Lesbian.com : Connecting lesbians worldwide | Entertainment https://www.lesbian.com Connecting lesbians worldwide Wed, 24 Jan 2024 18:09:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Empowering Narratives: Top 7 Games Featuring Lesbian Characters https://www.lesbian.com/empowering-narratives-top-7-games-featuring-lesbian-characters/ https://www.lesbian.com/empowering-narratives-top-7-games-featuring-lesbian-characters/#respond Wed, 24 Jan 2024 18:07:22 +0000 https://www.lesbian.com/?p=235458 More games are including diverse characters, offering players a chance to see themselves reflected in the stories they love.

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Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels


In the landscape of video gaming, representation matters. As society progresses, more games are including diverse characters, offering players a chance to see themselves reflected in the stories they love. Among these, games featuring lesbian characters stand out for their ability to both entertain and empower.

If you are passionate about casino games, check out this Casino Classic Review to see the diverse range of themes and characters in this online casino. This article delves into some of the best games that celebrate lesbian characters, offering a rich tapestry of stories that resonate with players from all walks of life.

#1. Life is Strange

Developed by Dontnod Entertainment, “Life is Strange” is an episodic adventure that revolves around Max Caulfield, a photography student who discovers she can rewind time. While the game subtly explores her relationship with her childhood friend Chloe Price, its sequel “Life is Strange: Before the Storm” delves deeper into Chloe’s life and her relationship with Rachel Amber. These games stand out for their sensitive portrayal of young love and the complexities of growing up.

#2. The Last of Us Part II

Naughty Dog’s critically acclaimed sequel to “The Last of Us” puts Ellie, a young woman, in the spotlight. Ellie, who was a secondary protagonist in the first game, takes center stage here. Her sexuality, revealed in the DLC of the first game, is a significant part of her character but not her defining trait. “The Last of Us Part II” is praised for its deep, emotional narrative and complex characters.

#3. Gone Home

A first-person exploration game by The Fullbright Company, “Gone Home” is set in 1995 and tells the story of Kaitlin Greenbriar who returns home to find her family missing. The game unfolds as a narrative adventure, focusing on Kaitlin’s younger sister Sam and her relationship with her girlfriend, Lonnie. What makes “Gone Home” remarkable is its authentic and heartfelt story.

#4. Dragon Age: Inquisition

BioWare’s “Dragon Age: Inquisition” offers an expansive RPG experience with a rich, diverse cast of characters. Among them, Sera, an elven archer, stands out. She can become a romantic interest for female protagonists, and her story arc is one of acceptance and self-discovery. The game’s inclusivity and complex character dynamics have earned it critical acclaim.

#5. Mass Effect: Andromeda

Another BioWare creation, “Mass Effect: Andromeda” offers players the option to explore romantic relationships with characters of any gender. Sara Ryder, the game’s female protagonist, can pursue a relationship with multiple female characters, providing a narrative that’s inclusive and reflective of real-world diversity.

#6. Stardew Valley

This indie farming simulation game allows players to build a life in a rural community. Among its various relationship options, players can romance characters like Leah, a talented artist with a strong independent streak. “Stardew Valley” is lauded for its charming narrative and inclusive romance options.

#7. Butterfly Soup

An indie visual novel by Brianna Lei, “Butterfly Soup” is about gay Asian-American teenagers navigating life and love. The game is a beautiful exploration of identity, culture, and adolescence, offering a unique perspective rarely seen in video games.

In conclusion, these games are more than just entertainment; they are narratives that challenge stereotypes and promote inclusivity. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it is heartening to see such representation becoming more commonplace, offering players stories in which they can truly see themselves.

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Nelly & Nadine: A love story for the ages https://www.lesbian.com/nelly-nadine-a-love-story-for-the-ages/ https://www.lesbian.com/nelly-nadine-a-love-story-for-the-ages/#respond Mon, 28 Aug 2023 23:07:15 +0000 https://www.lesbian.com/?p=235376 Well, I’m back from vacation, but am I back back? Yeah, not really. But I am back enough to recommend...

