Perfume Genius
{{short description|American musician}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Perfume Genius
| image = Pop Conference 2017 - Mike Hadreas (Perfume Genius) 01 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Hadreas in 2017
| birth_name = Michael Alden Hadreas{{cite web|url=https://repertoire.bmi.com/Search/Catalog?num=9OfzNxp1uPiGcNu89RPw0A%253d%253d&cae=1Yj5RGf58hNnXOEc9rYFDQ%253d%253d&partType=WriterList&search=%7B%22Main_Search_Text%22%3A%22Michael%20Alden%20Hadreas%22%2C%22Sub_Search_Text%22%3A%22%22%2C%22Main_Search%22%3A%22Writer%2FComposer%22%2C%22Sub_Search%22%3Anull%2C%22Search_Type%22%3A%22all%22%2C%22View_Count%22%3A50%2C%22Page_Number%22%3A0%2C%22Part_Type%22%3Anull%2C%22Part_Id%22%3Anull%2C%22Part_Id_Sub%22%3Anull%2C%22Part_Name%22%3Anull%2C%22Part_Cae%22%3Anull%2C%22Original_Search%22%3Anull%2C%22DisclaimerViewed%22%3Anull%7D&resetPageNumber=True&partIdSub=kJU0oBsMXpxafbSwXsKwYQ%253d%253d|title=Songwriter/Composer: Hadreas Michael Alden |work=BMI |access-date=June 15, 2022}}
| birth_place = Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|9|25}}{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/feb/16/perfume-genius-mike-hadreas | title=Perfume Genius: 'I've learned not to trust myself' | work=The Guardian | date=February 16, 2012 | access-date=February 17, 2012 | author=Barton, Laura | quote=Hadreas is 30 now [...] | location=London}}{{Cite tweet |user=turnstilemusic |number=647430096777834496 |date=September 25, 2015 |title=Penblwydd Hapus / Happy Birthday @perfumegenius x}}
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Singer
- songwriter
- musician
}}
| instrument = {{flatlist|
- Vocals
- piano
}}
| years_active = 2008–present
| label = {{flatlist|
- Matador
- Turnstile
}}
| website =
}}
Michael Alden Hadreas (born September 25, 1981), better known by his stage name Perfume Genius, is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Hadreas's music explores topics including sexuality, his personal struggle with Crohn's disease, domestic abuse, and the dangers faced by gay men in contemporary society.{{cite magazine |title=Soft Apocalypse |first=Anwen |last=Crawford |url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/06/22/soft-apocalypse |magazine=The New Yorker |date=June 22, 2015 |access-date=June 26, 2015}}
Early years
Hadreas is of Greek descent and was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and moved to the suburbs of Seattle, Washington,{{cite magazine |title=Lashing Out at His Tormentors, At Last |author=William Van Meter |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/21/arts/music/an-aggressive-new-album-from-perfume-genius.html |magazine=The New Yorker |date=September 17, 2014 |access-date=June 26, 2015}} at age 6 or 7.{{cite magazine |title=Growth Spurt |author=Sasha Frere-Jones |url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/09/22/growth-spurt |magazine=The New Yorker |date=September 22, 2014 |access-date=June 26, 2015}} He studied painting in school and took piano lessons as a child. His mother was a special education teacher and is now an assistant principal at a middle school. His parents divorced when he was a teenager.
Hadreas was the only openly gay student at his school, and he received death threats that were ignored by the school administration. He dropped out of high school during his senior year. Two years later, he was attacked by several young men in his neighborhood. He moved to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and worked as a doorman for a club in the East Village. In 2005, Hadreas returned home to Seattle and began recording music. In 2008, Hadreas set up a MySpace page under the name Perfume Genius, beginning his music career.[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/perfume-genius-p2159062/biography Perfume Genius – Biography], AllMusic The moniker comes from the genius perfume-maker in Tom Tykwer's 2006 movie Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.{{Cite web|last=Smyers|first=Darryl|date=March 26, 2012|title=Perfume Genius: "I Think All Gay Men Are Used To People Saying No To Them, To People Not Giving Them Choices."|url=https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/perfume-genius-i-think-all-gay-men-are-used-to-people-saying-no-to-them-to-people-not-giving-them-choices-7069516|access-date=September 5, 2020|website=Dallas Observer}}
Career
=Early releases=
File:Perfume Genius Performing in NYC.jpg
Hadreas's debut album, Learning, was released on June 21, 2010, through Turnstile Records in Europe and Matador Records in the United States.[http://www.discogs.com/Perfume-Genius-Learning/master/264975 Perfume Genius – Learning], Discogs Many of the tracks for Learning were recorded in Hadreas's home. The album received critical acclaim, including an 8.2 out of 10 score from Pitchfork.
