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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Jeesh I was nervous. Can you tell? The idea was to talk about queer pop divas, a history dating back to the 60’s, if not further. If anything, this experience shows that Fabian and I don’t have what it takes to truly shine on stage. But why should it matter, right? Every now and again you should get out of your comfortzone a little bit.
Now, in case you’re thinking, why does the name Fabian sound so familiar? Well, that might just be because you remember him from Episode Five: Vaporwave and the Trans Experience. In this show he’s back for a continuation of our conversation about hyper pop., but also to share some updates on his own series of online queer parties and spill his thoughts on pop divas throughout the ages.
That being said, I’d like to thank everyone who came out to the Dutch Podcast festival, checked the show through the live stream and interacted on Instagram and Twitter. You can check out the other shows, panels and workshops they put together through Podcastfestival.nl. Don’t forget to leave some feedback. You can find the link to the contact from below.
Song 1: Diana Ross – No Matter What Sign You Are
Song 2: Carly Rae Jepsen – Run Away With Me
Check all previous episodes at Queersounds.com/Episodes
Get in touch through Queersounds.com/Contact
As a gay boy growing up in the countryside, fabulous cartoons and musicals made his childhood. Because he had to deal with homophobia and a severe lack of media representation, it took Kenyth a couple of years longer to realise who he is as a person than would have been the case if he were brought up in a supportive environment. By extension his expectations for the future got very confusing. Luckily, that all changed throughout the years. Partly, because of music!
As trope-y as it may seem, Kenyth Mogan left his home state Montana with a twinkle in his eyes and a song on his lips. In LA he didn’t manage to become the big-shot pop star he set out to be, but he did find a place in which he can unapologetically be himself. Along the way he got the occasional reminder that having fun is the most important part in making music which can eventually lead to praise from your biggest idol and inspiration.
As a kid from the 80’s, his musical choices reflect the time in which he grew up. However, he’ll always pick the side of the underdog. Be prepared for an episode that stands up for underappreciated artists, whether that’s do to public image or just because of how bad, yet fun their music is. Kenyth might be the first white cis gay man on this podcast, but don’t let that be an excuse to accuse him of not having an interesting and fun story.
CW: homophibia, drug use.
Flashback Track: Jem & The Holograms – Jem Theme Song
Queer Artist Spotlight: Marilyn’s Boys – Hot Stuff
Best Live Experience: Tiffany – Open My Eyes
Recent Discovery: Alexz Johnson – Living Colour
Check all previous episodes at Queersounds.com/Episodes
Get in touch through Queersounds.com/Contact
Katlego Kolanyane-Kesupile might just be one of the most prolific queer Motswana in the world. Whether you found out about her through her ARTivism or her TED talk, there is always more to discover about her. You’d be surprised how many stories related to music this amazing person holds, too! From her love for 80’s pop divas to some sidesteps into musicals and emo.
Ultimately, please remember that you don’t need the approval of UN officials for you to be valid. Kat however, actually went out and got the thumbs up from the late Kofi Annan. Moreover, she became a Global Shaper for the World Economic Forum. Not through affirmative action, but simply because she’s a born overachiever. For all details of Kat’s overwhelming resumé you should just go check her Wikipedia page.
Frankly, there’s quite a lot of things we didn’t get to talk about in this conversation. For example, I would have loved to dive into the subject addressed in Kat’s TED talk. In this speech she explained her experiences with getting her past white-washed after growing up in rural Botswana. But sometimes a conversation just goes the way it goes and we’ll have take all other possible topics for granted. Besides, it’s all the more reason to have her back on the show sometime! In case you’ve got suggestions as to what to talk about next time, or if you want to call me out on my ignorance, feel free to drop a line. You can find a link to the contact form below.
Flashback Track: Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Queer Artist Spotlight: Alsarah & The Nubatones – 3roos Elneel
Best Live Experience: Janet Jackson – Miss You Much
Recent Discovery: Kwaye – I Go
Check all previous episodes at Queersounds.com/Episodes
Get in touch through Queersounds.com/Contact
CW: Transphobia, Racism, HIV/Aids
Stigmas are stacking up for Yannick. Not only is she a Black Trans woman in the United States, but she also has been diagnosed with HIV/ Aids. With all her creative endeavours she has a way to vent and a way to disprove any misconceptions surrounding any aspects of her person.
