Aural Fixation

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Your new favourite music podcast is here, it's queer, and it ain't goin' no... wheere? Aural Fixation pairs two UK huns down under in Sydney, who take an album, dissect it for your nerve and get into what makes it queer – and why that's important. Aural Fixation is recorded and produced by @drew_dow…

Aural Fixation


    • May 6, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 56m AVG DURATION
    • 85 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Aural Fixation

    Tracks of Our Queers: Margaret Cho, entertainer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2025 44:40


    Hi friends, Andy here – née Aural Fixation, currently wittering away on Tracks of Our Queers.In case you're still not subscribed to the Tracks of Our Queers feed, I'm sharing one of my favourite recent episodes right here.Margaret Cho requires zero introduction. She is nothing less than a living, breathing queero, and it was an honour to chat to her about the music that has soundtracked her queer life.Subscribe to Tracks of Our Queers right here, and follow me at @tracksofourqueers.Jonesing for more Aural Fixation? You never know when Cycle 9 might pop up right here...

    Tracks of Our Queers: Bonzai Bonner, nightlife promoter

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2023 10:42


    Andy here – as I'm putting the finishing touches on Tracks of Our Queers' second season, I thought I'd share some previews from my favourite episodes so far.Here's the first 10 minutes of my conversation with Bonzai Bonner, a DJ, nightlife promoter and activist based in Glasgow.You can find and subscribe to Tracks of Our Queers wherever you get your podcasts.

    Tracks of Our Queers: Jonny Seymour, producer and activist

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2023 17:55


    Andy here – as I'm putting the finishing touches on Tracks of Our Queers' second season, I thought I'd share some previews from my favourite episodes so far.Here's the first 15 minutes of my conversation with Jonny Seymour, a producer, activist, and community elder based in Sydney.You can find and subscribe to Tracks of Our Queers wherever you getyour podcasts.

    Tracks of Our Queers: Abdi Nazemian, author and producer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2023 16:08


    Andy here – as I'm putting the finishing touches on Tracks of Our Queers' second season, I thought I'd share some previews from my favourite episodes so far.Here's the first 15 minutes of my debut episode, with Abdi Nazemian, an Iranian-American author, screenwriter and producer based in Los Angeles. You can find and subscribe to Tracks of Our Queers wherever you get your podcasts.

    Tracks of Our Queers is available now

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2023 1:36


    A note from Andy...Hello! Tracks of Our Queers is my new podcast, in which I interview a fascinating person on the music that has soundtracked their queer journey through one song, one album, and one artist. Tracks of Our Queers is available to listen to right now, wherever you find your podcasts. Head on over to subscribe – I cannot wait for you to hear the tales my guests have lived to tell.

    Eyes Pride Open: Aural Fixation's Mardi Gras Special 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2022 62:56


    The boys are back from their UK adventures and ready for Mardi Gras weekend in Sydney, shooting the shit on Shrove Tuesday, corporate queers and biodegradable glitter. We also aboard a round-the-world Pride tour from Cardiff and Manchester to Quito and Orlando, soundtracked by Andy and Drew's favourite Mardi Gras musical classics.Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare and Drew on @with.all.drew.respect. And don't forget to check out this episode's playlist. Finally, we would like to acknowledge both the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the land this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    'Two in the P!nk', or the Missundaztanding of Alecia Moore

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2022 64:30


    We're coming up so you better get this party started! Aural Fixation's eighth cycle wraps up with a good old fashioned Drew and Andy romp, and this time, it's Missundaztood by the one and only P!nk.  Some of the queer topics we cover around and amongst Alecia Moore's iconic sophomore outing include Shirley Bassey's Marks & Spencer adverts, "Get the Party Started" being about completely nothing, and rifling through Billy B's phone book.  We also muse on Liv Tyler's paternal parentage, shout out to our gaymers, and raise our fists (not glasses) to Max Martin's sloppy seconds sharing. But what is it about P!nk and Australia? Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare and Drew on @with.all.drew.respect. And don't forget to check out this episode's playlist. Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney. Finally, we would like to acknowledge both the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the land this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    Insincere to the point of nausea: Dead or Alive's 'Nukleopatra' with Adem Eve

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2021 81:57


    It's New Queer's Eve and we're wrapping up an oddity of a year by delving into the magic and mayhem of Pete Burns, frontman of Dead or Alive and bonafide pio-queer. No one knows Pete better than our old friend and host of various incredible podcasts (The Record Doctor, This Is Disco and the brand new You Can't Mistake Their Anthology to name two), Adem Eve. Adem takes through possibly the most chaotic album we've covered yet on Aural Fixation, the global-flop-everywhere-but-Japan-where-it-sold-millions, Nukleopatra. We also sidestep into figuring out what exactly Discogs is, pay our respects to the spectacular Sarah Harding, and pick Adem's brains on his recent interview with Dannii Minogue (!). You can find all things Adem and more at his Instagram and Twitter.  Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare and Drew on @with.all.drew.respect. And don't forget to check out this episode's playlist.Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney.Finally, we would like to acknowledge both the Gadigal of the Eora Nation and the Ngarigo, the traditional custodians of the lands this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    Queer thinking; straight talking – Geri Halliwell's Schizophonic with Malcolm MacLean

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2021 76:11


    On May 31 1998, Geri Halliwell shook the globe by announcing that she was leaving the Spice Girls, effective immediately. Caught in the tumult of one of the biggest scandals in pop history, Geri she did what any gay icon would – she packed a bag and headed straight for George Michael's gaff. It was there that she decided what the hell she was going to do next. The result was Schizophonic.Lauded as a parallel universe third Spice Girls album, Geri's debut is a cacophony of frenetic but catchy bops, boasting three UK number ones. But on re-listen over two decades later, does it still lift us up? Or were we just in a bubble?This episode the boys are joined by reformed groupie Malcolm McLean, author of Freak Like Me, a hilarious, nostalgic jaunt through teenage angst and 90s pop. Join us as we take you back to our sweet la vida and ask – where the fuck is Mi Chico Latino?Want more from the boys? Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare and Drew on @with.all.drew.respect. And don't forget to check out this episode's playlist. You can find out more about Freak Like Me on @freaklikemebook and order a copy at any good bookstore. Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney.Finally, we would like to acknowledge both the Gadigal of the Eora Nation and the Ngarigo, the traditional custodians of the lands this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    Who took the ram from the rama-lama-ding-dong? Le Tigre's queer feminist debut

