“Whatever the critics say, I know I came up the hard way. I’ve worked hard, and I’m entitled to my success.”
Of all the female solo artists to appear in the music business, it’s a rarity for one of them to receive the amount of attention and to make the kind of impact that Sharlette Starr has in her six-year career. Appearing on the scene at the age of eighteen, the talented singer-songwriter became an overnight success when her first single, “Shooting Starr”, went straight to the top of the charts. “Shooting Starr” was followed by a string of hits, such as “Violet Hearts” and “Cartwheel”. However, Sharlette’s career has had its share of controversy, mainly owing to her involvement in the “adult baby” lifestyle. The infantile outfits and oversized baby items Sharlette uses in her performances have drawn much attention from the media, both negative and positive. Sharlette’s style has been highlighted as “eccentric”, “unique” and “inspired” by various sources and none have been more supportive than her fans. Sharlette’s mainly young-adult audience are well-known for wearing babyish outfits to her concerts and the singer’s influence has led to a rise in the popularity of baby clothing, items and furniture for adults, something that has come under criticism from various parties. In spite of this, Sharlette went on to win a “Best Newcomer” award and has received critical acclaim for her work throughout her career.
Sharlette’s luxury home outside San Francisco is famous for its originality and has been featured in housing and furniture magazines for its unique design. Its style and theme revolves around babyishness, with oversized items, furniture and even fixtures designed to make residents and visitors feel as if they are the same size as an infant. Everything, from the kitchen counters to certain food products to the plastic, childlike toys and ornaments, is several times larger than their more common counterparts. Sharlette’s home is frequently the topic of online articles about home improvement and is often mentioned in features of insights into celebrity homes. In some circles, it could be argued that Sharlette’s home is as popular as her music.
Now, in this frank and open interview, Sharlette Starr discusses the highs and lows of her career and attempts to silence the critics.
Justin Remington: First of all, Sharlette, thank you for joining us for this interview.
Sharlette Starr: Thank you Justin!
JR: Let’s start by talking about the new album. You’ve mentioned that “Collide-O-Scope” will be a departure from some of your past work, such as “Crayon Rhapsody”. Can you talk us through some of the differences?
SS: I’ve focused a lot on power beats and funky bass lines on my last album. Crayon Rhapsody was all about movement. I wanted a more subdued low level rhythm for Collide-O-Scope. I wanted songs that were going to build up. I mean, I wanna keep that intensity but be a bit more methodical with it.
JR: You grew up in northern California and got your start in the music business there. How difficult was it to get noticed?
SS: Well a girl screaming into a microphone wearing a diaper tends to get noticed, even in San Francisco! But no, I mean it’s tough running the gauntlet, ya know? All the sleazy, stinky, dives, the time spend on the road in my friend’s van … I’ll take a tour bus over a run down, ratty old van any day! Still I think it’s important to “make your bones” that way. It makes me feel like I’ve earned it, ya know? Like, whatever the critics say, I know I came up the hard way. I’ve worked hard, and I’m entitled to my success.
JR: Since the start of your career, you’ve been known for your interest in the “adult baby” lifestyle. Why did you decide to express that publicly, while many would’ve preferred to keep it private?
SS: Well, the AB (Adult Baby) thing is a big part of who I am. I’ve never been the kind of person to shy away from the spot light. I mean I know it’s weird. I’ll be the first to admit I’m a weird person. But, the cool thing about Rock and Roll is that weirdness goes hand in hand with it, ya know? I mean look at all the famous rockers that came before me. Look at all the people making really great music right now! They’re all a least a little weird, they all defy convention. That’s what being an artist is all about, cuz you’re naked up there on stage. Through your music, you’re naked. People are out there reading your diary basically. I’m not just ganna leave out the parts where I’m in diapers. I mean, those are important parts. They’re my favorite parts!
JR: Nevertheless, you have faced problems concerning your status as an AB in the early days, notably your difficulty with getting a record label to sign you. When it became public knowledge, a few considered it to be a form of discrimination, so did it annoy you or was it something you expected? Or perhaps both?
SS: I guess both! I mean, people can be really judgmental, I know that for a fact. But with the record labels, they were just scared I wouldn’t sell albums. I mean, that’s all they really care about. I think they were pretty short sighted. I mean, I’m selling like crazy now. And I’m not ganna lie I think the whole AB thing has an appeal, it gets me noticed, good or bad ya know. I’m not saying it’s a gimmick, it’s not, it’s me. Anything you say about Adult Babies or the community, you’re saying about me. But, controversy sells records. I knew that going in. As for all the rejections, I can look back and laugh now.
JR: Have you always had an interest in being an AB?
SS: I’ve pretty much always been in diapers in some form. Even since I was “supposed” to be! I’d sneak away, wear diapers and suck on a pacifier in my room when no one was around. I was so scared of getting caught by my parents. It’s crazy, now I’m in front of millions of people doing the same stuff. It’s a real contrast.
JR: Your songs are clearly influenced by your life as an AB. Were you ever worried that the general public might not be able to relate to songs such as “Diapers and Dresses” because of their AB lyrics?
