Music allows us to express ourselves, be creative, and free to just be. Whether it’s deep in a sweaty rave cave, pulsing along to the thump of a jungle beat, or screaming along the lyrics to our favourite banger in a karaoke room (yes hello mine is absolutely ‘Flame Trees’), music is important for shaking off all the preconceived expectations of society. It’s vital for existence, really.
Music and performance also allow folks to control the way the world perceives them, through the veil of art-form and expression.
Androgyny is probably one of the forms of visual expression we’re most aware of – artists and bands like David Bowie, Eurythmics, Grace Jones and Boy George have been challenging the norms of masculinity and femininity for decades.
We see them as trailblazers for the ways that gender can be bent and manipulated through the performative realm of music, carving a space for more artists to explore their art and themselves in a place that is supported and nurtured by the wider community.
This isn’t just about aesthetics and appearance, either. I’m talking about lyrics, sound, vocals.
We’re in a space now where women are able to sing in lower registers, sing about whatever the fuck they want, and not feel like they have to come across as ultra-femme – if they don’t want to. Similarly, men are accepted to sing in higher registers, embrace gentler, ethereal tones, and shrug off masculinity – if they want to.
It’s a bloody grouse time for creativity and expression in music, really.
Here’s a few artists that encapsulate the wave of music that’s helping to dismantle gender expectations. Garn mate, wrap your ears around ‘em.
G.L.O.S.S.
Easily one of the most important bands for gender non-conforming folk in the DIY Punk scene is, was, and always will be G.L.O.S.S. The band’s name is an acronym for Girls Living Outside Society’s Shit and their music is rough, raw, and revolutionary.
Unfortunately, G.L.O.S.S. split up recently, as existing in a music scene that has always been pretty bloody shithouse for anyone that isn’t a man absolutely takes its toll.
The band leaves behind a strong legacy of being one of the trailblazing acts to stand up against toxic masculinity in punk and hardcore music.
Ah, rest in power, G.L.O.S.S.
KIRIN J CALLINAN
Kirin J Callinan kinda just exists in his own world, and god I love him for it. Where bands like Client Liaison pull off the psuedo-80s-Australiana-business/aprés-ski look very well, Kirin J Callinan embodies something of another time, another place.
He’s bizarre, provocative, and charismatic. He blends growling, deep, Nick Cave-esque vocals with extremely on-point guitar skills, before switching lanes completely to gracefully dive into thumping dance beats and high-register, near-falsetto notes.
He’s also just wrapped a big ol’ tour with ya boy Mac DeMarco, so if that’s yr jam, then you know what you’re in for…kinda.
This video encapsulates his sound and personality so well, and I feel that everything about Kirin J Callinan makes me want to find my sparkliest costume jewellery and jump into whatever timeline he’s existing in.
CABLE TIES
This band, oh boy do I have a soft spot for ’em.
Cable Ties hail from Melbourne and their music is ferocious and empowering as all hell. Seeing them live really makes you wanna go out and bring down The Man with your bare hands.
Vocalist and guitarist Jenny McKechnie uses her mic to make strong stands about issues that are pressing to the band (flick to 3:50 in the video below) and it’s extremely refreshing to hear women speaking bluntly about Very Real Shit.
Also their debut album was the feature on Triple J recently, so y’know…they’re real fucken good.
ANOHNI
One of the only transgender artists to get an Academy Award nod for her musical work, Anohni produces dense electronica tunes that seem to envelope you and sing sweetly-yet-bitingly right to your very core.
Her debut album, ‘HOPELESSNESS‘ – which was co-produced by Oneohtrix Point Never and Hudson Mohawk – and her follow-up EP, ‘PARADISE‘ explores human rights and political issues, and each video clip is so powerful it’s like a solid punch to the gut.
CAMP COPE
Do I really need to say much more about perfect angels Camp Cope?
If you’re not across this A+ trio from Melbourne then maybe you’ve had your head wedged under a rock for the last year or so. They just played in Sydney for Vivid Festival at two (2) sold out shows of the god damn Opera House, and their music continuously brings the gender divide and basic human rights to the front and centre of the stage.
Their latest tune that the gals have been flogging at shows speaks explicitly about the treatment of non-male people in the music industry – which is a very real issue that a lot of people still can’t seem to wrap their heads around.
TUNDE OLANIRAN
Tunde Olaniran produces really grimy, gooey, bass-heavy beats with soaring vocals and well-spat rap/rhymes – his vocal range is multiple octaves – and they’re absolute Certified Bangers™. Tunde’s music career is mostly his side hustle (for now, seriously someone pick him up immediately) and he works in daylight our at Planned Parenthood in the US.
Tunde’s work challenges people to explore non-conformity and individuality through his lyrics and being a generally exceptional performer and human being.
Sit right down for this one, cos you’re gunna be on the floor once the drop hits.
GUSSY
Gussy is just straight up beautiful. Hailing from Sydney, Gussy blends ethereal sounds with extremely catchy rhythms and visuals that lean into the confident style of the underground vogue scenes.
Their graceful direction has resulted in a very simple yet effective vibe to complement a song that I 100% guarantee you’ll be humming all week.
I’d like to mention that this list is not exhaustive, nor is it complete. Take it as a kind of cheat sheet into the ways that music allows people to express their true selves.
The world as we know it is changing and gender is becoming recognised as a construct more than ever. If this is the soundtrack for the new world, then I’m absolutely here for it.
Photo: Instagram / @gussy.music.