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2021 49:02


    How are you? What's your take on Cassavettes? Who took the bomp from the bomp-a-lomp-a-lomp? And who the HELL took the ram from the rama-lama-ding-dong? All these questions and more are answered in this ep dedicated to dancepunk trio Le Tigre.We tackle the band's debut self-titled album, the brainchild of Kathleen Hanna, Johanna Fateman and Sadie Benning, which sits at the precipice of '60s surfer bops, 80's new wave and 90's queercore New York... with a healthy splash of third-wave feminism.So grab yr metrocard and take the train direct to Friendship Station because this topic is hot.Want more from the boys? Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare and Drew on @with.all.drew.respect. Don't forget to check out this episode's playlist. Check out this deep dive into Le Tigre's Deceptacon on the Red Bull Music Academy site, too. Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney.Finally, we would like to acknowledge both the Gadigal of the Eora Nation and the Ngarigo, the traditional custodians of the lands this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    Bells dinged; heartstrings zinged – Judy at Carnegie Hall with Alexander Andrews

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2021 72:58


    Judy Garland's concert appearance at New York's Carnegie Hall is often described as the greatest night in show business history. After ongoing battles with a variety of substances for most of the 1950s, many had come to judge Judy. Her 1961 return to the stage, however, was a roaring success devoured by a crowd made up almost entirely of screaming queens.Discussion on the original gay icon must be taken seriously, and Andy and Drew recruited Judy super-stan Alexander Andrews for a conversation that covers the legendary performance.Want more from the boys? Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare and Drew on @with.all.drew.respect. Don't forget to check out this episode's playlist.Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney.Finally, we would like to acknowledge both the Gadigal of the Eora Nation and the Ngarigo, the traditional custodians of the lands this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    Talkin' about Tracy Chapman

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2021 54:01


    What do the forces of Nicki Minaj, Ronan Keating, and those who imprint queerness on successful figures in pop culture all have in common? They all want a piece of Tracy Chapman, ladies, and count us in. One of the best-selling albums of all time by anyone, anywhere, 1988's Tracy Chapman took the singer-songwriter traditions of the 70s and brought them into a new musical landscape and sparking another decade of heartfelt guitar confessionals – but there's so much more than meets the eye in the Tracy Chapman House (TCH). Press play to find out.  Want more from the boys? Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare and Drew on @with.all.drew.respect. For fast cars, and revolutions, don't forget to check out this episode's playlist. Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney.  Finally, we would like to acknowledge both the Gadigal of the Eora Nation and the Ngarigo, the traditional custodians of the lands this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    We could drink a case of Joni Mitchell with Matthew Arthur Williams

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2021 76:27


    The boys are joined by artist, photographer, DJ, and Andy's mate from uni, Matthew Arthur Williams, to discuss the legendary Joni Mitchell and her 1975 album, The Hissing of Summer Lawns. An unrivalled figure in pop culture, Joni loves the queers and the queers love Joni but her icon status isn't as obvious or surface level as most of our usual Aural Fixation subjects. Matthew takes us on a memory lane trip back to the mid-00s, when Joni was the soundtrack of his blossoming queerhood. You can find Matthew on Instagram here, and follow his DJing here. Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare and Drew on @with.all.drew.respect. And don't forget to check out this episode's playlist .Finally, we would like to acknowledge both the Gadigal of the Eora Nation and the Ngarigo, the traditional custodians of the lands this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    On Christina Aguilera's 'Stripped', an avalanche of empowerment that is beautiful in every single way

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2021 67:02


    Christina Aguilera's masterpiece Stripped has been cited as inspiration by countless pop sensations including Rihanna, Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande. From self love, to feminism, to sex positivity, the music gave gals, gays and theys permission to roar when it hit the shelves in 2002.Nearly two decades later, Stripped still gets our temperatures up. What better way to kick off our eighth cycle than with a full strip-search of the album that made us fighters and taught us to trust the voice within. So here it is – no hype, no glass, no pretence. Just Andy and Drew. And a lawsuit with the Sugababes.Want more from the boys? Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare and Drew on @with.all.drew.respect. And don't forget to check out this episode's playlist which will NOT bring you down today.Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney. Finally, we would like to acknowledge both the Gadigal of the Eora Nation and the Ngarigo, the traditional custodians of the lands this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    Drag Race Double Dip Pt. 2: We're all born naked and the rest is Drag Race with Entertainment Weekly's Joey Nolfi

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 73:41


    After over seventy episodes and several many bottles of chilled Semillon (send me home), we've reached our Cycle 7 finale! As is tradition (of which there are many!) this ep sees us tackling a subject that's a little... left of the usual format.Second only to Madonna (welcome to her fempire), RuPaul's Drag Race is the cultural touchstone of Aural Fixation. We're hard-pressed to find an episode of the podcast that doesn't in some way reference the show (Tamar, have you ever watched the show?) or its contestants. Beyond the pod, we'd go so far as to say that Drag Race is THE defining piece of queer iconography of the last decade, and there ain't no signs of it stopping any time soon. As such, we felt it important – nay necessawry – to dedicate our Cycle 7 finale to the show that launched a thousand wig lines.But we couldn't do it alone! We've enlisted Entertainment Weekly reporter and Drag Race herstorian Joey Nolfi to weigh in on his experience of the show's impact and spill the tea on where the franchise might be heading. You ready, girl? This episode will Curl. Your. Hair. Want more from the boys? Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare and Drew on @with.all.drew.respect. And don't forget to check out this episode's playlist!Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney. Finally, we would like to acknowledge both the Gadigal of the Eora Nation and the Ngarigo, the traditional custodians of the lands this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    Drag Race Down Under's Maxi Shield took a shot from Madonna's diamanté banana

