Agent Cleave

NEW YORK

2011-11-30T04:45:00.000-08:00

It feels now like a dream. Several months ago, Agent Cleave and Jess Daly set off on a journey together to find something, of which neither was quite sure what. We were headed to New York City and in a time period of no more than a few weeks, found what we were looking for, as it continually beat us over the face. Here is an account of intense, irrational love.

Apart from the overwhelming beauty of the place, it's iconic landscapes and deep rooted Pop Cultural history, New York as we found it and the people who call it home are as joyfully unselfconscious as you'd want them to be. The place is big enough for everyone who wants to be there, but you can't be afraid to ask for it and it's utterly pointless to stop and scoff at another's drive or creative output. You'll get lost if you do that. The people we met while there made the experience for me, and I did all I could to keep up and jump in with them.

The babes of Dingy Disco

We first met Rhyan, Zac and Jarret of Dingy Disco on our second or third night in the city, a night when Daly and I wanted to dance. They were irresistible on first sight. Three artfully constructed looks on three joyfully twinkling boys. They were unrestrained with their complimentary observations on our outfits, and I felt nothing but sincerity from them as I tried not to stare so intently at their gorgeousness.
We learned the boys lived together, and operated a nightlife style blog and played host at several parties a week. Night after night, they met us with outfits of increasing impracticality and abstract concept, but always with the same glow and excitement of new friendship. The higher their heels and constricting their headwear, the greater their displays of affection towards us became; There is not a bitchy queen among them, however I strongly affirm they are all Princesses.

ZAC WEISS
With his graceful dancer's body and love for a shirtless outfit, Zac reminded me of a faun as he'd dash about hugging everyone in welcome on his 12 inch platforms. His energy is inspiring, as is his work ethic in regard to the lifestyle he has constructed for himself.

JARRET EDWARD
Tall and gamine, Jarret is a bourgeoning super model. His candy colour aesthetic and visionary commitment to the most esoteric and complicated fashion choices never failed to flummox me as I watched him navigate around them and dance with the greatest of ease.

RHYAN HAMILTON
With his collection of wigs gifted to him by his mother, Rhyan is the image of Brigitte Bardot. His beauty effortlessly transcends gender as he skips joyfully between the two with vibrant ecstasy. The kindest of the city's people I met, Rhyan is my scarecrow; The one I think I'll miss most of all.

THE HOUSE OF YES
For the majority of our stay, Daly and I were afforded the enormous privilege to bunk up in the office room of circus training/performance space THE HOUSE OF YES in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Our time there was a frenetic adventure, the two of us only sleeping a few hours each morning, collapsing after a night of ferocious exploration. The brainchild of acclaimed performer Anya Sapozhnikova who's generosity allowed us our extended stay, THOY houses the talents of a slew of young performers. Matt Stuart, an incredible stilt performer an aerialist was our ticket in, he proudly acted as host in the time we spent with him, eager to share his city with us. We'd listen to music with designer and electronic musician Josh Dreisacker as he tended to his bone collection, gifts from his father, spraying the sculls gold.

Nightlife photographer and portrait artist Santiago Felipe called the place home too, and coincidentally photographed us onstage for PEACHES' DJ show at Webster Hall, before we got to know him properly. Since that night, he and his camera were never far away as he captured a majority of our nighttime exploits, culminating in a portrait session featuring work by Dreisacker, the day before I was due to fly away to Amsterdam. Felipe's gentle, supportive nature is something I won't soon forget, and a touching example of the spirit of the New Yorkers we came to call friends. The artists of THE HOUSE OF YES proved to be the most hard working, relentless, visionary people I'd ever met. Their drive for success and passion for their craft, coupled with sheer skill and talent was inspiring. Their example has spurred me on in my own career and has worsened my thirst for creativity and ability.