He performed his first live show at The Vera Project in Seattle, where he opened for A Sunny Day in Glasgow. Hadreas brought on pianist Alan Wyffels to play for the album tour;{{Cite web|url=https://www.stevepafford.com/perfumegenius/|title=He's 39! How Perfume Genius set my heart on fire immediately|website=Stevepafford.com|date=January 8, 2021|access-date=March 5, 2022}} the two would later date.{{Cite web|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/music/2012-03-28/perfume-genius-live/|title=Perfume Genius Live|website=Austinchronicle.com|access-date=March 5, 2022}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/may/08/perfume-genius-mike-hadreas-sexuality|title=Perfume Genius: 'I thought I'd grow up to be a woman'|date=May 8, 2017|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=March 5, 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Perfume-Genius-Releases-Full-Concert-Event-via-YouTube-20210517|title=Perfume Genius Releases Full Concert Event via YouTube|first=Sarah Jae|last=Leiber|website=BroadwayWorld.com|access-date=March 5, 2022}} Wyffels has continued to perform with Hadreas live and on recordings.
Hadreas's second album, Put Your Back N 2 It, was released on February 20, 2012.{{citation|title=Put Your Back N 2 It: Perfume Genius |work=Amazon.com: MP3 Downloads |asin=B006WH8VOM}} Again, Hadreas received praise from music critics and fans alike.
The promotional video for the album, featuring Hadreas and pornographic actor Arpad Miklos embracing each other, was deemed unsafe for family viewing by YouTube.{{cite news| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/25/perfume-genius-video-gets-banned-youtube_n_1230811.html | work=HuffPost | first=Noah | last=Michelson | title=Perfume Genius Video Gets Banned From YouTube For Not Being 'Family Safe' | date=January 25, 2012}}
In 2013 he featured on Cate Le Bon's album Mug Museum performing guest vocals on "I Think I Knew".
=''Too Bright''=
{{Main|Too Bright}}
On September 23, 2014, Hadreas released his third album, Too Bright, which was co-produced by Adrian Utley of Portishead and Ali Chant.{{cite news |title=Perfume Genius / Jenny Hval, RFH |first=Matthew |last=Wright |url=http://www.theartsdesk.com/new-music/perfume-genius-jenny-hval-rfh |work=The Arts Desk |date=June 11, 2015 |access-date=June 26, 2015}} The album was a transformative leap for Hadreas and marked a new trajectory in his career. The album received rave reviews from an array of publications. Pitchfork gave the album an 8.5 and commented that "these songs feel less like songs and more like treasures, ones that fill you with power and wisdom."
Hadreas supported the album with a successful tour. On October 30, 2014, Perfume Genius appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, performing "Queen".{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/57269-perfume-genius-performs-queen-on-letterman/deo/ |title=Perfume Genius Performs "Queen" on "Letterman" |website=Pitchfork |access-date=October 31, 2014 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In April 2015, Hadreas was featured on the cover and in the pages of Hello Mr.{{cite web|last1=Nichols|first1=JamesMichael|title=Hello Mr. Lands Perfume Genius' Mike Hadreas For The Cover Boy Of Its New Issue|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/11/hello-mr-perfume-genius_n_7043252.html|website=HuffPost|date=April 11, 2015|access-date=September 20, 2016}}
Hadreas collaborated with Sharon Van Etten to contribute a cover of the Grateful Dead's "To Lay Me Down" to Day of the Dead, a charity tribute album curated and produced by members of the National and released by 4AD on May 20, 2016. All profits from the album supported the global fight against HIV/AIDS and related health issues through the Red Hot Organization.
