Summary Carrington Kelso returns to In the Key of Q for his fourth appearance, bringing with him the wisdom of displacement and the courage to sit with grief. Three years after his debut on the podcast, this multi-talented singer-songwriter has relocated from Georgia to San Diego, launched Clara Rose Candle Co, and is preparing to release his most personal project yet: A Moment for Grief . In this deeply reflective conversation, Carrington explores the complex emotions of choosing to leave every...
Jun 23, 2025•44 min•Season 4Ep. 14
This week, In the Key of Q welcomes Rita de Los Angeles, a country singer-songwriter whose journey has taken her from the streets of Los Angeles to rural Germany. With her unique blend of country, Americana, and indie folk rock, Rita has carved out a distinctive space for herself as a proudly queer artist in the international country music scene. Born to Arab immigrant parents who filled their home with country music, Rita's relationship with the genre has evolved through remarkable life experie...
Jun 16, 2025•39 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Romeo from Brooklyn-based twin duo EHIRE offers a raw and moving account of finding his voice in the music industry while navigating the complexities of being a Black queer artist. From growing up in a Haitian household filled with music to experiencing religious trauma and homelessness, Romeo shares how these challenges strengthened his bond with twin brother Cameo and fueled their artistic expression. With refreshing candour, he discusses the importance of queer Black visibility in media and t...
Jun 09, 2025•38 min•Season 4Ep. 12
In this special Pride Month episode, host Dan Hall explores the vital concept of "finding our tribes" within the Queer community through conversations with previous guests. For many LGBTQ+ individuals, discovering safe spaces has been about more than friendship—it's been essential for survival and self-acceptance in a world that often fails to see or understand queer experiences. These communities serve as places where Queer people celebrate triumphs and mourn losses together, but like any famil...
Jun 02, 2025•37 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Summary In this candid and compelling conversation, Australian pop artist TIN returns to In The Key of Q to discuss his musical journey since his previous appearance. From opening for Bright Light Bright Light to releasing deeply personal tracks that resonate with fans in unexpected ways, TIN offers a raw look at navigating the gay music scene as a person of colour. With characteristic wit and refreshing honesty, he unpacks the complexities of privilege, racism within queer spaces, and how his e...
May 26, 2025•34 min•Season 4Ep. 10
This week, In the Key of Q welcomes Eric Terino, a folk musician and songwriter from New England. Eric's music blends elements of folk, classical, and alternative sounds to create something uniquely his own. In this candid conversation, Eric discusses his journey as a queer artist who doesn't fit the stereotypical image of LGBTQ+ musicians, his experiences with agoraphobia and mental health challenges, and his path to finding self-worth. Eric's latest album, "Innovation of Grave Perversity," was...
May 19, 2025•44 min•Season 4Ep. 9
In this episode of In the Key of Q , Dan Hall speaks with Ben McGarvey, who performs as Minute Taker. Ben's music is characterized by a signature blend of retro synth-pop, haunting piano melodies, and emotionally charged lyrics that explore the depth of human experience. Episode Summary Ben opens up about the origins of his stage name "Minute Taker" – a reference to his former day job that created an ironic contrast with his artistic identity. He describes it as "simultaneously mundane and other...
May 12, 2025•41 min•Season 4Ep. 8
In this captivating episode of "In the Key of Q," host Dan Hall welcomes Jon Ginoli, founding member of Pansy Division, the groundbreaking band formed in San Francisco in 1991. As the first openly gay rock band featuring predominantly gay musicians, Pansy Division challenged stereotypes and carved out a unique space in the music industry with their blend of pop-punk that explicitly addressed LGBTQ+ issues, sexuality, and relationships. Jon shares his journey from feeling alienated within the gay...
May 05, 2025•35 min•Season 4Ep. 7
In this captivating episode, host Dan welcomes Greg Hatem, a multifaceted musician, composer, and producer from Baltimore, Maryland. A Berklee College of Music graduate, Greg discusses his prolific musical career spanning multiple bands and genres from post-punk to avant-folk, alongside running a curiosity shop specializing in natural history items. The conversation explores Greg's experiences growing up queer in Baltimore, the city's vibrant artistic community, and his thoughts on creating art ...
Apr 28, 2025•31 min•Season 4Ep. 6
This week, Dan welcomes Chicago-raised singer-songwriter and producer Travie Austin, whose catchy pop hooks blend with funk, rock, soul and "more than a touch of homo" coursing through his music. Travie discusses millennial identity and how 90s/2000s divas like Destiny's Child and Whitney Houston shaped his confidence. The conversation explores toxic masculinity, with Travie arguing that masculinity and femininity should exist in harmony, and that toxic masculinity stems from the need to prove o...
