Jake Shears celebrates the anthems that have dominated dancefloors and shaped queer lives. Throughout the history of popular music, queer artists have made huge contributions - often at great expense and risk to themselves personally and professionally. This podcast shines a spotlight on those who trailblazed paths towards self expression. Join Scissor Sistersβ frontman Jake Shears and his guests as he unearths these important stories song by song.
Executive Producer: Alice Williams, Producer: Debbie Kilbride, Research: Mark Wood and Luke Wheatley
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We have a bonus episode for you! Join us as we are celebrating the brilliant βFast Slow Discoβ the up-tempo reworking of βSlow Discoβ by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Annie Clark, who goes by the stage name St Vincent.
Annie began her music career as a member of the Polyphonic Spree, and has since released 7 critically acclaimed albums, picked up 3 Grammy awards, collaborated with the likes of Taylor Swift and David Byrne and is frequently listed among the best guitarists of the 21st century.
As well as finding out about how the creation of the song and why she released this different version,Β we discuss the filming ofΒ thatΒ video, her musical influences, her performance fantasies, her love of David Bowie, what it's like collaborating with David Byrne and of course her wonderful new album 'All Born Screaming' which is out at the end of April.
Thank you to our sponsors...
Factorβs delicious, ready-to-eat meals make eating better every day easy. Head to factormeals.com/queerthemusic50 and use code queerthemusic50 to get 50% off.
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7 - 'Going To A Town' by Rufus Wainwright
Season 1 Β· Episode 7
Tuesday, March 5, 2024 β’ Duration 43:41
For our last episode of this current series we celebrate the brilliant 'Going To A Town' by singer, songwriter Rufus Wainwright. The song, which was the first single from Rufusβs 2007 album 'Release the Stars', has garnered huge critical acclaim and has been covered by artists from George Michael to Lily Allen however its critique of the United States and the war in Iraq provoked strong negative reactions in audiences and when he performed it he says βI would sing it often and get booedβ.
Listen to Jake and Rufus' insightful conversation where they cover the meaning and making of the song, it's reception, what it means to be a gay artist, his influences and his encounter with George Michael.
Rufus' first musical of John Cassavetesβ 'Opening Night' opens on the 26th of March at the Gielgud Theatre in London - it is directed by Ivo van Hove and stars Sheridan Smith.
Thank you to our sponsors...
Factorβs delicious, ready-to-eat meals make eating better every day easy. Head to factormeals.com/queerthemusic50 and use code queerthemusic50 to get 50% off.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6 - '1950' by King Princess
Season 1 Β· Episode 6
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 β’ Duration 45:37
The hit '1950' is the focus of this week's episode - Jake speaks to American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mikaela Straus, better known by her stage name King Princess, about the making of the song, queer representation, her influences and how her gender identity impacts her music.
1950 was King Princess' platinum certified debut single, it has had over 21 million views on YouTube and has been streamed over 550 million times on Spotify!
Thank you to our sponsors...
Factorβs delicious, ready-to-eat meals make eating better every day easy. Head to factormeals.com/queerthemusic50 and use code queerthemusic50 to get 50% off.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5 - βKingβ by Years and Years (Olly Alexander)
Season 1 Β· Episode 5
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 β’ Duration 37:17
This episode celebrates aΒ hit from 2015 that went straight to the top of the UK Charts and was named song of the year by Time magazine. Itβs the compulsively danceable βKingβ by electro-pop then-trio Years and Years. Jake is joined by Musician and ActorΒ OllyΒ Alexander, the then frontman of Years & Years.Β OllyΒ is a huge champion ofΒ LGBTQ+ issues,Β proudly celebrating his queerness byΒ writing inclusive songs, displaying queer love in his music videos and portraying lead character Ritchie in the hit TV show βItβs A Sinβ.
They discuss the making of 'King',Β Ollyβs career, his influences and the struggles heβs faced as a Queer artist.Β
Good luck representing the United Kingdom at EurovisionΒ Olly! (This interview was recorded last summer, so before the news was announced).Β
Thank you to our sponsors...
