PODCAST

Gay Music: In the Key of Q

Dan Hall

Music-loving gay podcast featuring insightful and inspiring conversations with Queer musicians.

music music interviews

All Episodes

28:36

Summer Special 4: Rebellion, Recognition, and...

Gay Music: In the Key of Q ·

2025/09/01

For decades, queer people have been told that acceptance comes with conditions - be more normal, more mainstream, more palatable. But a new generation of queer artists is rejecting these expectations entirely. This fourth and final summer special examines how queer voices are choosing authentic expression over respectability politics, even when it comes at real costs.Featuring conversations with Brendan Maclean from Australia, whose explicit "House of Air" video became his most radical artistic

27:55

Summer Special 3: Music, Meaning, and Making It Through

Gay Music: In the Key of Q ·

2025/08/25

SummaryThis special episode brings together five queer musicians reflecting on how music shaped their identities and artistic paths. From Aruan's transformative encounter with Soft Cell on Top of the Pops in 1981 to SADBOY's mission to normalise emotional expression in Black masculinity, each artist reveals how music provided both refuge and resistance.The conversation spans continents and generations, weaving together stories of discovery, survival, and ultimately creation. Whether it was Brendan

25:35

Summer Special 2: Faith, Family, Freedom

Gay Music: In the Key of Q ·

2025/08/18

Faith and family can be anchors in a young life — or weights that threaten to pull us under. In this summer special of In the Key of Q, I revisit remastered episodes from four remarkable queer artists: JSky (UK), Ty McKinnie (US), Blake Mundell aka Courier (US), and Wuhryn Dumas (US). Each speaks candidly about growing up queer in environments steeped in religious expectation and traditional family roles.We hear how early love for music and community often existed alongside fear, shame, or silence,

32:38

Summer Special 1: Concealment, Courage, Community

Gay Music: In the Key of Q ·

2025/08/11

This special episode weaves together the experiences of five queer artists who've navigated the exhausting terrain between authentic self and performed safety. From Matt Fishel's childhood joy being "bullied out" of him to Blake Mundell's voluntary enrollment in conversion therapy, these stories map the psychological geography of concealment.Each artist reveals how constant self-monitoring becomes second nature - whether it's Ty McKinnie learning not to talk with his hands or Vincent di Geronimo

40:05

Eric Terino: Authenticity, Agoraphobia, and Artistic...

Gay Music: In the Key of Q ·

2025/08/04

SummaryEric Terino returns to share how much has shifted since his last appearance nearly two years ago. The American singer-songwriter opens up about recent breakthroughs in managing his agoraphobia, the political climate's impact on queer safety, and his evolution from punk minimalism to avant-garde folk electronica.His latest release, Indelible Sundries, represents a bold artistic statement—a live album recorded remotely during isolating times, featuring hand-curated audience applause and

37:03

Mickey Taylor: Resilience, Recovery and Reinvention

Gay Music: In the Key of Q ·

2025/07/28

Mickey Taylor returns to music after five years with raw honesty about heartbreak, family reconciliation, and finding hope through creativity. The pop-dance artist opens up about his relationship breakdown, reconnecting with his mother after she came out as lesbian, and why the queer community's ability to transform trauma into art is our superpower.This conversation explores the therapeutic power of songwriting, the changing landscape of queer social connection, and Mickey's passionate call for

41:42

Keeana Kee: Activism, Authenticity, and Artistic...

Gay Music: In the Key of Q ·

2025/07/21

From the melancholy melodies of post-Soviet Latvia to commanding pride festival stages across New York, Keeana Kee's journey embodies the transformative power of living one's truth. In this deeply personal conversation, the independent pop artist and activist shares how economic hardship shaped her artistry, the dangers she's navigated as a queer woman in male-dominated industries, and why visibility remains her most powerful tool for change.Keeana opens up about the evolution from exotic pop to

37:45

Mel Lennon: Authenticity, Adversity, and Artistry

Gay Music: In the Key of Q ·

2025/07/14

This episode of "In the Key of Q" features a heartfelt and insightful conversation with Mel Lennon, a self-taught, German-born, New York City-based Black queer artist who is making his mark as a rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer.Mel shares his journey of blending infectious pop melodies with hip-hop beats and provocative lyrics that speak authentically to queer experiences. He candidly discusses overcoming profound insecurities (themes central to his debut EP "Overthinking Out Loud"), the

38:08

Not From Concentrate: Music, Marriage, and Metamorphosis

Gay Music: In the Key of Q ·

2025/07/07

This episode offers a deeply personal conversation with Jaime and Alan Aurelia, the core members of the New York-based band Not From Concentrate. They share the journey of their unique "scrum" sound—a fusion of ska, punk, and grunge—and the even more profound journey of their relationship. You'll hear about Jaime's experience coming out as a transgender man and how this pivotal change rippled through their marriage, their music, and their lives.Alan speaks with remarkable openness about the initial

36:30

Tomek Zdyb: Prejudice, Pornography and Performance

Gay Music: In the Key of Q ·

2025/06/30

In this candid episode, Polish electronic pop artist Tomek Zdyb shares his journey of growing up gay in a deeply religious and conservative Poland. He discusses how the absence of LGBTQ+ terminology and representation left him navigating his identity through pornography rather than healthy education, leading to struggles with sex addiction that would take years to overcome.Tomek opens up about his teenage isolation, identity crisis after falling in love with a woman despite knowing he was attracted