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2021 80:12


    We're in for a treat this fortnight with our first of two very special Drag Race episodes. First up, superstar of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under, Maxi Shield, regales us with her long and very personal history with... Madonna. Yes, we know, every Aural Fixation episode is essentially about Madonna, but this topic was Maxi's choice and for good reason. Our album of focus is the incomparable Immaculate Collection, but it was her brush with a diamanté banana on the Rebel Heart Tour that will prick up your ears.  Want more from the boys? Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare and Drew on @with.all.drew.respect. And don't forget to check out this episode's playlist! Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney.  Finally, we would like to acknowledge both the Gadigal of the Eora Nation and the Ngarigo, the traditional custodians of the lands this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    STFU! and listen to this episode about Rina Sawayama

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2021 63:18


    April 2020 was a rough time to release new music, but that didn't stop Rina Sawayama from having one of the strongest pop albums of last year. The eponymous Sawayama was an eclectic mash-up of Y2K nostalgia, paying homage to early 2000's manufactured pop, nu-metal and R&B.The album went on to feature on several best of lists, and Sawayama herself made history after criticising major British music awards such as the Mercury Prize and the BRITs who deemed her illegible to be nominated as a British artist, despite having lived in the UK since she was five.Join Andy and Drew for a good old fashioned kiki on all things Rina, from her take on chosen family to her relationship with deep pop godfather of the pod, Elton John.Like the boys? Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare and Drew on @with.all.drew.respect. And don't forget to check out this episode's playlist!Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney.  Finally, we would like to acknowledge both the Gadigal of the Eora Nation and the Ngarigo, the traditional custodians of the lands this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    Sinéad O'Connor wearing a rainbow hijab on Good Morning Britain is queer

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2021 63:57


    A mere 18 years old and mother of a three week old baby when her debut album, The Lion and the Cobra, was released, Sinéad O'Connor shot to stratospheric success off of her haunting vocals, powerful songwriting and give-no-fucks visuals. In this episode, we use Sinéad's blistering debut as a starting point for an exploration of her distilled queerness, her massive appeal to queer listeners, and exactly why is she so... very... O'Conic? We also touch on the Prince Thing, the Pope Thing, and the Madonna Thing (spoiler alert, we're Team Sinéad on all). Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare and Drew on @with.all.drew.respect. Don't forget to check out this episode's playlist.Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney.  Finally, we would like to acknowledge both the Gadigal of the Eora Nation and the Ngarigo, the traditional custodians of the lands this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    It all comes back to Céline – 'Falling Into You' with Gwynne

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2021 85:37


    When it comes to sweeping romance, earnest lyrics and – let's face it, songs that last six minutes MINIMUM – there really is no topping Ms. Céline Marie Claudette Dion.From humble beginnings in Charlemagne, Quebec (which is queer) to becoming the best-selling Canadian recording artist in history, Queen Céline has dominated the music industry for over three decades. In 1996, her star was in full ascendence when she unleashed Falling Into You on the unsuspecting masses. Playing host to career-defining tracks such as "Because You Loved Me", "All By Myself" and, importantly, the first single Drew ever bought ("It's All Coming Back to Me Now"), the album went on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time, with sales of over 32 million copies worldwide.We did not have to think twice when recruiting our guest for this episode. The enigmatic and addictive Gwynne is not only a pop historian (and soon to be doctor in his field!) but a Céline stan of titanic proportions.Are you ready to learn of the power of Falling Into You? Well you're in luck – because a new day has come. Get ready for an episode that is all beauty, no beast, and guaranteed to make you feel... alive.Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare, Drew on @with.all.drew.respect, and Gwynne... nowhere! He's off-grid. Ooh, and don't forget to check out this episode's playlist, which slaps all night.As always, our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney.Finally, we would like to acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the land this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    All of us wants all of Sufjan Stevens – 'Carrie & Lowell' with Jared Richards

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2021 59:14


    This fortnight, we're joined by Jared Richards,  a cultural critic living on Gadigal land, and writer for NME, The Guardian, The Big Issue, Sissy Screens and more. Last year, Jared wrote a beautiful article on the evolution of Sufjan Stevens that caught our queer eye, so we welcomed him into the studio (pre-second Sydney lockdown) to unpack the mystery and intrigue surrounding a long-awaited Aural Fixation topic. We talk grief and catharsis (or lack there of), Lady Gaga's aunt, and the romance wank of Call Me By Your Name. It's all queer.Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare, Drew on @with.all.drew.respect, and Jared on @jrdjms. And don't forget to check out this episode's playlist.Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney.  Finally, we would like to acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the land this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    Drake-ing the binary with Kris from Bad Queers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2021 75:52


    It's a Bad Queers double dip as we welcome on Kris Chesson, the podcasting partner of Shama Sumers from our Beyonce episode, to explore why her queer icon is... Drake. Just hold on, we're going homo.In this episode we learn about the dos and don'ts of 'dirty macking', what it means to be a stud and why Drake's disdain for toxic masculinity is just one of the things that make him queer. We also close off Pride Month with a deep dive into the minefield that is corporate endorsements of queerness.Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare, Drew on @with.all.drew.respect, and Kris on @kris.chess. And don't forget to check out this episode's playlist.Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney.  Finally, we would like to acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the land this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    Sex, Liza and Videotape – Live from Radio City Music Hall with Trevor Ashley

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2021 67:10


    Start spreading the news because this is one for the ages, Mein Herr. In an ep that might as well be titled "Legends on Legends" we welcome Australian stage actor and drag superstar Trevor Ashley to tackle Liza Minnelli's groundbreaking Live from Radio City Music Hall album. The show was directed for television in 1992, around the time of Liza's third divorce, and features a concoction of her hits and jukebox standards, as well as original compositions by long-term collaborators Kander and Ebb. There's no queen better qualified to dish on the performance than Trevor. His Liza cabaret act has taken him across the world, from sea to shining sea, headlining sell-out shows such as "Liza's Back! (is broken)" and "Liza (on an E)". They-dies and gentle-them, strap in for a discussion on Sex and the City 2's breakout star, the daughter of THE original gay icon. The one, the only, Ms Liza Minnelli. Thank you, mama! Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare, Drew on @with.all.drew.respect, and Trevor on @trevor_ashley. And don't forget to check out this episode's playlist. Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney.   Finally, we would like to acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the land this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    Breathing new life into Florence and the Machine's 'Lungs' with Peach Fuzz