Factorβs delicious, ready-to-eat meals make eating better every day easy. Head to factormeals.com/queerthemusic50 and use code queerthemusic50 to get 50% off.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
4 - 'Fuck The Pain Away' by Peaches
Season 1 Β· Episode 4
Tuesday, February 13, 2024 β’ Duration 36:17
Cult feminist musician and artist, Peaches exploded onto the music scene in 2000 with her punky, electroclash album The Teaches of Peaches and itβs standout hit 'Fuck the Pain Away'. Sheβs been pushing the boundaries ever since, making genderqueer work that is sex and body positive and has led the way for successive generations of artists to diddle their skittles (hi Beyonce).
In this episode Jake speaks to Peaches about the making of 'Fuck The Pain Away', her creative process, it's initial reception and what being a queer artist means to her.
You can watch the full episode on Mercury Studios' YouTube channel here
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
3 - 'A Little Respect' by Erasure
Season 1 Β· Episode 3
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 β’ Duration 31:32
Andy Bell was out and proud from the get go, fronting synth pop duo Erasure who sold over 20 million albums and had an incredible 17 Top 10 singles. This episode celebrates the most enduring of all their records, the 1988 hitΒ βA Little Respectβ. Considered by many as the ultimate Pride Anthem,Β to this day it still gets dance floors heaving and crowds singing their hearts out. Jake and Andy discuss the making of the song, the gay scene in London during the early days of Andy's career, growing in confidence and progressing as a queer performer.
You can watch the full episode on Mercury Studios' YouTube channel here
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2 - 'I Do This All The Time' by Self Esteem
Season 1 Β· Episode 2
Tuesday, January 30, 2024 β’ Duration 38:46
Since leaving her Indie band βSlow Clubβ and going solo Rebecca Lucy Taylor (aka Self Esteem) has been releasing patriarchy-smashing anthems and shining a spotlight on the under-represented experiences of queer women. In this episode Jake talks to his West End Cabaret co-star Self Esteem about her brilliant single βI Do This All The Timeβ which is about how complicated it is to just be a human.Β
You can watch the full episode on Mercury Studios' YouTube channel here
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 - 'You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)' by Sylvester
Season 1 Β· Episode 1
Tuesday, January 30, 2024 β’ Duration 52:20
This episode celebrates trailblazing diva Sylvester James and his iconic disco anthem βYou Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)β. Black, gay and gender fluid (before that was even a term), Sylvesterβs uncompromising attitude paved the way for generations of queer artists.
Longtime collaborator and close friend Jeanie Tracy shares intimate memories of working with Sylvester and biographer Josh Gamson paints a picture of San Francisco in the 1970s and β80s - from glitterball heyday to the terror of AIDS.
You can watch the full episode on Mercury Studios' YouTube channel here
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Queer The Music: Jake Shears On The Songs That Changed Lives - Coming Soon!
Episode 1
Monday, January 22, 2024 β’ Duration 01:59
Jake Shears celebrates the anthems that have dominated dancefloors and shaped queer lives. Throughout the history of popular music, queer artists have made huge contributions - often at great expense and risk to themselves personally and professionally. This podcast shines a spotlight on those who trailblazed paths towards self expression. Join Scissor Sistersβ frontman Jake Shears and his guests as he unearths these important stories song by song.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9 - 'Standing In The Way of Control' by Gossip
Season 2 Β· Episode 1
Tuesday, October 15, 2024 β’ Duration 45:30
We're back with Season 2 of 'Queer The Music' and what better way to kick off this series with the brilliant Beth Ditto to talk about the anthem that is Gossipβs βStanding In The Way of Controlβ.Β
The powerful and absolute banger of a track is known for being a response to George W Bushβs 2004 Federal Marriage Amendment which attempted to outlaw same sex marriage in the US.Β In this episode Beth goes into detail about where the idea and emotion came from when writing and recording the song.Β
When Beth joined Jake at his apartment to record this episode they also had a brilliant time reminiscing about the grungy gay clubs from way back when that gave them their first tastes of queer freedom.
Come and have a kiki with us! The first live episode of Queer The Music is happening on the 5th of November at The Phoenix Arts Club - Nick Grimshaw and Jake Shears will be cohosting and joined by some special surprise guests - more info and tickets here
You can watch the full episode on Mercury Studios YouTube channel here
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