Apr 21, 2025•43 min•Season 4Ep. 5
This week, Dan welcomes folk-rock and synthwave singer-songwriter Kele Fleming from Victoria, BC, whose single "In My Dream Alone" has reached 100,000 Spotify plays. Kele shares her experiences growing up in 1980s Victoria and finding community at the local gay club "Rumours." She reflects on living a "shadow self" before wider LGBTQ visibility and her complex relationship with Pride's evolution from protest to corporate-sponsored celebration. The conversation explores Kele's experiences as a fe...
Apr 14, 2025•29 min•Season 4Ep. 4
In this insightful episode, host Dan welcomes James Taylor Junior, a classically trained vocalist who's been singing since the age of two. With a rich musical background and acclaimed performing style, James discusses his upcoming Pride album, the importance of queer community and history, and his personal journey as a queer person. The conversation explores the intersection of identity, belonging, and the power of music to connect people across different experiences. Key Topics: James's upcomin...
Apr 07, 2025•34 min•Season 4Ep. 3
In this engaging episode, host Dan welcomes Roderick Woodruff, a Brooklyn-based singer, songwriter, and performer whose music caught Dan's attention on Spotify. Born in Detroit with a churchy background, Roderick shares his journey from choir boy to Off-Broadway performer, discussing his authentic exploration of queerness, creativity, and how he transformed personal struggles into artistic expression through his recently released album "In Between." Key Topics: Roderick's musical background and ...
Apr 06, 2025•31 min•Season 4Ep. 1
In this candid episode, host Dan welcomes Brazilian singer-songwriter Erik Lenfair, who joins from Rio de Janeiro to discuss his musical journey and experiences as a queer artist. After a four-year hiatus, Erik has returned with two new singles and is working on what began as an EP but has evolved into a full album. He shares insights about creating music that balances experimental pop with emotional depth, his experience coming out to his supportive family, and navigating queer identity in Braz...
Apr 06, 2025•24 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Discover “In the Key of Q”: A Celebration of Queer Music and Stories. Join host Dan Hall on “In the Key of Q,” a podcast celebrating LGBTQ+ artists and stories from around the globe. Tune in for queer music, charts, and diverse voices, and join the conversation using the hashtag #queermusic. This week, welcomes singer-songwriter and pianist Tophy Dye. A self-taught musician from Leeds, Tophy released his debut album “Skeletons” in 2021, exploring themes of love, identity, and self-acceptance. Wi...
May 08, 2023•34 min•Season 3Ep. 9
London, UK. In the Key of Q is a music podcast, gaining popularity with its diverse content and engaging discussions. Hosted by Dan Hall , this week’s show features Lorrakon , a queer, non-binary, self-described “oversexed atheist” who discusses their experience growing up in Los Angeles and the stereotypes and misconceptions associated with the city and its people. During the conversation, Lorrakon shared their views on identifying as “straight-acting” and reflects on their journey as a Queer c...
Apr 24, 2023•31 min•Season 3Ep. 7
This week, presenter Dan Hall meets with Melbourne-born Australian non-binary singer-songwriter, Max Lawrence. Lawrence talks about their musical background and how they began writing songs at 16. The episode explores Lawrence’s creative journey as well as their personal journey of gender expression, rejection and acceptance in the suburbs of Melbourne. They discuss in adulthood the freedom of expressing themselves through clothing and the challenges faced by gender non-conforming people due to ...
Apr 17, 2023•35 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Welcome to the latest episode of In the Key of Q, a podcast that shines a light on the LGBTQ+ community and their stories. In this episode, Conleth Kane talks to Dan Hall about his journey growing up gay in working-class Northern Ireland during the Troubles. He shares his personal struggles with violence and bombings in his hometown and the challenges he faced when seeking acceptance within the anti-gay right-wing Democratic Unionist Party. Conleth also discusses a mysterious cancellation on a B...
Apr 10, 2023•32 min•Season 3Ep. 5
This week, presenter Dan Hall meets with artist, producer, composer and DJ Bright Light Bright Light. Although living now in New York, he was brought up in Neath in Wales. And since rising to fame has toured and recorded with some of the best names in Pop history, including Cher, Sir Elton John, Erasure and Scissor Sisters. In the episode he talks about the isolation and suffocation growing up in picturesque Wales, despite its beauty. How the Conservative government had abandoned the coal-mining...
Apr 03, 2023•40 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Dan Hall hosts “In the Key of Q,” a show that features queer music, chat, and stories from around the world. The show’s guest, Jxckson, is a pop artist from Austin, Texas. Jxckson, a Black and LGBTQ+ musician, talks about his experience of growing up and realising that race and sexuality have an impact, and now he proudly identifies as a Black artist. In his music, he aims to provide a sense of belonging to his listeners and promote confidence and self-love whilst also dealing with themes of los...