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2021 61:34


    No matter what hemisphere you're in, a solstice is upon us. And what better way to ring it in than with a heart-to-rabbit heart on British pop music's sacred moon child, Florence Welch (and, of course, her Machine).In Cycle 7's premiere episode, Andy and Drew are accompanied by Sydney drag monarch Peach Fuzz (aka Anthony Severino) to tackle the band's debut offering Lungs. From the celestial rapture of "Cosmic Love" to the vigorous uproar of "Kiss With a Fist", the trio share their elemental experiences of the album and examine why us queer folks are so attracted to the esoteric.Light a candle, drape yourself in chiffon and get ready to howl at the night sky because, bitch, the dog days ain't over. Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare, Drew on @with.all.drew.respect, and Peach at @peachykween_. And don't forget to check out this episode's big, blue, beautiful playlist.Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney.  Finally, we would like to acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the land this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    Howard Ashman's queer Disney legacy with Daniel Lammin

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2021 84:44


    Icons are a dime a dozen here at Aural Fixation (that's what we do... it's what we live for) but heroes are a different kettle of sea-witch – and they don't get more queer-oic than Howard Ashman. For better and for worse, the animated motion pictures produced by the Walt Disney Animation Studios have profoundly shaped the media consumed by children since 1928. Like any entertainment behemoth, quality and fortune has ebbed and flowed, but it was the sheer and singular talent of one queer man who steered Disney’s legacy from their lowest trough to their highest peak. Through a kaleidoscope of Broadway magic and animation mastery, Howard's indelible fingerprints on The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin now reveal, in adulthood, tropes of the queer experience we can all understand. The ostracisation of the 'other'...  turning that otherness into a superpower... and wanting to be part of that world. To help us navigate Howard's legacy across mermaids, beasts and magic carpets, we're joined by Daniel Lammin, a theatre director, writer and producer of Ink + Paint, a joyous podcast deep-dive into Disney's animation history. We also want to acknowledge Don Hahn, the producer of The Lion King and Hunchback of Notre Dame, who created the two documentaries that have revived the current interest in Howard and his work – Waking Sleeping Beauty (2010) and Howard (2018). Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare, Drew on @with.all.drew.respect, and Daniel at @dlammin. And don't forget to make this episode's playlist part of your world.Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney.  Finally, we would like to acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the land this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    Taking apart 'Take Me Apart' by Kelela

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2021 60:37


    Over the past six cycles of Aural Fixation, we have discussed many artists who have either eluded to their queerness without directly acknowledging it, or generated a vast queer fanbase without actually being qard qarrrying queers themselves. However sometimes there are artists that we deeply revere who just so happen to be out and proud, which makes our hearts burst because it means that we can fast track them straight to the front of the queue.Enter stage left, Kelela whose debut album Take Me Apart is a delicious blend of R&B, electronic and garage music. Scroll down to the Personal Life section on her Wikipedia and... BINGO! "Kelela openly identifies as queer." You're in, toots! In this episode, Andy and Drew discuss not only Kelela's 2017 debut but also the follow up TAKE ME A_PART, THE REMIXES and pontificate on post break-up enlightenment, the loaded pressure of "black excellence" and the sound of high heels click-clacking through a multi-story car park.Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare and Drew on @with.all.drew.respect.Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney. Don't forget our companion playlist on Spotify. Finally, we would like to acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the land this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    Never kissed a Tori (Amos): 'Boys for Pele' with Tyson Koh

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2021 85:48


    There's a lot to cover off when it comes to Tori Amos when it's just Tori Amos – but when your  guest star is a former TV producer, current radio DJ and the singular driving force behind the bid to save Sydney's nightlife scene, we somehow filled 90 minutes of your precious time!  Fear not, we've made it worth your while. Tyson Koh joins the Aural Fixation-ers to discuss the myriad of mysteries and treats on Tori's 1996 critical masterpiece Boys for Pele, including Courtney Love, Janice Dickinson and of course, a bit o' (Kate) Bush. If you’re in Sydney, you can listen to Tyson’s exquisite radio show, Loose Joints, on FBI Radio 94.5 each Sunday from 3-5pm. If you’re not in Sydney, you can play back previous shows here. Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare and Drew on @with.all.drew.respect. Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney. Don't forget our companion playlist on Spotify. Finally, we would like to acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the land this podcast episode was recorded on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

    The agony and the ecstasy of Perfume Genius' 'Set My Heart On Fire IMMEDIATELY'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2021 59:25


    Perfume Genius has long been synonymous with gay angst but in his fifth and most recent album Set My Heart On Fire IMMEDIATELY, he takes steps towards acceptance. The album's opener "Whole Life" speaks to a reckoning of self that seems to have taken half a lifetime and sets the stage for the personal examination of a gay man approaching middle age.Recorded and released just before the onslaught of the pandemic, PG followed up SMHOFI with companion album IMMEDIATELY Remixes in March 2021 – arguably one of the more satisfying outcomes of lockdown. Join Andy and Drew as they discuss both the original and remix offerings, wax queer-ical on a post-Covid Mardi Gras and take a deep dive into relationships past.Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare and Drew on @with.all.drew.respect.Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney. Finally, enjoy our companion playlist on Spotify.

    Clear the area for Imogen Heap's 'Speak for Yourself'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2021 57:26


    Techno-instrument inventor, West End composer and globally-renowned baby soother Imogen Heap has come a long way since her groundbreaking 2005 release Speak for Yourself, but we reckon it remains her queerest piece of work and we're about to tell you why.  Tales of Ariana Grande's latent veganism, keeping TERFs out of Hogwarts and the most airtime Jason Derulo will ever get on Aural Fixation are just some of the delights that await you in this queersploration.  Where are we, and what the hell is going on? Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare and Drew on @with.all.drew.respect. Our big gay thanks to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney. Finally, enjoy our companion playlist on Spotify.

