In a short video post to social media, Napanee- and Toronto-based drag performer Oktavia told fans that she has something special coming for them on Feb. 27.
“I’m very proud to announce that I’ve made a music video,” wrote Oktavia in comments below the video. “I honestly can’t be happier and prouder.”
Oktavia went on to thank friends who assisted with the production, including co-producer and director Vini Rosa, and express her love for the song and its original artist, the Billboard chart-topping and three time Grammy awarding winning American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo.
The short video released last week included a few brief teaser scenes from the project, clips from live performances Oktavia has given of the song over the past year, and some more intimate moments of Oktavia out of drag at home singing the song to himself.
“I wanted to let my fans know just how much this song has meant to me this year,” Oktavia said when reached for comment. “I’m a person that likes to listen to a song and connect to it at a level that allows me to hear the artist’s feelings, but also let it connect to me and let it tell me a bit of my own story.”
“I love this song not because I had a big breakup and the guy was a jerk to me. I’ve been fortunate enough to only have relationships with great people. My interpretation of Vampire is that life is hard, gurl, and you have to toughen up to survive… Being a vampire is making mistakes and being someone’s mistake, learning from it and keeping on going because you gotta embrace all of yourself to go far.”
“Forever, in the case of a real vampire,” Oktavia added with a laugh.
Hometown fans of the Napanee artist will be excited to know that the music video was filmed partly in the town. “When it comes out, you’re going to recognize some of the scenery.” The video will also feature some of the famous sights in Toronto. “I won’t tell you which ones just yet,” she said.
Oktavia has been active since 2019, beginning her career on stage in Toronto’s queer village and developing her drag art while at home in Napanee during the pandemic. “That time gave me the opportunity to really develop my aesthetic, my mission, makeup skills, and since then the opportunities have just continued to grow.”
An advocate for the local queer community, Oktavia performed and marched in Greater Napanee’s first Pride Festival in 2022 and continues to perform there regularly as well as in Toronto, Ottawa, Kingston, Belleville, and Prince Edward County.
To find out more about the music video and the drag artist’s performance dates, connect with her on Facebook and Instagram @shesoktavia. Media and other inquiries may be directed to oktaviathequeen@hotmail.com
Oktavia’s cover of Vampire will be released Feb. 27.