All posts tagged: music

Interview: All Trans Band Ryan Cassata & The Rhythm

Published by thequeerav

Ryan Cassata & The Rhythm formed in July of this year, the by-product of connections formed through college, social media and the Long Island music scene. With a rock sound, a passion for music and some studio singles in the works, I’m not surprised if you think this band sounds a lot like the many others out there. This however, is not the case.   The thing that sets this band apart are its members, Ryan (singer, acoustic guitarist, harmonica player) , Jordi (electric guitarist), Destroy (drummer) and Acadia (bass player). They are all amazing musicians, and they ALL identify on the trans spectrum. Trans visibility is continually increasing but still low, so to have an all trans band making some noise in the music scene is amazing, and up until this point more or less unheard of! Lead member Ryan Cassata is well known as many things; a singer-song writer, actor, YouTuber and LGBTQ activist. We had a chance to ask Ryan a few questions about the newly formed band, trans visibility and projects …

10 Talented Queer Musicians You’ll Be Singing Along to in No Time

Published by thequeerav

I’m always excited about listening to music, especially from talented queer artists! And so, I’ve compiled a list of queer musicians who I listen to on the regular, and who I think everyone should be listening to right now. 1. Abbe May – This Western Australian musician’s genre is described as “electronica dance doom pop goth n ‘be sexrockita dirty hip hop beats and vitriol” which, if you listen to any of her songs, you’ll totally understand why! You may have heard her cover of “Pony” on Triple J’s Like A Version Nine a few years ago. The cover is amazing though doesn’t even begin to show just how talented she really is. Check out her song “Are We Flirting” below, from her upcoming 5th LP Bitchcraft. Also be sure to check out the photos we took of Abbe May at the Queers on the Lawn event she performed at last year! To hear May talk about her sexuality, read Out In Perth’s article Abbe May Has Something to Say.   2. Ryan Cassata – He’s …

Meet Eli Erlick: A Trans Youth Activist Who Stars in Tegan and Sara’s New Music Video “Faint of Heart”

Published by thequeerav

Tegan and Sara released the music video for their song “Faint of Heart” last month. The song, from their 2016 album Love You To Death, is an 80’s inspired pop anthem about listening to your heart and not worrying what other people think. The music video, starring a group of young and inspiring LGBTQ people dressed as iconic figures in music history, is a beautiful hit of nostalgia, self-love and diversity. One of those young and inspiring people is Eli Erlick. Erlick is a queer transgender youth activist, writer and public speaker. She is also the Co-Founder and Director of Trans Student Educational Resources and has an uncanny resemblance to the Quin sisters themselves. We had the opportunity to talk to Erlick about the trans activism work she does, working with Tegan and Sara, and what it’s like to be the long lost Quin sibling. How did you get involved in the filming of the new Tegan and Sara video – Faint of Heart? It all started with a shirt. A friend commented that the …

Queers on the Lawn [PHOTOS]

Published by thequeerav

Last weekend the Curtin Student Guild Queer Department hosted Queers on the Lawn at Curtin University, in celebration of diversity. The event was open to everyone, queer or not, and had market stalls, face painting, Park’d food trucks, a bar area,  a magician, EMAS DJ’s and an amazing performance from Abbe May to top the night off! Take a look at the photos below from what was a very well organised, and fun event!

Top Queer Picks – Fringe World Festival Perth 2015

Published by thequeerav

Perth Fringe is Finally here and in all my excitement I’ve compiled a list of of Top Queer Picks for 2015! I haven’t seen any of these shows before so this list is based purely off what I think looks and sounds a) entertaining b) super queer. Get excited! HEX – “Award-winning young choreographer James Welsby presents HEX, an hour-long, three person dance work reflecting on AIDS, activism, sex, and disco through the eyes and bodies of Generation Y. HEX depicts the arc of the AIDS epidemic and its impact on the queer community through allegorical vignettes using popular club dance vocabularies.” Le Gateau Chocolat – I Heart Chocolat – “This is an exclusive party featuring a delectable hand-picked selection of musical arrangements, as random as a box of chocolates…you never know what you’re going to get! But you can guarantee Le Gateau’s infectious energy and gargantuan voice will satisfy your festival taste-buds. From Glyndebourne Opera to singing for the Queen as part of the Jubilee Flotilla and touring the globe with La Soiree; to performing at the …