    Beyoncé is a dykon and '4' is her best album. Fight us. (feat. Shana Sumers)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2021 64:23


    "Forget being cool, I'm going to be honest," states a defiant Beyoncé in her 2013 documentary Life is But a Dream. "I'm going to be sad, I'm going to be passionate, I'm going to be vulnerable. And I'm going to sing from my heart." It was with this mindset that Bey embarked on her fourth solo album, 4. Fresh from a pretty public separation from her father's management, Bey was determined to prove that she could run things in accordance with her own agenda. The outcome was a reflective and triumphant album that re-introduced R&B to commercial radio, and reminded audiences that the bitch got pipes. It's taken six cycles – and some change – for us to summon the energy required to tackle arguably the most prolific female solo artist of our generation. As such, we enlisted a card-carrying, honey-making member of the Beyhive to join the conversation. Enter stage left Shana Sumers – former Head of Community at HER, a dating app for lesbian, bisexual and queer womxn, and co-host of Bad Queers, a podcast for anyone who feels like they came out of the closet and immediately got placed in a box. Shana stood for 12 hours with no food or bathroom breaks to secure her place at the front of Beyoncé's 2019 Coachella set so you know she's legit. Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com. You can follow Andy on @andrewdoyouthinkyouare, Drew on @with.all.drew.respect and Shana on @shanahasagram. Our big gay thanks, as ever, to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney. Finally, enjoy our playlist which is the best thing you've never heard. 

    Are our Expectations of Hayley Kiyoko too great?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2021 55:52


    Lesbian Jesus has been done arisen, and sign us up for her flock – this fortnight’s episode of Aural Fixation explores the 2018 debut album Expectations, by Hayley Kiyoko. Nickelodeon child star to empowered music video director, Hayley knows who is she and serves as a beacon for queer, but especially, female young fans. Does the material live up to our Expectations, and is Hayley more kd or Katy? Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com.Our big gay thanks, as ever, to Anthony Garvin and the team at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney. And check out our playlist here!

    Self actualisation and crashing the cis-tem in Antony and the Johnsons' "I Am A Bird Now"

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2021 53:13


    Antony and the Johnsons' “I Am A Bird Now” is a story told from within a chrysalis.Featuring the unmistakably haunting vocals of lead singer ANOHNI, the album speaks of a yearning to be grown, the confronting nature of evolution and the delicious freedom of eventual self-actualisation. While it’s fair to assume the subject matter was directly informed by the experiences of ANOHNI, a trans woman, the themes of “I Am a Bird Now” hold assorted meanings for folks across the queer spectrum.Collaborations from AF alumni Boy George and Lou Reed, as well as (potential deep enemy of the pod?) Rufus Wainwright provide further depth to an already profound album, resulting in a soulful pop masterpiece. Join Drew and Andy as they tackle their first ever Mercury Prize winner and struggle – desperately – to find a connection between Antony and the Johnsons and Madonna Louise Ciccone.Once again, our eternal thanks to Forbes Street Studios for hosting us. Make sure to subscribe to get a shot of Aural Fixation every second Thursday, check out auralfixationpodcast.com and get lost in this episode’s companion playlist.

    The rise and fall, and rise again, of David Bowie's queerness

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2021 62:22


    This episode we explore Bowie's succinctly titled The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. We journey on through Bowie's legacy to queer audiences, his vast array of bangers, and how we turned death into an art form. Facts are facts – David Bowie made life more bearable for othered people around the world. From the Seventies onwards, queer people could see parts of themselves in an unconventional patron saint – sexually ambiguous, highly successful, and full of joy. He also probably wasn't gay. As in, putting his d*** in other men. But how does that impact the other facets of his queerness, and how much does it matter? Further questions we may or may not explore are:Does Angie Bowie deserve more than immortalisation as a @loveofhuns meme?Is it BAO-ee, or BOH-ee? Why did Andy forget to mention how incredible "Cat People (Putting Out Fire)" is?A special thank you to the Bowie stans in our logical families, David Collings and Liam Casey, for aiding this deep dive. Additionally, our undying gratitude to our friends at Forbes Street Studios, particularly Anthony Garvin. Visit our online home at auralfixationpodcast.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, or go old school and email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com.Finally, listen to our companion playlist for buckets of Bowie and beyond.

    Q&A 5: The Final Q&A?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2021 60:37


    Q: Has cycle five been Aural Fixation's most diverse yet?A: Possibly maybe, mary!Over the past eight eps, we've beaten around the Kate Bush, dreamt of Tejano superstar Selena, salivated over Honey Dijon and gotten physical with Dua (to name a few!) We've welcomed incredible guests, gone profesh and moved in-studio (again, a huge shout out to the incredible guys at Forbes Street Studios) and in December we celebrated our most-listened month EVER! And so, in the great tradition of ourselves, we're wrapping up the tour du fierce that was cycle five with another stonking Q&A episode.Tune in for a rundown of our lockdown anthems, a Madonna tête-à-tête that has the boys at loggerheads, and the full tea on why the hell we haven't covered Beyoncé yet. You'll be simultaneously shookethened to your core, gooped at the padge, and slayed house down boots mawma yes gawd tongue clack.As per usual, we've curated a playlist to shock, confuse and disgust your friends – check it out here.Our website is live! Check it out at auralfixationpodcast.com

    Ghosts of Aural Fixation Christmas Past

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2020 51:02


    What do sequels, ghosts, and Christmas all have in common? They're queer! Join us (won't you?) for our second annual Christmas episode, where we take a trip down Yuletide Lane and dust off festive classiques by previous Aural Fixation subjects. It's mulled wine, it's mince pies, it's... listens. Despite non-stop merriment, we're still asking the hard questions – is You-Know-What even Mariah's best Christmas song? Who has more Christmas albums, Dolly Parton or RuPaul? Is "These Days" by ARIA-winning Fanny Lumsden actually a Christmas song at all!? This episode was recorded at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney, part of Universal Music Australia. Thank you for all of your support in 2020, and if you haven't yet, our Christmas wish is that you like, subscribe or follow us – it makes all the difference. Follow us at @auralfixationpodcast, @with.all.drew.respect and @andrewdoyouthinkyouare.

