Time flies when you’re gay… Would you believe it’s Pride Month? In fact, Pride Month is basically over?
But before that, we’ve got something special for you: A Big Gay Playlist courtesy of our FOA (Facilitator Of Awesome, aka manager).
PRIDE IS A RIOT NOW AND ALWAYS
This newsletter comes in the aftermath of three Pride themed gigs played within seven days… In the middle of an apocalypse level heatwave… And to say we’re exhausted would be the understatement of the… Millennium?
‘Cause we’re Millennials?
Oh, a quick note: Future newsletters will have texts by most if not all of us, this one is written with all of us in mind, by me (Serpentina).
Anyhow!
Here’s us on stage at Queerpride Dresden, our undoubtledly biggest and wildest gig to (that) date:
This is at the end of Warpaint, which dovetails nicely into today’s theme, so buckle up lovelies, we’re getting political The Earrings started as a pandemic idea. A ukulele during COVID restrictions got me playing. Then transition happened and the Earrings showed up in a script I wrote. And then they were real, I just had to make them… Exist? So autistic me started getting instruments. And I knew singing classes can be voice transition! That’s great, let’s do that!
Then it’s writing songs. Just… Ideas. Concepts. All personal and gay. But anger began to show, first in Warpaint, which I wrote mostly in a rage fueled session at Riga Airport after my therapist refused to lend his support for my bottom surgery. That was my first big fuck you world — why is my true self being gatekept from me?
Here’s me smirking at Riga Airport right after I’d written that first draft:
I was born in East Germany. Literally my entire childhood constrained by other people’s ideas of who and what I needed to be. Like… I can (and have, with my therapist) actually trace my Generalized Anxiety Disorder back to the Stasi.
Happy to share that story over a drink sometime (hit me up, you’re buying).
And those “conform at all costs” echoes lingered long after the Wall fell. That whole idea of “you need to hide yourself or else I will suffer and you with me” fucked me up so bad. Well, no more.
And so now, here I am. I’m taking a stand. I’m out there, stripping on stage, being my most true and honest self, as a big fat fuck you to the idea of having to be anything at all, ever, for anyone but me.
Anything I lose for being myself isn’t worth having.
And that brings us to Pride… Specifically, CSD Weimar, which we played in 40°C heat (I mentioned apocalypse level yeah?)
There is a reason the first pride was a literal riot.
It’s political.
It’s also intensely personal.
Death before detransition and all the lyrics of Warpaint came into being as a rant, but now gods I feel them, I feel them so hard.
We’re on the verge of the New Blue Fascists taking over up to three state governments this year, with ample help from our lovely chancellor.
(MEHRZWECKEIER!)
This is Weimar… In Thüringen, which is one of those three states.
And of course there were Nazis around… Lurking in the side streets. Because somehow we’ve let this become the new normal.
Last weekend was, in a way, even worse.
We played our set at Fête de la musique Dresden, as in, the international day to celebrate music. We’re just done with Warpaint, you know, the part about “burn all the fascists leave nothing but ashes”…
… when this middle aged white privileged asshole dude walks in and cuts our sound:
Like… How much of an entitled jackass do you have to be to walk in on a public concert, where some 50 odd people are enjoying themselves, on the world day to celebrate music… And cut the band’s sound?
This guy said “Yes!”
And the entire audience booed him.
And I stood onstage, unafraid and fucking unashamed. I have a microphone. And I want to do as much as I can with this space and privilege.
Collective liberation or GTFO.
I want to piss off the old white cis hets. I want to stand up for what’s right. I will not be silenced, ever, again.
We will play our songs while late stage capitalism burns.
This was going to be us announcing that we’re playing CSD Weimar… but since that already happened, it’s not so much “upcoming gigs” as it is “here’s what’s happening”.
We’re (probably?) taking July off from gigging, except for weekly stints at Pizzalab Leipzig.
…after which we take a rest, record, regroup (literally?)…STAY TUNED!
Mixtape III: Big Gay Playlist
Alright folx, here’s our FOA’s take on what you need for a Happy Pride 2026. Yes, you will want to listen to these. And dance. And rage. And… Well.
Enjoy.
★ “Freedom! 90” – George Michael ★ “Anxiety” – Doechii ★ “Pink Pony Club” – Chappell Roan ★ “GAY 4 ME (feat. Lauren Sanderson)” – G Flip ★ “Any Other Way” – Jackie Shane ★ “Pynk (feat Grimes)” – Janelle Monáe ★ “High School Confidential” – Rough Trade ★ “Boyfriend” – Tegan and Sara ★ “Becky’s So Hot” – FLETCHER ★ “Get Go” – Arlon Parks ★ “After Hours” – Kehlani ★ “One Of Your Girls” – Troye Sivan ★ “Beat And The Pulse” – Austra ★ “Unholy (Disclosure Remix)” – Sam Smith, Kim Petras ★ “U Should Not Be Doing That” – Amyl and The Sniffers ★ “Warpaint” – Flying Earrings ★ “Fuck The Pain Away” – Peaches ★ “Rise Up” – The Parachute Club ★ “Go West” – Pet Shop Boys
Listen to “Big Gay Playlist”
Disclaimer: We share this playlist via our accounts on Tidal, Deezer, and YouTube Music. While we’re keeping our music on Spotify for now, we do not actively promote it.
Please feel free to create copies this playlist to other streaming services.