SS: You know, I’ve never really worried about that. I mean, I’ve never really given a thought to whether people could relate to my music or not. The music just happens, it comes from inside. I don’t go into the studio and think, “oh, this song’s ganna sell a million records”, I’d be doing the same thing even if I wasn’t getting paid, ya know? Music is part of me, just like being AB is part of me. Somehow people can relate to that. Some how I have fans, and I’m very grateful for that. I feel very fortunate.
JR: Certain lyrics of yours have become a surprise hit with mainstream audiences. For example, when you sat down to write “Violet Hearts”, did you ever expect the lyric, “My heart and soul the age of three, infinite infantity”, to catch on like it did?
SS: You know, I'm always surprised when any of the stuff I work on hits the mainstream. It's such a hard thing to be accepted n our society if your considered even a little unusual. I like to think music crosses those divides though. I like to believe that if your really honestly true to what you believe and you sing with conviction people will understand on some basic human level.
JR: Your success and popularity has led to many of your fans seeking to emulate your style, many of them becoming active in the AB community themselves. Given the lack of awareness and acceptance of AB, were you surprised by how popular the lifestyle has become in such a short time?
SS: I was super surprised! I was shocked that my music even caught on with a mainstream audience. The AB thing was even more of a shock. I mean, I love dressing the way I do, I love being me and being this way. I guess I can see what other people would enjoy about it too. Who doesn’t want to be taken care of, right? Who doesn’t want to be held and loved? Everyone’s a little AB I think. Everyone’s got the innocence, that... want to go back.
JR: Your music videos and live performances are known for being very visual, making use of baby paraphernalia such as cribs, high chairs, strollers, etc. Do you work with directors and other designers to come up with what looks best on stage?
SS: I work solo, that’s what I’m used to. I have a lot of technical backup but, they just help me get the vision I have in my head up on the screen. It’s my thing, I do what I wanna do.
JR: A few people have mentioned the fact that the band you perform with onstage are always dressed in baby clothes too, despite them not being ABies. Do they enjoy dressing in baby outfits? And what’s it like for you, as an AB, to see them dressed that way?
SS: Some of the guys I’ve worked with were like, “I’m not doing that!”, but most people just wanna get on stage. I think that outweighs whatever peeves they have as far as dress is concerned. I do have a few folks who I work with more often and they dig the AB scene. I mean it’s always nice to have someone up there who shares the same feelings you do but, it’s not a requirement.
JR: Of course, you yourself are known to be very active in the AB community and have been for a long time. How have other ABies reacted to your success?
SS: Before I ever hit it big, the community was there. I mean, it’s private, I know some folks got together. I first experienced it mostly as an internet thing. That’s where I met almost all the friends I have in the AB scene. There’s a lot of fear, I realize, especially amongst kids, cuz their parents don’t get it. It’s tough for a lot of ABies when they’re young. I imagine a lot of kids sneak my music and listen in private. I guess I’m a guilty pleasure.
JR: You’ve had various critics throughout your career, some of whom have attempted to demonize you. Did you expect to receive that kind of criticism?
SS: You know, I did, I saw it coming. Regular bands have a hard enough time pleasing the critics, you throw the whole AB thing in there and well... you’ve seen what they’ve said. I mean it is what it is.
JR: How did the criticism make you feel? Saddened? Determined?
SS: It’s never easy to hear or read bad things about yourself. I have to be stopped sometimes. My band mates are like, “Sharlette, don’t keep reading that stuff, you’ll make yourself crazy!” And they’re right! So I ignore the bad press, focus on my work. It does get to me though. Sometimes I let that anger out on stage. I just scream my head off and the fans dig it. It’s like a big “F*** YOU” to the critics.
JR: Some critics have been less hostile but have also stated their opinion that you’ve only had the success you’ve had because of your unique style. Do you think that being an AB may have helped your career as opposed to being just another female solo artist/guitarist?
SS: I think it’s gotten me noticed a lot more than maybe some other artists. It’s the thing people notice about me first. At first it’s like, “whoa, that chick’s in a diaper!”, then it’s like, “… and she can play too!” I mean if it’s given me an advantage, I’ll take it! If being myself up on stage helps make my dreams come true faster, then I’m all for it.
JR: It’s not unlikely that your success will lead to more ABies becoming singers or other public figures. Do you have any advice for them and do you see yourself as a pioneer or role model for others in the AB community?
SS: You know, I’ve never really seen myself as that exactly. If I am a role model, I’m not sure how to handle it. I mean, it’s worked for me. As far as advice goes I’d say, just get up there and start doing what you love, let to loose up there. You’re probably better off wearing a diaper cuz it can be “piss your pants” scary the first few times. It’s a hard road and if you can walk it and still be a soft person then rock on, you know? Then get up there and do it and don’t worry about what anybody says.
JR: Sharlette, thank you so much for your time.
SS:No problem! Always a pleasure.
Sharlette Starr’s new album, Collide-O-Scope, will be released on May 5th. Justin Remington is a frequent Mean Beats contributor and has been an interviewer of various musicians for over ten years.
Copyright Mean Beats 2010 ©
Art by Pink-Diapers, written by Guest-1001