On September 16, 2016, Hadreas released a cover of Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" in collaboration with Prada. The song was featured in the ad campaign for Prada's La Femme and L'Homme fragrances.
=''No Shape''=
{{Main|No Shape}}
File:Perfume Genius (40824619420).jpg
Hadreas was featured on the cover of the March/April 2017 issue of The Fader, which included a lengthy feature on Hadreas and his work on his next album.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2017/02/21/perfume-genius-cover-story-interview-sobriety|title=How Perfume Genius Grew Up And Started Thriving|website=thefader.com|language=en|access-date=February 21, 2017}} In the weeks following the article, Hadreas posted a number of video and audio clips teasing new music. On March 21, 2017, Hadreas announced his fourth studio album No Shape and released the first single "Slip Away", which was accompanied by a music video directed by frequent Björk collaborator Andrew Thomas Huang.{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/70902-perfume-genius-announces-new-album-no-shape-shares-video-for-new-song-slip-away-watch/|title=Perfume Genius Announces New Album No Shape, Shares Video for New Song "Slip Away": Watch {{!}} Pitchfork|website=Pitchfork|date=March 21, 2017|language=en|access-date=March 21, 2017}} The single was designated "Best New Track" by Pitchfork.{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/18898-perfume-genius-slip-away/|title=Best New Track 'Slip Away'|website=Pitchfork|language=en|access-date=March 21, 2017}} On April 19, Hadreas released another single from the album called "Go Ahead" during a live Twitter Q&A with fans.
No Shape was released via Matador on May 5, 2017. It was produced by Blake Mills (Fiona Apple, John Legend, Alabama Shakes) and mixed by Grammy Award-winning engineer Shawn Everett. The album was praised by critics. Pitchfork awarded it an 8.8 and named it "Best New Album", deeming it "his most realized album yet, a tender and transcendental protest record of love and devotion."{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/23137-no-shape/|title=Perfume Genius No Shape|website=Pitchfork|language=en|access-date=May 5, 2017}} The Guardian commented that "No Shape sounds like a unique talent coming into full bloom."{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/may/04/perfume-genius-mike-hadreas-no-shape-album-review|title=Perfume Genius No Shape Review|website=The Guardian|date=May 4, 2017|language=en|access-date=May 5, 2017}}
On May 9, 2017, Hadreas released the video for "Die 4 You", directed by Floria Sigismondi.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-XQkDyEwQo|title=Perfume Genius Die 4 You|date=May 9, 2017 |via=YouTube|language=en|access-date=May 9, 2017}} That same month, it was announced that Perfume Genius would curate a part of the line-up for Le Guess Who? Festival in Utrecht in November, for which he invited among others Aldous Harding, Mount Eerie, Weyes Blood, and Bulgarian women's choir Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares.{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/73794-perfume-genius-grouper-shabazz-palaces-curate-2017-le-guess-who-festival/|title=Perfume Genius, Grouper, Shabazz Palaces Curate 2017 Le Guess Who? Festival|website=Pitchfork|date=May 30, 2017|language=en|access-date=July 11, 2017}}
In 2019, the track Otherside was used in the trailer for the film The Goldfinch, adapted from the Donna Tartt novel of the same name.