ZAND

It took several days to fathom Kayvon Zand. When I first saw him at BONSAI, a Brooklyn art party we were invited to by the gorgeous House of Yes creatures, I nearly fell over.
He was the most beautiful creature I'd ever seen up close, and New York had proven she was not short of beautiful creatures. He was as pale and serene as Michelangelo's David but had been deliciously vandalised with black lacquer and ostrich feathers, and I quickly recognised he wasn't wearing any underwear underneath his rhinestone embroidered spandex leggings. I wanted him.
The following night in the dressing room after our gig with PEACHES at an underwear party at ROCK BAR, he appeared again, dressed impossibly in head to toe black rubber and flanked by a group of sparkling jaguars. He got lube all over me as he introduced us to his lavish family.

His heavenly brother Dylan Monroe who matched Zand in beauty, serenity and poise. A still man with eyes of electric intensity and a body from Venus, his perfectly minimalist style crystallising the dynamism of Black and White.

I remember stuttering something to Anna Evans about her devastating 18" waist, as we were piling into cabs headed for VANDAM at the Greehouse. She has a killer professional pout but a genuine smile from Miss Evans is as warm and intoxicating as tequila. She flashed me several of those and I soon found myself drunk. She's as glamourous as a John Willie cartoon, a generous and gracious host. When I learned she and Zand were lovers, it made perfect sense. My favourite memory of her is the two of us wading in the jacuzzi at Le Bain, a pair of kohl penciled mermaids anticipating an orgy. My makeup was destroyed by the water, steam and bodies, hers didn't seem to budge...

And then, there was Kiss and Tyler Stone...

These two are intense. Of course their physical presence is stunning, Kiss is almost reptilian in her apocalyptic sensuality, Stone a Punk Rock vampire teen dream, both wrapped in shredded leather and gaffer tape. However the intensity of their image carries through to their passion for love and the way they attack life. Kiss seldom sleeps for fear of not experiencing some kind of bliss. Tyler wears his heart safety pinned to his sleeve, caring less about the blood spillage. They're real, pulsating with visceral obsession for each other and those they let in.

I felt it intensely from them, and in return. Kiss excels in accessory and footwear design, she's worked for an extremely reputable list of design houses, and will continue to do so. Tyler is the front man for Rock outfit LIQUID BLONDE and relentlessly travels from coast to coast to play shows and promote the band. He worked tirelessly mixing drinks day and night on arrival in NYC and has developed a lifestyle and reputation he can be proud of, built from sheer grit, talent and determination.

These two live hard. Every moment is throttled and made-out with, punched and embraced. Growling noises and mini pinches, beauxners on the dance floor. I will be back because of these two. I, like them, am a junkie for extreme affection and these two gave it to me in spades. On my final night, Kiss and I made a tattoo promise to each other; a simple black lipstick stain to commemorate our feelings for one another and in turn their ability to ruin our makeup. A kiss for a KISS. She's recently gotten hers. Now I'll get mine.

In a whirlwind romance, these fabulous humans showed us their New York City. They shared their lives, their beds, their souls with Daly and I. I'll never forget, one night whilst preparing for a night out with the Zands the subject of relocation came up. In my way, a humble thought of small fish in big pond came out of my mouth. Kayvon listened, then rejected the notion whole heartedly as he said, "You stand out over there, people stare at you. If you stand out at home, you'll stand out everywhere you go. Own it, love it, make it work for you."

it's for this sentiment that I'll be forever grateful. A sentiment shared by every New Yorker, I'd like to think. Oh there was more to it than this select few alone. We were provided quiet security, rest and mac and cheese by the beautiful Colin and Lou in Greenpoint. We were privileged to experience the professionalism of DJ Jess, be wrapped up in the party spirit of John Renaud and Cherie Lily, indulge in sexual fantasies about "The 2 Connies" at Halloween Adventure, and were defeated in a last man standing contest on the dance floor by the brazen and voluptuous Gerry Visco.

