Gay Music: In the Key of Q

“It was just as well he was pretty because he wasn't very smart!”WARNING: This episode contains a discussion about a real-life extreme violent event.Metropolitan Police – reporting hate crime.GALOP – the LGBT+ anti-violence charity.Childline – homophobic bullyingNHS - lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans (LGBTQ+) mental health support.Aruan talks about his accidental outing at school and his lifelong music love of David Bowie, Prince… and Bucks Fizz!Other subjects include the Russell T Davies HIV / AIDS drama, “It’s a Sin” and the homophobic murder of Jody Dobrowski.A big thanks to our new Patreon subscriber Warren Woods whose generosity is allowing you to enjoy this episode.Links:Support the podcast at our Patreon page for as little as £3 per month.Episode transcriptionAruan’s Spotify playlist featuring his songs from this episode and his five tracks to save from Armageddon.Aruan’s band Furiku on Spotify and Apple Music.The Stones vs The Beatles from Vinyl Rewind.“My friend Stephen”’s great article on “Being Boring” from Pet Shop Boys.Bucks Fizz “Cold War” (Extended Version) on Spotify and Apple Music.THAT performance of “Tainted Love” from Soft Cell on Top of the Pops.“A Brief History of Prince” from The Beat Goes OnDavid Bowie lyric “Oh no, love. You’re not alone!” in situ on Spotify and Apple Music.It’s a Sin – Trailer from Channel Four / Trailer from HBO MaxIt’s

In this powerful episode of "In The Key of Q," host Dan Hall speaks with Ty McKinnie, whose soulful voice Dan describes as feeling like "the most beautiful, sleepy all-night hug." Born and raised in Atlanta, Ty shares his journey of growing up in a religious Black household while secretly knowing he was gay. From hiding his true self in a religious environment that condemned homosexuality to finding liberation through music in New York, Ty offers a candid look at the intersectionality of being both Black and gay in America. His music serves as both personal therapy and a beacon for other Black queer people searching for authentic representation. Through heartfelt stories and reflections on songs like "Boys Like Me" and "Mutual," Ty reveals how creating art has become his way of reconnecting with his younger self while ensuring that young Black queer people today can see themselves reflected in contemporary music.Timestamped Key Takeaways00:30 - Introduction to Ty McKinnie, whose lyrics tug at the heart and whose sound feels like "the most beautiful, sleepy all-night hug"01:30 - Ty reflects on growing up in Atlanta as a joyful yet internally conflicted kid who knew he was gay02:30 - Discussion of musical influences growing up in Atlanta, including hometown hero Ciara, Usher, and gospel music03:40 - The significant role religion played in Ty's upbringing, being known as the "Hallelujah Baby"04:20 - Ty discusses the intersectionality of being both Black and gay: "Being Black is already a deficit in societal terms... adding a gay label on top of that..."05:35 - Reflections on his father's anger issues and the weight of expectations placed on Black men in America06:45 - The homophobic environment within his religious upbringing and how it forced him to hide his true self08:10 - The story behind his song "Boys Like Me," a reclamation of power from the toxic masculinity imposed by his father09:30 - Discussion of music as a way for both artists and audiences to feel heard and connected10:00 - Ty's first same-sex kiss experience: "I get it now. I don't want a girlfriend. I want you!"12:20 - The contrast between being able to embrace his Blackness while having to bury his queerness growing up13:10 - Moving to New York University and using academic excellence as a shield against homophobia15:30 - Ty's hope that his music specifically empowers the Black queer community who face unique challenges16:30 - The profound impact Frank Ocean's coming out in 2012 had on him while he was still closeted17:20 - Discussion of the lack of visibility for Black queer artists compared to their white counterparts18:55 - Reflections on 2020, racial injustice, and being reminded "you're still a Black gay man in America"21:30 - How religion created a sense of limited autonomy and the journey to finding freedom22:50 - Finding his "why" as an artist: creating representation so "people like me who share my identities see themselves"24:00 - Imagining how his younger self would react to his current music26:15 - "Mutual" as Ty's suggested gateway song, the first where he used "he" pronouns in his lyricsGuest BioTy McKinnie is a Black queer musician from Atlanta now based in New York. His soulful pop sound blends R&B influences with heartfelt storytelling that directly addresses the intersection of Black and LGBTQ+ experiences. Through songs like "Boys Like Me" and "Mutual," Ty creates authentic...

Episode remastered, re-edited and extended for 2025!SummaryMatt Fishel's journey from performing arts graduate to independent queer music pioneer reads like a manifesto for artistic integrity. When major record labels told him that "nobody will ever buy music sung by a man singing about other men," Matt made a choice that would define his career: he refused to compromise. Through his blend of European pop sensibilities and Green Day-inspired rock, Matt has crafted the soundtrack that his teenage self desperately needed.This debut episode of In the Key of Q explores the critical importance of authentic representation in music. Matt's unashamed approach to queer storytelling offers a blueprint for artists who refuse to translate their experiences into palatable metaphors. His music doesn't just reflect queer life—it celebrates it with infectious melodies and fearless honesty.In conversation with host Dan Hall, Matt reveals the personal cost of choosing authenticity over commercial success, and why that choice has ultimately proven more rewarding than any record deal could have been.Timestamped Key Takeaways• [02:36] Industry Rejection: "Nobody will ever buy music sung by a man singing about other men. It just will not sell. Period." Matt shares the identical response he received from every major label executive.• [04:11] Artistic Integrity Choice: Rather than remove gay content from his songs, Matt decided to forge his own path as an independent artist, refusing to "dull down" his experiences.• [06:29] Madonna's Influence: Matt discusses how "Truth or Dare" shaped his understanding of queer visibility, watching it repeatedly from age nine and gravitating towards the gay scenes without understanding why.• [09:54] Realisation vs Recognition: Dan's insight that coming out isn't about "realising you're gay" but "realising that other people think it's wrong" resonates deeply with Matt's experience.• [12:07] Representation Matters: Matt credits Madonna for bringing gay people into her work "unashamedly" when it wasn't acceptable, providing essential visibility for young queer people.• [16:09] Queer Suburbia: "Not Thinking Straight" was conceived as detailed songs about growing up gay in Nottingham, capturing the hidden world of queer teenage experiences behind closed doors.• [18:10] Ageism Across Cultures: Matt's song "Twinks" serves as a cautionary tale about placing looks and youth as the sole important values, noting this is now a problem across all cultures, not just gay culture.• [22:42] First Love and Loss: "Soldiers" pays tribute to Matt's first boyfriend who died in 2015, exploring the complex emotions of losing someone with whom you've shared physical intimacy.• [25:24] Creating for His Younger Self: Matt reveals he made "Not Thinking Straight" as "the album I wanted to hear at 15 years old" - the album he wanted to "hug and jump up and down and scream about."• [26:46] Gateway Song: "Radio-Friendly Pop Song" serves as Matt's mission statement, literally representing the industry's voice before his own voice emerges to declare: "Fuck you, I'm gay, I'm out, I'm proud."Guest BioMatt Fishel is an independent queer musician who has released three critically acclaimed albums blending European pop with rock influences. After major labels demanded he remove all gay content from his songs, Matt established his own record label to create authentic queer music without compromise. His visual approach to songwriting has produced numerous music videos that bring his stories to vivid life. Visit mattfishel.com for more information.Resource ListRead...

In the Key of Q is a new show launching on Tuesday 23 March 2021, where you can find conversations with international Queer musicians.Say hello to us at [email protected] - it'll be great to hear from you!Dan Hall (Producer / Presenter)