually provides a positive impact to the people around him.
“I feel like this award, which I prefer to say that I received
Vs. I won, is the community saying thank you for your time and
effort – what you do matters. Which makes me feel great, because
I so genuinely love this community."
The
immediate future is focused on his new album, expected later this
year, which returns to his folk/blues and rock background, which
also includes participation from Robert Urban. He is also
co-hosting QNITY, a new periodic concert series celebrating the
rainbow of talent and diversity in Queer communities (GLBT).
Together with Freddie Freeman he hosts the event at CBGBs Lounge
(313 Bowery NYC) and hopes it will catch on. So do I, because it
is one of the few places where people can come together in a laid
back relaxing atmosphere and actually enjoy some music, sit and
talk with each other, and meet new people. It’s a sort of a coffee
house environment with liquor instead of coffee.
With
all this activity you may wonder when the boy, or girl, take your
pick, has time for love? “I don’t,” he chuckles. “I need a
break anyway. I seem to always end up playing mommy, you know, the
nurturer. I would love to adopt a child one day, and that’s when
I want to nurture, not now. So, the next partner I have will need to be independent and capable on his own. If you fit that mold, by all
means give me a call.”
Yolanda
has been labeled in many ways: drag queen, Radical Fairy, singer,
songwriter, activist, and performance artist, to name just a few.
He is a talent to be sure, but also the product of the mother
Earth that he cherishes so dearly. He is a creative spirit who
nurtures our soul with rain showers of unconditional love. And
though he may sing, “I’m an alien love child,” (which may be
true), we are truly blessed to have Yolanda here as a beautiful
spirit on Earth. If people can learn one thing from him, it’s to
just take people as they are, and love them for their wonderful
diversity.
More
Info: http://www.yolanda.net
Copyright 2003 - All Rights
Reserved
