The Fetish branch was actually launched on January 1st and this was the determining move for almost the twelve months to come. The initial goal was to promote local Montreal talent in producing original photo material on a monthly basis. But an unexpected chat on Facebook with model Nikla Black made us rethink our strategy… and we thusly welcomed exactly 69 (!) models from all around the world, the majority outside of Canada, who were trustful enough to sent us pics to share and also respond to a friendly interview.

This gave us the opportunity to create some new material with the cooperation of some truly talented models including Malezia Pearl, Tahina, Domina Erzulie, Annie Y & Mistress Shiva, and the trio that became the backbone of our fetish world: Kytana, Dakina & Isabelle Stephen, all three doing multiple duties as models, photographers, makeup artists or even filmmakers. Without their support and imagination, our own success and motivation would have greatly suffered, and they all became our official adoptive daughters!

Consequently, Cult Sirens actually produced and performed its first live show, a summer affair which was well-received and enthusiastically performed. For myself, hosting this event and sharing the stage with five incredibly talented Sirens (Isabelle, Dakina, Erzulie, Kytana & Chastity) will be a memory forever imprinted in my brain. Happily enough, this was the opportunity to give our first live radio interview on a local station.

But, like any given year, some bitter disappointments and missed opportunities were also on the menu: two major of them really, one unexpected and the other less so… the later coming almost as a relief! These incidents gave us the benefit of revaluating our values and sticking to our guns… and we don’t regret any of our decisions. If ever the Cult Sirens image would become threatened, we will of course take the necessary steps to stay true to ourselves.

Amusingly enough, we learned that e-mail use was not suited for everyone as a staggering amount of more than 100 other models were contacted… and were not even bothered with the courtesy of giving a reply, positive or not. We were often faced with the “I was busy” syndrome, mainly from people occupied with replying to dubious quizzes or commenting on pictures of their friends’ cat on Facebook! Busy indeed… Still, receiving a gift in the mail by an individual like Jewell Marceau will always be a highlight regardless of which year it is!

We were also on hand to help out or produce a couple of short films directed by local Sirens filmmakers, one of them actually filmed in our own bedroom! In the months to come, we will inform everyone on future availability or public screenings concerning these productions.

Yes, a YouTube channel was created, a Twitter account, a MySpace page, a recent profile on Bizarre Magazine… each deserving more time but still valuable in the contacts they already provided.

But of course, the success of one branch meant the stagnation of others. Actresses profiles on the main site were embarrassingly scarce, in-depth blog entries were also less detailed… but at the end of the year, the Vampires site got a boost in the arm with a spectacular update involving a shoot done outside, in a quasi-fairy tale location. It was decided that the Vampires would benefit for more regular action, instead of being a once a year event.

Yes, some friendships were made, others were sadly dissolved… the fun is to discover how unexpected key people are met in a given situation, who finally turn out to be precious collaborators.

Meeting and working (and also shopping!) with a visiting NYC Siren was also a high point of the year. Like the inspiring whirlwind that she is, Miss Juliette gave us incredible confidence when we were at a very low point and questioning our very existence…

Many thanks to the local models, photographers & enthusiasts who helped out and/or encouraged us over the past 12 months. Other big thanks to the 69 fetish models who trusted us enough to come up with these illuminating profiles… some valuable friendships were born out of these exchanges with many of them and we will cherish this for a while to come. We truly believe that this has become a very unique sisterhood. Lastly, enormous thanks to the visitors on any of the sites… what would be the point of doing all this without your interest?

What to expect for 2010? Well, certainly more of the same but with some more novelties on the way, mainly a Pin-Up branch that should be launched in the first half of the year. Probably more video work, another live show in May and other goodies. All will not be divulged here, as the main lesson learned was to not so easily share ideas with others… unless you want them twisted for other ends!