Philadelphia based Non-binary avant-garde artist Anna Nasty has been served with a cease and desist regarding Nasty’s use of the Olivia Neutron-John stage moniker, which can be likened to a drag parody of the name of singer/actress Olivia Newton-John, who is best known for her role in Grease, and the 1981 pop single “Physical”.
Nasty, who continues to be championed by Henry Rollins, released the self-titled full length earlier this year as ONJ via DC record label Sister Polygon.
The album’s release was followed by a tour with Boy Harsher, and an opening slot for Stereolab at Brooklyn Steel.
Unfortunately, Nasty’s tenure as ONJ came to an end with the performance in Brooklyn.
“The show with Stereolab at Brooklyn Steel was my last show as Olivia Neutron-John. I thought about booking a goodbye show, but I couldn’t have planned a better way to go out.
In July, before the record had even been out for two months, I received a cease & desist from Olivia Newton-John’s legal team. Because I have very limited resources, I was unable to fight it.
I am going to take this as an opportunity to step back and reinvent. Although it has been very difficult and emotional closing this chapter of my life, I’m excited for a new beginning. I’ll be back again, under another name. Thank you again for everything. It’s been such an incredible year.”
If you’re looking for ways to support Nasty, you can still purchase the 12” Olivia Neutron-John release from Sister Polygon.
