ISSUE: DNA #273 – The Travel Issue | Buy
This month, DNA collaborated with British photographer, Jez Smith to shoot singer Alfie Arcuri like never before.
I’ve known Jez since the ’90s when I was slogging it out in the underappreciated editorial department of a fashion magazine, and he was the white-hot, in-demand new talent from London, shooting hip fashion spreads.
He was a cocky, good-looking rooster, and a talented photographer, which meant models and other fashion types threw themselves at him relentlessly and without dignity! But he always had a very strong idea about how his work should be treated, and the aesthetic standards that defined his images. All photographers must have this vision to be successful. He also had the kind of confidence that came without arrogance. And all that made him very likeable.
So when he dropped me a line about shooting Australian singer/songwriter Alfie Arcuri exclusively for DNA, I was thrilled. I had recently seen Alfie at a Eurovision event and thought it was time we sexied him up a bit for DNA. Jez and I were already on the same page. Alfie’s sex appeal is on slow burn. He’s not the guy jumping out of the pool in a flouro lime green G-string. Alfie simply smoulders in a white tank top, chest hair, nipples, big brown eyes that say… what exactly? Jez agreed. Alfie in the shower. Alfie on the back seat of a parked car, late at night…
Alfie’s recent releases, Handsome Man and Devil’s Lips were nudging him in this direction.
His latest, Overtime, directed by Jez, too, takes it even further. Alfie is a great songwriter with a velvety smooth voice and a great look. I hope the images we’ve shot inspire you to check out more of his music.
Alfie has evolved much as an artist since his debut on The Voice. Similarly, former Savage Gardener Darren Hayes has come a long way. His new album is called, fearlessly and provocatively, Homosexual.
I remember when Savage Garden were topping the charts in Australia and the US. Back then, for another magazine, I was granted a ten-minute interview with Darren on the phone after his record company had carefully vetted my questions. No mention of sexuality, relationships, or what he wore to the beach! And the PR hawk stayed on the line during the call just to make sure.
Of course, the word they were terrified of was “gay”. As in, “are you gay?” Darren himself was acutely aware of this and life as one of the best-selling musicians of the day without acknowledging this essential part of himself was oppressive. Fame, wealth, adulation… what are they worth if you can’t hold your boyfriend’s hand in public, or even have a boyfriend, or have gay friends?
Darren unloads about all of this in our interview this month, and Homosexual is ready for your listening pleasure!
The theme of moving on continues with a conversation with Neneh Cherry, the Buffalo Stance rapper who spoke about AIDS in pop music waaaay before it was cool! And Lucas Castellani, the Brazilian schoolboy who, rather cinematically, started a gossip blog to enact revenge on his bullies. Of course, that didn’t go so well… but he earned enough social media followers to launch a career.
Moving on also means packing a suitcase and grabbing your passport on the way out the door. It’s fantastic to be doing a Travel issue again! It’s been so long since we delivered a proper travel issue but, finally, it seems safe and practical. Photographer West Phillips returns to Cuba (p66), Marc Andrews lets us in on the secret of Merida in Mexico (p52), Xav Judd gives us ten good reasons to love Spain (p68), we cruise the South Pacific (p64), and check out what they’re wearing poolside in Puerto Vallarta (p46).
Elsewhere we preview the new production of important AIDS-era play, The Normal Heart, the George Michael documentary Freedom Uncut, chat with Billy Porter, and Straight Mate Archie Thompson, and beautiful Beau Ryan has The Last Word. Naturally, it’s about something embarrassing: a shaving accident!
If you’re travelling, have an amazing time and come home safe. Thanks for reading, see you next month.
Andrew Creagh
Founding Editor
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