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Explore every episode of the podcast Tracks of Our Queers

Dive into the complete episode list for Tracks of Our Queers. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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1–50 of 65

TitlePub. DateDuration
Laura Wilkinson, managing director of the LGBT Foundation24 Feb 202600:48:27

Laura Wilkinson is the managing director of the LGBT Foundation, the UK's largest health and wellbeing charity for LGBTQIA+ people. 

She's also one of my best friends.

I met Laura in our first month at Manchester University, and we've stayed close as queer siblings ever since. Not only am I enormously proud of her professional achievements and contributions to queer life in the UK, but she's also got an excellent music taste.

Find Laura online here, and the LGBT Foundation here.

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Pete Crighton, author17 Feb 202600:53:09

Pete Crighton is an author from Toronto. 

Last year, he published The Vinyl Diaries: Sex Deep Cuts and My Soundtrack to Queer Joy, a memoir of his life through vinyl, and 33 1/3: Cosmic Thing, a tribute tour de force to the B-52s' legendary album.

Find Pete online here.

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Willis Chimano, singer songwriter10 Feb 202600:50:33

Willis Chimano is a singer-songwriter, author, and performer from Kenya. 

A member of one of Kenya's most successful musical acts ever, Sauti Sol, Chimano has branched out in recent years to create his own solo musical ventures informed by his experience as Kenya's first, and only, openly gay popstar.

Outed in 2018 by the press, Chimano was supported by his bandmates who went to release the most successful work of their career. His EP, Heavy is the Crown, tells the story of his journey, as does his recent memoir of the same name.

Sydney listeners: Chimano arrives with his one-man show, from 24-28 March, at Qtopia in Darlinghurst. Get your tickets here.

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Mardi Pieronek, trans elder and content creator27 Jan 202600:59:29

Over 600,000 queers and non-queers alike follow content creator and activist Mardi P for her gripping testimonials on a long, and fabulous, life lived trans.

Born to a Polish-Canadian Catholic family, Mardi escaped across the Rockies in the 1970s to the bright lights of Calgary and Vancouver, where she began shaping her life as a trans woman.

Decades later and outraged by the tsunami of misinformation online regarding trans people, Mardi decided to pick up her phone and start sharing her testimonials to TikTok. Her intention: To document a fascinating, challenging, fulfilling life lived for many years.

Mardi presents and produces her own podcast, A Life Lived Trans, with her fellow presenter Lenny Z. I follow her on Instagram here.

In Canada, creators cannot make ad revenue from their videos. You can support Mardi's testimony and work through donating to her on PayPal here, or celebrating her birthday by covering some of her bills on Gofundme. Worth every penny.

Tracks of Our Queers is produced and presented by Andy Gott on Ngarigo land.

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Mitch Brown, former AFL player20 Jan 202600:53:24

Mitch Brown is an advocate, father, and a former AFL player. 

Last August, Mitch came out publicly as bisexual in an interview with The Daily Aus, sparking a tsunami of conversations in Australia around queerness and masculinity in sport. Mitch is the only player in the AFL's 130 year history to come out. 

Mitch is also my first sportsperson on the pod, and we have so much fun!

Follow Mitch online here, and watch his coming out interview here. It's beautiful.

Tracks of Our Queers is produced and presented by Andy Gott on Ngarigo land.

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Peter Tatchell, human rights campaigner13 Jan 202600:52:51

Peter Tatchell is an activist and human rights campaigner.

Not long after leaving Australia for the UK, Peter joined the Gay Liberation Front and became one of the co-organisers of the UK's first Pride march. He hasn't missed a London Pride since.

After a brief but violently homophobic parliamentary career in the 80s, Peter co-founded OutRage! in 1990 and helped spearhead the campaign for same-sex marriage.

Today, he's the director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, and shares a weekly newsletter with updates on human rights campaigns around the world.

Follow Peter online here.

Tracks of Our Queers is produced and presented by Andy Gott on Ngarigo land.

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Travis Alabanza, writer06 Jan 202600:56:10

Welcome back to Tracks of Our Queers.

Travis Alabanza is an award-winning writer, playwright, and theatre maker from Bristol. They've sold out the Southbank Centre, toured their writing globally, and their Edinburgh Fringe-award-winning play BURGERZ is currently on it's return visit to Australia.

You can catch Travis performing BURGERZ in:

We recorded this episode live in Sydney – and it was so good! Travis came with some brilliant musical selections, and I hope you enjoy hearing about them.

Follow Travis on Instagram, or at their website.

Tracks of Our Queers is produced and presented by Andy Gott on Ngarigo land.

