Fuck Yeah! Queer Music

This is my love letter to all the queer musicians out there, making art and kicking ass. If there's an artist you think I should know about, please let me know, I love new music! (I also reblog/post on general queer and trans stuff, radical news, and instances when the world is fucked, and when it isn't!)

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Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor

 

FY!QM Reviews-The Cliks’ Black Tie Elevator It’s been a hot minute since the last Cliks album, 2009’s Dirty King. In that time, the line-up dissolved, was assembled anew, dissolved again, and has turned into more of a rotating cast situation. Frontman Lucas Silveira made the decision to start hormones, settled into his voice, released a solo album, Mockingbird, and played bass for Hill & The Sky Heroes (who are definitely worth a listen in their own right). Needless to say, dude hasn’t been lounging away the days. The result of all that keeping busy is Black Tie Elevator, a pretty stark departure from The Cliks previous two full lengths, which were dirty, garage rock affairs. Black Tie Elevator is old school, equal parts Motown and blues-rock with a dash of soul thrown in for good measure, and it’s a great turn. I was not a huge fan of The Clik’s first two albums. They could be fairly generic, and a lot of the songs just ended up sounding the same, but this album is a pretty far cry from that. “Stop Drinking My Wine” is comprable to Bruno Mars at his best (which is pretty fucking good. Conversely, when he is bad, he is really bad, but that is another post for another day), a mid tempo Motown later stage Motown number with a reggae bend. I would never have expected this from the old Cliks. In recent interviews, Silveira has said his voice really helped lead him away from his old sound and into this new style that he had always wanted to make. And it works. His new singing voice is gritty and soulful, sexy in a way it wasn’t before. Perhaps it is due to confidence, or just the experience that comes with a decade plus music career, or maybe it’s a bit of both. Whatever it is, I hope it stays. Other standout tracks include “4 Letter Words” and “No Good Do’er.” “4 Letter Words,” a duet with Skye Chevolleau, is a vulnerable number, and Chevolleau’s voice plays off Silveira’s perfectly. They both sound like old souls singing a tired song to one another. The inclusion of subtle electronic elements to back up the single guitar warms the song just enough so that it break your heart. “No Good Do’er” is almost the exact opposite, it’s playful, word I never thought I would use to describe The Cliks. Off beat, upstroke, clean guitars and female backing vocals, and Silveira wailing just made me want to dance, and it serves as a nice palate cleanser for the slower tracks, which, while still quite good, can drag a bit when they come one after another. Like I said before, I’ve never been a huge fan of The Cliks and Lucas Silveira. But Black Tie Elevator has changed my mind. It’s not a perfect album (opener “Savanna” is almost a direct copy of “Valerie”), but it’s solid, and a great departure from their previous efforts. At the very least, it’s worth a free listen on Bandcamp. You can listen Black Tie Elevator on Bandcamp, and get it on iTunes or through The Cliks webstore.

FY!QM Reviews-The Cliks’ Black Tie Elevator

It’s been a hot minute since the last Cliks album, 2009’s Dirty King. In that time, the line-up dissolved, was assembled anew, dissolved again, and has turned into more of a rotating cast situation. Frontman Lucas Silveira made the decision to start hormones, settled into his voice, released a solo album, Mockingbird, and played bass for Hill & The Sky Heroes (who are definitely worth a listen in their own right). Needless to say, dude hasn’t been lounging away the days.

The result of all that keeping busy is Black Tie Elevator, a pretty stark departure from The Cliks previous two full lengths, which were dirty, garage rock affairs. Black Tie Elevator is old school, equal parts Motown and blues-rock with a dash of soul thrown in for good measure, and it’s a great turn. I was not a huge fan of The Clik’s first two albums. They could be fairly generic, and a lot of the songs just ended up sounding the same, but this album is a pretty far cry from that. “Stop Drinking My Wine” is comprable to Bruno Mars at his best (which is pretty fucking good. Conversely, when he is bad, he is really bad, but that is another post for another day), a mid tempo Motown later stage Motown number with a reggae bend. I would never have expected this from the old Cliks.

In recent interviews, Silveira has said his voice really helped lead him away from his old sound and into this new style that he had always wanted to make. And it works. His new singing voice is gritty and soulful, sexy in a way it wasn’t before. Perhaps it is due to confidence, or just the experience that comes with a decade plus music career, or maybe it’s a bit of both. Whatever it is, I hope it stays.

