Feather Trade – US-based band
Interview with Chisolm Thompson – vocals & guitar!
How do you think the music industry can work towards greater acceptance and inclusion in the music industry for trans and non-binary individuals?
Wow, that’s a deep one. On the one hand, celebrating the contradiction to heteronormative expectations is paramount to giving everyone the strength of acceptance. On the other hand, using it as a gimmick, or selling point smacks of exploitation. Finding an ethical balance in art is an unbelievably tricky feat to do tactfully. The New York Dolls were anything but tactful, but look how many people they inspired to be themselves. It’s not necessarily the artists’ responsibility always to make the right choices when exploring expression. And that’s not the business part of the “music business” is it? Ultimately, I think genuine inclusion and respect will go a long way. Celebration of difference and new ideas is more important than trying to manipulate a “market.” Truth, truth, truth.Â
What are some of the challenges you have faced so far as a young queer artist?
Hurtful words. Hurtful actions. Assumptions and expectations. Oof. Being called hurtful things by audience members, or staff at a club. Hearing other bands on a bill pass ignorant comments not knowing who they were talking to, finding a comfortable place in a scene – all that kind of external stuff. But it’s the internal struggle that can be most difficult, isn’t it? How to find a truth you’re comfortable with even just inside yourself, and then trying to find a way to articulate it. There are times I’ve wanted to talk about things but never want to give too much away. People are elusive creatures, as social as we want to be. Finding a mask that fits, fooling ourselves into believing we’re not wearing one at all, or finding the right way to just show our face. That’s an ongoing challenge as I grow. But I do enjoy the process.
Do you think there needs to be a change in the way LGBTQ artists are treated in the music industry?
How those in the infrastructure of sales and marketing choose to relay expression to the public, and the implications it will have on the artists themselves is what will make all the difference. I don’t like to see a lot of “queerbaiting” out there, or any kind of appropriation in general. It’s just harmful to everyone involved. I wish I had more answers, I really do. Our industry has always tried to monetize the idea of sex and partying rather than valuing what’s in people’s minds. It’s a dangerous mix when profits are put before people. I think forever there will just need to be more truth in art and music.
Follow Feather Trade on Instagram & stream their music HERE!
Ben Stockwell – Bassist in The North (Band), He/They
Did you have any musical LGBTQ inspirations growing up and do you have any now?
Right, it has to be Bowie now, and to be honest it always has been, for a long time anyway. The confidence he showed with all elements of his life really has been something I have and will always admire. Something that replays in my mind is an interview he had:
‘Are those men’s shoes, women’s shoes or bisexual shoes?’ // ‘They’re shoe shoes silly!’
Aside from that growing up I loved Queen, I used to prance around the house in a white vest and my mum would always like to make a comment ‘Freddie is here!’
How do you celebrate pride, and what does it mean to you?
Well to start Pride more than anything to me is a celebration of the people who came before us, who’s dedication has meant me and so many others can live our lives without too much fear. Also, Pride is very much a time I and so many others can feel safe in a community of people that are just proud of being themselves. This year I’ll definitely be going to Pride and then Viaduct until the early morning I think!
What’s currently in the pipeline for 2024?
Right sadly I can’t give too much away without getting in trouble, last time I did an article I made a tongue in cheek joke about having enough songs to make album. We’re not releasing an album, not just yet anyways. But, we’ve got some really exciting gigs lined up for 2024 and planning on releasing plenty more music!
Follow Ben Stockwell on Instagram & stream The North’s music HERE!
V – Solo Musician, They/Them
How do you think the music industry can work towards greater acceptance and inclusion in the music industry for trans and non-binary individuals?
The industry needs to ensure that lineups are not dominated by cis men. The Instagram account @lineupswithoutmales does a great job of highlighting the bias in the industry. While it might not be a popular opinion, I believe that forming a band in 2024 that’s 100% cis white straight male is not only a social faux pas but a form of gatekeeping. I’m so bored of it, and I believe real change requires everyone’s involvement. Lineups, music organisations and groups should include women, gender-diverse individuals, LGBTQIA+ members, people of colour and people with disabilities. Representation matters, and it’s crucial to show genuine care and commitment to diversity, not just a pisstake at tokenism.
Do you think there needs to be a change in the way LGBTQ artists are treated in the music industry?
Yes, LGBTQ artists need more platforms. The dominance of cis male bands at festivals and on airwaves needs to end. I’m tired of the monoculture in popular music and the tokenisation of LGBTQ artists. We need authentic and diverse representation and we need it now. It would be great to stop putting mainstream artists on a pedestal and look closer at ones own city’s underground scene- there are so many amazing LGBTQIA+ musicians out there who are not getting recognition. I know of too many artists who have stepped down during what could have been the peak of their musical careers due to the demoralisation of everything I have discussed above, not getting recognitian and not getting fair pay. I find myself angry to have been robbed of a truly special artists next album because they did the right thing for their mental health and got out of the music buisiness. If I sound jaded its because I am!
How does being queer influence your music?
I’ve always felt like an outsider. One foot in punk, one in wave, being in those spaces as a queer or gender non-conforming person can sometimes be othering. This intersection of identities has driven me to carve out my own space, and this sense of alienation, perhaps a common queer experience, has significantly influenced my songwriting. I’m a goth! There is also certain campness in what I do, dressing up in leather, lace and harnesses and hyper performing onstage.
Follow V on Instagram & stream their music HERE!
Awkward Conversations – Solo Musician, They/Them
Did you have any musical LGBTQ inspirations growing up and do you have any now?
Someone that people who know me could definitely guess is cavetown. He’s the reason I picked up guitar, ukulele and eventually started actually writing things. I take inspiration in the way his music is really personal as well. Almost 5 years later I’d have to say he’s still one of my biggest inspirations.
What is your best achievement as an artist?
When the lovely @art.isa.n made a WIP animatic of one of my first songs for my EP release. I absolutely loved it.
How does being queer influence your music?
I tend to write about my experiences and how I feel, so naturally it’s going to have an impact on what I write. Unfortunately there’s been a lot of negativity surrounding us lately, so it’s been coming up a bit more. I’m not one who usually writes happy songs, but hopefully one day I’ll write a happy one about this.
What’s currently in the pipeline for 2024?
A name change! As I’m writing this it’s still in the works but ghost.kid. doesn’t feel like me anymore, so we’re starting a new era (hopefully the only name change I ever do, it is so hectic). As for actual music, I’ve got a few things in store, I just have to get myself to actually record haha. I’m still in school so I don’t always have the time but I’m hoping to make a little EP of covers, and get some new original music out as I have been doing a good bit of writing. Awkward Conversations is the rebrand of Ghost Kid.
Follow Awkward Conversations on Instagram
Leave a Reply