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Tracks of Our Queers is back21 Dec 202500:02:25

Trailblazers, queeroes, and fascinating folk feature in Season 6, launching in early January.

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John Benjamin Hickey, actor and director30 Jun 202500:58:19

Tony Award-winning actor and director John Benjamin Hickey joins me on Tracks of Our Queers.

From his breakout role in Terrence McNally's Love! Valour! Compassion! to his devastating turn in Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart, John has been at the heart of some of theatre's most important queer work. Far from being typecast, John has appeared in hundreds of roles across TV, film, and theatre (I loved him in The Big C, and of course, the dad in Pitch Perfect).

Outside of acting and directing, John once presented his own music interview series on SiriusXM, My Favorite Song. It's a thrill to turn the interviewing tables on him and hear about some of his most cherished music, through a queer lense. 

The other bits:

  • Tracks of Our Queers is recorded and edited between Gadigal and Ngarigo land in Australia, by me, Andy Gott
  • Listen to all of the music discussed in the pod with the Selections from Tracks of Our Queers playlist
  • You can email me your own queer tracks or guest recommendations at tracksofourqueers@gmail.com
  • Our beautiful artwork is illustrated by Luke Tribe.

Support the show

Thanks besties.

William Yang, photographer and artist23 Jun 202500:53:52

William Yang is one of Australia’s most vital storytellers. For over five decades, he's documented queer life in Sydney -- its parades, parties, politics, and people -- through photography, performance, and prose. 

Born in 1943 in Far North Queensland, William came out as gay in the early 1970s during the wave of gay liberation, and later came out again -- this time as Chinese -- after reconnecting with his heritage through Taoism and travel. His landmark exhibitions and live slide shows, like Sydneyphiles, Sadness, and Friends of Dorothy, have cemented his place as a queer cultural archivist.

I've wanted to interview William since beginning Tracks of Our Queers, and have  to thank Benjamin Law for connecting us. This is a special episode, recorded in-person at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney, and William shares five songs that resonate with him, and his life as a queer person.

The other bits:

  • Tracks of Our Queers is recorded and edited between Gadigal and Ngarigo land in Australia, by me, Andy Gott
  • Listen to all of the music discussed in the pod with the Selections from Tracks of Our Queers playlist
  • You can email me your own queer tracks or guest recommendations at tracksofourqueers@gmail.com
  • Our beautiful artwork is illustrated by Luke Tribe.

Support the show

Thanks besties.

Kate Pierson of the B-52s, singer songwriter16 Jun 202500:59:12

Kate Pierson is a founding member of the B-52s: The World's Greatest Party Band, and a beacon for weirdos and queer-does since the late 70s. 

After decades of collaborating with the likes of Iggy Pop, R.E.M., and her Japanese side-band NiNa (more on that in the episode), Kate began writing and recording her entirely solo output in 2015. Last year, her second album Radios and Rainbows was released, and at the age of 77, Kate is bubbling with inspiration and drive to create. 

Between the B-52s' legendary back catalogue (which I've only recently started discovering myself), Kate's solo work, and her reflections on her own queer legacy, there's a lot to get through in this conversation. Strap in.

The other bits:

  • Tracks of Our Queers is recorded and edited between Gadigal and Ngarigo land in Australia, by me, Andy Gott
  • Listen to all of the music discussed in the pod with the Selections from Tracks of Our Queers playlist
  • You can email me your own queer tracks or guest recommendations at tracksofourqueers@gmail.com
  • Our beautiful artwork is illustrated by Luke Tribe.

Support the show

Thanks besties.

Voice note from Andy – I'd love your thoughts!05 Apr 202500:03:20

I'm trying something new, and treating you, like I treat my long-suffering friends and family, to a quick voice note. 

If you can't be bothered to listen, the summary is... please email or DM me your thoughts on:

  • As a listener, how much do you care about interviews with 'known' figures, or for want of a better word, celebrities? Would you rather listen to people you weren't aware of? Or do you like a balance?
  • As a listener, how important to you is my use of music in the episode? Would you miss the clips of music if they were gone, or would you be fine?

You can write or voicenote me back at tracksofourqueers@gmail.com, or @tracksofourqueers on Instagram.

New episodes soon!

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Sabah Choudrey, activist24 Mar 202500:44:24

Sabah Choudrey is an award-winning, reluctant activist. He's also an author, youth worker, Pride organiser, Saturday morning Fun Run participant – the list is exhausting, but they somehow found time for me and Tracks of Our Queers.

Sabah has also featured on the Diversity Power List 24/25, serves as the Vice Chair of Trustees for the Inclusive Mosque Initiative, a Gay Times Future Fighters Honouree, and the writer of the book Supporting Trans People of Colour. 

