La Roux here Monday at the Wonder Ballroom

La Roux's Elly Jackson

Famous among lesbians for their lead singer Elly Jackson‘s Annie Lennox-like androgyny, the emo-electronic La Roux make a Portland appearance this Monday at the Wonder Ballroom (128 NE Russell St).

Translating roughly to “redhead” La Roux, although a duo, is quite dominated by the amazing voice of the ginger-haired Jackson. Sporting a goofy and gravity defying Flock of Seagulls swoop atop her head and a consistently serious expression it might be easy to think that La Roux is a gimmick. I assure you, it’s not.

Their self-titled release is full of heartfelt electronic ballads that are at one sweet and danceable. LR draws heavily from 80s synth-pop but takes it away from the realm of cheesiness with a skillful vocal sincerity. Melancholy tracks such as “Quicksand” and “In For the Kill” balance nicely with the more cynical, yet strong, in a Gloria Gaynor “I Will Survive” sort of way, “Bulletproof” and “I’m Not Your Toy.”

And though time and again Elly Jackson has refuted rumors of lesbianism, however it seems her ideas on gender and sexuality might be expanding, as she has recently claimed to be neither straight, gay, nor bisexual, but just sexual. As someone continually questioning gender myself I appreciate her ambiguity, though I’m not sure it’s totally “irrelevant” if she has kissed a girl. She goes on to say,

“I don’t have a sexuality. I don’t feel like I’m female or male. I don’t belong to the gay or straight society, if there is such a thing. I feel like I’m capable of falling in love with other people. I’m not saying I’m bisexual, I’m just sexual!”

Well, I hardly think Portlanders care one way or another but I can’t promise boxer briefs won’t be thrown stage in this town though….

Check out the video for “Bulletproof” below:

La Roux – Bulletproof
Uploaded by LaRoux. – Explore more music videos.