It’s Music. It’s Gay. It’s a Podcast. And it comes out every other Tuesday.
MUSIC.GAY is a LGBTQIA+ -friendly podcast hosted by Franki Jupiter, a queer musician in the East Bay/San Francisco Bay Area. Franki, a long-time musician in the pop and rock genre, writes his music for polyamorous neurosparkly queer theater kids. Outside of the podcast, Franki is playing at local shows, hanging out with his partners and cats, hosting trivia at a tea temple, and, in general, hustling.
We chatted with Franki about how this project came to be, why he chose the .gay domain name and much more!
The Genesis of an Identity and a Musician
Franki's journey into his identity and music intertwines uniquely with his upbringing and personal experiences. Raised in a conservative evangelical household, he developed into a figure considered the antithesis of his childhood environment. His musical journey began with classical piano and opera, branching out as he grew into a world filled with curiosity and a desire to express his true self through music.
“I was always a deeply curious kid, but by the time I got into middle and high school I had broken many of the bonds of my birthright and began to see more of the world (and people) I was interested in,” Franki told us. “I started playing in bands and writing music . . . music about what I was actually experiencing. Music became a companion, a therapist, a lover, and a punching bag. It was there for me when I had questions and feelings I couldn’t bring to my family or didn’t know how to express otherwise.”
A Symphony of Self-Discovery
Franki's musical repertoire is extensive, playing drums, percussion, bass, guitar, keys, background, and lead vocals. His introduction to music was through a drum set gifted by his uncle at the age of three, and since then, music has served as his companion and outlet.
“As a lifelong card-carrying ADHD member, I was relieved to have a physical and musical outlet where I could find a flow state that let my mind melt away into the meat and bones of me. We always had instruments sitting around and music playing in the house (mostly Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, DC Talk, etc.), and I started putting the two together. My first memory of “playing music” (not just beating the drums) was plunking out the melody to a Michael W. Smith song, Seed to Sow, on the baby grand in the living room. It felt like I was part of something to be able to hear a song someone else had created and then recreate it with my own hands. I started playing piano by ear, and then got lessons over the next few years. I never had guitar lessons, but my dad taught me the cowboy chords, and I was able to use that as a writing companion as well.”
He advises budding musicians, "You have to be in love with the process. Trust that your love for musical exploration, repetition, or excellence will carry you forward."
The Creation of MUSIC.GAY
The inception of MUSIC.GAY, a podcast and a community space came from Franki's desire to spotlight LGBTQIA+ musicians struggling to be heard. "What better way to put [my queerness and musicianship] together and connect them with others than to create content and a community around this idea?" Franki's podcast stands out through its content and the deep respect and encouragement he offers his guests making MUSIC.GAY is a "safe space" and an "aural cuddle puddle" for queer artists.
“I’m thrilled to be interviewing other queerdos and making a podcast out of it,” Franki writes on his website. “I’ve done interviews with hundreds of people throughout the years. Judges, ceramicists, business owners, entrepreneurs, lawyers, self-help gurus, etc… and I’m finally getting around to doing it with the people I care most about: Queer musicians.”
Choosing the .gay top-level domain (TLD) was a strategic and personal choice for Franki. It perfectly encapsulates his identity and mission, which are deeply intertwined with his music and queerness. The .gay domain enhances his branding and aligns seamlessly with his podcast's essence, offering a unique and memorable online identity that champions LGBTQIA+ visibility and community engagement.
“MUSIC.GAY. It's like the two core pieces of my being: I'm a musician, I'm queer,” said Franki. “It's fabulous to have a domain that contains everything you need to know about me that concisely. I wanted to create a podcast for the LGBTQIA community... and there's no .queer or .lgbtqia... so .gay is perfect!”
The Importance of LGBTQIA+ Music
To Franki, LGBTQIA+ music is vital for personal expression and societal and cultural reflection. "It’s the perspectives we can’t always put our fingers on but also can’t live without," he explains. Queer music challenges norms, speaks truth to power, and provides a voice for the voiceless, embodying creativity and resistance that is crucial in today's world.
The podcast format is perfect for Franki because, as he notes, he loves to receive immediate feedback from listeners. But, he points out, it’s also “the ability to help a fellow musician get their story out, to feel seen, accepted, and supported. Especially since it's all queer artists, there's a real sense of camaraderie that forms in creating a safe space for marginalized folx.”
Dreams and Aspirations
Looking forward, Franki has big dreams for MUSIC.GAY. While currently in the startup phase, Franki aspires to grow the platform into a significant cultural force that not only highlights queer artists but also supports them towards sustainable creative careers. His ideal collaborations would be with influential queer musicians who resonate with the spirit of queer expression and creativity.
As Franki explains, one of his ultimate dreams is for MUSIC.GAY will “become its own international brand. We're talking about merchandise, fashion lines, record labels, Grammy's parties, festival booths, late-night talk show appearances, and more. There is no ceiling to this dream, only open skies full of rainbows!”
A Call to Embrace and Celebrate
MUSIC.GAY represents more than just a podcast; it is a movement toward embracing and celebrating queer identities through the universal language of music. Franki’s journey underscores the transformative power of music and identity in creating a space that encourages artists to shine. As Franki puts it, owning a .gay domain is not just about having a website; it's about making a statement and building a community around shared values and experiences, making it an exemplary choice for projects like MUSIC.GAY.
“Do you have a thing you love or a business? Pickleball? Tantric speed dating? Whiskey? Are you queer? Great. You can use pickleball.gay, tantra.gay, whiskey.gay, and queer.gay,” explains Franki. “It's just such an easy process to get a great TLD that actually says something about you or the people you're trying to attract or represent. So I would say, do it! Saddle up. Shine out. Show off. Get your .gay on."
Learn more about the podcast by visiting MUSIC.GAY, or check out Franki’s own queer music at www.franki.gay.