We discuss music by Planningtorock, Linkin Park, and Dr Zeus.

Follow Sabah online.

The other bits:

  • Tracks of Our Queers is recorded and edited between Gadigal and Ngarigo land in Australia, by me, Andy Gott
  • Listen to all of the music discussed in the pod with the Selections from Tracks of Our Queers playlist
  • You can email me with your own queer tracks or guest recommendations at tracksofourqueers@gmail.com
  • Our beautiful artwork is illustrated by Luke Tribe

Support the show

Thanks besties.

Rhys Nicholson, comedian17 Mar 202500:53:22

Rhys Nicholson is a comedian, actor, and judge on Drag Race Down Under.

They began their stand-up journey in their teens, with regular train rides to Sydney’s open mic evenings, before launching onto the global comedy scene with a slot on Conan O’Brien. This, in turn, lead to a Netflix special, which found it’s way to one RuPaul. 

They’ve won countless awards, have toured globally multiple times, and are a regular panellist and host on Australian television. 

Their book DISH was published in 2023. Their experience and voice on the relationship that some queer people have with bodies and food is one I personally welcome. 

We discuss music by the Scissor Sisters, Talking Heads, and David Byrne. Follow Rhys online.

The other bits:

  • Tracks of Our Queers is recorded and edited between Gadigal and Ngarigo land in Australia, by me, Andy Gott
  • Listen to all of the music discussed in the pod with the Selections from Tracks of Our Queers playlist
  • You can email me with your own queer tracks or guest recommendations at tracksofourqueers@gmail.com
  • Our beautiful artwork is illustrated by Luke Tribe

Support the show

Thanks besties.

Peppermint, entertainer and activist11 Mar 202500:55:51

Peppermint joins me for our 50th episode. 

A mainstay of New York nightlife, Peppermint burst onto the global queer scene as a finalist in RuPaul's Drag Race's ninth season. Soon after, she became the first trans actress to originate a principle role on Broadway, and has starred in dozens of television roles, most recently in Michelle Buteau's Survival of the Thickest on Netflix.

She continues to regularly appear on mainstream news outlets as a powerfully articulate activist for trans folk, and co-hosts Town Hall: A Black Queer Podcast with Bob the Drag Queen.  

We discuss music by Kina, Maxwell, and Janet Jackson. Follow Peppermint online.

The other bits:

  • Tracks of Our Queers is recorded and edited between Gadigal and Ngarigo land in Australia, by me, Andy Gott
  • Listen to all of the music discussed in the pod with the Selections from Tracks of Our Queers playlist
  • You can email me with your own queer tracks or guest recommendations at tracksofourqueers@gmail.com
  • Our beautiful artwork is illustrated by Luke Tribe

Support the show

Thanks besties.

Eric Schnall, author and Broadway producer03 Mar 202500:55:24

Eric Schnall is a Broadway producer and author from New York.

Eric grew up attending Broadway productions with his parents, leading to a professional career which saw him driving critically-lauded shows like the Hedwig and the Angry Inch revival, and Fleabag.

In 2024, Eric published his first book, I Make Envy on Your Disco – a love letter to Berlin, through the eyes of a late 30s gay man exploring the city in the early 2000s, running from personal turmoil and finding solace in the concrete jungle.

I love Berlin, so I was already on board, but I really love Eric's book. Berlin is as much a character in the story as any of the fabulous people in Eric's cast, and I highly recommend it to fans of Less. 

We discuss music by Prince, Deee-Lite, and the Eurythmics. Follow Eric online.

The other bits:

  • Tracks of Our Queers is recorded and edited between Gadigal and Ngarigo land in Australia, by me, Andy Gott
  • Listen to all of the music discussed in the pod with the Selections from Tracks of Our Queers playlist
  • You can email me with your own queer tracks or guest recommendations at tracksofourqueers@gmail.com
  • Our beautiful artwork is illustrated by Luke Tribe

Support the show

Thanks besties.

Chloe Petts, comedian24 Feb 202500:46:11

Chloe Petts is a *very* funny comedian from the UK. 

Her work is littered with brilliant examples of what I think of as 'soft' activism – she skilfully endears audiences with her warmth, before a one-two punch reminder of the foolishness of homo- and transphobia. 

Chloe is touring the UK and Australia throughout 2025, and you can find her tour dates here.

We discuss music by Tina Turner, Haim, and Kasabian (!). Follow Chloe online.