= ''Set My Heart on Fire Immediately'' and ''Ugly Season'' =
On February 25, 2020, Hadreas released the single, "Describe".{{Cite web|first=Eric|last=Torres|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/perfume-genius-describe/|title=Perfume Genius: "Describe" Track Review|work=Pitchfork|date=February 25, 2020|access-date=June 17, 2022}} On March 16, he released another single, "On the Floor".{{Cite web|url=https://diymag.com/2020/03/17/watch-perfume-genius-new-track-video-on-the-floor|title=Perfume Genius shares new track and video 'On The Floor'|work=DIY|date=March 17, 2020|access-date=March 17, 2020}} Both songs were included on his album, Set My Heart on Fire Immediately, released on May 15, 2020.{{Cite web|first=Evan|last=Minsker|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/perfume-genius-announces-new-album-shares-video-for-new-song-describe-watch/|title=Perfume Genius Announces New Album, Shares Video for New Song "Describe"|work=Pitchfork|date=February 25, 2020|access-date=June 17, 2022}}
On June 17, 2022, Hadreas released his sixth studio album, Ugly Season. The album was originally composed as a musical accompaniment for choreographer Kate Wallich's contemporary dance piece The Sun Still Burns Here.{{Cite news|first=Matt|last=Mitchell|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/3187994/perfume-genius-ugly-season-interview/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617142122/http://www.mtv.com/news/3187994/perfume-genius-ugly-season-interview/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 17, 2022|title=Perfume Genius's Unknowable Ecstasy |publisher=MTV News|date=June 17, 2022|access-date=June 17, 2022}}{{Cite web|first=Ben|last=Tipple|url=https://diymag.com/2022/06/15/perfume-genius-ugly-season-album-review|title=Perfume Genius - Ugly Season|work=DIY|date=June 17, 2022|access-date=June 17, 2022}}
In February 2024, Hadreas contributed a cover of What a Diff'rence a Day Makes—produced by Jack Antonoff and originally popularized by Dinah Washington—to the soundtrack of the Apple TV series The New Look.{{cite web |last1=Corcoran |first1=Nina |title=Perfume Genius Covers Dinah Washington's "What a Difference a Day Makes": Listen |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/perfume-genius-covers-dinah-washington-what-a-difference-a-day-makes-listen/ |website=Pitchfork |date=February 21, 2024}}
= ''Glory'' =
On January 15, 2025, Hadreas announced his seventh studio album, Glory, and released the single, "It's A Mirror."{{Cite web |date=January 15, 2025 |title=Perfume Genius Announces New Album 'Glory': Hear "It's A Mirror" |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2292699/perfume-genius-announces-new-album-glory-hear-its-a-mirror/music/ |access-date=January 15, 2025 |website=Stereogum |language=en}} The single was named "Best New Track" by Pitchfork.{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Walden |title=Perfume Genius: "It's a Mirror" |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/perfume-genius-its-a-mirror/ |access-date=January 16, 2025 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} The album, released on March 28, 2025, was produced by Blake Mills, co-written with Hadreas's partner Alan Wyffels, and features artists including Aldous Harding, Jim Keltner, Meg Duffy, and Gregory Uhlmann.
Musical style
Hadreas's musical style has been described as art pop,{{cite web|first=Peter|last=Margasak|url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/perfume-genius-reaches-out-with-bigger-bolder-arrangements-on-the-new-no-shape/Content?oid=26535621|title= Perfume Genius reaches out with bigger, bolder arrangements on the new No Shape|website=Chicago Reader|date= May 18, 2017|access-date=June 16, 2022}} indie rock,{{Cite news|first=Paolo|last=Ragusa|url=https://consequence.net/2022/03/perfume-genius-interview-tour/|title=On the Road Again With Perfume Genius: "When I'm Performing, I Just Try To Get Everything Out"|work=Consequence|date=March 21, 2022|access-date=June 17, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Grant|last=Sharples|url=https://uproxx.com/indie/perfume-genius-interview-ugly-season-mike-hadreas/|title=Perfume Genius' Mike Hadreas Finds Resolution On Ugly Season|work=Uproxx|date=June 6, 2022|access-date=June 17, 2022}} baroque pop,{{cite web|first=Madison|last=Bloom|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/perfume-genius-set-my-heart-on-fire-immediately/|title=Perfume Genius: Set My Heart on Fire Immediately Album Review|work=Pitchfork|date=May 18, 2020|access-date=May 18, 2020}} indie pop,{{cite magazine|first=Sophie|last=Weiner|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/perfume-genius-too-bright-20140923|title=Perfume