"I used to have a wig on and black contacts just to buy groceries." - Jazmin Bean
English non-binary artist Jazmin Bean is currently out on tour with their debut album Traumatic Livelihood. Jasmine Adams was born in London and started performing under the name Jazmin Bean at an early age. They released their first single “Worldwide Torture” in 2019 and began a journey of making genre-defying music. There was also magic found in the makeup as Bean runs their own successful vegan brand called Cult Candy Cosmetics. After soundcheck while on tour, Bean talked backstage about music, makeup and mental health...
"Someday when I snap an ankle and have some free time I will write another book!" - Yvie Oddly
When people still try to label and put someone in a box, along comes world-famous drag artist Yvie Oddly to change the game. This queen displayed charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent on the eleventh season of RuPaul’s Drag Race and eventually took home the crown. She returned to the franchise for the seventh season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars in 2022 and has been a frequent performer on the Werq the World concert tour since 2019. Fashion and music have also been a...
"I write music for people that feel out of place in spaces within their lives." - Frances Forever
Frances Forever is a force of nature. The young singer just turned 25 in June and is growing up on the road while supporting their latest offering Lockjaw. Frances Garrett had an affinity to music at a young age then adopted the moniker Forever and had early success on TikTok with the song “Space Girl.” The track earned over a million streams and featured fellow queer artist Chloe Moriondo. Their debut LP on Mom+Pop Music titled Lockjaw covers a wide range of topics including anxiety,...
"I really take my time and lean in to the quieter aspects of the new music." - Maggie Rose
Singer Maggie Rose’s career is growing and blossoming in new ways these days. The 36-year-old talent was born in Maryland and sang at an early age for her supportive parents and their friends. She eventually left school to pursue her career in Tennessee and currently lives in East Nashville. Residing in the Music City for 16 years has resulted in playing the Grand Ole Opry over 100 times. She said the producers of the iconic venue are always welcoming to her and have no problem...
"am in my touring era and connecting with many people." - Xana
Canadian, queer singer Xana Morris has a unique and important voice in the music industry. Based in Vancouver this rising pop artist covers topics such as anxiety and relationships on her sophomore album The Sex Was Good Until It Wasn’t. The new music has taken her out on the road and she spoke backstage about her lyrical journey before her set at Lincoln Hall recently JN: (Jerry Nunn) Did you always want to be a musician? XM: (Xana Morris) Yes, that was the first thing...
"Literally 10 days later I was in Fiji." - Carsten Bergersen and Taylor Smith
Love Island is a reality competition television series where a group of single people move into a luxury villa together to search for connections and a cash prize. After a successful British launch in 2005, Love Island has become a popular franchise with over 20 versions. Season 11 is currently airing this June, but the production team is already preparing for more content. On June 22, the parking lot at Old Town Chicago on Wells Street was filled with hopefuls auditioning to be cast at...
"I want people to take away that it is harm reduction, not fun reduction." - John Michael Colgin
John Michael Colgin would turn back time if he could and he attempts to do that at the Steppenwolf Theatre this June. Just in time for Pride month, Spank Bank Time Machine travels to an iconic venue helmed by an openly queer performer wearing a mankini onstage. Part of the iconic theater troupe’s LookOut programming, Colgin has three days to shine a light on Naloxone, a treatment used for emergency overdoses. Narcan and Evzio are brand-name nasal sprays that save lives. Spank Bank Time Machine...
Jazmin Bean
Yvie Oddly
Frances Forever
Maggie Rose
Xana
Carsten Bergersen and Taylor Smith