The other bits:

  • Tracks of Our Queers is recorded and edited between Gadigal and Ngarigo land in Australia, by me, Andy Gott
  • Listen to all of the music discussed in the pod with the Selections from Tracks of Our Queers playlist
  • You can email me with your own queer tracks or guest recommendations at tracksofourqueers@gmail.com
  • Our beautiful artwork is illustrated by Luke Tribe

Support the show

Thanks besties.

Margaret Cho, entertainer17 Feb 202500:44:40

Margaret Cho. Period.

A groundbreaking comedian, actor, musician, and advocate, Margaret Cho has been smashing barriers and ceilings in entertainment since the early 1990s. She's a massive queero of mine, and I was quite honestly shook to be on a Zoom with the Notorious C.H.O. herself.

Margaret just released her third studio album, Lucky Gift, including punk pop girl group bangers, musings on opioid addiction, and a beautiful tribute to her mentor, Robin Williams.

We discuss music by Erasure, the Hedwig and the Angry Inch soundtrack, and k.d. lang. Follow Margaret online here.

The other bits:

  • Tracks of Our Queers is recorded and edited between Gadigal and Ngarigo land in Australia, by me, Andy Gott
  • Listen to all of the music discussed in the pod with the Selections from Tracks of Our Queers playlist
  • You can email me with your own queer tracks or guest recommendations at tracksofourqueers@gmail.com
  • Our beautiful artwork is illustrated by Luke Tribe

Support the show

Thanks besties.

Faustina Agolley, broadcaster and DJ10 Dec 202400:45:45

Faustina Agolley is a writer, producer, DJ, presenter, actor, and all-round legend.

She hosted Video Hits, Channel Ten’s flagship music program in Australia, from 2006-2011; she’s toured with Oprah Winfrey as her resident DJ, and she made her stage debut in the 2017 Sydney Theatre Company award-winning production, The Father.

We discuss music by Kylie Minogue, Janelle Monaé, and Tyler, The Creator.

You can follow Faustina online here.

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David Polson AM, HIV advocate and educator26 Nov 202400:49:44

David Polson AM is an advocate and educator for HIV awareness. Just 29 in 1984 when he was diagnosed in HIV himself, David is currently celebrating his 70th birthday.

In 2023, he founded Qtopia, a museum in Sydney dedicated to the commemoration and celebration of LGBTQIA+ resilience. To mark his milestone birthday and contributions to HIV advocacy, the museum will open a memorial garden, dedicated to all queer Australians lost to HIV/AIDS.

In this live, in-person conversation, we discuss music by Edith Piaf, Ricky May, and Maria Callas. Learn more about David here, and Qtopia here.

Thank you to Forbes Street Studios for hosting this conversation.

The other bits:

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Ash Gordon, songwriter and composer19 Nov 202400:48:53

Ash Gordon is a New York-bred, LA-based songwriter, producer, and now playwright, best known for her collaborations with a galaxy of stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race, including but not limited to Trixie Mattel, Sharon Needles, Trinity the Tuck, and most prolifically, Alaska, with ten #1 albums on the iTunes charts to her name. 

Together with Alaska and their collaborator Tomas Costanza, Ash wrote the book, score, and lyrics for DRAG: The Musical, a high octane, high camp spectacle currently selling out performances off Broadway.

We discuss music by the Kinks, the Spice Girls, and the B-52s. Follow Ash online, and buy tickets to DRAG: The Musical here.

The other bits:

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Bishi, artist and composer12 Nov 202400:55:30

Bishi is an artist, composer and producer born in London of Bengali heritage. Trained in both Hindustani and Western Classical styles, she has released and composed three albums, several EPs, movie and documentary soundtracks, and tirelessly advocates for the elevation of women, trans, and non-binary creative practitioners in music and technology.

From coming up in London's queer underground in the 90s, Bishi has carved out a career path precisely for herself – to be frank, she is completely bad ass. I first saw her perform many moons ago at Latitude Festival in 2009, and this conversation was a beautiful opportunity to connect with Bishi after she has gone on to achieve so much.

We discuss music by Minty, Missy Elliott, and Kate Bush. Follow Bishi online here.

The other bits:

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Simon Graser / Simonetti, DJ 05 Nov 202400:44:49

Simon Graser is a DJ and nightlife curator based in Naarm/Melbourne, and performs as Simonetti. 

He co-founded the Melbourne party CONFIDE, a love letter to the roots of house, and a means for relief, release, and respect. Five points if you know the iconic Australian song it was named for.

We discuss music by DASCO, Scissor Sisters, and of course, Kylie Minogue.

Follow Simonetti, Club CONFIDE, and Minus 18 here.

The other bits:

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Christy DeGallerie, writer29 Oct 202400:50:03

Christy DeGallerie is a writer and interdisciplinary artist from New York.

