Winter is coming? It seems not. Thanks to Jake Dibeler and Roman Udalov, Summer Is A-Cumen In all over again and we are totally in bloom.

We’ve been trying to pin Jake down for, literally, the last two years, but he is a busy guy. Thankfully when he came to Barcelona last month, we were able to sit him down and work something out.

As you can see it was totally worth the wait. Take a look at the shoot below and read our interviews with both Jake and Roman.

Jake, you have a pretty specific aesthetic. How would you describe it?
In drag, I’d describe my style as a hasidic woman in a horror movie. It’s conservative and scary and kinda sexy. Out of drag, I’m in a Nine Inch Nails shirt I’ve had since I was 13 and some sweatpants. Cute!

What was 11 year-old Jake like and when did this transition happen? Was it overnight?
11 year-old Jake was just starting to become a lil’ goth. I was listening to shoegaze and german industrial, wearing long black t-shirts as dresses, and I had a backpack that was a coffin — so not much has really changed. As for the transition, I haven’t transitioned yet – I’m still an 11 year-old goth. Ask again later.

Talk us through some of your favourite tattoos. I love your Casey Becker one…
I have a hard time picking a favorite tattoo because I have so many, but Casey Becker on the phone is definitely one of my tops. I love the tattoo Brody Polinsky did on my head, I brought that back from Berlin, so it’s special. My sister Ms William did all these funny stick-and-pokes on me, she’s really talented and I like letting her practise on me.




Tell us more about our Loverboy shoot. How was it for you?
My parents used to take me to The Evergreens Cemetery when I was a kid to do headstone rubbings. We spent a lot of time walking around them, so I feel really comfortable in cemeteries…and I love being in front of a camera.
I’m really drawn to the peacefulness of graveyards, there was a time where mausoleums and gravestones were treated as art objects, utilizing a lot of symbolism. I’m really drawn to these ‘classical’ gravesites. I don’t think burying people is as romantic these days. That said, I don’t want to be buried in a cemetery, I kinda just wanna rot in a forest somewhere.

And our shoot, Jake?!
Oh yeah, and the photo shoot was fab!

What projects are you working on at the moment?
Right now bottoms is secretly recording new material, but who knows what’ll happen with that. I’m also working on a solo show at the moment called ‘If I’m not dead then why did you bury me?’ that premiered at the ICA in Philadelphia last month. There are a couple more things I want to flesh out before I show it again.

What was your last dream about?
In the last dream I had, I was standing on the crest of a hill watching zombies run towards me in slow motion. I have zombie dreams a lot.

We are named after the infamous Mariah Carey song. What is your favourite Mariah song?
My favorite Mariah Carey song is ‘Vanishing’.

You can stalk Jake on Facebook, Instagram and on http://jakedibeler.com

Below are some more photos of Jake and an interview with the super-talented Roman Udalov who was behind the lens.

Roman, we last worked together on Loverboy #3 – our cover shoot with Shawn Morales & James Cerne. What have you been up to since then?
I’ve really spent a lot of time working with my collective, VOMIR. We did some work this year that I’m very proud of, and I want to continue to push my boundaries with them in every way. I also landed a job as a wardrobe stylist for a TV show so that’s taken up a lot of my time too. Two completely different directions but both creative so I’m happy. I’m feeling very complete.

Who influences your style?
Chris Schoonover is my current main obsession. His color palette and style is so inspiring it gives me nervous anxiety. I don’t know how else to explain it. I am also infatuated with Juco Photo in the most endearing way – they’re bright, poppy, clever, and colorful but not in anyway repetitive. I would pass out from excitement if I was ever asked to work for them.

Do you work in other medium?
I have some experience making sets and curating my own props for shoots but outside of that, I don’t have too much experience in other mediums. I would love to have my hands on more art films in the future, that’s usually the obvious progression of being a photographer. Maybe if I’m lucky I’ll get to do a small film with Jake…and lots of blood.

What is your favourite image from our shoot?
The shot of Jake on his couch with his own head in his lap is my favorite. I saw Jake’s prosthetic head and knew it had to be in the shoot. The club-style pink and red lighting, the dead-stare, and a naked Jake on the couch give this a surreal feeling, which is a departure from the rest of the shoot. It’s very vulnerable, but disturbing, and there’s no separation between the viewer and himself.

We are named after the infamous Mariah Carey song ‘Loverboy’. What is your favourite Mariah song?
I really only remember singing along to her songs in the 90’s when I was a super gay, super insecure, and super closeted teen – and so when I hear any of those songs now, (mostly anything off Daydream or Butterfly) I get nostalgic and protective of the boy I was back then…and super grateful for who I am now.

See more of Roman’s work on Facebook, Instagram and http://vomirvomirvomir.tumblr.com/