https://simplecast.com In this mixtape of documentaries, host Sarah Esocoff takes you to rap battles, mosh pits, and songwriting sessions. We’ll explore non-binary identity through emo music and trans history through a lost VHS tape. Sounds Gay tells stories of queer people whose lives have been transformed by music. Sarah Esocoff en Wed, 1 Apr 2026 19:19:22 +0000 Wed, 1 Apr 2026 19:19:34 +0000 https://sounds-gay.simplecast.com https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/f99d6c73-269a-4e6f-8fc4-7341f821316c/a755197e-09cb-4697-82c7-0f48e84d4702/3000x3000/cover_soundsgay_3000x3000_final.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://sounds-gay.simplecast.com episodic In this mixtape of documentaries, host Sarah Esocoff takes you to rap battles, mosh pits, and songwriting sessions. We’ll explore non-binary identity through emo music and trans history through a lost VHS tape. Sounds Gay tells stories of queer people whose lives have been transformed by music. Sarah Esocoff true https://feeds.simplecast.com/Ovd_yGY6 Sarah Esocoff sarahesocoff@gmail.com cbdf9651-e14c-4ee7-b548-6793f99bbb38 How can sound be used as a tool of protest? The Demilitarize Brooklyn Navy Yard protest campaign employs noise demonstrations, along with other tactics, in their attempt to get two companies with ties to the US and Israeli militaries evicted from the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

]]> Wed, 1 Apr 2026 19:19:22 +0000 sarahesocoff@gmail.com (Sarah Esocoff) https://sounds-gay.simplecast.com/episodes/protest-sound-lQe279mW How can sound be used as a tool of protest? The Demilitarize Brooklyn Navy Yard protest campaign employs noise demonstrations, along with other tactics, in their attempt to get two companies with ties to the US and Israeli militaries evicted from the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

]]> Protest Sound Sarah Esocoff 00:38:57 How can sound be used as a tool of protest? The Demilitarize Brooklyn Navy Yard protest campaign employs noise demonstrations, along with other tactics, in their attempt to get two companies with ties to the US and Israeli militaries evicted from the Brooklyn Navy Yard. How can sound be used as a tool of protest? The Demilitarize Brooklyn Navy Yard protest campaign employs noise demonstrations, along with other tactics, in their attempt to get two companies with ties to the US and Israeli militaries evicted from the Brooklyn Navy Yard. true full 16088af4-6d05-4b50-8bb9-984f47d0cb01 We're back! And we have for you a years-long investigation into the sprawling, chaotic world of gaylors—people who believe that Taylor Swift is queer. 

]]> Mon, 9 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000 sarahesocoff@gmail.com (Sarah Esocoff) https://sounds-gay.simplecast.com/episodes/gaylors-eH9NJmmB We're back! And we have for you a years-long investigation into the sprawling, chaotic world of gaylors—people who believe that Taylor Swift is queer. 

]]> Gaylors Sarah Esocoff 00:42:49 We're back! And we have for you a years-long investigation into the sprawling, chaotic world of gaylors—people who believe that Taylor Swift is queer. We're back! And we have for you a years-long investigation into the sprawling, chaotic world of gaylors—people who believe that Taylor Swift is queer. true full 9d7b46cb-cdde-4221-be2e-af4add16382d Sandy Stone has lived many lives. She’s a pioneering recording engineer who worked with the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Van Morrison. She was part of the women’s music label Olivia Records, mixing iconic albums in spite of transphobic backlash. She’s an academic, and is considered one of the founders of the field of transgender studies. And she’s an artist, with a dynamic, multimedia practice spanning decades. In this episode, we spend four days with the hilarious and big-thinking Sandy at her home in Santa Cruz—parallel parking, flying model airplanes, and pondering sound, consciousness, and grief.