Her contribution to the Modern Love column in the New York Times took my breath away a year ago, in which she wrote about her decision to come out to her mother on the day of her deportation. It's a moving, funny, sharp dissertation on migration, queerness, and gardening, and I insist you give it a read.

Christy is also an enormous music fan, and made this interview exceptionally easy by showing up with some fabulous selections and stories. We discuss music by the Organ, Santigold, and Azealia Banks.

Sign up to Christy's Substack, Really Bad Taste, follow her on Instagram and read more about her charity of choice, the Pauli Murray Center.

The other bits:

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Benjamin Law, writer and broadcaster22 Oct 202400:47:31

Benjamin Law is a writer, broadcaster, television creator and producer, and refined homosexual about town in Sydney. He's also a former competitor on Australian Survivor – important.

If you haven't already, I implore you to read some of Ben's sharp, warm, illuminating writing.

There's Gaysia, an exploration of LGBTQ+ cultures across South East Asia; The Family Law, a memoir of his childhood that he adapted into three seasons of television; Growing Up Queer, a collection of stories from LGBTQ Australians, and Wellmania, the Netflix comedy series he co-created and wrote.

Not only is he insufferably talented, but he's a sheer joy to converse with. We discuss music by his partner Scott Spark, Beyoncé, and Rufus Wainwright, with some dabbling in Björk and Kylie along the way.

The other bits:

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Bright Light Bright Light, singer songwriter15 Oct 202400:41:12

Bright Light Bright Light, aka Rod Thomas, is an entirely independent pop superstar based in New York City.

Hailing from Wales, Rod has rewritten the rulebook for being a singer songwriter without major label backing, mostly through tremendously hard work, and an ever-growing back catalogue of bangers.

He's been backed, endorsed, and collaborated with legends like Sir Elton John, Erasure, Scissor Sisters and Ultra Naté over the years, but the latest Bright Light Bright Light album, Enjoy Youth, is Rod's most critically and commercially successful yet.

We discuss music by Björk, Pino Donaggio, and Grace Jones.

Further reading:

The other bits:

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Geraldine Hickey, comedian08 Oct 202400:37:22

Geraldine Hickey is one of Australia's most beloved comedians, and multiple award-winning at that. She's a regular face on TV, a veteran of the Melbourne International Comedy and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals, and... a bird watcher. More on that in the episode.

We discuss music by Diana Ross, RVG, and Cash Savage.

Further reading:

The other bits:

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Carlton Wilborn, life coach and former Madonna dancer30 Sep 202400:42:17

Carlton Wilborn is an actor, life coach, and former dancer with Madonna.

At 25, Carlton was hand-picked to join the Blond Ambition World Tour, documented in the ground-breaking concert film Truth or Dare (or, In Bed with Madonna). He would go on to join her second tour, The Girlie Show, before embarking on a career in acting, and life coaching.

Apologies in advance for slightly iffy audio – I hope the conversation is worth it.

Further reading:

The other bits:

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Fenton Bailey, producer and co-creator of RuPaul's Drag Race24 Sep 202400:53:07

Fenton Bailey is a co-founder of production studio World of Wonder, the home of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Together with Randy Barbato, Fenton has creatively collaborated with RuPaul since the mid-80s, helping birth his albums, imagery, VH1 chat show, even directing the iconic "Supermodel" music video, before launching the queer cultural juggernaut that is Drag Race in 2009. Over 25 international variations are currently airing around the world.

Fenton joins me for the first episode of Season 4 to discuss an enormous list of tracks that have soundtracked his queer life. I hope you enjoy the chat!

Further reading:

The other bits:

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Sarah Keyworth, comedian23 Apr 202400:46:00

Sarah Keyworth is an award-winning comedian from Nottingham, England, who you may know from Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats, or their own BBC Sounds show, Am I a Boy or a Girl? 

Sarah just won the top prize at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and sat down with me to muse on some of the music that has soundtracked their queer journey, including (but not limited to) Katy Perry, MUNA, and Taylor Swift.

This is the final episode of Season 3. I'm taking a few months to rest and reset ahead of Season 4, but do enjoy any episodes you've missed in the mean time.

You can email me thoughts, recommendations, or gay ramblings to tracksofourqueers@gmail.com.

Listen to all previous guest choices in one handy Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers and follow the pod on Instagram.

Support the show

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Brontez Purnell, writer and musician16 Apr 202400:39:09

Brontez Purnell is a writer, musician, critic, model, zinemaker, dancer, choreographer, and quite literally, more.

An Oakland punk by way of Alabama, Brontez has just published his fifth book, 10 Bridges I've Burnt. I'm an enormous admirer of Brontez's writing, and am thrilled to chat about his queer tracks.

