Do artists really want to limit their audience in such a way?

I’ve been to see The Topp Twins twice, I (used to) listen to k.d, Long John Baldry, Billy Preston, Little Richard….

However its not a bad marketting move - there are probably enough gltg punters who can be lead into branding just as much as a bunch of non-gltg are now lead into purchasing “product”.

I keep tuned to tripleJ nowadays mainly cause they still play a good selection of what’s going on overseas.

Can we ditch the stereotypes now?

Ummm… on re-reading your comment, perhaps you already have. I don’t understand what you’re saying.. I think I need to read it agian after I’ve had some sleep.

Cliff, there’s no doubt that there is a certain gay cultural style. That’s not surprising, as it’s an effect of a minority seeking to distinguish itself positively. There’s also been a long association in Western culture between same sex attraction and aesthetics

Well done, you spotted the stereotype.

It’s a pity that that particular stereotype is as universally true as the stereotype that all heterosexual men are ignorant slobs - ie, not at all. I’d love to have a sense of fashion and not walk around looking like a dag all the time!

Can we ditch the stereotypes now? They really don’t help much…

I like the Scissor Sisters too, and I guess like little tim, ‘cos they sound like good Elton John on speed and put on a good show.

This is in no way a reflection on our sexualities. But so many would assume it is. What does it say when both Sony and spleenville commentators would ghettoise us simply for choosing a CD on the basis it sounds good, fun and sexy.

And I was about to make a big point here but fuck it look at the time. I’m seriously running late for something. Ciao babies.

First, it’s wrong to make assumptions about people’s sexuality on the basis of their appearance or tastes.

Secondly, we see the same thing happening as with other groups who fall outside the norm - all heterosexuals are different, all xs are the same. Worthwhile contesting that one too.

We should all be able to choose our personal style and tastes without anyone reading anything into it except what we want to signify!

Although I guess that’s a bit of a utopian wish.

If so, damn it’s good. Wish I’d written it.

Read: we should NOT assume.

You can actually lay the blame on Triple J for discovering Missy Higgins in the first place. She won their unearthed competition several years ago.

I’ve never really understood the way gay has been presented in the media. Its presented as more of a cultural idiom. Though I guess that occurs at the level of gender, class, race, etc as well… its particularly striking with regard to homosexuals. It’s almost as if we are licensed to infer which gender a person prefers sexually simply by reading their mannerisms and taste in seemingly unrelated cultural objects. I remember when I was younger, my neighbour’s homosexuality came up in conversation during a car trip with my mother, uncle and sister. When I innocently asked “Is he Gay???” they all laughed at me as if to say “Isn’t it ****ing obvious?”. Well not to me it wasn’t… the only thing that struck me about him was his bachelorhood, dandy-esque accent, and his penchant for wearing sarongs. I guess it was fair to infer that he was gay from such evidence… but it seems to me that, given the variability of roles and tastes in heterosexual culture, we should assume that homosexuality has some sort of essential relationship with a particular set of roles and tastes. It’s certainly not for record labels to judge, at any rate.

It could backfire anyway… straight people might be deterred from the label even if they like the music… and closeted or just cautious gays might fear exposing their sexuality even if they like the music.

this essay

Hey, you got hyperlinks working in preview. Cool!

Surely you jest.

Here’s her website.

Didn’t you see the Aria awards?