]]> Wed, 5 Jul 2023 04:05:00 +0000 sarahesocoff@gmail.com (Sarah Esocoff) https://sounds-gay.simplecast.com/episodes/sandy-stone-pxScWp8H Sandy Stone has lived many lives. She’s a pioneering recording engineer who worked with the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Van Morrison. She was part of the women’s music label Olivia Records, mixing iconic albums in spite of transphobic backlash. She’s an academic, and is considered one of the founders of the field of transgender studies. And she’s an artist, with a dynamic, multimedia practice spanning decades. In this episode, we spend four days with the hilarious and big-thinking Sandy at her home in Santa Cruz—parallel parking, flying model airplanes, and pondering sound, consciousness, and grief.

]]> Sandy Stone Sarah Esocoff 00:41:11 Sandy Stone has lived many lives. She’s a pioneering recording engineer who worked with the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Van Morrison. She was part of the women’s music label Olivia Records, mixing iconic albums in spite of transphobic backlash. She’s an academic, and is considered one of the founders of the field of transgender studies. And she’s an artist, with a dynamic, multimedia practice spanning decades. In this episode, we spend four days with the hilarious and big-thinking Sandy at her home in Santa Cruz—parallel parking, flying model airplanes, and pondering sound, consciousness, and grief. Sandy Stone has lived many lives. She’s a pioneering recording engineer who worked with the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Van Morrison. She was part of the women’s music label Olivia Records, mixing iconic albums in spite of transphobic backlash. She’s an academic, and is considered one of the founders of the field of transgender studies. And she’s an artist, with a dynamic, multimedia practice spanning decades. In this episode, we spend four days with the hilarious and big-thinking Sandy at her home in Santa Cruz—parallel parking, flying model airplanes, and pondering sound, consciousness, and grief. true full 49542733-8da5-4f3f-a5b7-8007a76536cd What’s it like in the middle of a trans mosh pit? The Pit is a place where trans people of all ages smash together, literally. A place where time expands, contracts, and explodes. At this trans punk show, The Dilators frontwoman Saoirse is turning 29. Her “gay mom” Renée is 74. One of the bands, Hardly Fits, is still in high school. But age can mean something different when you’re trans. Come with us on a journey through trans time—all in one night.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 04:05:00 +0000 sarahesocoff@gmail.com (Sarah Esocoff) https://sounds-gay.simplecast.com/episodes/the-pit-cjhTRPLk What’s it like in the middle of a trans mosh pit? The Pit is a place where trans people of all ages smash together, literally. A place where time expands, contracts, and explodes. At this trans punk show, The Dilators frontwoman Saoirse is turning 29. Her “gay mom” Renée is 74. One of the bands, Hardly Fits, is still in high school. But age can mean something different when you’re trans. Come with us on a journey through trans time—all in one night.

]]> The Pit Sarah Esocoff 00:28:48 What’s it like in the middle of a trans mosh pit? The Pit is a place where trans people of all ages smash together, literally. A place where time expands, contracts, and explodes. At this trans punk show, The Dilators frontwoman Saoirse is turning 29. Her “gay mom” Renée is 74. One of the bands, Hardly Fits, is still in high school. But age can mean something different when you’re trans. Come with us on a journey through trans time—all in one night. What’s it like in the middle of a trans mosh pit? The Pit is a place where trans people of all ages smash together, literally. A place where time expands, contracts, and explodes. At this trans punk show, The Dilators frontwoman Saoirse is turning 29. Her “gay mom” Renée is 74. One of the bands, Hardly Fits, is still in high school. But age can mean something different when you’re trans. Come with us on a journey through trans time—all in one night. true full b1299ccf-6851-4da6-b114-34f6bc58c8f1 Who has it right about the uncanny legacy of composer Julius Eastman? The musician -- Black, gay and a fixture in the minimalist classical music scene of the 1970s and 80s -- wrote songs that demanded a lot of the listener. But his life, too, resists simplified explanations. In this episode, we delve into four distinct and intersecting perspectives.

]]> Wed, 21 Jun 2023 04:05:00 +0000 sarahesocoff@gmail.com (Sarah Esocoff) https://sounds-gay.simplecast.com/episodes/julius-eastman-whkY8x07 Who has it right about the uncanny legacy of composer Julius Eastman? The musician -- Black, gay and a fixture in the minimalist classical music scene of the 1970s and 80s -- wrote songs that demanded a lot of the listener. But his life, too, resists simplified explanations. In this episode, we delve into four distinct and intersecting perspectives.

