- 35 minutes 33 secondsThe Queer History of Lou Reed & The Velvet Underground | Queer the Music with Jake ShearsIn This episode of Queer The Music, Jake Shears is joined by author and cultural critic Barry Walters to explore the queer history of Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground. Together, they discuss Andy Warhol’s radical New York underground, the influence of David Bowie, and theidentities and subcultures that helped reshape rock ’n’ roll. From ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ to ‘Perfect Day’, Walters and Shears unpack thequeerness at the heart of Reed’s work, how it became obscured from his legacy, and why his music continues to resonate with new generations today.
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8 September 2026, 11:01 pm - 54 minutes 6 secondsJehnny Beth: “I’m In It For The Long Run” | Queer The Music
Season 4 of Queer The Music continues with Jehnny Beth. She and Jake Shears discuss her journey from discovering Bowie and Patti Smith to forming Savages, finding her voice as an artist and embracing her bisexuality. The episode explores sobriety, identity, depression and the challenges that followed Savages, alongside her solo career, collaborations and move into acting, including her role in Anatomy of a Fall. Beth also reflects on creativity, collaboration and what it means to keep making art on your own terms.
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1 September 2026, 11:01 pm - 1 hour 12 minutesWhy Josh Homme Challenges the Rules of Rock | Queer the Music with Jake ShearsSeason 4 of Queer The Music continues with Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme. In this special extended edition, he and Shears discuss everything from their shared love of The Cramps to vulnerability, masculinity and outlier status in rock music. Homme also reflects on growing up alongside his gay brother and how this shaped his rejection of homophobia and bigotry. The episode notably explores the queer spirit behind Queens of the Stone Age, with Homme revealing that even the band’s name was deliberately chosen to challenge the overt machismo of rock culture.
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26 August 2026, 9:08 am - 44 minutes 24 secondsMeek on Music, Survival, and Finding Her Voice | Queer the Music with Jake ShearsSeason 4 of Queer The Music continues with acclaimed pop sensation Meek for a frank and riotous conversation with Jake Shears about finding your voice, trusting your instincts and refusing to write by anyone else’s rules. Meek opens up about the brutal realities of years spent songwriting for other artists, from international writing camps and major cuts to the frustration of seeing deeply personal songs disappear onto albums. Shears and Meek also dig into the creative chemistry behind a great writing session, the importance of having fun, and why authenticity is ultimately the most powerful songwriting tool. From performing to a hairbrush as a kid to discovering her own musical identity through a gloriously eclectic mix of pop, punk and rock, Meek’s story is one of persistence, defiance and finally being heard.
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18 August 2026, 11:01 pm - 42 minutes 23 secondsWhat Happens When Queer Spaces Disappear? | Jeremy Atherton Lin | Queer the Music with Jake ShearsSeason 4 of Queer The Music continues with acclaimed writer Jeremy Atherton Lin. Joining Jake Shears, the author of Gay Bar: Why We Went Out and Deep House explores the history and evolution of LGBTQ+ nightlife, reflecting on the cultural importance of queer spaces, the changing nature of community, and how music has soundtracked identity, activism, desire, and belonging. Together, they discuss everything from London's disappearing gay bars and club culture to dating apps, generational shifts, and why the messy, unpredictable magic of queer nightlife still matters.
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11 August 2026, 11:01 pm - 44 minutes 53 secondsHow ‘Yes’ Became a Queer Anthem | David McAlmont | Queer the Music
Season 4 of Queer The Music continues with singer-songwriter David McAlmont. Joining Jake Shears, he reflects on breaking through with McAlmont & Butler’s iconic hit Yes, navigating Britpop as an openly queer Black artist, and the industry pressures to hide his identity.
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4 August 2026, 11:01 pm - 40 minutes 30 secondsBaby Queen on Ego Death, Therapy & Starting Over | Queer the Music with Jake ShearsOn this episode of Queer the Music we have indie rock darling Baby Queen. Joining Jake Shears, she reflects on the creative and personal journey behind her deeply honest new album, I Hope You Don’t Remember Me. They get deep on topics such as ego, rejection, therapy, queer identity and the pressure of life in the music industry. She also talks about how stepping away from expectations helped her rediscover her voice and create her most personal record yet. It’s a great episode, be sure to tune in!
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28 July 2026, 11:01 pm - 44 minutes 14 secondsHow Jodie Harsh Built London’s Biggest Queer Party | Queer the Music with Jake ShearsOn this episode of Queer the Music we’re featuring DJ, promoter and nightlife icon Jodie Harsh. Joining Jake, she traces her journey from sneaking into London’s legendary gay clubs as a teenager to building one of the capital’s biggest queer parties. Together they discuss drag, addiction, sobriety, the evolution of queer club culture, and why creating spaces for joy has never been more important.
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21 July 2026, 11:01 pm - 45 minutes 31 secondsTove Lo on Body Confidence, Bisexuality & Pop Music | Queer the Music with Jake ShearsSeason 4 of Queer the Music continues with Swedish pop trailblazer Tove Lo. Joining Jake Shears, she reflects on the song that changed everything, Habits (Stay High), the freedom of becoming an independent artist, and her journey from Stockholm songwriter to one of pop’s most fearless voices. The pair also discuss bisexuality, body confidence, queer club culture and the power of radical honesty in songwriting, alongside the making of her bold new album, Strut.
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14 July 2026, 11:01 pm - 54 minutesHow Brian Molko (Placebo) Redefined Rock | Queer the Music with Jake ShearsSeason 4 of Queer The Music launches today in discussion with Placebo’s iconic frontman Brian Molko. In this special, extended edition, he and Shears discuss everything from their mutual love of David Bowie to outlier-status in alternative music and media. The episode also notably marks the 30th anniversary of Placebo’s radical breakout hit, ‘Nancy Boy’. Originally written in reclaim of a slur, ‘Nancy Boy’ explores themes of sexuality, gender and identity: it is now widely regarded as a defiant act of protest that continues to resonate with new audiences today.
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7 July 2026, 11:01 pm - 1 minute 58 secondsQueer the Music returns for season 4!Jake Shears’ hit Queer The Music podcast returns for its fourth season. Kicking off with an episode featuring Placebo’s Brian Molko, this follows a double win for the number 1-charting podcast at the prestigious Webby Awards (including ‘Best Music Podcast’), with guests for Season 4 already set to include Swedish pop queen Tove Lo plus DJ, alt-pop artist Baby Queen and drag royalty, Jodie Harsh. Entering its biggest and most ambitious season to date, Queer The Music celebrates the music, artists and cultural moments that have shaped LGBTQ+ lives, also shifting politics, perception and popular culture in plain sight. Stay tuned for a new episode dropping every Wednesday at 6pm.
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