.gay Music Monday Feature: FOXCULT
For LGBTQ+ artists, being authentic and true to oneself, both in life and in their music, is crucial. FOXCULT, an all-Trans rock band, understands this all too well, and they've prioritized being visible and vocal about their identity.
In our latest .gay Music Monday Feature, we sat down with the band to discuss the importance of being out in the music industry and its impact on their artistry and the wider community.
Learn more about them and their latest release, "GLACIER," in our conversation below.
Photo: Alice Hirsch
What inspired you to start playing and making music?
Ashley: Strangely enough, I would have to say my 7th grade choir teacher ha. He was the first openly gay person I had ever met (thanks to South Texas in the early 2000s) and his love of music plus his overwhelming care and guidance he showed me really nurtured the beautiful relationship w/ music that I have. I got my first instrument when I was 13 because I really wanted to learn how to play Grand Theft Autumn and Dead on Arrival from Fall Out Boy haha; this was a very spirally road down the road of loving bands with strong guitar-centric music like Saosin, Circa Survive and Billy Talent.
What do you like most about playing music?
Audrey: I feel like playing music provides a unique opportunity to channel a kind of energy that you can't really tap into with anything else, and also to be a conduit for that energy to reach others in some kind of meaningful way. Quite frankly, I also just find it fun, and it's especially satisfying once you really find a pocket with the people you're playing with. My entire life, both professionally and from a hobbyist perspective, pretty much revolves around music, so it's all just kind of where I live, and it'd be very odd not to be playing or writing or producing or recording music in some capacity.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
Full Band: Oh gosh, this is so tough. I would say our biggest identifier would be the lush & dense soundscapes that we create while maintaining a driving pulse throughout, due to how many influences we pull through. No matter what song you listen to, that blanket of sound exists within it. That almost carnal level of angst is drawn from Mia's driven drum patterns, Audrey's floating vocals, and Ashley's dense and dramatic guitar work.
Why do you think it’s important to be out and proud in the music industry?
Full Band: We believe it's important to be out and proud because we want to be the voice in the scene that we never had growing up. We want to be a safe harbor for those struggling to find themselves or their community. Somewhere that you know, no matter what happens, our fans and us will be there to support. For me (Ashley) the post-hardcore/metal scene wasn't particularly LGBTQIA+ friendly back in the 2000s-2010s, and it actually stopped me from transitioning because I didn't feel safe around my tour mates, etc. Obviously, it has gotten better since then, but there is still a ton of work to be done, and we want to be the ones driving that change.
As an LGBTQ+ artist, what do you want to convey with your music?
Full Band: Be you. Unapologetically. We are fiercely and openly trans, and we want to empower everyone who listens to our music to have that same space for self-expression, whether it's a live show or just you at home, in your bedroom, listening to our music. You make us what we are, and we will always take care to protect that.
