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Artwork for Queer the Music

Queer the Music with Jake Shears

Mercury Studios
LGBTQ+ Rights
LGBTQ+ Representation
Queer Culture
LGBTQ+ Community
Queer Identity
Judas Priest
Rob Halford
Take Your Mama
Scissor Sisters
Music Industry
Glacier
Standing In the Way Of Control
Years & Years
Kinky Boots
Pop Music
Big Freedia
Free Yourself
It's a Sin
The Power Of Love
Billy Porter

Jake Shears’ award-winning podcast Queer The Music celebrates the music, artists and cultural moments that have shaped LGBTQ+ lives, also shifting politics, perception and popular culture in plain sight. Each episode, Jake Shears - musician, actor, writer, and all-round trailblazer - invites the viewer in, as he’s joined by those who continue to break ground and soundtrack Pop; from queer pioneers... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes44Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music InterviewsMusicMusic Commentary

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Artwork for Queer the Music

Latest Episodes

Jake Shears is joined by journalist and author Ian Wade to discuss his book 1984: The Year Pop Went Queer and explore how one remarkable year became a turning point for queer visibility in pop.

From the shock and sexuality of Frankie Goes to Hollywo... more

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Jake Shears is joined by artist, songwriter and performer Tom Rasmussen for a wide-ranging conversation on music, identity and finding freedom through creativity. Together, they look back on Tom’s journey from growing up in Lancashire to finding quee... more

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Season 4 of Queer The Music continues with Tony, Grammy and Emmy-winning actor and musician Ben Platt. In conversation with Jake Shears, Platt discusses the freedom of playing a queer character on stage in Midnight at the Never Get, his lifelong rela... more

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In This episode of Queer The Music, Jake Shears is joined by author and cultural critic Barry Walters to explore the queer history of Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground. Together, they discuss Andy Warhol’s radical New York underground, the influenc... more

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Key Facts

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Tom Rasmussen
Non-binary artist, Lancashire-born singer and songwriter focused on club music for trans audiences
Episode: Why Tom Rasmussen Believes Being Different Is an Enviable Position | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Ben Platt
Actor and musician known for Dear Evan Hansen, Theatre Camp, and theatre/film work
Actor, Musician
Episode: Ben Platt on Love, Queer Life and the Magic of Theatre | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Jehnny Beth
Musician, producer, actor, author
Solo artist; former Savages frontwoman
Episode: Jehnny Beth: “I’m In It For The Long Run” | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Josh Homme
Front man of Queens of the Stone Age and key figure in alternative rock
Queens of the Stone Age
Episode: Why Josh Homme Challenges the Rules of Rock | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Jeremy Atherton Lin
Writer and author of Gay Bar, Why We Went Out, Deep House
Author and cultural historian
Episode: What Happens When Queer Spaces Disappear? | Jeremy Atherton Lin | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
David McAlmont
Singer and songwriter known for McAlmont and Butler
McAlmont and Butler
Episode: How ‘Yes’ Became a Queer Anthem | David McAlmont | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Bella (Baby Queen)
Gen Z rock star from South Africa, album artist of I Hope You Don't Remember Me
Episode: Baby Queen on Ego Death, Therapy & Starting Over | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Jodie Harsh
DJ, promoter, drag queen; subject of the episode
DJ/Promoter; author of You Had to Be There
Episode: How Jodie Harsh Built London’s Biggest Queer Party | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Tove Lo
Singer and songwriter
Artist (Tove Lo)
Episode: Tove Lo on Body Confidence, Bisexuality & Pop Music | Queer the Music with Jake Shears

Host

Jake Shears
Musician, actor, writer; host of the show

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 358 ratings
  • Jake is giving us a queer home

    Jake is a fantastic host and I’m really grateful that he is doing this grand work of helping us celebrate our culture. Music is so much in the heart of who we are and how we rejoice and celebrate our queerness. Jake creates a safe home for us where we can hear and share these experiences and celebrations. I’m grateful for the work he does and love him for it ❤️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nysseMaister
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • Great pod

    Can you do The Who, Queen and Faith No More

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Krishnadfgh
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • 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 Kingdom2 years 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 States2 years 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 Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans want more series and more deep dives on favorite artists.
Diverse, iconic guests are a strength and bring strong cultural context.
Episodes feel like a celebration of queer music history with insightful storytelling.
Listeners praise the host's respectful, warm interview style that makes guests comfortable.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#36
United States/Music/Music Interviews
Apple Podcasts
#186
United States/Music
Apple Podcasts
#11
United Kingdom/Music/Music Interviews
Apple Podcasts
#28
Canada/Music/Music Interviews
Apple Podcasts
#75
United Kingdom/Music
Apple Podcasts
#241
Canada/Music

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ben Platt on Love, Queer Life and the Magic of Theatre | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Q: What is your process with creating a new musical, and how does it differ from other projects?
He describes a material-based approach, time and repetition, and the importance of a clear character on the page, plus the benefits of a workshop process to refine and tighten the piece.
Ben Platt on Love, Queer Life and the Magic of Theatre | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Q: What pulled you into this project and what was the development process like in London?
He discusses how the score and collaboration with Mark Sonnenblick drew him in, the earlier workshop and readings, and the opportunity to bring the piece to London for its first major staging with artistic freedom.
Ben Platt on Love, Queer Life and the Magic of Theatre | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Q: Can you talk about this, tell our listeners what the story of the show is in a nutshell?
Ben Platt explains that the show unfolds in a 1960s cabaret space, centering a singer and pianist who tell the relationship story through the composer Arthur Brightman's songs, then evolving into something more existential.
What Happens When Queer Spaces Disappear? | Jeremy Atherton Lin | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Q: But can you tell listeners about Deep House and the structure of the book?
The guest explains how Deep House evolved from personal life and relationships, especially cross-border experiences, into a structured narrative that blends memory with research, aiming for immediacy and a sense of being in a bar together with readers.
How ‘Yes’ Became a Queer Anthem | David McAlmont | Queer the Music with Jake Shears
Q: What was it like recording Yes as part of McAlmont and Butler and how did the process shape the final track?
David describes the collaboration with Bernard Butler, the experimental approach to CD1/CD2, and how the track evolved from initial ideas into a deliberately grand single with a strong, experimental edge that stood out in Britpop.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Queer the Music

What is Queer the Music about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show curates conversations with landmark and rising queer artists, focusing on the music, cultural moments, and personal stories that shaped LGBTQ+ lives. Episodes spotlight icons across pop, rock, theater, and beyond, exploring identity, representation, and the creative processes behind iconic songs while examining broader cultural shifts. Listeners can expect warm, respectful interviews that blend personal history with professional insights, often ending with a full music moment that underscores the theme of each episode. A standout is the commitment to celebrating queer culture through diverse genres and eras, making it a compelling listen for fans and professionals seeking authentic artist narratives and opportunities to connect wi... more

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How many episodes of Queer the Music are there?

Queer the Music launched 3 years ago and published 44 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 Queer the Music?

Recent guests on Queer the Music include:

1. Tom Rasmussen
2. Ben Platt
3. Jehnny Beth
4. Josh Homme
5. Jeremy Atherton Lin
6. David McAlmont
7. Bella (Baby Queen)
8. Jodie Harsh

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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