99.9% of queer people will probably tell you that being queer is not easy. So, imagine (if you can) being a queer person in the music industry...
To celebrate Pride month, we sat down with three openly queer musicians to discuss what it means to them to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community, and to work in the music industry.
Here's what they had to say about what it's like to be confident in who they are while taking on the music industry!
Hey guys, thanks for your time today! Our first question is, when did you know you wanted to pursue a career in music?
Lyndsey: I knew I wanted to do music pretty early on, but I felt discouraged from it. I think everybody does. In middle school, I did concert band, jazz band, and guitar classes. During that time, the gears were turning, and then in high school I was like, "I want to do this, I'll find a way to do it."
NoSo: I remember I submitted to this songwriting contest through Carnegie Hall. I did it right before moving to L.A – a place I had a really hard time acclimating to. I soon found out I was one of the winners, and I had to go to South Africa with five other Americans. My first time performing an original song was at that music festival with a band behind me. I just remember thinking afterwards, "I need this feeling again."
ABISHA: I've known since I was young that I wanted to do music. I started dance lessons as well as singing, but it was always singing that I knew I wanted to do seriously.
What do you think makes you unique as an artist?
Lyndsey: One thing I try to keep throughout is creative integrity, as well as the willingness to take risks and not always play it safe. Sonically, I really love to try and find ways to translate aggression in different ways that you wouldn't necessarily assume from a female vocalist.
NoSo: I would like to think I'm a bit cheeky! My stage name is also an abbreviation for North or South, something I've been asked about my entire life. It used to make me so angry but now I feel like I've reclaimed it. I think I don't take myself too seriously, and I hope it shows.
ABISHA: I'd say being vulnerable and speaking about my personal experiences. They're things that only I've gone through and I can speak about, and I hope other people can either relate to them or learn from them.
Speaking of that, how do you sum up the courage to feel comfortable sharing so much about your identity in your music?
Lyndsey: I think that's what art's for – the key to making art is to share and dive into your feelings as well as to connect with people. I think we're here on Earth to connect. The biggest way to do that is to show up as yourself unapologetically, and constantly search for your truth. It's okay if that changes constantly, just being real and transparent with that is the key to happy friendships, happy relationships, happy everything.
Noso: It's still nerve-wracking to be really vulnerable. From the earlier songs on the record to the final ones, I think you can tell that I became more confident in the process. I wrote the songs over three years ago, and then when I was promoting the album and people were asking me what the songs mean, I made a subconscious decision to be really honest. In turn, at my shows, there are a lot of trans people who would not have discovered me unless I was genuinely honest. So that has given me courage.
ABISHA: I had to learn to be confident because I was very shy as a child. There have also been times when I've been advised to keep it neutral. From day one I’ve said, I'm going to use female pronouns in my songs. So for me, it's easy now to be authentic in my music because I don't want somebody listening to my songs to question, "is she talking about a girl?"
What does Pride mean to you?
Lyndsey: Pride means a lot of things. Pride means holding true to yourself and not being afraid to be that.
NoSo: It's a work in progress. I feel like I've been a part of so many different sections of the community in terms of how I identify, and I feel like that could also change in the future. I'm very proud of who I am in this phase of my life, but I also don't know what my gender expression is going to look like in a few years. It's being proud of the present and the future.
ABISHA: It means everything to me. It means community, it means family, it means safety. Going back to the history of it, it's a protest, of course. Protesting for our right to be ourselves. I think we can sometimes forget that. It is a party and celebration as well, but for me, it's about remembering how far we've come and how far there still is to go.
Oftentimes, the industry can make people from marginalised groups – whether that be because of race, ethnicity, or being a part of the LGBTQ+ community – feel like there isn't room for more than one person at the table. Have you ever felt this way? If so, how did you overcome that?
Lyndsey: I think when we first started out, especially being a woman in rock, that felt like a thing. Nowadays it's shifted so much. I think differences and what sets someone apart are strengths now. Everybody's uniqueness is celebrated so much more, and I think we have the upper hand in that way.
NoSo: I've personally felt that way. I remember when Mitski was becoming very prominent back when I was in college. I was so excited that she could pave the way for people like me, but I was also like, "fuck! She took my seat." The industry definitely makes it seem like there's only a certain amount of people that can fit at the table. I remember when I was starting to speak to record labels, all of them were comparing me to Mitski. I'm more at peace with that now; it's so funny that you're directly compared to someone because you both play guitar!
ABISHA: Being gay and mixed-race are things that I'm incredibly proud of, but in general, the music industry is an industry where they do like to typecast. I think it's easy to see a mixed-race or Black artist and say, they're going to be an R&B singer or do Hip-Hop. Why does this one thing about me that doesn't reflect my entire identity project a specific assumption about me that isn't necessarily true?
Do you feel that the industry can sometimes pigeonhole you to project one part of your identity more than another? Have you ever felt put in a box?
