Summary

Carrington Kelso returns to In the Key of Q for his fourth appearance, bringing with him the wisdom of displacement and the courage to sit with grief. Three years after his debut on the podcast, this multi-talented singer-songwriter has relocated from Georgia to San Diego, launched Clara Rose Candle Co, and is preparing to release his most personal project yet: A Moment for Grief.

In this deeply reflective conversation, Carrington explores the complex emotions of choosing to leave everything familiar behind, the exhausting reality of code switching as a Black queer man, and why streaming alone isn't enough to support independent artists. His insights on building your own table rather than waiting for an invitation resonate with particular power, offering a blueprint for creative autonomy in an industry that often marginalises voices like his.

This episode serves as both a masterclass in artistic vulnerability and a call to action for listeners to financially support the queer independent artists whose work reflects our lives back to us.

Timestamped Key Takeaways

• [04:39] Perfectionism in music production: Carrington discusses the struggle between excellence and perfectionism in his creative process

• [05:55] The courage to relocate: Why he left Georgia for San Diego despite the safety of familiar surroundings

• [12:29] Grief of your own choosing: How voluntary displacement creates a unique form of mourning that's no less real

• [15:08] Creating for the queer child within: The responsibility to provide representation for young LGBTQ+ people seeking their reflection in art

• [18:07] Building your own table: The power of horizontal networking rather than vertical ladder-climbing in the music industry

• [22:25] High-functioning anxiety from abandonment: How early paternal abandonment shaped perfectionist tendencies and people-pleasing behaviours

• [24:35] Code switching explained: The exhausting performance required of Black bodies in predominantly white spaces

• [28:22] What should a pop star look like: Challenging industry standards that favour lighter-skinned artists even within Black music

• [33:43] A Moment for Grief announcement: Carrington's upcoming album exploring the themes discussed in this episode

• [36:00] Supporting independent artists financially: Why streaming alone doesn't sustain artists and the importance of direct financial support

Guest Bio

Carrington Kelso is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, producer and entrepreneur whose unique blend of pop, R&B, soul and electronic sounds creates powerful narratives for Black queer love and artistic freedom. Based in San Diego, he has released the acclaimed album First We Fall and launched Clara Rose Candle Co. His upcoming project A Moment for Grief promises to be his most personal work yet. Find him at carringtonkelso.com and follow his journey on social media @carringtonkelso.

ResourcesMusic Mentioned

• Beyoncé: Dangerously in Love (album) • Blondie: "Call Me" (single) • Carrington Kelso: First We Fall (album) • Carrington Kelso: "Eden" (single) • Carrington Kelso: "Can I Be the One?" (single)

Artists Mentioned

• Beyoncé • Janet Jackson • Blondie • Madonna • George Michael • Britney Spears

Business

• Clara Rose Candle Co - Carrington's candle business

Links

• Read deep dives into our queer lives at the blog HERE.
• Check out the official podcast playlist on Spotify.
• Follow the podcast on: • Instagram • TikTok • Facebook
• See producer and presenter Dan Hall's other work HERE (subtitled version HERE).
• Listen to other episodes at here.