Bluehouse: Two of a kind

Kylie isn’t the only one celebrating a milestone at this year’s Mardi Gras Parade with Aussie duo Bluehouse marking 20 years with a float and ‘travelling mosh pit’.

After 20 years of making music together, a shuffle in the line-up and newfound fame as festival draw cards in the US, iconic lesbian band Bluehouse won’t be taking a break. Instead, 2012 is shaping up to be filled with the biggest challenges Bernadette Carroll and Jacqueline Walter have faced throughout Bluehouse’s evolution.

“This is a big year for us,” Walter tells SX. “It’s our 20th anniversary, we have a new recording in the works, a Mardi Gras Float and a tour of the States culminating in a festival with KD Lang and Lucinda Williams.”

As Walter outlines their plans for a live gig float with a ‘travelling mosh pit’, it seems as if their parade entry is going to be as raucous as any one of their live shows. With so much going on, how did the concept a Mardi Gras float come about?

“A few friends had suggested it in the past but it never really felt like the right time,” Walters says. “Given our longevity in the industry and what is going on for us this year, it felt right to make a statement. Also when we heard Kylie was going to be in town we wanted to give her a run for her money!”

For Bluehouse, the chance to appear in the parade is going to be more than just a celebration of their music.

“We are in the planning stages for filming a music video on parade night for our track 'On My knees' which we hope to offer to the It Gets Better campaign,” Watler says. “We wrote it quite a few years back but it’s a hopeful song about individuality in the face of adversity. Almost like a ‘coming out’ story in song.”

Bluehouse are kicking off their Mardi Gras madness supporting Horse, one of Scotland's all-time great vocalists, at The Basement on February 19, followed by a fundraiser performance for their Mardi Gras float at The Red Rattler on February 25. After that, look out for them on the parade route before the girls head off to California for the Kate Wolf Festival.

Bluehouse performs with Horse (Scotland) on Sunday, February 19, at The Basement, Circular Quay ( www.thebasement.com.au ). Bluehouse’s Mardi Gras Extravaganza is on Saturday, February 25 at The Red Rattler ( www.redrattler.org ). Go to www.bluehouse.net.