NoSo: There were a couple of labels who didn't listen to my music, they were just hyper-fixated on the fact that I'm Korean. One A&R person even said, "you know being Asian is really in right now." So what happens to me when you deem the next ethnicity to be more trendy? I was 21 at the time someone said that to me, and I'd gone to music school so I was able to stand my ground based on my training.
ABISHA: I've felt like that my whole life – in general and in the music industry. For me, it's about allowing myself to take up space and knowing that I'm worthy of taking up that space. I'm no less worthy than any of these other contenders who may be put in the same category as me because they are also mixed-race or queer.
Who or what makes you feel seen/represented? Why?
Lyndsey: I've always resonated with Florence + The Machine. Her mindset as an artist and as a creative is really selfless and beautiful. That's something I try and approach with music – it's bigger than you, it's just coming ~through~ you.
NoSo: I'm a huge fan of Michelle Zauner (of Japanese Breakfast) and everything she does. In her music, but also Crying in H Mart, the way that she describes her childhood experiences felt like she'd pulled something out of my own diary. Also Mitski! When I saw the music video for "Best American Girl", it really struck a chord with me.
ABISHA: I would say the TV show, "The L-Word" – the original one! I watched it in my early twenties and it kind of changed my life. I just think it was so ahead of its time. It unapologetically represented every facet of the queer community and normalised it. When I watched that, it made me feel so seen.
Who are some artists that have influenced your work?
Lyndsey: Florence + The Machine and The Weeknd – production-wise. Sonically, Rihanna for sure, and probably Grimes too. You know how there's your big three in Astrology? That's my big four.
NoSo: When I was at USC MUNA came to speak to us because they are a graduate there too. I was 18, and that was also the first time I was like, "oh, gay people can be cool?" They were so confident! I also love their lyrics and musicality.
ABISHA: Frank Ocean and Kehlani because they are both especially raw and vulnerable in their lyrics. They talk so openly and honestly about what they've been through. To me, that's what being an artist is about.
How does it feel when other queer artists/fans relate to your music?
Lyndsey: I think it's really cool and beautiful and special.
NoSo: Actually, there was someone who came to my show once who told me, "this is what I want to do. It's so cool to see someone who's like me really doing it." There are so many highs and lows when you're an artist, but from this person's perspective I'd already made it. That really allowed me to see a higher purpose for what I'm doing in terms of representation. It could feel small to me, but it could feel very significant to other people.
ABISHA: The best compliment for me is when somebody says my music has helped them through a hard time. "Time Alone" was the song that I got the most messages about. A lot of people said they'd really been struggling, and "Time Alone" had helped them realise it was okay.
What's your queer anthem?
Lyndsey: "All The Things She Said" by t.A.T.u is the earliest one for me. I didn't really connect the dots that it was queer in any way, or even that I was... I just liked it!
NoSo: I think "I Wanna Be Your Lover" by Prince. It reminds me of college, which was the first time I was around a lot of queer people. Before that, I'd been living in these very stifled environments. It was a song that all the gay people would dance to!
ABISHA: I'm going to go back to being a teenager and say Jessie J's Who You Are album, especially the song "L.O.V.E."
If someone wrote a song about you, what would be the title?
Lyndsey: "She can't make up her mind", I think, and the genre would be country!
NoSo: I'm dying for someone to write a diss track about me – something like "NoSo's a Slut".
ABISHA: I think it would be something similar to what Kehlani did with her Sweet, Sexy, Savage album – I'd just pick three adjectives. Sweet is something I would say because my friends are always telling me I'm too sweet. So... Sweet, loyal, and something along the lines of spontaneous or daring!
If your latest album/release had a Tinder bio what would it be?
Lyndsey: Spicy, saucy, sultry, dreamy, and crunchy.
NoSo: Tender, blissful music you listen to on a walk.
ABISHA: If I fancy you, just know I'm going to write a song about you.
Do you have an ultimate goal you hope to achieve as a musician?
Lyndsey: I just want to do it as long as I possibly can and I hope that my music continues to resonate with people.
NoSo: People have often told me that Stay Proud of Me (NoSo's debut album) has helped them and I think that's always been my ultimate goal. I'd like my shows to be a supportive and safe environment, not only for people who relate to me, but for people who are completely different from me too!
ABISHA: Over the years, a lot of people have messaged me saying they relate to my music or that they've used this piece of me to help them get through something. For me, that's why I make music, so I guess I hope that continues!
Be sure to show PVRIS, NoSo, and ABISHA some love – and not just during Pride, but all year long!!
If you want to keep up with these artists, be sure to watch out for PVRIS's new album EVERGREEN coming out July 14th, listen to NoSo's new single "kaitlin", and check out ABISHA's latest release "Breathe". Happy Pride y'all!!!!
Looking for more ways to get involved? Check out all of BuzzFeed's posts celebrating Pride 2023.