Genius: Too Bright|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 23, 2014|access-date=June 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508110746/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/too-bright-118993/|archive-date=May 8, 2022|url-status=live}} chamber pop,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/gallery/10-best-albums-2014/751613_3-perfume-genius-too-bright|title=10 Best Albums of 2014|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=December 5, 2014|access-date=June 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112112351/http://www.ew.com/gallery/10-best-albums-2014/751613_3-perfume-genius-too-bright|archive-date=November 12, 2016|url-status=dead}} folk,{{cite web|first=Andrew|last=Hall|url=http://cokemachineglow.com/records/perfumegenius-putyourbackn2it-2012/|title=Perfume Genius Put Your Back N 2 It|website=cokemachineglow.com|date= March 3, 2012|access-date=June 16, 2022}} pop,{{cite web|first=Alexis|last=Petridis|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/may/14/perfume-genius-set-my-heart-on-fire-immediately-review|title=Perfume Genius: Set My Heart on Fire Immediately review – pop poet discovers new powers|work=The Guardian|date=May 14, 2020|access-date=June 17, 2022}} and glam rock.{{cite web|first=Heather|last=Phares|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/perfume-genius-mn0002455573/biography|title=Perfume Genius Biography|work=AllMusic|access-date=June 17, 2022}}
Awards and nominations
{| class=wikitable
|-
! Year !! Awards !! Work !! Category !! Result !! Ref.
|-
| rowspan=2|2014
| rowspan=2|Rober Awards Music Poll
| Himself
| Best Pop Artist
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2|"Queen"
| Best Promo Video
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2015
| Music Video of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=4|2017
| "I Can't Help Falling in Love"
| Best Sync Online Viral Advert
| {{won}}
|-
| Rober Awards Music Poll
| Himself
| Best Songwriter
| {{nom}}
|-
| No Shape
| Best Art Vinyl
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=3|A2IM Libera Awards
| Toyatathon 2016 Ad Spot
| Best Sync Usage
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=3|2018
| "Wreath" Video Contest
| Marketing Genius
| {{nom}}
|-
| "Die 4 You"
| Video of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
| No Shape
| Outstanding Music Artist
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2019
| rowspan=2|A2IM Libera Awards
| "Eighth Grade" Trailer
| rowspan=2|Best Sync Usage
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=4|2020
| Goldfinch trailer
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan=3|Rober Awards Music Prize
| rowspan=2|Himself
| Best Male Artist
| {{nom}}
|-
| Songwriter of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
| "Describe"
| Best Music Video
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=8|2021
| rowspan=2|GAFFA Awards
| Himself
| Best International Solo Act
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=4|Set My Heart on Fire Immediately
| Best International Album
| {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="5"|Libera Awards
|{{nom}}
|-
|Creative Packaging
|{{nom}}
|-
|{{nom}}
|-
|Himself
|{{nom}}
|-
|"Describe"
|{{nom}}
|-
| "Jason"
| Anthem
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2022
| Best Vinyl Art
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2023
| "Spitting Off The Edge Of The World" (with Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
| Best Alternative Music Performance
| {{nom}}
{{end}}
Discography
{{Main|Perfume Genius discography}}
- Learning (2010)
- Put Your Back N 2 It (2012)
- Too Bright (2014)
- No Shape (2017)
- Set My Heart on Fire Immediately (2020)
- Ugly Season (2022)
- Glory (2025)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Perfume Genius}}
- [http://www.matadorrecords.com/perfume_genius Perfume Genius] at Matador Records
{{Perfume Genius}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people
Category:21st-century American male singers
Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters
Category:American gay musicians
Category:American LGBTQ singers
Category:American LGBTQ songwriters
Category:American male singer-songwriters
Category:American people of Greek descent
Category:American rock singers
Category:American rock songwriters
Category:Chamber pop musicians
Category:LGBTQ people from Iowa
Category:LGBTQ people from New York (state)
Category:LGBTQ people from Washington (state)
Category:Matador Records artists
Category:Musicians from Seattle
Category:Nettwerk Music Group artists
Category:People from Everett, Washington
Category:Singer-songwriters from New York (state)