Every time we write about Trixie Mattel (which is a fairly regular occurrence these days!), we always seem to mention the connection the drag superstar, former RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars champion, accomplished musician, popular YouTube personality, makeup magnate, and soon-to-be reality TV show subject has to Milwaukee. After all, she’s a co-owner of This Is It and she still lives in the city part-time.
Before Mattel’s move to Milwaukee, she was speeding down country roads and experiencing both the good and bad aspects of small town Wisconsin life. Mattel grew up in Wausaukee, a tiny Marinette County village with a population of less than 600 people. Mattel chronicles her complicated relationship with her hometown in a powerful new single that also features backing vocals by Austin-based musician Shakey Graves.
“This Town” captures both the sweetness and the underlying darkness she experienced as a kid growing up in Northern Wisconsin. In addition to a song with lyrics about Friday fish fry, corner bars, passing time with late night drives, and feeling like she can no longer go home after changing her name, Mattel also released an accompanying music video that further illustrates the song’s heavy subject matter. Directed by Matt Amato, the recently released music video combines home video footage of the songwriter as a teenager with beautiful footage of modern Wausaukee.
The song is the lead single from Mattel’s forthcoming double record that’s entitled The Blonde & Pink Albums. As you prepare for that release, the very sold out Trixie & Katya show at Riverside Theater on March 29, and whatever else this Milwaukee multi-hyphenate has up her sleeve this year, enjoy Mattel’s “This Town” song and music video below.