All of these fabulous people had something strong in common. They are all living their lives in exactly the fashion they intend. They are their own bosses, directors, motivators. They're all sleeplessly existing every day in the pursuit of creative freedom and artistic accomplishment. New York's infamy is still well intact thanks to the people in this entry. I love them all, and thank them from the bottom of my heart for sharing the experience with me, and keeping the spirit of sedition alive in this ever growing conservative world. I only hope I can pay it forward.

XXX

ROCK BAR NYC

2011-05-29T05:21:00.000-07:00

PEACHES secret gig at BUCK underwear party, ROCK BAR NYC 29/5/2011
with intro by Amanda Lepore...

PEACHES live at WEBSTER HALL

2011-05-27T05:41:00.000-07:00

Hysteria on the dance floor as Cleave&Daly join PEACHES once again for her headlining DJ show@Webster Hall in NEW YORK CITY for Girls and Boys, 27/5/2011. No holds barred, once in a fucking lifetime mayhem ensued... Check it...

AGENT CLEAVE BLONDE

2011-04-19T03:17:00.000-07:00

Photography & Post - Shami Kiely
Photoshop - Caveboy
Make up - Ingrid Raquel Anstee
Hair - Paul Pattihis
Lighting - Tim Webb

AGENT CLEAVE BLACK

2011-04-19T03:08:00.000-07:00

Photography & Post - Shami Kiely
Photoshop - Caveboy
Make up - Ingrid Raquel Anstee
Hair - Paul Pattihis
Lighting - Tim Webb

Fingerlicker

2011-03-14T06:49:00.000-07:00

It was that time of year again at Madame Brussels. Time to wear half an outfit and get drunk on sexuality at the 4th Annual Aphrodisiac Orgy.
This time around, AGENT CLEAVE was accompanied by the exquisite JESS DALY, whom he worked with on the PEACHES DJ tour and was the second sexy koala at Amanda Palmer. The two formed an evil coupling, as they encouraged the punters to sample sweet treats of their very bodies. And thanks to Ross' Parlor of Decadence, a select few were invited to sample a little more... She really is something else, a beautiful, savage, visionary creature who makes the AGENT more than happy to be the Gomez to her Morticia. That NEVER happens. Check out her blog here

The floodgates opened when CLEAVE and DALY met, and who knows what is to happen next. Heaven help us all.

MAP OF TASMANIA

2011-02-28T05:07:00.000-08:00

Amanda Fucking Palmer came to the Forum Fucking Theatre and Jess Fucking Daly and Agent Fucking Cleave where called Fucking upon as sexy Fucking koalas to strip Fucking off.

I love pubic hair, I love any hair really, and the fact a song has been thrown into the universe with the specific motivation to celebrate and revere my favorite bush fills me with ecstasy. Couple that with the opportunity to strip live on stage with the very woman who made the song, and I just stop breathing.

HAIRY FUCKING HEAVEN.
thank you
AMANDA FUCKING PALMER

PEACHES ROCKS

2011-01-11T05:15:00.000-08:00

The force of nature that is PEACHES rocked the shores of Australia, playing an electric DJ set on the summer festival circuit in Dec10/Jan11. The ever babein' V DENTATAS set teeth gnashing with thier bangin' dance routines and sumptuous costumes as they danced the shit out of the stage to the sounds of her mad spinning. AGENT CLEAVE was allowed the enormous privilege to hitch his wagon to the tour, and thrashed out a version of the famed 'Quinte Pants Dance", dropping g-strings all up the east coast of Australia. Possibly the most insane, delicious, psychotic way to ring in a New Year.

More and More

2010-10-06T03:21:00.000-07:00

directed by the unstoppable Bri Olson.

Kim Boekbinder. This mesmerizing woman opened her home to me when I was a stranger in New York city. She shared her heart, her bed and her music with me, for which I will be forever grateful. She thinks I smell like cake, I think she sounds like love.

I love you Kim, with all my might.

Kim Boekbinder believes in me.

