Gay Music: In the Key of Q

‘There’s something fun about performance. There’s something fun about being a character. And when you can marry that with some personal songs, a bit aggression, and a bit of an edge, it’s just such a wonderful way to get that out of your system.”

This week, Dan’s guest on In the Key of Q is Canadian singer-songwriter MATTHEW PRESIDENTE (pronounced “President-ay”).

Matthew Presidente hails from Vancouver in Canada. He isn’t restrained by style, crossing all sorts of genre. He has thus far released six studio albums, and during the COVID crisis launched a YouTube series ‘World is Watching’. In it he collaborates with Queer musicians from around the world. His latest single is the mid-tempo Summer chill track, ‘Standing in the Way of Love’ which held the Qreviews number one spot for four impressive weeks.

Matthew’s online home is at matthewpresidente.com.

Coming next Quesday is Swedish musician DHORIN FIREHEART.

‘I don’t like labelling myself, or labelling anything. That’s why I use the term Queer because it’s widely used. You can use it in so many ways.’

This week’s episode heads to the European mainland and the German capital city of Berlin. Neyon has been releasing singles since 2019 including ‘Disco Punk’, ‘Top Dog’ and the 2021 single ‘Glammed Up’. His sound is fused with 1980s retro pads and a dash of Soft Cell sleaze.

In this episode Neyon talks about growing up in the small South German town of Heidelberg, and how its normality suffocated him. He speaks about the pain when trust is broken and how Berlin and Britney Spears inspired the musician he is today.

Neyon’s music can be found on Spotify and YouTube.

Keywords: #QueerBerlin #BerlinLiving #Heidelberg #LoveBritney #IcySynth #SoftCell #QueerMusic #MichaelMedrano

‘If you can’t be witty or funny without tearing someone down, then you’re not funny.’

JR writes light, catchy pop as showcased in his first album the 2021 release, ‘Daydream’. But beneath the catchy melodies and Britney-inspired production are tales of body shame, Queer toxicity and growing up poor in the American South.

JR is a trailblazer in the Queer community, battling against the body fascism which is such a strong part of its culture. He discusses the importance of seeing beauty in everyone and how shows like Ru Paul’s Drag Race promote a toxic culture of bitchiness and destruction.

JR Price’s homepage can be found here.

In The Key of Q publishes every Tuesday (‘Quesday’) and is available at inthekeyofq.com, on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, Gaana, TuneIn, Overcast, PlayerFM, Deezer, Saavn and most other podcast platforms. Its social media homes are on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

‘I was angry. I was sad… and I was suicidal. Music saved me.’

HELP FOR PEOPLE WITH SUICIDAL THOUGHTS

Aish writes intelligent and personal pop with echoes of his Indian heritage woven within the beats, production and lyrics.

In the episode he mulls the concepts of mother and motherland, having himself a complex relationship with both. From the gruelling summers of India, the violent homophobia of New Delhi to the beauty of the Himalayas he is left with a deeply conflict relationship with ‘home’. He talks about how prescription drugs helped lift him from depression; the legacy of being the “chubby kid” and how gynecomastia led him to use anonymous sex for validation and escape.

Aish’s Link Tree can be found here.

In The Key of Q publishes every Tuesday (‘Quesday’) and is available at inthekeyofq.com, on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, Gaana, TuneIn, Overcast, PlayerFM, Deezer, Saavn and most other podcast platforms. Its social media homes are on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

‘It’s not a crime to not understand. But when that knowledge is presented to you, and you still refuse to grow from it, then we have an issue.’

Carrington’s most recent release is ‘Baptize Me In TNT’ an acoustic collection of songs that showcase his smokey, gravelly voice to a tee. This has come on the back of his 2018 album, ‘Baptize Me’ featuring original studio versions of many of his tracks on ‘TNT’. He has just dropped the steamy single, ‘Come Over’.

Carrington offers his thoughts on coming to terms with his unique voice despite initial attempts to sound more like his icons Adele, Ed Sheeran and John Mayer. He talks about the unique intersectionality between Queer and Black identities, and how toxic indoctrination from religious ideologies led him into dark mental health corners. He discusses how his shy teen self, riddled with shame, turned into an extreme people-pleaser and he celebrates the brilliant, strong Black women that provided the backbone of his upbringing.

He is also a special guest presenter on a 2-part special about Black and Queer identities. The episodes features musicians Ty McKinnie, The IZM and comedian Sampson McCormick. The episodes are available here: Part 1 and Part 2.

Carrington’s music can be found at www.carringtonkelso.com.

Keywords: #FirstKiss #LGBTQReligion #BlackandGay #QPOC #Intersectionality #BlackBarbershop #PeoplePleasing #Depression #LGBTQIADepression #QueerMusic

‘I still face a lot of judgment from the gay community because I’m different. Because I like different things.’

In this week’s episode, Tom talks about his experiences as a young man in a Catholic seminary, being a misfit within the Queer community, and the painful but rewarding honesty that comes from infidelity. He shares his love of authenticity within his music, his thoughts on Lady Gaga, and the importance of using his voice to spread the word about body positivity.

In The Key of Q publishes every Tuesday (‘Quesday’) and is available at inthekeyofq.com, on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, Gaana, TuneIn, Overcast, PlayerFM, Deezer, Saavn and most other podcast platforms. Its social media homes are on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Tom’s music can be found at www.tomgossmusic.com.

Keywords: #BodyPositive #LadyGag #ToxicPerfection #KenoshaMissouri #Kenosha #TomGoss #LiveMusic #NoFags #BlackTransHeroes #Infidelity #OpenRelationship #LockdownLiving

‘I’m making the music that I wanted to listen to growing up. And I think if nobody else like’s it, it’s there for me to enjoy.’

This week’s guest hails from Chicago. In 2018 he released his first long-player, ‘Rituals’. And then in 2020 a five-track EP called ‘33’. Most recent is his 2021 single, ‘But a Dream’.

In this episode, Nick discusses growing up in a trailer park and the challenges he faced growing up near the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder. He discusses the importance of Queer logical families and the surprising creative influence of the COVID pandemic.

In The Key of Q publishes every Tuesday (‘Quesday’) and is available at inthekeyofq.com, on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, Gaana, TuneIn, Overcast, PlayerFM, Deezer, Saavn and most other podcast platforms. Its social media homes are on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Nick’s music is at nickvaan.bandcamp.com.

‘David Bowie has it all: style, fashion, attitude, compassion.’

This week, Dan’s guests on In the Key of Q are Jazz musician Janette Mason and singer-songwriter David McAlmont.

A special episode this week celebrating the new EP, ‘Wall to Wall Bowie’. The five-track record contains amazing, fresh, Jazz-driven new interpretations of David Bowie classics including ‘The Jean Genie’, ‘Suffragette City’ and ‘Starman’. It has been created and arranged by Janette Mason, with David McAlmont and Sam Obernik on vocals.

In this episode Janette and David talk about how Bowie has inspired them, their working relationship, as well as lamenting the loss of the iconic Streatham performance venue, The Hidewaway. Janette discusses how Bowie provided an escape for her as a North London lesbian teenager, and David recalls his memories of the day that Bowie died. 

In The Key of Q publishes every Tuesday (‘Quesday’) and is available at inthekeyofq.com, on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, Gaana, TuneIn, Overcast, PlayerFM, Deezer, Saavn and most other podcast platforms. Its social media homes are on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Social Media: Instagram @walltowallbowie, Facebook janettemasonmusic, Twitter @janettemason