OUTinPerth talks to Vinn Pitcher, the man behind local queer music label Homophonix, and two of the label’s biggest acts – Nat Ripepi and 6000 Red.
It all began with a simple request, as Vinn Pitcher, founder of the local queer artist’s label Homophonix tells it.
‘Pride festival asked me in 2003 whether I would do a men’s only event. A lot of my musician friends are not men, so I said I’ll do a music event, but I won’t do a men-only event… So, it just started off from there, and it’s been the last five Pride festivals plus some other gigs, plus this Midsumma.’
In the years since the first Homophonix event, Vinn has pulled together a community of queer artists and musicians. Nat Ripepi is one of the acts who has been with Homophonix since its early days.
‘Vinn stalked me until I said yes,’ she jokes, when asked how she came to be a part of the label.
Now a regular performer at Homophonix gigs and at Pride festivals in Australia and Europe, Nat’s journey as a singer-songwriter has seen her become increasingly comfortable as a ‘gay musician.’
‘I used to not want to pigeonhold myself, but then I thought it’s very obvious that I’m not straight and my biggest market and my biggest audience are generally gay women. So, I thought I was shooting myself in the foot by not exploring that market. Now, I really don’t care if people see me as a gay artist because I kind of am… I think trying to hide it wouldn’t do me anymore favours than being open about it. So, I just want to be myself.’
For Nat, Homophonix has not only given her better exposure in Australia, it has introduced her to a community of artists.
‘I like the fact that there is that community feel about Homophonix and Vinn is very big on exposing other artists… It’s not just singer-songwriters, it’s artists of any description, which I like about Homophonix.’
Indeed, 6000 Red highlights just how varied the artists under the Homophonix umbrella are. While lead vocalist Seanne Chamberlain started as a singer-songwriter, a TAFE course changed everything when she met Geoff Baker.
‘I had always been really interested in electronic music. I would sit down and try and painstakingly write songs with my guitar, and sometimes the creative vibe wasn’t in me. I love my guitar and I’ve always played that, but it wasn’t until I went to TAFE and met Geoff and stood up at the start of the class and expressed an interest in electronic music… to give you an idea I wrote 6 songs in 6 years on my guitar and Geoff and I have written 12 songs in 12 months… I choose this and then it choose me.’
Indeed, Seanne and Geoff, since forming 6000 Red have become one of Perth’s hottest electronic acts. There single I Wanna Be Like You was picked up just last month to run in a promo spot in the U.S. for Brooke Shields new show Lipstick Jungle.
From the soulful rock acoustic sounds of Nat Ripepi to the sensual visual electro pop of 6000 Red, Homophonix has created a community and collaboration of local artists, and in so doing, has filled an important need in the gay community for a live music safe space.
‘One of the reasons I started it [Homophonix] is more for the community to have stronger role models from people who are musicians… so, it’s not so much for the artists as it is for the community to feel safe in supporting live music. When this started, there were very few options for the community to go somewhere where there is live community music and feel safe,’ Vinn explains.
While Vinn and company still perform regular gigs to straight audiences, they believe there is something special in a Homophonix gig.
‘There’s a level of humour that runs through the gay community that is okay to play on, like nothing is going to be left of centre because it’s all left of centre anyway. You can wear whatever you want, say whatever you want, and no one is going to bat an eyelid.’