Jeffree Star at Billboard

2010-09-22T07:27:00.001-07:00

International beauty and style guru Jeffree Star came to play in Melbourne, and we had his back covered to warm up the crowd. The Agent and his dear sisters Mummy Complex, Godzilla Jones and Miles Rabies thrashed it out along with the babelicious Craft Cartel in a support act that was verging on the obnoxious in it's sex, gore and glitter doseage... Gorgeous photos by Daniel Sutton.

Fuck Me I'm Yours

2010-07-05T22:06:00.000-07:00

Peroxide and Pink Lipstick

2010-07-04T23:26:00.000-07:00

Dr Sketchy's

2010-04-18T23:01:00.000-07:00

www.flickr.com/photos/drsketchysmelbourne/sets/72157622030881868/

Sketch pads, cocktails, false eyelashes and chest hair... XX

Madame Brussels and her Aphrodisiac Orgy: 21.03.10.

2010-04-15T17:39:00.000-07:00

The Madame turned 4 years old in her current incarnation, and to celebrate she hosted an orgy. Oysters, chocolate, fresh fruit... And vodka. Lot's of vodka. The Agent was asked politely to add some tasty smut to the terrace. The flavour: Adam and Eve, all wrapped up in one luscious, sacralicious gift package. Fitting, no?

VAMP

2010-04-14T23:28:00.000-07:00

More waxy, bridled shenanigans, this time for the meticulously morbid punters assembled at VAMP, a sumptiously gothic murder on the dance floor, the soundtrack spun by all female DJ line up Vixen, Miserys Malice and guest DJane Ayngel. These three sisters were doing it for themselves...

Llips II

2010-04-14T23:13:00.000-07:00

Beastiality and candle wax at Llips II, and ultra cool performance installation party held by the ultra cool Spill Collective at ultra cool party venue and Gallery space £1000 bend.

RE/GENDERED

2010-04-14T22:51:00.000-07:00

Godzilla Jones as Jackie Curtis, Mummy Complex as Holly Woodlawn and Agent Cleave as Candy Darling.

For the opening of the Re/Gendered exhibition at Platform Gallery as part of Midsumma 2010, featuring work by 4evamore, Fran Barrett, Liam Benson, Kate Blackmore, Gerard O’ Conner, Tejal Shah, Monika Tichacek, Michelle Tran, Marc Wasiak, Jake Wotherspoon and Anastasia Zaravinos.

Curated by Laura Castagnini.

Re/Gendered brings together a number of high profile international and Australian artists in a group exhibition that celebrates the notion of fluid or 'unstable' gender, striving to transgress and blur the boundaries of gender performance. Often using drag as a technique to destabilise identity, these diverse artists disrupt and subvert the traditional binary system of gender. In turns joyful, disturbing and deliberately ambiguous, these artworks expose the theatricality involved in our everyday performance of gender roles.
The Opening Night, included queer drag performances from guests including Mzzz Erin Tasmania, Mark Nunan, 4evamore, Adonis, Liam Benson, Ghetto Pussy, Agent Cleave, Godzilla Jones and Mummy Complex.

Pandora's Box

2010-04-14T22:34:00.000-07:00

Getting all Lolita at Pandora's Box, the Drag Ball parties held at REARVIEW Gallery by the gorgeous Godzilla Jones and Mummy Complex.

Nude Brunch

2010-04-13T00:20:00.000-07:00

Possibly the least vulnerable person in the room, AGENT CLEAVE performs at the Nude Brunch, hosted by Bebida bar and cafe as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival 2009, organised by Natalie Bak. A unique social experiment invoving fruit salad, eggs, naked punters and a pole dancer... Awkward? A little...

Back to the bathhouse...

2010-04-11T20:19:00.001-07:00

Supporting Mzzz Erin Tasmania for her cabaret show Back to the Bathhouse, as one half of The Dancing Fagettes along side Brent Fox the Twink Terminator, with the stacked Thomas Williams on keys.

Gay Shame

2010-04-10T23:23:00.000-07:00

Variations of the Y-front at the GayShame parties, Glasshouse Hotel.