Growing up, it didn't take long for me to realise that I was different, and spending the majority of my teenage years in an all boys grammar school made it very clear. Masculinity was so fragile in an environment like that - you could break it just by saying the 'wrong' thing. 'That's gay.' I heard those two words used as an insult far too many times. Homophobia was the norm and no one around us was brave enough to stand up to the suffocating hatred, and it left me feeling defeated, scared. Fortunately, I was lucky enough that there was one person around me who wasn't afraid to stand up. To stand out. That was my boyfriend. Without him, I don't think I ever would have been able to stand up for myself and my community the way I do today. My song 'Boys will be Bugs' was written with his attitude at the front of my mind, and also serves as a protest against anyone who's ever made those around them feel insecure just for being themselves. No one should ever have to feel scared about holding their partners hand in public. You should never have to feel scared about being authentically you.

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The music on my latest album is filled with messages like this - I want everything I sing about to make a statement, and hopefully have a positive impact on anyone who listens to it. Even if just one person is inspired by my music, my job will be done.

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Now here's a little fun fact for you - if you've seen the music video for Boys will be Bugs, did you find yourself wondering why it was partly animated? I'll let you in on a little secret - I had always wanted my boyfriend to feature in this music video, since he was my biggest inspiration for writing the song, however he's just too camera shy! But I knew I couldn't make this video without him being a part of it, so together we came up with the idea of having the parts he featured in as animations! He even helped out with the art! The whole video is our passion project celebrating queer love, self expression, and the joy of being different.