Flashback Track: Whitney Houston – I’m Your Baby Tonight
Queer Artist Spotlight: Bjorn Duphot – Heart of Stone
Best Live Experience: Beyoncé – Formation
Recent Discovery: Durand Bernarr – Fly on the Wall
Shownotes:
Yannick’s Youtube Channel
Misconceptions on HIV/ Aids
Also available through Apple Podcasts and Spotify
CW: Racism, Transphobia, Transphobic violence, HIV-Aids, Police Brutality.
Diamond’s resumé is beyond impressive. She’s been building a YouTube career pretty much since the video platform launched, diverted into writing, song writing and podcasting, and she was the first trans woman to attend Jackson State University. One could write an extensive book about her life, but a musical or a podcast that would honour all the songs important to her seem more appropriate.
Flashback Track: Alanis Morissette – Perfect
Queer Artist Spotlight: Cameo – Why Have I Lost You?
Best Live Experience: Sade – Stronger than Pride
Recent Discovery: Tank & The Bangas – Oh Heart
Shownotes:
Also available through Apple Podcasts and Spotify
CW: biphobia, internalised transphobia
Time for this history nerd to look at their own past. Leigh, host of the History is Gay Podcast dives into some good old pop nostalgia. From freaking out over Boybands, to finding the line between unapologetically liking stuff and being a bit of a snob, back to general geeking. After all that though, the true queer treasure would be the friends you make along the way.
Flashback Track: Spice Girls – Wannabe
Queer Artist Spotlight: Jenny Lewis – Just One of the Guys
Best Live Experience: Paramore – That’s What You Get
Episode Special: Hey King – Lucky
Shownotes:
Also available through Apple Podcasts and Spotify
CW: homophobia, Racism
It’s as important as ever to actively contribute to representation. In Kai Mata’s case, she hopes to shake a wave that makes Indonesian queer people feel seen. Even though this means she’ll need to deal with getting her folksy pop tunes pirated, online bigotry, and the occasional ignorant podcast-host.
Flashback Track: Mumford and Sons – The Cave
Queer Artist Spotlight: Mary Lambert – She Keeps Me Warm
Best Live Experience: Trevor Hall – To Zion
Episode Special: Kai Mata – Where Love Goes
Shownotes:
Also available through Apple Podcasts and Spotify
CW: Depression, Sexism, Biphobia
Plenty of queer people hugely benefit from an online community. Gunneet accidentally became someone providing such a community on Tumblr. She is a true connaisseuse of Bisexuality providing knowledge with nice layer of comedy.
Flashback Track: Wolf Alice – Space & Time
Queer Artist Spotlight: Alex Lahey – Backpack
Best Live Experience: Ali Barter – Backseat
Most Recent Discovery: Julia Jacklin – Pressure to Party
Shownotes:
Also Available through Spotify and Apple Podcasts
QueerSounds: The Covid Sessions. A new setting, slightly worse audio quality, but same old format and fantastic tunes. As my first ever guest who doesn’t reside in the Netherlands Elodie talks about her love for gaming soundtracks, CD’s and politics in music.
Flashback Track: Morikazu Aoki – Route 110 (Pokemon RSE)
Queer Artist Spotlight: Aurora – Apple Tree
Best Live Experience: Super Furry Animals – The Man Don’t Give a Fuck
Most Recent Discovery: Dream Bitches – Tracy Emin
Shownotes:
Also Available through Spotify and Apple Podcasts
CW: antisemitism, xenophobia, war
This is a bit of a messy one. This episode has been on the shelf for a bit but the positive energy Joëll emerges is something I don’t want to withhold from you. Listen to him sharing his stories of love and fascination for the Mediterranean.
Flashback Track: Bouzouki Boys – To Yelasto Pedi
Queer Artist Spotlight: Mahmood – Barrio
Best Live Experience: Giuseppe Verdi – Va Pensiero
Most Recent Discovery: La Casa Azul – La Revolución Sexual
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Shownotes:
Also Available through Spotify and Apple Podcasts