    Dua Lipa – Future Nostalgia / Club Future Nostalgia

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2020 53:47


    In March 2020, it's safe to say that the world was in search of a spark to pierce the dark. One such spark came in the form of Dua Lipa's Future Nostalgia – a bombastic retro-journey that took pop and dance music cues from the past and thrust us towards a (hopefully) brighter tomorrow. A few short months later came the lockdown project to end all lockdown projects – Club Future Nostalgia. The companion remix album was created in collaboration with noted DJ The Blessed Madonna and featured guests such as Missy Elliot, Mark Ronson, Gwen Stefani and The Actual Madonna. Taking the already solid gold elements of the original release and made them platinum, Club Future Nostalgia was impossible to not stan.This episode, we tackle both albums and question if sweet Dula Peep has done enough to earn her seat at the Aural Fixation table.If you enjoyed this episode, do make sure to subscribe so you don't miss future nostalgic episodes, and follow us at @auralfixationpodcast, @with.all.drew.respect and @andrewdoyouthinkyouare. Don't forget to check out this episode's playlist but don't start now! Listen after you've finished the ep.Finally, we've also launched our website. Check it out here, where you can find information on all of our episodes, our companion playlists and more to come.

    Melanie C – Northern Star

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2020 60:01


    As one fifth of the most successful girl group of all time, Mel C spent her early twenties inseparably tied to her athletic alter ego. Her status as Sporty Spice was so entrenched in her public persona that when the Spice Girls took a hiatus in 1999, Mel C did what any trapped queer person would do; she cut her hair, dyed it blonde, changed her name and reached out to Madonna.Northern Star by Melanie C was the outcome. The debut tells tales of aggrieved emancipation, potential secret sapphism and the ongoing plight of the homeless through the combined sonic mediums of grunge, R&B, musical theatre, dance music and more. Though perhaps not a wholly cohesive offering, Northern Star granted us access to previously unseen shades of the singer and gave us the best solo single of any Spice Girl ever, thanks in large part to Hex Hector.From Wembley Stadium to the West End; Manchester Academy 3 to Mighty Hoopla, join Andy and Drew as they take a whimsical glance back over Melanie's twenty year solo career. If you enjoyed this episode, do make sure to subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, and follow us at @auralfixationpodcast, @with.all.drew.respect and @andrewdoyouthinkyouare. Don't forget to check out this episode's playlist – one listen and you'll never be the same again.

    ABBA – Voulez-Vous

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2020 61:25


    After a winning streak of iconique guests, Andy and Drew sit down this episode with nothing but a bottle of bubbles and one of the world's biggest pop acts... ever. If you've been to a wedding, experienced a road trip or watched a film starring Meryl Streep, Julie Walters and Christine Baranski, you've probably heard an ABBA song. If you've enjoyed a £2.50 triple gin and tonic at Thompson's on Canal Street in Manchester, you definitely have.If so, you'll know it's fabulous, you'll know it's joy, but have you acknowledged the slightly unsettling melancholy you feel behind the camp ecstasy?Sitting in the Venn diagram centre betwixt the Beatles, Robyn and Steps, ABBA practically invented the concept of a sad banger, and Voulez-Vous catches them at the tail end of their imperial phase, smashing out bangers which can be very much sad. Join us as we dive in.A huge thank you to Anthony Garvin, who helped out so much with this episode and engineered our vocals for it at Forbes Street Studios in Sydney, part of Universal Music Australia. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, and follow us at @auralfixationpodcast, @with.all.drew.respect and @andrewdoyouthinkyouare.

    Honey Dijon – The Best of Both Worlds (feat. Belinda O'Brien)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2020 60:14


    Honey Dijon was born in Chicago and leapt headfirst into the club scene as a teenager. Mentored by house music legends Derrick Carter and Mark Farina, it wasn’t long before she established herself as a world-class club and remix DJ and producer.In 2017, Honey produced her debut album with an array of guests lending their vocals. Aptly named The Best of Both Worlds, the album takes its cues from a plethora of musical references and evades genre. Pretty on-brand for Honey, who renounces gender binaries, lives in two cities (New York and Berlin) and moves in food and fashion circles alongside her musical endeavours.This episode, Drew and Andy welcome Sydney creative director and DJ Belinda O’Brien to take a brief look at the history of house and discuss how Honey Dijon has influenced a generation of DJs, including Belinda herself.Follow the pod on Instagram at @auralfixationpodcast, the boys on @with.all.drew.respect and @andrewdoyouthinkyouare or Belinda on @brlndr.Check out our sister playlist on Spotify for some house-y beats!

    Prince – Dirty Mind (feat. DJ Matt Vaughan)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2020 70:24


    In 2009, multi-talented queer power duo Wendy & Lisa confirmed that their former bandleader, brother-in-arms and boss, Prince, was definitely not gay, but rather a… fancy lesbian. What a relief. Not that we’re scrambling for excuses to explore the Purple One for Aural Fixation. Purveyor of assless chaps, a deft hand with eyeliner and a spiritual connection with the fight to be one’s authentic self are just the tip of Prince’s queer iceberg. To lead Drew and Andy to Paisley Park, we secured the wisdom of DJ Matt Vaughan, the father of Sydney’s own iconic queer club movement Loose Ends and Professor of Princeology. Matt selected the bussy-shattering Dirty Mind for us to explore, and we selected the rosé. Once this hot mess of a pandemic is over, you’ll find news on the next Loose Ends party on Facebook – we’ll see you on the dancefloor. Matt also assisted with this episode's accompanying playlist, check it out! You can follow the pod on Instagram at @auralfixationpodcast, the boys on @with.all.drew.respect and @andrewdoyouthinkyouare, or Matt on @djmattvaughan.