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Well, I’m back from vacation, but am I back back? Yeah, not really. But I am back enough to recommend a documentary I watched over my break that will remind you how important it is to share LGBTQ+ history through the ages. Honestly, stories like “Nelly & Nadine” are one of the reasons the Right Wing fascists fights so hard to censor what is taught in our schools. Because if you teach people about the genuine love, bravery and talent of everyday LGBTQ+ people, it will be so much harder for them to get people to hate us. And then who could they scapegoat to win elections?

Read the rest of Dorothy Sharker’s thoughts here.

NELLY & NADINE is the unlikely and harrowing love story between Belgian classical singer, Nelly Mousset-Vos and Nadine Hwang, the daughter of a Chinese ambassador to Spain. Nelly and Nadine meet in the darkest of times on Christmas Eve, 1944. Through their newly recovered personal diaries and Super-8 home movies, NELLY & NADINE takes audiences on a personal journey through the nearly forgotten history of one of the greatest love stories never told.

WATCH with Wolfe On Demand.

WATCH on Amazon Prime.

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Kathleen Warnock’s ‘Rock the Line: They Sold Their Souls for Rock and Roll’ https://www.lesbian.com/kathleen-warnocks-rock-the-line-they-sold-their-souls-for-rock-and-roll/ https://www.lesbian.com/kathleen-warnocks-rock-the-line-they-sold-their-souls-for-rock-and-roll/#respond Sat, 07 Jan 2023 18:46:56 +0000 https://www.lesbian.com/?p=234289 NEW YORK — Kathleen Warnock’s play Rock the Line tells stories of people whose lives aren’t often honestly explored in...

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Rock the LineNEW YORK — Kathleen Warnock’s play Rock the Line tells stories of people whose lives aren’t often honestly explored in the arts. The play doesn’t look down on the people because they’re working class, and (mostly) queer. They’ve had to make hard choices and keep quiet about who they truly are. In their close community of fans, lifelong friendships are made as life on the road shapes these fans’ lives.

In the parking lot of a Rust Belt rock club, in the mid-1990s, a group of fans arrives early on the morning of a show to get the best spots to see their idol, rock icon Patti Roxx, up close and personal. It’s their mission, their journey, their pilgrimage. They spend the day talking, laughing, arguing, fighting, making up, and drawing blood. Alliances shift and lives change by the time the doors open. The fans love Patti because she understands them: Together they’re a band of outsiders who form a community that doesn’t question why you’d sell your soul for rock and roll.

Director Mark Finley writes: “In the LGBTQIA+ community we get so much necessary support from our families of choice. Rock the Line is about the kinship between die-hard super-fans. But to me it’s also about the everyday bravery a queer person needs not only to survive in this world, but to thrive in it. It’s about what it’s like to dare and the impact those who dare have on others.  It does all this with great honesty, humor and bad-assery.  I love it.”

Warnock says that Rock the Line is inspired by her years of following Joan Jett & the Blackhearts up and down the East Coast, and a few other places (Denmark, Australia, Palm Springs). One of Warnock’s favorite writing credits are the liner notes to the Joan Jett CD, “Unfinished Business.”

Warnock says: “This play started, as many of mine do, as a short play called “I’m Gonna Run Away,” and was the first piece I wrote about the world of being a hardcore fan. It kept growing as I continued to roadtrip to many (well over 100) Joan Jett & the Blackhearts shows. Under the guidance of Tina Howe at Hunter College, and the late, great Doric Wilson (my fairy godmother and godfather), I expanded the play into a full-length. Doric offered me a reading in TOSOS’s Robert Chesley/Jane Chambers Playwrights Project. I got a production out of that reading, with Emerging Artists Theatre. Doric always told me he wished that TOSOS had produced the play. And now, we are!”

Rock The Line is produced by TOSOS (The Other Side of Silence), directed by Mark Finley, and previews January 11-13, opening January 14 at The Flea Theater, where it runs through February 4th. Performances are at 7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. An ASL-interpreted performance is on Jan. 20. Tickets start at $35. To purchase tickets or find out more information https://www.tososnyc.org/rocktheline.