Mar 27, 2023•33 min•Season 3Ep. 3
This week, presenter Dan Hall catches-up with four previous guests and hears their latest tunes. Returning to the microphone are Paul Andrews, Nick Vaan, Vincent DiGeronimo and TIN. Paul talks about the challenges of developing Bell’s Palsy and his movement towards a more beat-driven sound. Nick discusses his upcoming new album, ‘Magnificent Obsession’ and how post-pandemic he is reconnecting with his lost creative self. Vincent drops a special voicemail revealing he was voted Number 1 in the Be...
Mar 20, 2023•31 min•Season 3Ep. 2
This week, presenter Dan Hall catches-up with four previous guests and hears their latest tunes. Returning to the microphone are Billy Mick, Venn Smyth, Cory Stewart and Carrington Kelso. Billy talks about his imminent new album, and his development of a one-man cabaret show for the international cruise ship market. Cory discusses his brilliant community-focused Queerantine initiative as well as his cross-Atlantic collaboration with producer Edward Russell from the ‘Inside the Groove’ podcast. V...
Mar 13, 2023•35 min•Season 3Ep. 1
In the Key of Q is a weekly podcast featuring Queer musicians from around the world as they share stories, inspirations and of course their music. Don+ is an independent artist and writer who has been writing and making music since 2013. He gained recognition with his first EP Raw Rhythm and Words ( Apple / Spotify ), which debuted in the top 40 on the iTunes RnB charts . He grew up in a house surrounded by music, from Luther Vandross to gospel and learned to make peace with the homophobia in so...
Jun 06, 2022•40 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Taylor Gray is this week’s guest. He is an R&B artist based in Los Angeles and curator of the popular playlist "Flavor Waves" on Apple Music and Spotify , which has garnered the attention of artists such as Victoria Monét and Ro James. (1:22) Highlight - Gray talks about his childhood musical influences, growing up in a house playing neverending Prince, Chaka Kahn, Michael Jackson, Toni Braxton, Anita Baker and Luther Vandross. And of course the wonderful Miss Whitney Houston. (15:23) Highli...
May 30, 2022•39 min•Season 2Ep. 12
In the Key of Q is a weekly podcast featuring Queer musicians from around the world as they share stories, inspirations and of course their music. Billy Mick released his first single in 2019. He's performed at Pride and Gay Days events. And in America's pandemic lockdown continued to release songs and music videos. The autobiographical studio album Just Be came out in 2020, followed up by the long-player Levelling Up. Billy speaks openly in this episode about the challenges of growing up in a h...
May 23, 2022•35 min•Season 2Ep. 11
In the Key of Q is a weekly podcast featuring Queer musicians from around the world as they share stories, inspirations and of course their music. Levi Kreis is a multi-award winner. Having gathered himself awards from Critic's Circle , Out Music, and most excitingly, the Tony's . Born in Oliver Springs , Tennessee his music features a fusion of styles influenced by gospel, country, bluegrass, and even rockabilly. He says of his career, "I've always believed that our mess is our ministry. I may ...
May 16, 2022•47 min•Season 2Ep. 10
In the Key of Q is a weekly podcast featuring Queer musicians from around the world as they share stories, inspirations and of course their music. Sonicfluxx was born and raised in Florida in the United States. And in January 2020, his first single Nothing Will Ever Be the Same debuted at number two in the UK's LGBTQ charts . Quickly following this success was the release of his debut EP, Nostalgia. His premier performance on stage was at only one-month-old playing Jesus - a tough opening act to...
May 09, 2022•36 min•Season 2Ep. 9
In the Key of Q is a weekly podcast featuring Queer musicians from around the world as they share stories, inspirations and of course their music. Xantheartist counts an impressive hundred thousand streams on Spotify. He's only three years into his music career, but has already secured a number one record with his cover Hapsburg Lippp . Before transitioning to a man, he served in the US military and went on to make a considerable name for himself on the drag king circuit . He grew up in a househ...
May 02, 2022•40 min•Season 2Ep. 8
In the Key of Q is a weekly podcast featuring Queer musicians from around the world as they share stories, inspirations and of course their music. This week's guest is from Edmonton, Alberta in Canada . His music combines personal experiences, passion, and is inspired by artists as varied as Vanessa Carlton , John Mayer and Metric . He is an educator, a model, and an actor. He's sung since the age of two and has written songs since he was 12. Despite being a shy kid, Matthew couldn't stop his lo...
Apr 25, 2022•36 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In the Key of Q is a weekly podcast featuring Queer musicians from around the world as they share stories, inspirations and of course their music. Lloyd Best performing as Dead Method is an alternative pop artist based in Cardiff, Wales . They started a solo career in 2018 and they've gone on to support 65 Days of Static and Public Service Broadcasting . In 2020, their debut album Queer Genesis was released, an exploration of queer culture and identity. The sceptre of Section 28 hung over his up...
Apr 18, 2022•34 min•Season 2Ep. 6
