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Artwork for Queer The Music: Jake Shears On The Songs That Changed Lives

Queer The Music: Jake Shears On The Songs That Changed Lives

Mercury Studios
LGBTQ+ Rights
LGBTQ+ Community
Pop Music
Years & Years
Queer Culture
Standing In the Way Of Control
Glacier
Mental Health
Olly Alexander
1950
Gossip
Punk Rock
George W. Bush
Fast Slow Disco
Seattle
Little Richard
LGBTQ+ Anthems
Peaches
Coming Out
Music Industry

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 Sisters’ frontman Jake Shears and his guests ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes18Founded2 years ago
Category
Music

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Artwork for Queer The Music: Jake Shears On The Songs That Changed Lives

Latest Episodes

In this festive edition of Queer the Music Jake sits down with the iconic Holly Johnson, the front man of Frankie Goes To Hollywood, to discuss the 1984 UK number one single and enduring Christmas song, ‘The Power of Love’.

The Power of Love came ou... more

It's the Season Finale of Queer The Music and we have a big one for you! It's none other than Neil Tennant to talk about Pet Shop Boys' 1987 smash hit 'It's A Sin'. 

Neil joined Jake on his sofa to talk about making the song, the meaning behind the ... more

Have you heard the news?? Scissors Sisters are reforming and going on tour next May so for this special edition of Queer The Music, recorded in front of an audience at The Phoenix Arts club in London, we celebrate one of the songs that started it all... more

This episode celebrates the song 'Midnight Radio', by Stephen Trask, the epic finale song from the ground-breaking film and stage musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

Jake is joined at his home in New Orleans by the creator, director and star of this ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Holly Johnson
Lead singer of Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Episode: 17 - 'The Power of Love' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Neil Tennant
Member of the Pet Shop Boys and music legend
Pet Shop Boys
Episode: 16 - 'It's a Sin' by Pet Shop Boys
John Cameron Mitchell
Acclaimed creator and star of 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch'
Episode: 14 - 'Midnight Radio' with John Cameron Mitchell
Jessie Ware
Singer-songwriter known for her contributions to dance music and queer culture
N/A
Episode: 13 - 'Free Yourself' by Jessie Ware
Big Freedia
Queen Diva of bounce music and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community
N/A
Episode: 12 - 'Explode' by Big Freedia
John Grant
A brilliant musician known for his emotionally powerful songs and unique sound.
Musician and Songwriter
Episode: 11 - 'Glacier' by John Grant
Beth Ditto
Front woman of Gossip and influential queer artist
Gossip
Episode: 9 - 'Standing In The Way of Control' by Gossip
Annie Clark
Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist
St. Vincent
Episode: 8 - 'Fast Slow Disco' by St Vincent
Rufus Wainwright
Renowned singer-songwriter and LGBTQ+ advocate
N/A
Episode: 7 - 'Going To A Town' by Rufus Wainwright

Host

Jake Shears
Host and frontman of the Scissor Sisters; known for his engaging style and ability to connect with guests on deep personal and cultural levels.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 299 ratings
  • Love this, love Jake!

    Finally a podcast host who understands how to host! Jake doesn’t hog the mic, doesn’t interrupt and keeps completely away from dramatically trying to steal the limelight. The show is a pleasure to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ptwy8
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Late to the party, but it’s still going!

    I found this after the end of season 2, which has given me a wealth of interviews to listen to. It’s so fantastic! I love learning the layers behind each song and delight in the storytelling of these interviews. Fingers crossed Jake keeps going! I’d love to hear episodes on I’m Coming Out, Lunch by Billie Ellish, Pynk by Janelle Monet, and anything by David Bowie. 🌈💗⚡️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alabama Heather
    United States6 months ago
  • It’s A Sin

    Neil Tennant was, as always, a truly magnificent guest. Could listen to him talking for hours. What an orator and storyteller. The definition of legend.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ROBBIEHAMILTON
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • It’s a Sin

    Absolutely loved this episode with Neil Tennant. I’ve loved PSB since childhood in the 80s in Australia and still haven’t seen them live! The rapport between Jake and Neil created a fascinating, personal conversation which was no doubt a trip down memory lane for us oldies, but also offered one of the queer classics to younger generations who may not have tunes in to PSB before. Great podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Miss Grange
    Australia7 months ago
  • Jake is a great interviewer

    I probably listen to at least some of the episodes no matter what because I’m a huge Scissor Sisters fan, but it turns out that Jake is really good at this! I really enjoyed the conversations with Jessie Ware and Big Freedia so far.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    algno
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show is noted for its inclusive atmosphere that encourages exploration of identity through music, resonating well with a broad audience.
Listeners praise the intimate and thoughtful conversations, often highlighting the depth of storytelling and authenticity present in the interviews.
Some negative feedback suggests a fatigue with constant discussions surrounding queer topics, possibly reflecting broader societal tensions.
Many appreciate the blend of music history with personal narratives that illuminate the challenges and triumphs faced by queer artists.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#47
Denmark/Music

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

17 - 'The Power of Love' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Q: Was that strange having all that success at the time and feeling all that power of the success and not having any money at the same time?
Holly reflects on the oddity of being perceived as successful while struggling financially, highlighting the disparities between public perception and private reality.
17 - 'The Power of Love' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Q: Do you remember, pen to paper, where you were writing those lyrics down, and like how they were coming through you with The Power Of Love?
Holly explains he channeled his feelings into the lyrics, drawing inspiration from his upbringing and spiritual influences, despite not being devoutly religious.
16 - 'It's a Sin' by Pet Shop Boys
Q: How has the song 'It's A Sin' been perceived in different contexts over the years?
Neil explains that while it addresses issues of sexuality and sin, it has transcended to represent broader queer experiences.
16 - 'It's a Sin' by Pet Shop Boys
Q: What do you think this song would have sounded like if Stock Aiken and Waterman produced it?
Neil clarifies that they didn't want the typical sound that Stock Aiken and Waterman would have created since they aimed for something more epic and cool.
16 - 'It's a Sin' by Pet Shop Boys
Q: How is AIDS changing your outlook at this time?
Neil discusses the stark contrast between his life as a pop star and the struggles faced by friends affected by AIDS.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A rich exploration of the songs that have profoundly impacted queer lives, this show brings to light the contributions of queer artists throughout popular music history. With a focus on iconic anthems that have graced dancefloors, the host invites notable guests to share their personal stories and the significance of these tracks in shaping identity and culture. The discussions often delve into societal challenges faced by these artists, drawing connections between music, activism, and self-expression. Unique insights about the creative process, cultural contexts, and the relationship between artists and their communities make this series a compelling listen for anyone interested in the intersection of music and LGBTQ+ history.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Louis Theroux Podcast
2. Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware
3. The Rest Is Entertainment
4. Desert Island Discs
5. Sidetracked with Annie and Nick

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 2 years ago and published 18 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Holly Johnson
2. Neil Tennant
3. John Cameron Mitchell
4. Jessie Ware
5. Big Freedia
6. John Grant
7. Beth Ditto
8. Annie Clark

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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