It sounds a bit fusty to evoke “civilization.” But by these old bones I still reckon that every civilization of the first order of magnitude will produce one true pop star.
Which is why I, North Bay super-booster, have strained my eyes in the search for a home-grown pop star, to carry our colors out from the shadow of the city and the label of provincialism. And while he is young yet, we may have found our pop champion in the person of Flavio Cesar Farias, a singer, fashion model, go-go dancer and beatsmith who performs under the name of Fleevs.
Debuting with his dance team at The North Bay Fashion Ball Lagunitas not one year ago, Fleevs is suddenly popping up everywhere. A fixture of the Bohemian Best of winners, Misfit Cabaret and Lush, he is rumored to have a high-profile quinceanera collab at this year’s Railroad Square Music Fest. All fits a meteoric rise.
Standing at the cultural intersection of Mexico and Queer America, Fleevs could only come from here. Invited to put his music in a genre box, Fleevs cited the sub-sub-genre of Neoperreo as a dominant influence. An off-splinter of Reggaeton—that rebellious genre of incendiary dance music—Neoperreo flips the often homophobic and anti-woman messaging of Latin machismo, creating fem-positive dance floors.
Indeed, one of Flavio’s dominant pop star personas is “El Main Chambelan,” which amplifies the role of the chef male supporter in the court of the quinceanera princess into a supporter of straight, gay and trans princesses and queens everywhere.
Cincinnatus Hibbard: You mentioned Y2K futurist Neoperreo as a genre home. What other artists do you run with?
Fleevs: Bad Gyal, Flambe, Blade, Grimes, and I have to mention Nikki Menage. Her music and her energy got me through my adolescence and helped me find confidence in my sexuality. Her boldness and her flamboyance inspire me.
What is your music for?
My music is for dancing. Periodt. It’s not about listening with your ears but with your whole body.
In addition to character-driven flamboyant costumery (Chicano clowns, Mortal Combat fighters, Lazy Town characters), your performances involve almost continuous dance choreography.
Yes, to emphasize the dance, I have connected with incredibly talented local dancers and choreographers such as Audrey “Audrykins” May and Genevieve “Butterfly” Mychajluk, who I consider my bandmates (laughs).
They dance with big personality. Fleevs, how do you come up with your dance beats and melodies?
Many places, but frequently I hear them playing in my dreams.
Who is your music for?
I am a homo, and I’m proud. I stand for my queer brothers and sisters. My music is for the girls, gays and theys. It’s for the elves, fairies and goblins, mermaids and rats. It’s for people that like to have fun and experience ultimate freedom through song and dance. It’s for the people who aren’t afraid to be bold and lead with authenticity.
Where is your career headed?
I have a big collab with deconstructed club artist Parcher, and my Deadly Alliances Mix Tape is coming up. In the future, I see myself doing shows all over the world. That’s what I’m manifesting.
Learn more. Follow linktr.ee/fleevsLINKS for Fleevs links, including a music video for ‘Soy Fleevs,’ a lead single from his EP, ‘Suckerpunch.’ See Fleevs and his dance team live at The Performance Lab in Sebastopol this Sunday, April 6, at 6pm, and catch a rising star. Doors by donation. Check out the details here.
