1 hours, 20 minutes (audio only version)
1 hour, 59 minutes (Patreon exclusive version)
Released: March 11, 2022
Recorded: February 4, 2022
The extraordinary Lottie Ellington is a burlesque entertainer from Detroit, MI. She plays her deep cuts and classic jams from the pivotal points in her life, from depression to victory, to reminders to self to encouragement for all.
– The Music That Made WE is a creation of WEBurlesque Podcast Network, produced by Viktor Devonne.
- Lottie Ellington on WEBurlesque
- Lottie Ellingon on IG, etc: @lottieellington
- http://www.lottieellington.com
Listen to this episode:
On this edition of The Music That Made WE, Viktor chats with Lottie Ellington, a burlesque performer based out of Detroit, MI.
“Closet Freak” by Cee Lo Green
Lottie says: “That was the song I did my debut number to [in] 2011… I really was sort of stuck. The school that I went to was geared towards classic gowns and big band music and here I am not at all feeling or fitting that aesthetic at that point in time… I decided I had to be true to who I am and who my character is.“
“Prototype” by OutKast
Lottie says: “This would have been right when I’m hitting my personal prime of college age in the South. Right in that niche of Black college freaknik time… That’s where they fall into that circle of Lottie because it’s not necessarily part of her origin story, but it is part of my muggle origin story.”
“The Ballad of Dorothy Parker” by Prince
Lottie says: “I like songs that tell a story. I really enjoy going on the journey of the song and Prince definitely lays it out… I am all about the deep cuts that nobody has never heard of because they are unique. Everyone has already heard the radio edits.”
“Starfish and Coffee” by Prince
Lottie says: “I really identified with the character Cynthia [in the song Starfish and Coffee]. I never felt like I fit in, I always felt like I was a little outside of the norm. I was happy about it,
not concerned or worried, but very content with just being different and doing my own thing.”
“Fighting Trousers” by Professor Elemental
Lottie says: “There was a time in my adult life when I legit thought my life was over. And these next little grouping of songs were the songs I listened to to get through that. This was the
music that got me through just after being outted [as a burlesque performer]. I was a whole teacher and couldn’t do the thing I spent so many years preparing to do… At that point in time I was ready to fight, but it was also a very silly song so I needed that laughter and silliness to go with the fighting.”
“Robin Williams” by Cee Lo Green
Lottie says: “So, shortly before I was outted [as a burlesque performer], this major event happened and it really was difficult for so many of us. Especially us 80s babies, because we had grown up watching him… This was our guy, and he was gone.”
“Criminal” by Fiona Apple
Lottie says: “I was trying to do my darndest to finish up undergrad and transferred schools, and I had left this amazing Black college experience and here I am at a predominantly white university. I am older than everyone else, I am a fish out of water. They had MTV or VH1 playing in the student union because that’s where you hung out because I didn’t have a dorm since I was in my early 20’s… and this song came on and I said ‘I don’t know who this chick is, but she is singing for her fucking life.'”
“Dancing Nancies (live from Central Park)” by Dave Matthews Band
Lottie says: “I remember hearing of this group, but at the time being very much like I’m not giving into this… If too many people like you, I don’t want to bothered with you… Later, [I realized] I’m loving this music but I’m going to go to the deep cuts… The only reason I would invest in a Peloton bike would be to have the stamina to perform to this particular version of this song.”
“DNA.” by Kendrick Lamar
Lottie says: “I got introduced to this one at Burlycon… We did a step routine to this particular song and after I heard it I was like oh this is going in my playlist. Then when I saw the video with my all time crush [Don Cheadle]… I said, oh completely, You’ve got me.”
“Flying Cranes” by Solange
Lottie says: “This one here is for all the people, specifically my POCs, my Black women, who are going through it. They feel like they are going through hell; they are depressed. This was my song that got me through rough times when I wasn’t sure what I was going to do…This is one of those songs whenever I’m feeling it or going through it I can put it on and be like you know what? I’m not the only one.”
Produced by Viktor Devonne, reigning Mr Hollywood Burlesque WEBurlesque Podcast Nework is the creation of Viktor Devonne. Podcast Network logo artwork by Logan Laveau, WEBurlesque the Podcast cover art photography by Atticus Stevenson. Incidental music via pixabay.com under fair use. Visit weburlesquepodcast.com for notes on this and every episode.
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All original material is owned by Viktor Devonne and White Elephant Burlesque Corporation; all other materials property of their respective copyright. No infringement, while likely, is intended.
Special thank-you to Raina Sinclair for transcription services.
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