Whilst Alex Parks was busy winning Fame Academy last year, a group of young queer friends got together and decided that they would put out their own records. Maybe Ms Park's victory influenced them, maybe not, but they certainly weren't going to allow her brand of over-produced, glossy and - some say - bland style to be the last word in lesbian music. Irrk was born (the name comes from the initials of the four friends involved) and a few months later they released their first record, a compilation entitled Viva la Diva.

In true Do It Yourselves fashion, the record is a labour of love, the music anything but slick and the feel decidedly punk. But that doesn't mean that high production values have been sacrificed. Viva la Diva comes as a lovely 10” on white vinyl, it's an object of beauty in itself. And that's not all! The record comes with a zine that features contributions from the artists appearing on Viva la Diva, so you can listen and read at the same time - a total environment!

Viva la Diva kicks off with 'This Beat is Lezbotronik,' by Verity Susman of Electrelane. It's a witty disco anthem that's been doing the rounds of the kind of clubs where people have asymmetric haircuts. It's pretty hot. Next up are some riotous rocking sounds from Valerie, a Manchester-based band, and Hola Cuca, from Murcia in Spain whose singer is possibly the sexiest thing on two legs.

Also worth a mention are Lesbo Pig, whose song 'I Wanna be a Homo' is gentle, folksy and sweet. Lesbo Pig could almost be described as the house band because its members are also involved with irrk, youthclubtapeclub (irrk's sister label) and Homocrime (a club run by some of the same people). Keeping it in the family are label friends Sewing Circle, whose song 'Gay Shoes' recalls a cheeky prank, and Denial's somewhat earnest 36-second rant-to-music entitled 'Limitations.'

Based in the UK, Sweden and Germany, irrk describe themselves as being "designed to fight the vile, soulless commodification of punk spirit, and bring joy and happiness to your life." Viva la Diva does exactly that. 

Watch out for more releases in the coming months.

Viva la Diva, by Irrksome 001
Distributed in the UK by Cargo
Info and availability: irrkproducts@yahoo.com

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