]]> Julius Eastman Sarah Esocoff 00:35:43 Who has it right about the uncanny legacy of composer Julius Eastman? The musician -- Black, gay and a fixture in the minimalist classical music scene of the 1970s and 80s -- wrote songs that demanded a lot of the listener. But his life, too, resists simplified explanations. In this episode, we delve into four distinct and intersecting perspectives. Who has it right about the uncanny legacy of composer Julius Eastman? The musician -- Black, gay and a fixture in the minimalist classical music scene of the 1970s and 80s -- wrote songs that demanded a lot of the listener. But his life, too, resists simplified explanations. In this episode, we delve into four distinct and intersecting perspectives. true full 42b3d8e9-d70d-467e-a91b-52e62f394b33 How did Melanie help a generation of trans women find their voices? And who was she?

]]> Wed, 14 Jun 2023 04:05:00 +0000 sarahesocoff@gmail.com (Sarah Esocoff) https://sounds-gay.simplecast.com/episodes/melanie-speaks-7wNkYdE1 How did Melanie help a generation of trans women find their voices? And who was she?

]]> Melanie Speaks Sarah Esocoff 00:32:59 How did Melanie help a generation of trans women find their voices? And who was she? How did Melanie help a generation of trans women find their voices? And who was she? true full d39703d8-9fcd-4d97-bb03-4ea740e40d36 How do our identities get fused into the sounds we make? In this episode, we witness the birth of a song co-created by two friends. What they come up with turns out to be an intricate portrait of gender dysphoria and Filipinx identity.

]]> Wed, 7 Jun 2023 04:05:00 +0000 sarahesocoff@gmail.com (Sarah Esocoff) https://sounds-gay.simplecast.com/episodes/filipemo-pjR8M0Zu How do our identities get fused into the sounds we make? In this episode, we witness the birth of a song co-created by two friends. What they come up with turns out to be an intricate portrait of gender dysphoria and Filipinx identity.

]]> Filipemo Sarah Esocoff 00:40:18 How do our identities get fused into the sounds we make? In this episode, we witness the birth of a song co-created by two friends. What they come up with turns out to be an intricate portrait of gender dysphoria and Filipinx identity. How do our identities get fused into the sounds we make? In this episode, we witness the birth of a song co-created by two friends. What they come up with turns out to be an intricate portrait of gender dysphoria and Filipinx identity. true full 965d0c3e-e8b6-4711-adcb-19c87a4d0716 What’s it like to be in an environment where you can say whatever you want—but so can everyone else? In this episode, we dive headfirst into the battle rap arena—a place that'll make you squirm and wince and revel in a masterful word war between two women rappers: 40 B.A.R.R.S. and QB Black Diamond. This episode is raw, revealing, explicit, and the opposite of a safe space.

]]> Wed, 31 May 2023 04:05:00 +0000 sarahesocoff@gmail.com (Sarah Esocoff) https://sounds-gay.simplecast.com/episodes/battle-rap-PbaJFy_D What’s it like to be in an environment where you can say whatever you want—but so can everyone else? In this episode, we dive headfirst into the battle rap arena—a place that'll make you squirm and wince and revel in a masterful word war between two women rappers: 40 B.A.R.R.S. and QB Black Diamond. This episode is raw, revealing, explicit, and the opposite of a safe space.

]]> Battle Rap Sarah Esocoff 00:41:16 What’s it like to be in an environment where you can say whatever you want—but so can everyone else? In this episode, we dive headfirst into the battle rap arena—a place that'll make you squirm and wince and revel in a masterful word war between two women rappers: 40 B.A.R.R.S. and QB Black Diamond. This episode is raw, revealing, explicit, and the opposite of a safe space. What’s it like to be in an environment where you can say whatever you want—but so can everyone else? In this episode, we dive headfirst into the battle rap arena—a place that'll make you squirm and wince and revel in a masterful word war between two women rappers: 40 B.A.R.R.S. and QB Black Diamond. This episode is raw, revealing, explicit, and the opposite of a safe space. true full 73b1c258-5d98-4b02-9a4b-f5a91e0a0756 What does church music have to do with queer culture? We rewind back to a time in the early aughts, when Contemporary Christian Music – CCM for short – permeated popular culture and was used to press evangelical values on those who made and consumed these songs. In this episode, we hear from queer Christian musicians Jennifer Knapp and Semler, as well as scholar Caris Adel. 

