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Caleb de Casper
Overview: Caleb de Casper (born March 19, 1986), is an American singer and performing artist. They are known for their image and a queer icon and musical versatility, ranging from horror cabaret and glam rock to dark synth pop. Born in a rural community in North Carolina, Caleb de Casper faced significant prejudice from conservative society for their queer identity and expression; Casper often felt that the surrounding community was not accepting of individuals who possessed effeminate or gay characteristics, as they did2.

Transition to Music: A classically trained pianist and vocalist2, Casper attended musical school in North Carolina for several years before moving to Brooklyn, seeking out a more metropolitan lifestyle. He then returned to North Carolina to finish his schooling in a period marked with limited development. In his time in Charlotte, North Carolina, Casper often faced difficulty finding work: their ‘horror cabaret’ performances that often ended with spitting blood and bleeding out of their eyes shocked and scared away audiences4. However, his career began to progress when he connected with a booking agent named Sean Padilla who successfully booked him his first show in Austin4; Casper ended up as a performer with local blitzkrieg punk rockers Xetas: the group first began performing in a double-wide trailer that had been converted into a club. In their time in Austin, Casper launched their career as a niche queer artist and performer3.

Album: Casper’s varied debut LP, “Femme Boy,” was released in May 2019: it features a variety of musical styles and genres, ranging from dance floor beats, the theatrical stage, and the glitz and ruin of old Hollywood5. Caleb de Casper's album, Femme Boy, consists of 12 songs focusing on themes of desire, allure, and queer sexuality in a ribald and sensualized manner. The diversity of expression and unique presentation in this collection cements Casper's perception in the public consciousness as a populous alternative diva, a New-Age artist5. Collaborating with artists such as p1nkstar and Y2K, Casper also delves into the ethos of queer identity and belonging to marginalized groups: his songs have the same message in the end—“outcasts will find themselves and their people.”

Impact and Legacy: Casper’s performances are renowned for their breathtaking, over-the-top theatricality and versatility, ranging from horror cabaret and glam rock to dark synth pop2. They are additionally known for dynamic and gender nonconforming style and appearance, breaking traditional binary gender norms and dressing in more genderqueer and fluid costumes, such as fishnets, dresses, and high heels in order to express the diversity of masculinity and express queer visibility. Currently, Casper continues to perform at sold-out shows and continues to express himself by wearing clothing that adhere to their gender queer identity4.The City of Austin also proclaimed April 21 to be Caleb De Casper Day, with the honors being presented by Mayor Steve Adler, a month before the release of his debut album6.

1 “About — Caleb De Casper//OFFICIAL.” Caleb De Casper//OFFICIAL, https://www.calebdecasper.com/about. Accessed 19 October 2022. 2 Patterson, Denny. “Gloriously Glamorous: Caleb De Casper - OUT FRONT.” Out Front Magazine, 15 April 2022, https://www.outfrontmagazine.com/gloriously- glamorous-caleb-de-casper. Accessed 19 October 2022. 3Beth Sullivan, 3:30P. M. (2018, December 5). Songwriter-performer Caleb de Casper Wants your attention. Qmmunity. Retrieved November 1, 2022, from https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/qmmunity/2018-12-05/songwriter-performer-caleb-de-casper-wants-your-attention/ 4“Check Out Caleb De Casper’s Story.” Voyage Austin, 22 June 2021, http://voyageaustin.com/interview/check-out-caleb-de-caspers-story. Accessed 19 October 2022. 5Curtin, Kevin. “Review: Caleb De Casper: Femme Boy (Chicken Ranch) - Music.” The Austin Chronicle, 11 March 2022, https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2022-03-11/review-caleb-de-casper. Accessed 19 October 2022. 6“Caleb De Casper.” KUTX, 2 June 2022, https://kutx.org/artist-of-the-month/caleb-de- casper. Accessed 19 October 2022.