Friday's Fashion Post: Tegan and Sara Team up with Keep

Published by thequeerav

Tegan and Sara have teamed up with Keep Company to bring you some limited edition shoes which are available for pre-order from now until Tuesday February 11  at 11:59 PST. They will hit stores in late May 2014 but in limited numbers so make sure you pre-order if you’re really desperate to get your hands on a pair. Tegan’s Keep Plimsoll Homer features a quilted vegan leather body, a custom striped terry insole and purple color block accent on the bottom of the sole. Sara’s Keep Hi Top Guerra features illustrated international cat print, featuring cats meowing in different languages, a black accented heel stripe, sole and lining and a Signature Keep grass engraved cup sole. Both Tegan and Sara designed their own pair from top to bottom and are very excited by the results. “Both shoes really reflect our own personal style, so we hope you love them as much as we do,” they said. For further info and to pre-order yourself a pair visit www.keepcompany.com/page/TS

The Vengaboys Hit Freo with a "Boom"

Published by thequeerav

Last night I saw the Vengaboys. You remember them, don’t you? The late 90’s Eurodance, few-hit wonders. Of course you remember such classics as “Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!” and “We Like To Party”, spawned from their 1998 debut “The Party Album!” I, for one, remember that my suburban, Australian childhood was filled with these cheesy, Euro, club songs for some reason. The songs were silly and catchy and I suspect that the primary motivation for people seeing them in 2012 is for a dose of pure, sing-along, nostalgia. Apparently the Vengaboys enjoy partying, and party they did at their show at Metropolis Fremantle, in 2012, over ten years since their last release. The sold out crowd was packed into Metro’s, waiting in keen anticipation for their slice of the 90’s. This was only heightened by the support DJs who played an impressive mix of 90’s dance-pop classics. Despite the sweltering heat and the crowd being covered in sweat before the headliners even made the stage, the atmosphere was of fun and anticipation, enhanced by the …

‘True Colors’ Romney Attack Ad leaves Cyndi Lauper Unhappy

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Cyndi Lauper, has expressed her disapproval after her ever popular hit “True Colors” was used in a negative political campaign ad against Mitt Romney. Not only was she unhappy about the unauthorised use of the song, associated most commonly and positively with the LGBTQ community,  but also that it had been used in a negative rather than positive context. “While I am in no way a fan of Mitt Romney, my music is meant to lift people up, especially ‘True Colors.’ The song has been a tremendous source of healing and acceptance for so many people and for it to be used in such a negative way dishonors its history and intention” said Lauper. “I am a huge supporter of President Obama and his re-election, but I have let the responsible party know how disappointed I am the song was used and asked that it be removed from the ad.”

Dresden Dolls Perth 2012 – Review

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Amanda “Fucking” Palmer and Brian Viglione together are the Dresden Dolls. Forming in 2000, they have had a well earned break after their hiatus in 2008 and their choice to leave their record label. They have since reformed in 2010 and returned to Australia, performing in Perth last night.  In the cute and cosy Astor Theatre in Mount Lawley, Perth, swarms of intricately dressed beings from all walks of life emerged for the final show of the Dresden Dolls Australian tour. As the last gig of the official tour, they set out to put on an unforgettable show. With back up artists Melbourne band, The Jane Austen Argument and Tasmania’s The Bedroom Philosopher (Justin Heazlewood) warming up the crowd the scene was set for the Dresden Dolls to grace the stage. Amanda Palmer runs on stage sporting a Japanese style kimono, soon to be taken off to unveil a slightly more revealing choice of outfit, followed by a shirtless Brian with his face painted with the usual mime artist style. The lights are on and the music …