In this conversation, we discuss music by Carol Hahn, Emily's Sassy Lime, and his own musical collaboration with a special friend from his past.

Links to Brontez online:

Listen to all previous guest choices in one handy Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers and follow the pod on Instagram.

Support the show

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Carl Austin-Behan, RAF veteran09 Apr 202400:39:17

Carl Austin-Behan served in the British Royal Air Force from 1991 until 1997, when he was discharged for being openly gay.

Lauded with honours for services to his country, including a medal for bravery, nonetheless he was ejected from the RAF – simply for choosing not to hide who he was.

Carl went on to win Mr Gay UK pageants, elections in local government, and the title of Lord Mayor of Manchester (the first to be openly gay).

We discuss music by Gloria Gaynor, Erasure, and Bronski Beat.

Carl currently works as a Community Ambassador for the LGBT Foundation. Read about their work here, and follow Carl online here.

Listen to all previous guest choices in one handy Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers and follow the pod on Instagram.

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Jenna Suffern, comedian02 Apr 202400:41:33

Jenna Suffern is a Sydney-based comedian, producer and writer.

One half of comedy due Two Queers Walk Into a Bar, a writer and producer for Pedestrian.TV and VICE AU, and the star of her own one-woman show, It's Not Funny, It's Private, Jenna has helped curate a flourishing queer comedy safe space in Sydney and beyond.

We recorded this conversation live in the studio, on Gadigal land, and had a lot of fun – apologies in advance for the hijinks. We managed to discuss music by Leagues, Janelle Monáe, and G Flip.

Listen to all previous guest choices in one handy Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers and follow the pod on Instagram.

Support the show

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Josh Rivers, cultural worker19 Mar 202400:37:38

Josh Rivers is a cultural worker, broadcaster, and the presenter of the conversation series Busy Being Black, a podcast exploring how queer Black folks live "in the fullness of their lives".

Josh conducts his interviews in a way that allows people to unfold into their vulnerability, leading to inspiring conversations with fascinating guests from across the queer Black spectrum, including HIV activists from 80s London, Anglican priests, and Moud Goba – a guest on one of my favourite Tracks of Our Queers episodes.

In this conversation, I experience some of Josh’s conversational magic myself, as we discuss the joy of discovering your own taste, welcoming back the little dancing boy that many of us once were, and perhaps most importantly, Beyoncé.

Listen to all previous guest choices in one handy Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers and follow the pod on Instagram.

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Tommy Murphy, playwright12 Mar 202400:35:13

Tommy Murphy is an award-winning screenwriter and playwright based in Sydney.

Tommy adapted the Australian queer classic memoir Holding the Man for both stage and screen, while his limited series Significant Others was broadcast on the ABC last year. Most recently, he adapted Nevil Shute's On the Beach for the Sydney Theatre Company.

We discuss music by Whitney Houston, Olivier Messiaen, and Rufus Wainwright.

This conversation was recorded at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney. A huge thank you to Anthony Garvin for his support.

Listen to all previous guest choices in one handy Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers and follow the pod on Instagram.

Support the show

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Stuart Linden Rhodes, photographer and teacher05 Mar 202400:36:55

Stuart Linden Rhodes is the photographer behind the @linden_archives, a fascinating record of queer nightlife in the UK's north.   

During the pandemic, I start finding photos in my Instagram feed showing legends like Lily Savage, Su Pollard, and a pre-Spice Mel B, alongside a host of gay clubbers and allies dancing on sticky floors and tearing up the night. Like many others, it felt like I had a window into an era I completely understood, but hadn't directly taken part in myself.

Stuart was a school teacher by day and a photographer by night, commissioned by publications like Gay Times to document queer nocturnal activity across the North and Midlands of England. The negatives gathered dust in storage until the pandemic, when the world finally found them.

We discuss music by Candi Staton, Bette Midler, and the Pet Shop Boys. You can purchase Stuart's first book, Out & About with Linden, right here. 

Listen to all previous guest choices in one handy Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers and follow the pod on Instagram.

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Bamby Salcedo, community leader27 Feb 202400:40:13

Bamby Salcedo is the CEO and President of the TransLatin@ Coalition, the largest trans-lead organisation in the United States, with a mission to improve and enrich the lives of trans Latin@ women.

Her activism over 25 years has seen her champion issues across undocumented migrants, HIV-AIDS, youth incarceration, and of course, the LGBTQ community. Her leadership is powerful to behold, and I hope you enjoy this conversation.

We discuss music by Mercedes Sosa, GIT, and Madonna.