]]> Wed, 24 May 2023 04:05:00 +0000 sarahesocoff@gmail.com (Sarah Esocoff) https://sounds-gay.simplecast.com/episodes/1-ccm-_TPQhK6H What does church music have to do with queer culture? We rewind back to a time in the early aughts, when Contemporary Christian Music – CCM for short – permeated popular culture and was used to press evangelical values on those who made and consumed these songs. In this episode, we hear from queer Christian musicians Jennifer Knapp and Semler, as well as scholar Caris Adel. 

]]> CCM Sarah Esocoff 00:33:11 What does church music have to do with queer culture? We rewind back to a time in the early aughts, when Contemporary Christian Music – CCM for short – permeated popular culture and was used to press evangelical values on those who made and consumed these songs. In this episode, we hear from queer Christian musicians Jennifer Knapp and Semler, as well as scholar Caris Adel. What does church music have to do with queer culture? We rewind back to a time in the early aughts, when Contemporary Christian Music – CCM for short – permeated popular culture and was used to press evangelical values on those who made and consumed these songs. In this episode, we hear from queer Christian musicians Jennifer Knapp and Semler, as well as scholar Caris Adel. true full fdbdee8f-0df1-47a9-bfe7-09855f703d2f Sounds Gay tells stories of queer people whose lives have been transformed by music. In this limited series, host Sarah Esocoff takes you to the middle of a trans mosh pit and to a heated rap battle. You’ll go with her to the shores of the Pacific ocean to fly remote control airplanes with an 86-year-old pioneering sound artist. You’ll witness firsthand the songwriting process of two friends as they explore nonbinary and Filipino identity by writing an emo song. And together you’ll attempt to unravel the legacy of a controversial composer whose death remains a mystery. Coming May 24

]]> Mon, 8 May 2023 13:00:00 +0000 sarahesocoff@gmail.com (Sarah Esocoff) https://sounds-gay.simplecast.com/episodes/introducing-sounds-gay-WZ_xpwBf Sounds Gay tells stories of queer people whose lives have been transformed by music. In this limited series, host Sarah Esocoff takes you to the middle of a trans mosh pit and to a heated rap battle. You’ll go with her to the shores of the Pacific ocean to fly remote control airplanes with an 86-year-old pioneering sound artist. You’ll witness firsthand the songwriting process of two friends as they explore nonbinary and Filipino identity by writing an emo song. And together you’ll attempt to unravel the legacy of a controversial composer whose death remains a mystery. Coming May 24

]]> Introducing: Sounds Gay Sarah Esocoff 00:01:11 Sounds Gay tells stories of queer people whose lives have been transformed by music. In this limited series, host Sarah Esocoff takes you to the middle of a trans mosh pit and to a heated rap battle. You’ll go with her to the shores of the Pacific ocean to fly remote control airplanes with an 86-year-old pioneering sound artist. You’ll witness firsthand the songwriting process of two friends as they explore nonbinary and Filipino identity by writing an emo song. And together you’ll attempt to unravel the legacy of a controversial composer whose death remains a mystery. Coming May 24 Sounds Gay tells stories of queer people whose lives have been transformed by music. In this limited series, host Sarah Esocoff takes you to the middle of a trans mosh pit and to a heated rap battle. You’ll go with her to the shores of the Pacific ocean to fly remote control airplanes with an 86-year-old pioneering sound artist. You’ll witness firsthand the songwriting process of two friends as they explore nonbinary and Filipino identity by writing an emo song. And together you’ll attempt to unravel the legacy of a controversial composer whose death remains a mystery. Coming May 24 true trailer