44:16

Carrington Kelso: Grief, Growth, and Graceful Resilience

Gay Music: In the Key of Q ·

2025/06/23

SummaryCarrington Kelso returns to In the Key of Q for his fourth appearance, bringing with him the wisdom of displacement and the courage to sit with grief. Three years after his debut on the podcast, this multi-talented singer-songwriter has relocated from Georgia to San Diego, launched Clara Rose Candle Co, and is preparing to release his most personal project yet: A Moment for Grief.In this deeply reflective conversation, Carrington explores the complex emotions of choosing to leave everything

38:46

Rita de Los Angeles - Pride, Protest and Panic Attacks

Gay Music: In the Key of Q ·

2025/06/16

This week, In the Key of Q welcomes Rita de Los Angeles, a country singer-songwriter whose journey has taken her from the streets of Los Angeles to rural Germany. With her unique blend of country, Americana, and indie folk rock, Rita has carved out a distinctive space for herself as a proudly queer artist in the international country music scene.Born to Arab immigrant parents who filled their home with country music, Rita's relationship with the genre has evolved through remarkable life experiences

37:41

Romeo from EHIRE: Prince, Persecution, and Pursuing...

Gay Music: In the Key of Q ·

2025/06/09

Romeo from Brooklyn-based twin duo EHIRE offers a raw and moving account of finding his voice in the music industry while navigating the complexities of being a Black queer artist. From growing up in a Haitian household filled with music to experiencing religious trauma and homelessness, Romeo shares how these challenges strengthened his bond with twin brother Cameo and fueled their artistic expression. With refreshing candour, he discusses the importance of queer Black visibility in media and the

36:50

Pride 2025 Special: Tribes, Togetherness, and Tensions

Gay Music: In the Key of Q ·

2025/06/02

In this special Pride Month episode, host Dan Hall explores the vital concept of "finding our tribes" within the Queer community through conversations with previous guests. For many LGBTQ+ individuals, discovering safe spaces has been about more than friendship—it's been essential for survival and self-acceptance in a world that often fails to see or understand queer experiences.These communities serve as places where Queer people celebrate triumphs and mourn losses together, but like any family,

33:48

TIN: Privilege, Parties, and Pop Positivity

Gay Music: In the Key of Q ·

2025/05/26

SummaryIn this candid and compelling conversation, Australian pop artist TIN returns to In The Key of Q to discuss his musical journey since his previous appearance. From opening for Bright Light Bright Light to releasing deeply personal tracks that resonate with fans in unexpected ways, TIN offers a raw look at navigating the gay music scene as a person of colour. With characteristic wit and refreshing honesty, he unpacks the complexities of privilege, racism within queer spaces, and how his

43:55

Eric Terino: Folksongs, Fear and Finding Worthiness

Gay Music: In the Key of Q ·

2025/05/19

This week, In the Key of Q welcomes Eric Terino, a folk musician and songwriter from New England. Eric's music blends elements of folk, classical, and alternative sounds to create something uniquely his own. In this candid conversation, Eric discusses his journey as a queer artist who doesn't fit the stereotypical image of LGBTQ+ musicians, his experiences with agoraphobia and mental health challenges, and his path to finding self-worth.Eric's latest album, "Innovation of Grave Perversity," was

40:49

Minute Taker: Melancholy, Music and Masculinity

Gay Music: In the Key of Q ·

2025/05/12

In this episode of In the Key of Q, Dan Hall speaks with Ben McGarvey, who performs as Minute Taker. Ben's music is characterized by a signature blend of retro synth-pop, haunting piano melodies, and emotionally charged lyrics that explore the depth of human experience.Episode SummaryBen opens up about the origins of his stage name "Minute Taker" – a reference to his former day job that created an ironic contrast with his artistic identity. He describes it as "simultaneously mundane and

35:06

Jon Ginoli: Pioneers, Punk and Pansy Politics

Gay Music: In the Key of Q ·

2025/05/05

In this captivating episode of "In the Key of Q," host Dan Hall welcomes Jon Ginoli, founding member of Pansy Division, the groundbreaking band formed in San Francisco in 1991. As the first openly gay rock band featuring predominantly gay musicians, Pansy Division challenged stereotypes and carved out a unique space in the music industry with their blend of pop-punk that explicitly addressed LGBTQ+ issues, sexuality, and relationships.Jon shares his journey from feeling alienated within the gay

30:35

Greg Hatem: Baltimore, Bands and Brave Belongings

Gay Music: In the Key of Q ·

2025/04/28

Dan welcomes multi-instrumentalist Greg Hatem from Baltimore, who plays in four different bands while also operating a curiosity shop selling natural history items and oddities.Greg discusses Baltimore's unique appeal as an artistic community, describing it as a fertile creative ground where "the weird cousin" to nearby cities offers both big-city opportunities and small-town connections. The conversation touches on John Waters' influence on the city and Greg's curiosity shop's new Ouija board

43:20

Travie Austin: Millennials, Masculinity and Musical...

Gay Music: In the Key of Q ·

2025/04/21

This week, Dan welcomes Chicago-raised singer-songwriter and producer Travie Austin, whose catchy pop hooks blend with funk, rock, soul and "more than a touch of homo" coursing through his music.Travie discusses millennial identity and how 90s/2000s divas like Destiny's Child and Whitney Houston shaped his confidence. The conversation explores toxic masculinity, with Travie arguing that masculinity and femininity should exist in harmony, and that toxic masculinity stems from the need to prove

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Gay Music: In the Key of Q

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