Queer FM Episode September 20, 2022
QueerFM Featured Guests : Helen Counts is a queer indie singer songwriter from Wisconsin/CJ WILEY is a little bit country, a little bit garage rock
8:00am - 10:00am
HELEN COUNTS (she/her) is a queer indie singer songwriter who began her musical career singing in East Coast coffee houses. This resident of Madison, Wisconsin then self published her own CD, 'Into Your Arms' in 2002 which is newly released NOW on streaming platforms. She first broke into Spotify in 2021 with her single 'That Look', followed quickly by her second release 'Some Healing'. This year saw her release ‘Shaky Ground’ with an even stronger indie rock sound. All her songs have both lyrical and visual intensity that captivates the listener. Her brand-new single ‘Firefly’ was released in August of this year. You can learn more about Helen by visiting her website at helencounts.com
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CJ WILEY’s (they/them) new single "All Our Love", is a little bit country, a little bit garage rock, with lyrics that are as sentimental as they are playfully tongue-in-cheek. Their debut EP (also called “All Our Love”), was recorded at Banquet Sound in Toronto, and features guest appearances from heavy-hitting musicians like Dani Nash and producer Nixon Boyd.
“This EP has a few themes;" says CJ, "it tells a story of teen nostalgia, finding humour in hardship and reflecting on push and pull relationships.” With songs “Don’t Die Charlie,” “Running Backwards” and “All Our Love,” CJ’s EP offers up a different set of emotions to every listener. Their band’s first show was to a sold-out Horseshoe Tavern in the Fall of 2021, and 2022 saw much new music released throughout the Spring and Summer. Genre-bending and gender-defying, CJ’s voice has drawn comparisons to the candid wit of contemporaries Sharon Van Etten and Courtney Barnett, with the wholesome twang of Shania Twain.
ALL OUR LOVE is available on the streaming channels, and you can listen and learn more about the artist at cjwileymusic.com