In the Key of Q is a weekly podcast featuring inspiring Queer musicians from around the world as they share stories, inspirations and of course their music.
Xantheartist counts an impressive hundred thousand streams on Spotify. He's only three years into his music career, but has already secured a number one record with his cover Hapsburg Lippp. Before transitioning to a man, he served in the US military and went on to make a considerable name for himself on the drag king circuit.
He grew up in a household with Nirvana, Phil Collins, New Edition and Luther Vandross pumping from the family hifi. The home was of military stock, and during his childhood his father was deployed in the first Iraq war. The strict household and challenges around gender identity dropped PTSD on Xan, which is being worked through today with counseling.
Accidental encounters showed Xan that he was an excellent performer, both as a rapper and drag king. He increasingly felt the drag king persona was closer to his genuine identity and went onto transition, female-to-male. He speaks eloquently about the importance to avoid mis-gendering, and the hurt this can cause.
He speaks passionately about the importance of self-denfence for the LGBTQ community and especially within the QPOC community. 'You can walk with your head high and confidently knowing that you can defend yourself against anything. '
Additional MaterialIf you enjoyed this episode why not take a listen to Ryan Cassata.
In the Key of Q is a weekly 30-40 minute podcast publishing every Tuesday. I’m your host Dan Hall, and in each episode, I chat candidly with a gay/bi musician about their life and music.
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Enjoy the music of previous guests by listening to these playlists with tracks selected by the artists themselves.
CreditsWould you like to appear on the show? Or have an artist you'd like to recommend, please tell them to get in touch via email.
Tophy Dye: Remixed, revealed and recovered
Lorrakon: Oversexed, overstrung and over there
Max Lawrence: Melbourne, Suburbia and dogs speaking Latin
Conleth Kane: Bombs, Bummers and Beautiful Things
Bright Light Bright Light: Mining, Madonna and Margaret Thatcher
Jxckson: Texas, Loss and Courage
Queers Revisited - Part 2: Bell’s Palsy, Heartstopper and Sleazy Vauxhall
Queers Revisited - Part 1: Comedowns, self-belief and getting horny
Don+: Hip Hop, Islam and The Golden Girls
Taylor Gray: Bullies, Addiction & Black AF
Billy Mick: Cocaine, Toxic Masculinity & Dinner Theatre
Levi Kreis: Church, Chems and Tony Awards
SonicFluxx: NASA, Synths and Mental Illness
Matthew and the Keys: Potter, Madonna and Silenced BIPOC
Dead Method: Femme, Feelings and Welsh Resilience
Gentleman Reg: Nomad, Underground & Military Brat
A-Natural: Homelessness, Rape and Conversations with God
Benjamin Stewart: Gender, Soundscapes & Lucid Dreams
Brandon James Gwinn: Broadway, Tumbleweed and Tori Spelling
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