About

Birthed from Nottingham’s underground queer scene,

ARCH FEMMESIS are Performance Artist ZERA TØNIN and Androgynous Synthesist MEDDLA. Inspired by the aggressiveness of British punk and the eccentricity of New York Club Kids, they evoke a nostalgic nod to Queer dance culture with a fresh facelift and chemical peel.

“Dystopian queer electro-(s)punk like Fever Ray and Peaches having a knife-fight with Soft Cell in a strobing underpass. Throbbing industrial electronics meets psychosensual lyrics dripping with sleaze and sardonics FFO: Gazelle Twin, Vessel, Debby Friday, Miss Kittin, Fever 103. ” - Headfirst Bristol

Armed with their DIY ethos and authenticity, the duo are gaining rave reviews around the UK for their extrovert performances and DGAF attitude, combining art, fashion and music into an immersive electronic experience.

"TØNIN is a born star; holding the crowd captive with a set that shifts into full performance-art mode.[...]their avant-garde stylings make them a major recommendation from me".

-Louder Than War

In 2022 the band started off the year on The Loud Women compilation Album. They completed their noir cinematic music video for Madusa, premiered by Indie Midlands with an emotional response from fans for their beautiful thriller-esque mood. They then joined Psych Punk Legends and Iggy Pop collaborators, The Lovely Eggs, on their UK Summer Tour finishing the 9 date run at The 02 Ritz. This Accumulated in their own DIY Headline Tour celebrating the release of their Debut EP VIOLENTS, playing at renowned indipendent venues across the country. 2022 has been an action packed year to say the least!

2022 STATS:

TOURS: 3

FESTIVALS: 7

HEADLINE SHOWS: 15

RADIOPLAYS: 5

TOTAL GIGS: 41

Including an EP and Music Video

The Pair have crossed paths with incredible up and coming artists such as CLT DRP, Grove, Benefits, Tokky Horror, Panic Shack, A Void, ALT BLK ERA, Acid Klaus, Matters and Ynes.

"Arch Femmesis have everything it takes to become seriously big.[...] feels like meeting Grace Jones in the most devastating mood whilst on some seriously nasty trip"

-Under The Radar

"They’re angry, they’re funny, and most importantly of all they’re absolutely fucking BANGIN’"

-FREQ

shared with permission

Inspirations include:

Peaches, Grace Jones, The Knife, Diamanda Galas, Anne Clarke, Divine, Deli Girls, IC3PEAK, Suicide.

ARTIST DISSECTION:

Zera Tonin (she/they) is a vocalist with a classical music background, repurposed within visceral sound art and punk music. Armed with a vocal processor they push the limits of their voice in experimental ways. Having previously worked as a go-go dancer in gay clubs and as a fine art graduate- their body is simultaneously their canvas and their paint brush, contorting and writhing in their latest fashion creations. They have performed with Drag Royalty Sasha velour and Laganja Estranja, artist Joey Holder and Noise Art Collective Dirty Electronics. Their scandinavian heritage and religious upbringing has influenced their lyrics and sonic creativity. They are known for their quick wit and operatic burps, usually spotted spitting beer at middle aged men.

Stephen Thomas aka MEDDLA aka 'The Sexy One' is a data analyst by day and self taught synthesist by night. A published poet, he performed in the East midlands Spoken word scene where he started to experiment with the novation circuit. Adorned in lace, leather and latex, he pushes the factory settings of the novation beyond recognition. Obsessed with Disco and 80s film soundtracks they add a darkwave campness to the duos sound, giving retro guts and futuristic glory. He is known for his porno tash and noisey fx, usually spotted posing on a bench in the smoking area.

Set up:

With Zera based in Manchester, Stephen down in London and Nottingham as their stomping ground, all bases are covered for UK domination.

A simple set up of a vocal processor and 2 novation synths means a quick and easy Load in.

Average Support fee: £120

Average Headline fee: £250

(fees are negotiable case to case and exclude charitable gigs for causes supported by the band).

These fees ensure that DIY artists are respected, cared for and compensated for their time, art and travel, especially relying on long distance public transport. This fascilitates the band members who have low income situations and close pay gaps that queer/femme artists endure repeatedly within the music scene.

Meet the Artists

Live Video

Video

Before having the means to order official merch, zera would sell her drawings after gigs, over 50 handmade pieces were created. Due to their popularity, the band were able to invest in their debut Album, t-shirts, tote bags, badges and cassettes- all which are her own designs using procreate software, maintaining their DIY origins.

Full range of products can be found via Bandcamp