That Gay Music in Things That I'm Grateful For

The great thing about pop culture right now is that it is relatively easy to find acts that are ACTUALLY LGBT and not just trading on it for a quick buck. I mean, there are times when I question the credibility of that Nick Jonas person constantly flashing his abs… I believe the term is “queer baiting”… I mean, even artists who earnestly support the LGBT community, like old-school artists like Cyndi Lauper, Madonna or Cher, can support us without actually making music that communicates our experiences to the world.

I think it is incredibly important for us to find our stories out there in the world, and I am incredibly grateful for the artists that are out there putting out music and images that can actually show us. So this will be a collection of artists and some songs I love from them.

Pansy Division

I have to start with them because I had them in high school and they’ve always had a special place in my heart. Admittedly they aren’t for everyone, but I loved that they have always handled singing about being gay with honesty and humor. They talk about dick, they talk about butt sex, they talk about all the horrible things that can go wrong, and they talk about all the things that could go right.

I read the autobiography of the lead singer last year, and it really showed some insight into what great characters they are… and the chapters about Green Day are really enlightening.

Ferras

I discovered him randomly, and I just love his music. It’s slow-burning. It’s kind of great stress-relief. I just love him.

Bottoms

I found them through Butt Magazine of all things and I love their clipped sense of music. It’s dark and creepy and not always pleasant but it’s always interesting.

The Hidden Cameras

I first discovered them through the soundtrack to Shortbus. I’ve always kept an eye on them and their music has radically changed since that soundtrack, but they’ve gotten a bit bolder, in my book. I like everything about them.

Jay Brannan

I know, I write about him constantly but I love him so much. He just released a new EP and it’s amazing. I will forever extoll his amazingness to anyone I see.

Mashrou’ Leila

This isn’t about just our culture in America either, it also extends to other cultures around the world and Mashrou’ Leila is singing songs for and about gay folk in the Arab world. I think it’s incredible and amazing and I LOVE LOVE LOVE their music! I don’t care if you don’t speak a damn word of Arabic, just listen to Shim El Yasmine and feel nothing… I dare you!!

MIKA

I know people can be easily irritated by his mousy little voice and obnoxious falsetto, but he’s actually writing incredibly potent about many different perspectives. I like his silliness and the happiness in his music.

I should point out that Good Guys is actually a musical version of my critique about culture and the point of this entry. Listen to it.

Years & Years

I like that they’re so big and so CLEARLY gay… even if a bit creepy at times.

Seth Bogart / Hunx and His Punx

To wind down, I’m putting my favorites down here. I discovered Hunx when I was searching for appropriate music for my modern dance piece about rape and I found the perfect song. Seth Bogart started with Hunx and His Punx, this strangely simple punk band inspired by girl groups. Sure, his music is deceptively simple and his singing is not the best, but the songs themselves are so much fun that I love them. He’s batshit crazy and it’s so much fun to watch. He just released a solo album this year under his real name… it’s INSANE… Just watch a video, you’ll see.

Troye Sivan

I adore him because his imagery is so central to his popularity and it’s important. I think it’s amazing that he’s getting as much attention as he is getting. I was skeptical when he rereleased Wild as a duet with a girl, but he really made it work in the video. I included all three of his first videos in one (because it’s really just one video set to three different songs). He’s great.

I know this was a lot, but this is important. Not just to me, but to everyone, young or old, who feels like they are not reflected in our culture.

And yes, I left out Steve Grand because although I like him, his videos are played out for me.