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St. Vincent took part in a conversation discussing the ongoing legacy David Bowie in Chicago this week. Watch it in its entirety below.
The musician, whose real name is Annie Clark, sat down with Consequence Of Sound's Jessica Hopper to talk about how her own career and life was influenced by Bowie, as well as his showmanship and authenticity, and the "spectre of white privilege."
On the subject of authenticity, and accusations against Bowie's in particular, Clark said: "I am curious to unpack this idea of authenticity. Where did it become more authentic to just stand up on stage with no lights, or costume, or theatricality and just stand up there with a beard and your feelings?"
She continued, "Looking back, Bowie's heroes were people like Little Richard who did '50s queerness with a wink and a smile because that was the only thing that was really paletable for the time - he got away with as much as he could in that regard, being in America, which is quite puritanical. So you look at Bowie and he's just the natural extension of these sole showmen."
Watch St. Vincent discussing David Bowie and the rock star aesthetic below
Clark subsequently shared the handwritten notes that she'd prepared prior to the talk via Instagram, which included talking points such as, "mime tradition", "rock and roll with lipstick on," and, scribbled out, "well-dressed robot."
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