LGBTQ+ History Month 2021
To mark UK LGBTQ+ History Month 2021, the Study Group collaborated with The British Music Collection's Sound and Music to commission new music from LGBTQ+ composers. The project celebrated queer histories, sounds, and stories, with a national call-out for new works from queer artists in the UK. Read more about the collaboration, including interviews with each artist on Sound and Music's website, and listen to each of the works below.
Peace of Mind : Piece of Mine by MÉLOMAN3
In ‘Peace of Mind : Piece of Mine’ – MÉLOMAN3 introduces us to a sensory journey travelling to the subconscious ideas that plague the mind regarding personal identity, sexuality and expression. Taking influences from the beat and music artist, ‘E.N.D.’, she relays the rollercoaster merry go round of discovering identity in a world that is fixed and against the norm. Throughout this journey, she engages listeners to be still and embrace the reality of standing outside of self, a juxtaposition of her reflection of her place in the world.
Mass for the Masses by Ellie Showering
Ellie Showering’s Mass for the Masses is a response to the way the queer community, and other marginalised groups, have been sidelined by the Church for centuries. The piece itself is a celebration of identity and solidarity through a queer lens.
‘a remedy for the blues’ – Sophie Marie Niang and Ruari Paterson-Achenbach
Sophie Marie Niang and Ruari Paterson-Achenbach’s ‘a remedy for the blues’ explores the process of collective making and being, experimenting with forms of sound and text that are generative without relying upon defined end goals. It reinvigorates an articulation of queer love for the act of being with each other and making music together.
Now the Time by Lunatraktors
Folk duo Lunatraktors composed ‘Now the Time’ as an act of mourning for silenced voices and stories, attempting to transform erasure and violence into acceptance, transcendence and power.