A Podcast on Queer folks’ favourite tunes.
Music plays a huge role in queer life. With so many memories, anecdotes and other stories that have songs attached to them, it would be a shame if no one would ever share them.
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This was a difficult episode to edit. As Yildiz from KAOS GL shares the highs and lows of Queer life in Turkey, on one hand there were some detailed descriptions of the way people mistreat queer folks I decided to cut. On the other hand, their energy is so optimistic and fun it’s been an absolute delight to talk to them. Check out the content warnings below to see if this episode right for you.
KAOS GL is the oldest queer rights group in Turkey, founded in 1994. Their effort is only outdated by individuals who made it big and used their platform to advocate for queer rights. Now, there aren’t a lot of examples out there, but we’re gonna talk about one quite extensively.
As a little extra music recommendation from your trusty podcast host: Check out Gaye Su Akyol. Their combination of traditional Turkish music, film scores and Queer activism would have made her the perfect person to talk about on the show, but to be honest, it just kinda slipped my mind. In case this sounds like something you would enjoy, get in touch and let me know what you think!
CW: Queerphobia, Transphobia, Police violence, Self harm
Flashback Track: Bülent Ersoy – Maazallah
Queer Artist Spotlight: Madonna – Material Girl
Best Live Experience: Vega – Iz Birakanlar Unutulmaz
Recent Discovery: Ankarali Yasemin – Motor Geliyor
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Sarya was born in the United States. For a large part they grew up in Taiwan before they eventually moved to Edinburgh to go to uni there. In the meantime, they got to know a whole bunch of stereotypes. In the end they proudly became one. Spoken word, music, theatre, Sarya can do all the arts.
Let’s lean into our stereotypes, shall we? Sarya loved the arts and theatre and as a result they would regularly get cast into genderbending creative type roles. In hindsight though, it’s hard to tell how much of this was actually an act. We could spiral into how much of gender is performative but let’s leave that for another time. Are there any stereotypes you like to lean into? Reach out through the contact form below.
Performative or not, Sarya’s issues with femininity are real. Although they are pretty comfortable presenting femme of centre, the traditional idea of what “feminine” even is, is hard to shake. Especially in combination with their Asian heritage. Therefore, it’s all the more appropriate to end with a song in which they praise their mom, and sings about how cool, hot, and intimidating women can be.
Flashback Track: John Denver – Take me Home, Country Roads
Queer Artist Spotlight: Tami T – Fourteen
Best Live Experience: múm – Slow Down
Episode Special: Sarya – Professional Woman
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Paulina Vo can tell you like no other how strongly the time and place can influence a person, including what music you listen to. Throughout her life she moved a lot and thus she experienced first-hand how the music she listens to has changed over the different locations and eras in her life.
While editing this show I noticed again how hesitant Paulina was talking about her queer experience. Of course, not everyone is as vocal about their own queerness. But then I noticed how much the conversation fired up when talking about race. In hindsight, I think some questions were left unanswered about whether she feels the need to choose between her queer identity or her Asian identity. I guess there’s a time and place for all those unanswered questions too.
Without reading into it too much, there might be parallels with her musical preferences. When she lived in a white environment she had to deal with some nasty remarks. Both because she’s Asian and because she listens to hip-hop. Now, where one is breaking out in an activist manner, Paulina pushes the other ever so slightly into the background. Is she conditioned to downplay her love for hip-hop? Am I reading too much into it? Let me know though the contact form below.
Flashback Track: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony – The Crossroads
Queer Artist Spotlight: The Japanese House – Something has to Change
Best Live Experience: Phoenix – Lasso
Recent Discovery: Chika – Cinderella pt. 2
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When a band consists of a couple, people usually expect things to go south, but Hey, King! is here to prove them wrong. They just released a wonderfully queer album which covers deeply personal subjects. This includes the meta subject of a couple being in a band together.
The band consists of Natalie and Taylor who, as far as I got to know them, show that having a healthy relationship comes with being open and honest with each other. However, they’re not here to give relationship advice. Instead, they’ll sit us down and have us listen to pages from their diary. This brand of honesty does not just apply to their relationship, but more often than not it also forms the base for their lyrics. Throw in a tongue-in-cheek approach to these serious matters and a love for the French horn and you’ll get Hey, King!
Flashback Track: Tori Amos – Take to the Sky
Queer Artist Spotlight: Tegan & Sara – Walking with a Ghost
Best Live Experience: The Front Bottoms – Twin Size Mattress
Episode Special: Hey, King! – Sorry
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Anyone who has ever read anything about pop music, knows that Swedish producers write the best songs. From Robyn to ABBA, this country’s track record in pop history is unparalleled. So, it makes absolute sense that the pop artist Jack O’Connor, otherwise known as SNKT, moved to Stockholm to chase his dream.
Out of all Swedish producers Max Martin might be the one with the most impressive resumé, having worked with Britney Spears, Lady Gaga and many more. This pop legend is largely known for his formulaic way he writes songs, this, at first sight strongly, is in strong contrast with Björn from ABBA’s view. He thinks that the music industry should allow young artists to take more risks. Jack is more than happy to share his thoughts on the matter. The first SNKT album comes out in May of 2021.
I’m not quite used to guests who bounce back some questions. I love talking about music as much as anybody else, if not more, it sometimes forces me to show my ignorance. Is there anything I need to know about Frank Ocean or Robyn? Let me know though the contact form below.
