Culture

13 Queer Musicians on What They’re Listening to in Quarantine


 

Music has always been a crucial soundtrack for assuaging boredom, healing, mood lifting, community building, relaxing, dancing, cleaning, and other activities. But now, since the coronavirus outbreak has forced us to socially distance and isolate ourselves, listening to tunes that energize and soothe us seems more important than ever. That’s why them. has asked 13 of our favorite queer musicians what they’re listening to in quarantine and what they would recommend for others to check out. Many of them say they are turning to songs that comfort them, make them feel nostalgic, or help them feel connected to nature, while others are listening to tracks that make them want to fight the establishment, cry, or work out. Whatever you’re in the mood for, listen to all their picks on our Apple Music and Spotify playlists.


Michael Lavine

Snail Mail’s Lindsey Jordan

Come Away with Me by Norah Jones in its totality is perfect for isolation. Pairs great with a glass of red wine, a puzzle, perhaps a candlelit bath, and reminds you of how easy and beautiful things used to be. You can’t properly quarantine without reflection.


Courtesy of Mykki Blanco

Mykki Blanco

I’ve been listening to a lot of Azealia Banks, Destiny’s Child, India.Arie, Erykah Badu, and The Beach Boys. These artists and their albums just always keep me feeling really flirty and sassy and also really introspective and nurturing.

I woke up today and I realized that our lives haven’t just changed for the next 3 months, I think they have changed forever. I’m not a nihilist, but I think people are thinking that pretty soon things are going to “get back to normal” and as much as I want that, especially as an artist that makes a majority of their money touring, I think we are slowly being introduced to a new normal. I hate to say this, but I don’t think things are ever going to be the same again.


Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images

Sigur Rós’ Jónsi

These past few days, I have been enjoying the solitude and silence of my own home and of a world slowing down outside. Hopefully, nature can correct and cure some of our man-made ailments. I also have been enjoying this app called Environments which are field recordings from the ‘60s of different environments, like waves crashing, rain, birds, etc. The idea of enhancing your own surroundings is appealing to me, like when there are birds singing outside on a sunny day, you add more birds to that equation, so it’s like a fake and real “perfect day” scenario.


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Tegan & Sara’s Tegan Quin

When I’m listening to the new La Vita Nuova EP by Christine and the Queens, I am able to forget that we are social distancing and probably will be for a long time. It’s easy to get lost listening to it, which I need right now. “Fire” from the upcoming Waxahatchee record is such a unique ear worm. There is something so striking about Katie’s voice from the second she starts to sing — haunting and comforting all at once. Put it on while you stare out the window, and think about what you’ll do when you aren’t stuck at home anymore. 

IDER’s Emotional Education is a truly stunning record. I cannot believe they have only been working together for a few years. I saw IDER live earlier this year, before social distancing (BSD) and was shocked by how powerful the performance was. It was a Tuesday night, snow was coming down hard, and I had expected no one to show up. But people did and they danced their asses off. It made me love the record even more. I put this one on to remember times BSD when I’m feeling low energy.



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