You can follow Bamby on Instagram here, and the TransLatin@ Coalition here, where you can donate to support their incredible work.

Listen to all previous guest choices in one handy Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers and follow the pod on Instagram.

Support the show

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Michael Cragg, journalist and author20 Feb 202400:51:10

Michael Cragg is a prolific music journalist for The Guardian, The Observer, Vogue and more, and as of last year, the published author of Reach for the Stars, an oral history of the mind-boggling period of British pop music that flourished between 1996 and 2006.

We discuss the heady confluence of factors that lead to an era bookended by the Spice Girls and the X Factor, Michael's own complicated relationship with music and his queerness, and Xenomania's contributions to the UK pop canon.

We also discuss music by Girls Aloud, Björk, and George Michael.

You can follow Michael on Instagram here, and his Spotify companion playlist to the book here. Purchase Reach for the Stars (now available in paperback) at your favourite independent bookseller.

Listen to all previous guest choices in one handy Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers and follow the pod on Instagram.

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Sherry Vine, actor and drag queen13 Feb 202400:38:39

Sherry Vine is a drag legend. Over a thirty year career, she’s carved out a reputation for searing wit, spectacular performance, and filthy humour. 

Sherry joined me for this conversation as the second season of The Sherry Vine Variety Show was about to premiere – the show has just completed filming on it's third season, and you can catch it on Apple TV.

We discuss music by the Smiths, Soft Cell, and Blondie. You can follow Sherry on Instagram here.

Listen to all previous guest choices in one handy Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers and follow the pod on Instagram.

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Jeffrey Masters, broadcaster06 Feb 202400:34:58

Right back in ye olde podcasting days, I listened to just three shows – RuPaul and Michelle Visage's What's the Tee?, the BBC's Desert Island Discs, and the interview series LGBTQ&A, presented by Jeffrey Masters.

A GLAAD Award-winning broadcaster, Jeffrey's compassionate and curious nature shines through in his conversations with a ludicrously long list of queer legends, but it's his turn to take the interviewee seat for Tracks of Our Queers. 

We discuss music by Little Big Town, Nancy Wilson, and the Indigo Girls.

You can follow LGBTQ&A wherever you listen to podcasts, or find Jeffrey on Instagram here.
 
Listen to all previous guest choices in one handy Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers and follow the pod on Instagram.

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DJ Paulette30 Jan 202400:51:26

Welcome back to Tracks of Our Queers. 

One of only two female resident DJs at Manchester's iconic Haçienda nightclub in the early '90s, DJ Paulette has spent 30 years pioneering a rich legacy in a male-dominated industry... not the easiest of tasks as a Black, bisexual woman.

In this beautiful conversation, Paulette shares insights from her career and identity, alongside three transcendent selections – we discuss music by Candi Staton, Sylvester, and Grace Jones.

You can follow DJ Paulette on Instagram here, and purchase her brand new memoir, Welcome to the Club, at all good booksellers.

Listen to all previous guest choices in one handy Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers and follow the pod on Instagram.

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Adriano Cappelletta, writer and actor12 Sep 202300:45:01

Adriano Cappelletta is an actor, writer, and creator across film, television, cabaret, and music.

After researching Australia's reponse to AIDS in 2016 after years of volunteering with HIV/AIDS organisations, Adriano wrote the play Never Let Me Go, which was adapted into the 2022 television series In Our Blood by the ABC.

We discuss music by Arthur Russell, the Pet Shop Boys, and Madonna. You can follow about Adriano on Instagram here, and learn more about All Out here.

Tracks of Our Queers is produced, presented and edited by Andy Gott.

You can listen to our Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers, and find Aural Fixation in your favourite podcast provider.

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Paul Southwell, musician05 Sep 202300:34:58

In 1975, a very young and very gay trio of musicians were signed to Jet Records, a London label headed up by, well, Sharon Osbourne's dad. Handbag regaled audiences with outrageous on-stage simulated sex and snogging, before recording their debut album... which sadly remained unreleased, due to the stifling and fearful climate of the time.

Earlier this year, frontman Paul Southwell dusted off his copies of the album, digitised them, and uploaded them to streaming services. A flurry of global interest ensued, including this article from The Guardian that I was shared.
 
Paul now lives in Australia with his husband, and joins me to discuss his fascinating career, alongside music by Aretha Franklin, David Bowie, and Steely Dan.

You can learn about Paul's current band here, and listen to Handbag on Spotify here.

Tracks of Our Queers is produced, presented and edited by Andy Gott.

You can listen to our Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers, and find Aural Fixation in your favourite podcast provider.