    Selena – Dreaming of You (feat. Rícardo Garcia)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2020 56:58


    In the pop pantheon of stars taken from us too soon, few tales are as tragic – or as gruesome – as the tale of Selena. The lead singer in a family band created by her ambitious father, Selena spent most of her young life on the road playing in restaurants and state fairs. Despite being a first-language English speaker, most of Selena’s music was recorded and performed in Spanish, and Latin crowds swiftly became enamoured by the singer’s voice and charm. In early 1995, with four Spanish albums and a Grammy under her belt, Selena began to record Dreaming of You. The album was her long-anticipated cross-over into the English language music market. It was slated to be a career-defining moment for Selena, introducing her to new audiences and solidifying her as a global star. However on March 31, less than a month before her 24th birthday, Selena was shot dead by Yolanda Saldívar, an employee of Selena’s and the head of her fan club. In this episode, Andy and Drew are joined by Selena stan and deep trans-Pacific friend of the pod Rícardo Garcia to discuss the life and legacy of the Madonna of Tejano music. This week we’ve got TWO playlists for your nerve – check out both the official episode playlist and Rícardo’s playlist, a love-letter to Selena’s range entitled “Selena, con Amor”. Follow the pod on Instagram at @auralfixationpodcast, the boys on @with.all.drew.respect and @andrewdoyouthinkyouare, or Rícardo on wtfisrcdo.

    Hole – Celebrity Skin

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2020 55:11


    Hey, so glad you could make it! This episode we talk Celebrity Skin, the 1998 crack-at-the-mainstream album by Courtney Love and her band, Hole. Firmly planted in the mystique and fallacy of Hollywood and California, Celebrity Skin serves as a worthy counterpart to the mystique and fallacy of Courtney Love. A hotbed of raw talent, yes… a problematic fave, no doubt, but more than anything else, Love’s defining attribute remains being deeply misunderstood. We look at Courtney before, during and after the album, while exploring other queer aspects of Celebrity Skin and Hole. Follow the pod on Instagram at @auralfixationpodcast, or the boys on @with.all.drew.respect and @andrewdoyouthinkyouare. You can email us at auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com, and don't forget to leave us a review and rating – it helps so much!

    Kate Bush – Hounds of Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2020 63:54


    We’ve reached Cycle 5 of Aural Fixation, and what better way to celebrate than with a discussion on the woman that completes the quinfecta of Andy’s top bitches – the incomparable Miss Kate Bush.A child prodigy with a penchant for dancing, karate and pianos, Bush released her first album The Kick Inside aged 19 (with some songs written when she was just a young teenager). From there, Bush parlayed her subsequent albums to firmly establish herself as British pop music’s sacred moonchild, before releasing her fifth studio album Hounds of Love in 1985.Split into two sections; the first five tracks of Hounds of Love act as standalone tracks, with the remainder subtitled “The Ninth Wave” telling the story of… well, you’ll just have to wait and hear.Our accompanying playlist to this episode tells the tale of Kate Bush and her many descendants from Imogen Heap and Tori Amos, to ANOHNI and Goldfrapp (all coming soon to the pod, we prom).Follow the pod on Instagram at @auralfixationpodcast, or the boys on @with.all.drew.respect and @andrewdoyouthinkyouare. Or go retro and email us! auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com for ya nerve.

    Madonna – Vogue

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2020 55:45


    The term “iconic” is bandied about on this podcast far too often, but when it comes to describing Madonna’s Vogue, there’s really no better adjective. At the intersection of old Hollywood glamour and the New York ballroom scene, Vogue was responsible for introducing queer POCs and their art to the mainstream on its release in 1990. Accompanied by David Fincher’s chill-inducing black and white video and *that* performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, the song immediately became required reading on the Queer Culture 101 syllabus and that position in the canon holds strong thirty years later. It is for all these reasons and more that we bring you an entire, full-length episode dedicated purely to Vogue. The subject is too big to tackle alone. As such, we begged deep biological sis of the pod – and Aural Fixation’s answer to Merle Ginsberg – Char to return to the airwaves and give her hot takes. Join us, won’t you, as we honour the human personification of Leo (on the week of her 62nd birthday no less!). Don’t just stand there, let’s get to it. Follow the pod on Instagram at @auralfixationpodcast, or the boys on @with.all.drew.respect and @andrewdoyouthinkyouare. Or go retro and email us! auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com for ya nerve.

    Q&A IV (feat. @mynameisnotsusanthony)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2020 58:09


    We started Aural Fixation's Cycle 4 by paying homage to Mother Robyn, with no idea of the extent we would truly be dancing on our own over the next few months. We found solace with queer giants like Queen, Janelle Monáe and Cher, and explored iconic queer tracks in a streak of mini episodes. We also recorded mostly 600km apart, with technical difficulties, corrupt memory cards and deleted vocal tracks just adding to the general 2020-ness of it all. But dolls – we soldiered. It’s with relief and well, a surprise, that we reach the finish line, and there’s no one we would rather share our traditional Q&A episode with than @mynameisnotsusanthony aka Anthony from Brisbane aka deep friend and stan of the podtina. This time, Anthony helps us answer questions from other listeners, as we tumble down a rabbit hole populated with Celine Dion’s back, non-binary disco diva Sylvester and Dannii Minogue’s, well, stanniis. Join Drew, Andy and Anthony for an hour of queer pop gold, as we traverse the transgressive homoerotica of Pete Burns, the sexy stripped carcass of Robbie Williams and, of course, again, Madonna’s career. Oh, and stick around for the bonus segment at the end – something about having brunch with RuPaul? Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to Aural Fixation wherever you find your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook, like us on Instagram, and email us on email. Oh, and this episode's playlist will leave you gooped at the paj, sis.

    Dolly Parton – The Very Best of (feat. Fanny Lumsden)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2020 60:08


    Iconic duos have been cruelly separated by Miss Rona the world over, but finally your most loved audio couple reunite. Against the suitably spectacular backdrop of Australia's Snowy Mountains region, Drew and Andy are joined by a very special guest, for a very special topic. ARIA-nominated, Golden Guitar Award-winning, chart-topping country singer Fanny Lumsden invites Aural Fixation to swap the Snowies for the Smokies and hitch a ride to Dollywood. No other artist manages to unite the United States (and beyond) quite like Dolly Parton, a fact made all the more remarkable as her flame burns brighter in a time when we've never been more divided. That topic is fascinatingly explored in Dolly Parton's America by WYNC Studios, but on Aural Fixation, we dissect what Dolly means to us as queer listeners, and more broadly, as a beacon of hope in the music industry – a true celebration of Tennessee's third most realistic Dolly Parton drag impersonator. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to Aural Fixation wherever you find your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook, like us on Instagram, and email us on email.

