Divina de Campo – Drag Queen, They/She/He
Did you have any musical LGBTQ inspirations growing up and do you have any now?
Growing up, I loved Andi Bell and the video for Erasures Always just exploded my brain with how much I loved it. Then of course it was the 90’s so we had folk like Savage Garden and Placebo with people who were visibly queer. It was a period of time when lots of LGBTQ artists got looked over because they were LGBTQ. Now of course we have amazing people like Lil Nas, Kim Petras, Sam Smith, Olly Alexander and a whole raft of other people. It’s not like it was in the 90s and naughties when “coming out” was considered damaging to a career.
I think there are some major issues in the music industry generally. Exploitative practices by labels and execs. Contracts which massively undervalue the talent and are weighted completely in the label’s favour. I think if we can move back to a place of celebrating talent and perspective rather than purely commercial appeal then we would have a much richer and inclusive industry. Give people opportunities and the right support and they can make magic happen.
My favourite part about being a drag queen & musician is that I have the choice to make whatever I want. I don’t have to “stay in my lane” If I wanna do rock, pop, dance, jazz, or classical then I can because I’m in charge of that. My least favourite part is that some folk are still snooty about what you bring to the table because you’re a drag artist rather than what they would deem “legit” – That’s all fine and fair but it does close some doors to you that otherwise would be open.
Pride is the chance to be really open and unabashed. I sort of mean that figuratively and literally. lol. You can be who you want wear what you want and not be afraid of being bashed in that space with those people. There’s still a long way to go before that can be an everyday circumstance. Hate crime has risen exponentially over the last 10 years. So it is also a chance to protest against the divisive and dangerous politics being espoused and implemented by those in power while also partying with our community.
Photography by: Kelvin L Gray
Follow Divina de Campo on Instagram & stream to her music HERE!
Phoebe Green – Solo Musician, She/They
Growing up I didn’t really feel represented; I think the music I listened to was pretty heavily straight male-dominated so I obsessed over the theatrical, flamboyant (but still straight) musicians. I always joke that MUNA are the Jonas Brothers of my twenties; I feel so lucky to be an artist at a time where so many sapphic bands and artists are breaking through in their own totally unique ways. St Vincent has been a huge inspiration for me in my late teens/early twenties, I’ve discovered Tegan and Sara later in my life than I would’ve liked to but I think they’ve written some of my favourite pop songs.
I’m not sure if being queer influences me and my music completely or not at all. I think my experiences will always shape my songs so I guess in that way being queer will always play a part in subject matter, especially my coming to terms with it and my fear of people having an issue with it/me. I’ve really embraced using female pronouns (for my girlfriend) in my lyrics recently and it feels like a massive relief. It also feels extremely vulnerable because it’s a really new thing that feels brave, even though I’m literally just writing about someone I love which has been done in mainstream pop songwriting forever.
I fully stand by the fact that pride is a protest and not a tourist attraction. I love to celebrate with my friends but it’s so important to acknowledge how much progress there is still left to make, especially for our trans friends who seem to be under attack more than ever. Pride events are such important opportunities to use our voices and take up the space we deserve.
What is your best achievement as an artist?
I think on a surface level having my song ‘IDK’ on Killing Eve was incredible, especially as a queer person, it felt so validating. My biggest achievement so far though is probably continuing to heal and grow from trauma and to be finally accepting myself, it’s taken me years to feel comfortable enough to embrace myself fully and let that influence me as an artist, I’ve spent so long trying to shrink and dilute myself for fear of being “too much”, but at the moment I really feel content.
Whats in the pipeline for this year?
There’s so much happening this year! I have an EP out called ‘Ask Me Now’ which I’m releasing independently, I have a headline gig on 6th June to celebrate. I’ll be touring later on in the year for sure, but I’m focussing a lot on continuing to write.
Photography by @louise_lx
Follow Phoebe Green on Instagram & stream to their music HERE!
Joaicon – Solo Musician, He/Him
A huge one of my inspirations is Troye Sivan, I found him when I was 14 and finding him was love at first sight because I felt represented. I was amazed by the fact that someone was actually feeling the same way as me at that moment. I mean, we had Ariana Grande but I needed to feel represented by a man, especially a gay man. Nowadays one of my biggest inspirations is Frank Ocean, as a queer black man I feel like I’m in the perfect time and place.
Being queer influences my music in a number of ways. Firstly, my experiences as a queer person shape the emotional themes of my songs, as I often draw from personal experiences with love, identity, and acceptance. Additionally, my queerness informs the way I approach songwriting and performance, allowing me to bring a unique perspective to my work and connect with audiences who may also identify as LGBTQ+. Furthermore, being queer has exposed me to a diverse range of artists and genres within the music industry, inspiring me to experiment with different sounds and techniques in my own music. Overall, my queerness is a central part of my identity and creativity as a musician.
I personally celebrate pride by supporting LGBTQ+ organizations and causes, and showing love and acceptance to my LGBTQ+ friends. Pride to me means celebrating and embracing who you are, and I want to be known for spreading love, kindness, empathy and respect regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, and advocating for acceptance, equality, and rights for all LGBTQ+ individuals.
How do you think the music industry can work towards greater acceptance and inclusion in the music industry for trans and non-binary individuals?
Representation: The music industry should actively seek out and promote more trans and non-binary artists, musicians, and industry professionals. This can include featuring them in mainstream media, music festivals, and award shows. By the way, I would like to add that the music industry should amplify the voices and experiences of trans and non-binary individuals through storytelling, advocacy, and collaboration. This can help raise awareness and create more opportunities for representation and inclusion.
What’s currently in the pipeline for 2024?
I will be releasing my second EP and it’s called Digital Interruption.
Follow Joaicon on Instagram and stream to his music HERE!
Mina My – Solo Artist, She/Her
When I was first learning guitar I was mostly listening to Taylor Swift – I even had a signature baby Taylor guitar. I think it was more as I got a bit older that I started listening to queer artists, first and foremost Dodie. She has a song called ‘She‘ from her album Human, and I remember listening to that a lot, and it made me feel comforted, even understood and accepted as a queer person, whatever that might look like. Later on I started listening to Orla Gartland through Dodie, inspiring me to write guitar-based indie-pop/rock like she does. I fell in love with her song ‘Madison’. Dodie and Orla have influenced my songwriting and artistry in so many ways. I remember when I started listening to girl in red as well, it sort of opened a new world for me, because all the other music I’d been listening to was so heteronormative. Other LGBTQ+ artists I’m listening to right now are Renée Rapp and Arlo Parks. I am OBSESSED with Chappel Roan.
There are lots of new openly queer artists in the music industry right now, which I love, but I think some people feel like it’s a trend. Being queer should never be seen this way, people aren’t queer because it’s ‘popular’, they’re queer because it’s who they are. It’s not something one puts on for attention. Additionally, it’s very unfortunate how some men see bi and gay women as existing for their own enjoyment.
I celebrate Pride by dressing up and putting on lots of GLITTER! Whether I’ll be walking in the parade or watching from the sides, I’ll be singing my heart out! I love meeting people during pride, everyone is always so lovely and welcoming. It means a lot to me to be able to take part in celebrating love, diversity and people’s right to be their authentic selves.
Photography by Connie Evans
Follow Mina My on Instagram and stream her music HERE!
ISSUE 1/4, IN THE NEXT ISSUE WE SPEAK TO UNINVITED, RUN REMEDY AND MORE…
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