Flashback Track: Britney Spears – (You Drive Me) Crazy – The Stop! Remix
Queer Artist Spotlight: Frank Ocean – Thinkin Bout You
Best Live Experience: Robyn – Honey
Recent Discovery: SNKT – Lost in Love
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It’s so cool to have a big ol’ nerd as a guest. In this case Harits will run you through the past fifty years of Indonesian History from a queer point of view. As the main guy behind the Queer Indonesian Archive we could have gone a lot further, but in the best case it will be a reason to invite him, or one of his colleagues, again some time.
One of the most wicked stories he pointed out is the tale of Waria spies: A group of trans women who tried to fight an oppressive regime. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find any more sources on the tales of these bad-ass folks but in case you come across a link or two, dear listener, you know where to find me. Check out the contact info below.
In recent Indonesian History Queer acceptance took a turn for the worse. However, a bunch of young activists are fighting for more rights. This once again proves how tolerance does not equal acceptance. If this seems broad and vague, listen to the episode to find out more. And to be honest, for someone who works with musicians, we didn’t talk a whole lot about music but fret not. There’s plenty of stories to go around.
CW: Homophobia, Transphobia, Systematic Oppression, Violence and a brief mention of HIV-Aids
Flashback Track: Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazelwood – Storybook Children
Queer Artist Spotlight: Guruh Soekarno Putra – Lagu Putih
Best Live Experience: Franz Ferdinand – Michael
Recent Discovery: Arthur Sharpe – My Only Worry
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It’s obvious I’ve been out of the running for a bit. I thought I had my research done right, but Neel kept on proving me wrong. Isn’t it wonderful to have so many international connections who teach you something at every turn? In this case, Neel points out the trans discourse when it comes to cultural differences between trans women and Hijra people in India. And that’s just one example.
Unfortunately, this episode suffers from some audio issues. Don’t worry though, after track number two these will largely be resolved.
Speaking of discourse, I know the women with an x conversation has been firing up lately, but I do think Neel has some good reasons for her to use it. What do you think? Let me know through the contact form or the QS-socials.
Anyway, every now and again we’re tired of the trans discourse ™, but we can miss out on it as well. Me as much as everybody else. This isn’t related to the episode perse, but it is something I wanted to share with you. The limited social interactions I’ve had recently have been disappointingly cis. I’m blessed with a lot of friends but I do miss hanging out with other Queer folks. Relatable? Drop me a line through @Queersoundspod on Twitter or Instagram.
CW: Transphobia
Flashback Track: Imon Chakraborty – Ajo Sakhi
Queer Artist Spotlight: Janelle Monáe – Make Me Feel
Best Live Experience: When Chai Met Toast – Believe
Most Recent Discovery: Phoebe Bridgers – Motion Sickness
Shownotes
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Also Available through Spotify and Apple Podcasts
Hey y’all. I’m sorry, No full episode today. The first time in a while I’m missing the release schedule since I’ve had one which, on one hand is weird but also puts this complete lack of an issue in perspective. No hard feelings, ok?
Maja refuses to deal with any gatekeepers. For too long people around her have been continuously forcing her in uncomfortable positions for a number of reasons. Well, no more. With Queers To The Front she runs a grassroots indie label that prioritises marginalised people and their largely political messages. Gate? What gate?
As someone who operates in a niche within a niche, Maja still needed to cut off some even more obscure personal interests in order to make her business consistent. However, Clever as she is, she managed to create an organisation that hopefully makes the music industry a safer space for trans and otherwise queer people.
The reason this podcast will probably never make it big is, partly, it’s host getting dragged along in big nerdy rabbit holes. In the end I don’t even feel like I made the point I wanted to make. Oh well. Do you have any thoughts about Green Day’s relevance in today’s musical and cultural landscape? Get in touch through the contact link below!
CW: Transphobia
Flashback Track: Green Day – J.A.R. (Jason Andrew Relva)
Queer Artist Spotlight: Pity Party – Grindmother
Best Live Experience: Kermes – Terms
Most Recent Discovery: Pom Pom Squad – Cut My Hair
Shownotes
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Also Available through Spotify and Apple Podcasts
From Reggae music versus colonialist legislation. When you think about the nineties, you’ll probably think of the 1990’s but the 1890’s get a mention as well. I do realise a hundred years is a long time to cover, but under the guise of Black history month it’s seems like the appropriate time to at least mention these decades. Here with me to discuss them is none other than Yvee from Galck.
The most recent nineties are obvious: personal memories as well as the political climate of the time form the backdrop to Yvee’s childhood. Growing up in Kenya, Reggae was unavoidable and that left its mark on them.
The history further back is more of a recent activity. With Repeal 162 GALCK, or the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya, and a collection of other organisations are trying to finally get rid of homophobic legislation put in place by British Colonial law. Because of course it is.
So, I’m not entirely sure if Dyke is a word that has been reclaimed and broadly accepted. Yvee definitely uses it in a reclaimed way, even though I’ve always been under the impression it’s a slur. Please share your thoughts trough the contact form.
CW: Racism, Homophobia, Colonialism
Flashback Track: Bob Marley – Redemption Song
Queer Artist Spotlight: Tracy Chapman – Fast Car
Best Live Experience: Koffee – Burning
Most Recent Discovery: Lizzo – T-Baby
Shownotes
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Get in touch through QueerSounds.com/Contact
Also Available through Spotify and Apple Podcasts