Other standout tracks include “4 Letter Words” and “No Good Do’er.” “4 Letter Words,” a duet with Skye Chevolleau, is a vulnerable number, and Chevolleau’s voice plays off Silveira’s perfectly. They both sound like old souls singing a tired song to one another. The inclusion of subtle electronic elements to back up the single guitar warms the song just enough so that it break your heart. “No Good Do’er” is almost the exact opposite, it’s playful, word I never thought I would use to describe The Cliks. Off beat, upstroke, clean guitars and female backing vocals, and Silveira wailing just made me want to dance, and it serves as a nice palate cleanser for the slower tracks, which, while still quite good, can drag a bit when they come one after another.

Like I said before, I’ve never been a huge fan of The Cliks and Lucas Silveira. But Black Tie Elevator has changed my mind. It’s not a perfect album (opener “Savanna” is almost a direct copy of “Valerie”), but it’s solid, and a great departure from their previous efforts. At the very least, it’s worth a free listen on Bandcamp.

You can listen Black Tie Elevator on Bandcamp, and get it on iTunes or through The Cliks webstore.

Calpernia Addams is perhaps best known for starring in the the 2008 reality TV dating show Transamerican Love Story, as well as a prolific career as a club entertainer. But she has also been a bluegrass and folk musician since childhood, and in a the past few years she has begun to release music following those traditions. As a club entertainer, Addams released a number of house/EDM and pop tracks, many of them parody covers, or funny originals like “Likin’ Big Dicks” and “Stunning.” More recently, she has been going back to her bluegrass and gospel routes with originals and covers from artists like Dolly Parton, The Animals, and classics from Marlene Dietrich and Mae West. Addams is multi-talented, not only singing, but also playing auto harp, accordion, violin, and guitar on many of her songs. Her voice is reminiscent of olden tyme cabaret and movies. It’s very raspy, and heavily drenched in reverb on many of her tracks, making it even more haunting than it might be on its own. Her version of “House of the Rising Sun,” guts the sad desperation of The Animals take, leaving just lonliness. In past year she has toured the US and UK with indie musician Patrick Wolf, and has set up a regular Dolly Parton Gospel brunch, bringing in women to sing Parton’s gospel classics. She steadily releases tracks on her soundcloud, so make sure to check there for new music. Check ‘em out:SoundcloudBandcampOfficial site

Calpernia Addams is perhaps best known for starring in the the 2008 reality TV dating show Transamerican Love Story, as well as a prolific career as a club entertainer. But she has also been a bluegrass and folk musician since childhood, and in a the past few years she has begun to release music following those traditions.

As a club entertainer, Addams released a number of house/EDM and pop tracks, many of them parody covers, or funny originals like “Likin’ Big Dicks” and “Stunning.” More recently, she has been going back to her bluegrass and gospel routes with originals and covers from artists like Dolly Parton, The Animals, and classics from Marlene Dietrich and Mae West. Addams is multi-talented, not only singing, but also playing auto harp, accordion, violin, and guitar on many of her songs. Her voice is reminiscent of olden tyme cabaret and movies. It’s very raspy, and heavily drenched in reverb on many of her tracks, making it even more haunting than it might be on its own. Her version of “House of the Rising Sun,” guts the sad desperation of The Animals take, leaving just lonliness.

In past year she has toured the US and UK with indie musician Patrick Wolf, and has set up a regular Dolly Parton Gospel brunch, bringing in women to sing Parton’s gospel classics. She steadily releases tracks on her soundcloud, so make sure to check there for new music.

Check ‘em out:
Soundcloud
Bandcamp
Official site

South of The Ohio: A Queer Photo Documentary

artqueer:

image

Greetings to all out in ArtQueerlandia!

I received this submission from Christian Hendricks, who is running a Kickstarter project to fund “a new photo documentary exploring contemporary queer culture in the American South.”

