Fed up with receiving ‘boos’ from the audience when she chose to sing songs like ‘I Am Woman’ – Amy-Clare McCarthy decided to reclaim Karaoke with a feminist spin.
6 sold-out events later, the show welcomes everyone and anyone to sing songs of empowerment loud and proud…
WHAT’S THE IDEA BEHIND FEMIOKE
Amy Claire McCarthy (AC): Whilst at a karaoke night – I hardly felt strong and invincible after some misogynistic shouts from the audience. So I wanted to create an event where everyone could be cheered and celebrated for singing their favourite songs; including the feminist classics.
I love seeing people who have never done karaoke before feel confident to jump on stage and sing because the energy is there for them.
I like to think that FEMIOKE merges the intimacy and support you get from karaoke in a private room with your best friends, with the raucous cheers of a loud, boisterous and encouraging crowd. The best of both worlds!
USE THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE SHOW – AND GO!
AC: Loud, fun, joyous
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A PERFORMER/CREATIVE?
AC: I wouldn’t call myself either! I’m a host and MC. As the host I try to set the tone for the night, making sure everyone feels welcomed and confident in their song choices. As a karaoke singer, I have a terrible voice but a lot of spirit – which is honestly all you need for a good time.
WHO INSPIRES YOU AND WHY?
AC: My mum, my mother-in-law, my grandmothers – they are my matriarchs who lead with strength, kindness, and generosity, and who’ve helped me become who I am today.
And also Fran Drescher – the 90s leopard-print fashion queen with the big hair who became a union leader and champion of the people. I wish I could do half as much while looking half as good.
HOW DID YOU DISCOVER YOUR LOVE FOR KARAOKE?
AC: I started in the dingy private rooms of Brisbane’s karaoke bars, then chased the highs of public karaoke at many questionable but entertaining venues.
My love for karaoke has seen me singing across the world – in the bars of Tokyo, on the streets of Venice (a nearby cruise boat pulled anchor and left during my song, surely a coincidence), and in an empty beach bar in the Rockaways, NYC, singing out to the Atlantic Ocean. With the right crowd, a night of karaoke can be magic – and that’s what we aim to create at FEMIOKE.
Femioke was presented at Metro Arts as part of our One Night Stand series 9 March, at New Benner Theatre, West Village, West End.
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