Celebrating Pride Month With Some Lesser Known Artists
As we start to roll on the downhill of pride month 2024, I thought I would take the opportunity to recommend some of my favorite lesser known queer artists! Although I could talk for days about the plethora of artists across the queer and musical spectrum, in this article I have chosen just 9 artists split up into 3 (somewhat arbitrary) categories of my own making: Sensual and Proud, Bold and Sexy, and Intimate and Raw. Let’s jump right in!
Sensual and Proud
This section is dedicated to those who know their worth and aren’t afraid to sing it. The artists in this section love being comfortable in their own skin and are happy to share that pride with you.
Julianna Joy
One-sentence bio: Julianna Joy is a midwest native with an incredibly compelling alt pop musical style- a perfect way to start off our list.
My fave song by this artist: Orange
Go listen: Julianna Joy on Spotify
be steadwell
One-sentence bio: be steadwell is a prolific musician and filmmaker from Washington, DC with a talent for her affirming and wildly creative lyricism.
My fave song by this artist: Greens
Go listen: be steadwell on Spotify
Jordan Occasionally
One-sentence bio: Jordan Occasionally is a dizzyingly ethereal and fun future touchstone in the pop, indie, and RNB scene.
My fave song by this artist: Lie Lie Lie
Go listen: Jordan Occasionally on Spotify
Bold and Sexy
This section is all about the loud and brash queer culture that inhabits the center of every pride event. We see you, friends. And, believe me, we need you.
90’sdreamboy
One-sentence bio: 90’sdreamboy is the glorious DIY punk band of your late-90s, early-aughts dreams, except it’s here and it’s queer in the 2020s.
My fave song by this artist: Macaulay Sulkin’
Go listen: 90’sdreamboy on Spotify
Softee
One-sentence bio: Softee proclaims the death of gender as we know it as they lead us toward a fantastical revolution filled with synth-y pop-filled wonder.
My fave song by this artist: Oh No
Go listen: Softee on Spotify
Cain Culto
One-sentence bio: I won’t lie, Cain Culto’s succinct spotify biography of “florida man w gay demons” kinda nails it.
My fave song by this artist: BLAME THE MOON
Go listen: Cain Culto on Spotify
Intimate and Raw
This section digs into the deep well of emotion that we’re left with at the end of this pride month- whether that means the personal feelings we’re left with as we fall asleep, or perhaps something even larger.
Prince Cornelius
One-sentence bio: Prince Cornelius is somewhat elusive on the internet, but perhaps that’s because her story-driven and honest songs say everything we need to hear.
My fave song by this artist: I’m a Libra
Go listen: Prince Cornelius on Spotify
Anjimile
One-sentence bio: Anjimile can occasionally tap into a surprisingly upbeat tone for this section of the list, but their willingness to expose their emotions to their audience is what really draws me in.
My fave song by this artist: Maker
Go listen: Anjimile on Spotify
Juno Lev
One-sentence bio: Juno Lev’s sensitive and mischievous lyricism in their approach to topics of sex, gender, and religion make them the perfect artist to cap off our list.
My fave song by this artist: blacknailpolish
Go listen: Juno Lev on Spotify
Happy listening and happy pride (for 2024 and years to come)!!!