Take a look, and if you’re so inclined, please pitch in. It looks like a great project:

Very queerly yours,

aQ

So, summer is just around the corner, and if you’re like me, you’re looking for some new chill summer jams. Well, look no further than Khaos da Rapper. Hailing from Atlanta, Khaos is a performer, producer, and the creator/host of Yo! LGBT Raps, which has been featured here on FY!QM a few times, and is definitely worth a look if you haven’t checked it out before. Her tracks are a mix of 90s hip-hop and R&B sensibilities and modern production, like autotune, and more computerized samples.  There is pretty much nothing not to like. Even if you aren’t normally a hip-hop fan, a lot of Khaos’s stuff is remnant of your favorite hits of yesteryear (ie the 90s), because admit it or not, you all jammed out to “Ghetto Superstar.” Check ‘em out:Official siteSoundcloudBandcampYoutube

So, summer is just around the corner, and if you’re like me, you’re looking for some new chill summer jams. Well, look no further than Khaos da Rapper.

Hailing from Atlanta, Khaos is a performer, producer, and the creator/host of Yo! LGBT Raps, which has been featured here on FY!QM a few times, and is definitely worth a look if you haven’t checked it out before. Her tracks are a mix of 90s hip-hop and R&B sensibilities and modern production, like autotune, and more computerized samples.  There is pretty much nothing not to like. Even if you aren’t normally a hip-hop fan, a lot of Khaos’s stuff is remnant of your favorite hits of yesteryear (ie the 90s), because admit it or not, you all jammed out to “Ghetto Superstar.”

Check ‘em out:
Official site
Soundcloud
Bandcamp
Youtube

Kelsey Morris is a Portland, OR artist who plays in The Mucks (who are a rock-y, indie type band, if you’re down with that sort of thing), and records her own solo stuff. And it’s good all around! Morris’ solo material is a mix of Americana with indie singer songwriter sensibilities (think Jose Gonzales and a bit of Kathleen Edwards last album). Her latest EP, Layperson, errs much more on the side of modern singer songwriter, combining soft electric and acoustic instrumentation, with layered melodies of her voice, creating a dreamy vibe. Her first release, A Taste, seems to take a lot more from the Americana tradition of a new take on old, soulful country (check out “Little Honey Bee” and “Honey Won’t You Please”) and reminded me of. Most of the songs are more energetic than on Layperson, but both EPs are awesome and definitely worth a listen. Check ‘em out:Bandcamp

Kelsey Morris is a Portland, OR artist who plays in The Mucks (who are a rock-y, indie type band, if you’re down with that sort of thing), and records her own solo stuff. And it’s good all around!

Morris’ solo material is a mix of Americana with indie singer songwriter sensibilities (think Jose Gonzales and a bit of Kathleen Edwards last album). Her latest EP, Layperson, errs much more on the side of modern singer songwriter, combining soft electric and acoustic instrumentation, with layered melodies of her voice, creating a dreamy vibe. Her first release, A Taste, seems to take a lot more from the Americana tradition of a new take on old, soulful country (check out “Little Honey Bee” and “Honey Won’t You Please”) and reminded me of. Most of the songs are more energetic than on Layperson, but both EPs are awesome and definitely worth a listen.

Check ‘em out:
Bandcamp

New track from French Bird, a cover of Cheryl Lynn’s “Got to be Real.” It was recorded as part of a queer anthems compilation raise money for a LGBTQ resource center in Dublin!

Wheelchair Sports Camp is a funky/jazzy hip-hop trio from Denver. You’ve probably heard of them thanks to a Village Voice article and the fact that they’re fucking good. WSC was founded by MC Kalyn Heffernan and was joined by a college friend and her brother, Abi and Issac McGaha Miller. WSC feels old school with a lot of live drum work and jazz saxophone. The beats make your head bob, and it’s not overwhelming in a way that a lot of modern hip-hop and rap can be. It’s still fun, and I bet it makes for a killer live show, but it’s also easily digestable. Kalyn has skill has a rapper, and she isn’t trying to blow your mind with speed, she’s just a solid MC with a funny and sharp streak, and she can go from political to self deprecating in a heartbeat. Abi provides the sax and vocals, and she’s equally talented with both. Her voice is incredible, and perfectly suited to singing hooks, while her sax playing elevates many of the tracks to something much more memorable than they would be otherwise.  So if you’re looking for hip-hop that’s a bit more of a throwback, Wheelchair Sports Camp might be right up your alley. They’ve got a lot of live dates coming up in the next month or so, so check them out if they’re in your area. Check ‘em out:Bandcamp (I highly recommend the Live in PDX EP)FacebookOfficial site

Wheelchair Sports Camp is a funky/jazzy hip-hop trio from Denver. You’ve probably heard of them thanks to a Village Voice article and the fact that they’re fucking good.