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Annie Frost Nicholson, artist30 Aug 202300:37:55

Annie Frost Nicholson is a multi-disciplinary artist based in London. It's easier to list which forms of art she doesn't bring her magic too, but I have particularly fallen in love with her visual meditations on loss, grief, and a lust for life.

Annie's own experience of a particularly unique tragedy has coloured her work ever since, leading right up to her roaming Grief Rave.

In this conversation, we discuss music by Pulp, New Order, and Prince.

You can follow Annie on Instagram here, explore her website here, and listen to her BBC World Service documentary here.

Tracks of Our Queers is produced, presented and edited by Andy Gott.

You can listen to our Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers, and find Aural Fixation in your favourite podcast provider.

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Gary Lonesborough, author22 Aug 202300:35:37

Gary Lonesborough is a Yuin writer from the South Coast of New South Wales. He's the author of two young adult novels, The Boy from the Mish – a stunning depiction of a queer summer romance between two Indigenous teenagers – and the brand new We Didn't Think It Through.

We discuss music by Bob Dylan, Kylie Minogue, and Elton John.

You can follow Gary on X here, and on Instagram here. You can learn more about Black Rainbow here, and listen to Gary's Queerstories episode here. 

Tracks of Our Queers is produced, presented and edited by Andy Gott.

You can listen to our Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers, and find Aural Fixation in your favourite podcast provider. 

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SOFT LAD, musician15 Aug 202300:31:10

Sophie Galpin is a UK-based multi-instrumentalist musician and artist, writing and performing as SOFT LAD.

Collaborating and touring with Self Esteem, the Breeders, and Jessie Ware, Sophie began putting out her own work last year, and continues to shape her own artistic voice with a new EP on the way.

We discuss some proper bangers this episode, by the likes of CeCe Peniston, Jessie Ware and Melanie C.

You can follow SOFT LAD on Instagram here, and listen on Spotify here.

Tracks of Our Queers is produced, presented and edited by Andy Gott.

You can listen to our Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers, and find Aural Fixation in your favourite podcast provider. 

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Bill Hayes, writer08 Aug 202300:39:57

Bill Hayes is a writer and photographer, recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship in nonfiction, and a frequent contributor to the New York Times.

The author of seven books, Bill is perhaps best known for his magical 2017 memoir Insomniac City, covering his move from San Francisco to New York, and his relationship with the groundbreaking neurologist Oliver Sacks.

Bill's taste in music is as diverse as the rest of my guests', but for this conversation, we chose to focus on the inimitable Joni Mitchell and her 1976 album, Hejira.

You can follow Bill on Instagram here, and learn about his latest book Sweat here.

Tracks of Our Queers is produced, presented and edited by Andy Gott.

You can listen to our Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers, and find Aural Fixation in your favourite podcast provider. 

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Shamir, singer songwriter01 Aug 202300:39:31

Shamir Bailey is an American singer-songwriter based in Philadelphia. 

Bursting into the stratos-queer in 2014 with "On the Regular", Shamir has since continually defined and redefined his musical language, visual identity, and artistry, on his own terms.

His latest album, Homo Anxietatum, is out on August 18th on Kill Rock Stars. It was an absolute pleasure to discuss Shamir's own queer musical influences for Tracks of Our Queers.

We explore music by Mykki Blanco, Tegan and Sara, and Tracy Chapman. You can follow Shamir on Instagram here.

Tracks of Our Queers is produced, presented and edited by Andy Gott.

You can listen to our Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers, and find Aural Fixation in your favourite podcast provider. 

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Kris Andrew Small, artist25 Jul 202300:33:41

Kris Andrew Small has left his distinctive signature on art for clients including Apple, Adobe, and Adidas — queering the mainstream along the way.

He joined me in the studio for this conversation, in Sydney / on Gadigal Land.

We discuss music by Brockhampton, Madonna, and M.I.A. You can follow Kris on Instagram here, and purchase his art here.

Tracks of Our Queers is produced, presented and edited by Andy Gott.

You can listen to our Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers, and find Aural Fixation in your favourite podcast provider. 



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Emma Goswell, broadcaster19 Jul 202300:35:17

Emma Goswell is a broadcaster and producer based in Manchester. She's the host of Coming Out Stories, an archive of personal experiences of that moment, and has presented for the BBC, Virgin Radio and Gaydio for several years.

We discuss music by Yazoo, Erasure, and Prince. You can follow Emma on Instagram here.

Tracks of Our Queers is produced, presented and edited by Andy Gott.

You can listen to our Spotify playlist, Selections from Tracks of Our Queers, and find Aural Fixation in your favourite podcast provider. 

Support the show

Thanks besties.

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