    Janelle Monáe – Dirty Computer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2020 57:58


    At the intersections of Black, female and queer excellence in 2020 sits a Baptist-raised sci-fi nerd who can act, dance, rap, write, and of course, sing. Not remotely intimidating to tackle in fifty-seven minutes at all, but Janelle Monáe’s Dirty Computer is worth it. From her first EP in 2007, Monáe has put her money where her mouth is. High concept and intricate imagery are complimented with top tier songwriting, production and bangers, with each piece of the puzzle held to the highest standard. Features from Brian Wilson, Zoë Kravitz and Grimes litter an equally eclectic tapestry of genres on Dirty Computer filtered through Monäe’s own perception of what America is today, and what it has the potential to be. We’re still recording remotely, so do forgive any discrepancies in recording quality. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to Aural Fixation wherever you find your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook, like us on Instagram, and email us on email.Check out our Janelle playlist, which is sheer slapperry, here.

    Years & Years – Communion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2020 56:19


    Years & Years bound to the top of the UK charts in 2015 with their fourth single "King", the band's unapologetically queer frontman Olly Alexander sitting proudly at the helm. Their debut album Communion shortly followed, an 18-strong cavalcade that spawned a total of seven (!) singles and global recognition among straight and gay fans alike.As the band started to make traction, so Alexander began to use his ever-growing platform to speak candidly but fluently about mental health, sexuality and identity. This episode, Andy and Drew use Communion to frame a discussion on the band's trajectory and the importance of contemporary queer role models. We mention Alexander's speech during Years & Years' set at Glastonbury 2019 which can be viewed here, and his open letter regarding the "Desire" music video here.Be sure to listen to this episode's playlist, filled to the brim with all the synth-pop bops. We’re still recording remotely, so do forgive any discrepancies in recording quality. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to Aural Fixation wherever you find your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook, like us on Instagram, and email us on email.

    First Fix: Lady Gaga – Chromatica

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2020 59:23


    Now seems a better time than ever to crack the fire exit and escape Earth, so thank the gay gods for Gaga who's created a whole new planet where equality rules and kindness punks run free. Welcome to Chromatica. In our inaugural “First Fix”, we tackle Lady Gaga's sixth studio album upon its release to dish our initial thoughts and dissect our favourite bops. Where does Chromatica sit in the pop pantheon? What do Ariana Grande, Elton John and BLACKPINK have in common? And does "Babylon" sound perhaps… a little... familiar? We’re still recording remotely, so do forgive any discrepancies in recording quality. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to Aural Fixation wherever you find your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook, like us on Instagram, and email us on email.

    Cher – Believe

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2020 61:40


    Mom, she is a rich man – and one of the fiercest icons in the queer canon at that. Cherilyn Sarkisian's inimitable force has carried her from 1965 to the present day. There really is no one like Cher. A towering goddess of this stature couldn't be tackled by Drew and Andy alone, so we roped in long-time listener and huge friend of the pod, Matthew Harden – aka @slaydydiana. Slaydy dialled in from Melbourne to offer up a deeper understanding of Cher's place in the pop pantheon through the lens of her Believe album, possibly the most commercially successful comeback in music herstory. Does the album (Cher's 22nd!) stand the test of time? Are the sporadic jumps from dance to disco to Latin to world music a result of Cher's legendary mind, or simply too many cooks in the kitchen? And what is it about the album's title track, specifically created for and marketed towards gay men, that resonated with our three hosts as queer pre-teens in 1998? She's Cher, bitch. Snap into it. We’re still recording remotely, so do forgive any discrepancies in recording quality. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to Aural Fixation wherever you find your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook, like us on Instagram, and email us on email. This episode's companion playlist was curated by Slaydy herself! Check it out!

    Quick Fix: Kele – Tenderoni

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2020 20:20


    If you're not listening to Quick Fix, you're only getting half the story – and we've got the full download on the lead single, "Tenderoni", from Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke's first solo album The Boxer. Released ten (!?) years ago, Kele's bold new musical direction and image was in stark contrast to that curated over Bloc Party's meteroic rise to fame and adoration in British indie. Change was now underfoot, all clues point toward that – but why? What had shifted for Kele? Quick Fix is Aural Fixation's stickier and sweeter little sister, our run of shorter episodes allowing us to dissect a song, rather than an album, which means something to us as queer music fans. Email your suggestions for new episodes over to auralfixationpodcast@gmail.com, and if you're not already, follow us on Facebook, like us on Instagram, and leave us a rating/review.

    Beverly Glenn-Copeland – Keyboard Fantasies

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2020 54:16


    Over 30 years ago, Beverly Glenn-Copeland released Keyboard Fantasies, a six track album that sold very few copies. It wasn’t until a Japanese music stan discovered the album in 2015 and shared it amongst his fellow audiophiles that it was lauded as a new-age, synthesised masterpiece. Before long, a number of record labels were fighting to sign Copeland, now in his seventies. From there the fascinating details of Glenn’s life began to surface – such as his life living in relative solitude with his wife in the wilderness; or his 25 years spent entertaining children on Canadian kid’s TV show Mr Dressup; or the fact that he happens to be transgender. Keyboard Fantasies is unlike any album we’ve discussed on Aural Fixation before, so we definitely recommend listening to it before jumping into the ep. We also mention a couple of interviews in the episode which you can check out here: Beverly Glenn-Copeland: The Unifying Power of Music by Red Bull AcademyInterview with Dev Hynes (Blood Orange) for TalkhouseAs we spoke about in the episode, Glenn’s music has gone unheard for so many years and he had a long overdue tour scheduled for 2020, which will sadly not be going ahead. If you’d like to show your support to Glenn via alternative means then you can do by visiting his Patreon here.We’re still recording remotely, so do forgive any discrepancies in recording quality. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to Aural Fixation wherever you find your podcasts. Follow us on Facebook, like us on Instagram, and email us on email. This episode's companion playlist is a twinkly Epcot dream. Check it out!

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