WSC was founded by MC Kalyn Heffernan and was joined by a college friend and her brother, Abi and Issac McGaha Miller. WSC feels old school with a lot of live drum work and jazz saxophone. The beats make your head bob, and it’s not overwhelming in a way that a lot of modern hip-hop and rap can be. It’s still fun, and I bet it makes for a killer live show, but it’s also easily digestable. Kalyn has skill has a rapper, and she isn’t trying to blow your mind with speed, she’s just a solid MC with a funny and sharp streak, and she can go from political to self deprecating in a heartbeat. Abi provides the sax and vocals, and she’s equally talented with both. Her voice is incredible, and perfectly suited to singing hooks, while her sax playing elevates many of the tracks to something much more memorable than they would be otherwise. 

So if you’re looking for hip-hop that’s a bit more of a throwback, Wheelchair Sports Camp might be right up your alley. They’ve got a lot of live dates coming up in the next month or so, so check them out if they’re in your area.

Check ‘em out:
Bandcamp (I highly recommend the Live in PDX EP)
Facebook
Official site

Y’all like fancy music? Better yet, fancy music with pretty words on top of it? Then do I have the band for you: Prince De Dame! Based out of San Francisco, this chamber music ensemble (string quartet and voice) crafts haunting love and loss songs, and released their first EP, The Wild Blood, this past year. Prince de Dame is headed by vocalist/composer Karl Cronin, who has written beautiful classical type music that has a solid pop streak. Lyrics and vocals aside, the music is definitely a string quartet, but it feels like more intense Owen Pallett esque indie pop. All the string players are obviously incredibly talented, and Cronin’s voice is emotional and soothing. Definitely give them a listen if you’re looking for something a bit different (and fancier)! Check ‘em out:Official siteFacebook

Y’all like fancy music? Better yet, fancy music with pretty words on top of it? Then do I have the band for you: Prince De Dame!

Based out of San Francisco, this chamber music ensemble (string quartet and voice) crafts haunting love and loss songs, and released their first EP, The Wild Blood, this past year. Prince de Dame is headed by vocalist/composer Karl Cronin, who has written beautiful classical type music that has a solid pop streak. Lyrics and vocals aside, the music is definitely a string quartet, but it feels like more intense Owen Pallett esque indie pop. All the string players are obviously incredibly talented, and Cronin’s voice is emotional and soothing. Definitely give them a listen if you’re looking for something a bit different (and fancier)!

Check ‘em out:
Official site
Facebook

So. You like RVIVR? Earlier Lemuria? Pop punk? Sunshine? Happiness? Well, if we’re being real here, you probably already love Aye Nako, but if you haven’t gotten your ears around to listening to them already, quit wasting time and get on it! Ayke Nako is a Brooklyn quartet that makes the hip poppy punk that’s a hit with all the kids these days.  It’s tinged with a little college rock/90’s indie nostalgia with chord progressions that make you smile and roll around on the floor with joy. Or maybe that’s just me. They recorded a new album recently, and are doing a short east coast this summer to mark its release, and it’s going to be the best. So everyone go and listen to these guys and it’ll make the world a better place. Guaranteed. Check ‘em out:Official siteFacebookTumblr

So. You like RVIVR? Earlier Lemuria? Pop punk? Sunshine? Happiness? Well, if we’re being real here, you probably already love Aye Nako, but if you haven’t gotten your ears around to listening to them already, quit wasting time and get on it!

Ayke Nako is a Brooklyn quartet that makes the hip poppy punk that’s a hit with all the kids these days.  It’s tinged with a little college rock/90’s indie nostalgia with chord progressions that make you smile and roll around on the floor with joy. Or maybe that’s just me. They recorded a new album recently, and are doing a short east coast this summer to mark its release, and it’s going to be the best. So everyone go and listen to these guys and it’ll make the world a better place. Guaranteed.

Check ‘em out:
Official site
Facebook
Tumblr

Laura Jane Grace talks coming out, her family, the awesomeness of Joan Jett, etc...

I’ve linked to the second page of this piece, because the first is Cosmo mis-pronouning garbage. But the rest is written from Grace’s POV, and is a solid read.