CREATIVE TEAM
Kathleen Warnock’s (she/her) plays have been produced in New York, London, Dublin (Ireland and Georgia), Australia, and lots of places in the U.S. Recent productions include The Butt Trumpet and Unseasonable, (International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival); How to Get Married in Five Steps and 17 Years, (Project Y, IDGTF, Lower East Side Theater Festival), as well as The Further Adventures of…” (NY Fringe, IDGTF) Outlook, (IDGTF) and That’s Her Way, (Frigid Fest, IDGTF) all presented by TOSOS. Some Are People was produced by Emerging Artists Theatre in New York and Dublin, and at Philadelphia GayFest. Grieving for Genevieve was presented by En Avant Playwrights at the Midtown International Theater Festival, and by Venus Theater (MD). Rock the Line was originally produced by Emerging Artists Theatre, and later produced by Venus Theater. 

Kathleen founded and curates the reading series Drunken! Careening! Writers! at KGB Bar the third Thursday of every month (since 2004). She is Associate Artistic Director for Community & Partnerships for TOSOS, Ambassador of Love for North America for the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival, proud member of The Dramatists Guild, and on the Honor Roll of women playwrights. She writes for Gay City News and other publications. Kathleen is a member of Community Board #1, Queens.

Mark Finley Director (he/him) is the artistic director of TOSOS and has directed many of its acclaimed productions including Doric Wilson’s Street Theater, a 2016 IT Award Winner for Outstanding Revival. Also at TOSOS: Robert Macke’s House of Chavis, a streamed production of Robert Heide’s The Bed, Jewelle Gomez’s Waiting for Giovanni and Leaving the Blues (Audelco nominees/winners), Chris Weikel’s Secret Identity and “Merril Mushroom’s Bar Dykes and Virginia Baeta’s Damaged Goods (with Emerging Artists Theatre). He made his Off-Broadway directorial debut with Chris Weikel’s Penny Penniworth. Mark is also a teacher, author, actor and a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

TOSOS (The Other Side of Silence) is New York City’s oldest and longest producing professional LGBTQIA+ theater company. In 1974, Off-Off-Broadway veteran Doric Wilson, cabaret star Billy Blackwell and director Peter dell Valle, started the first professional gay theatre company in NYC. It was called The Other Side of Silence, or TOSOS for short. In 2002, directors Mark Finley and Barry Childs, and playwright Wilson resurrected TOSOS. Today, the company has produced over 30 mainstage shows and so many readings of new plays and works in progress we have trouble counting them all. www.tososnyc.org

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The Most Recent Celebrities to Come Out as Transgender https://www.lesbian.com/the-most-recent-celebrities-to-come-out-as-transgender/ https://www.lesbian.com/the-most-recent-celebrities-to-come-out-as-transgender/#respond Tue, 19 Jul 2022 16:04:47 +0000 https://www.lesbian.com/?p=232621 These celebrities who have come out about their gender identity.

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The journey to realizing that you identify as transgender can be long, but empowering. These celebrities have been open about their gender identity and the self-reflection it took to publicly acknowledge it.

For these celebrities, it’s important to live their truth in every way. Whether through self-expression, gender expression or a combination of both, telling their story allows them to live out loud. Being recognized by how they identify is essential for finding community as well as a fulfilling transgender dating experience.

They’ve built with both fans and other celebrities alike, while also driving the conversation about being trans and the experience it entails. Maybe you’ll resonate with one of their stories or learn something new as an ally, but either way, these trailblazers are shaping the fight for trans liberation.

Vivian Jenna Wilson

Eighteen-year-old Wilson lives outside the spotlight despite her famous father. She’s been clear about identifying as a transgender female and using she/her pronouns according to court documents filed in April. Recently, she filed a petition for a name change and new birth certificate with the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Though both she and father Elon Musk haven’t made much commentary on their estranged relationship, Wilson is clear that she’d like to live her truth and no longer wants to be related to her biological father in “any way, shape or form”.

Emma Corrin

The Crown star Emma Corrin is among recent celebrities to express her trans identity. She came out as queer and uses she/they pronouns. She addressed her gender identity for the first time on Britain’s ITV News. Corrin has also been very open on Instagram about her journey, including her series of posts showing and discussing her chest binders.

Lennon Torres

You may recognize Lennon Torres from the popular Lifetime show Dance Moms. She’s been very open about her transition on Tik Tok and her other social media, now being referred to by she/they pronouns.

Her journey to realizing her identity as a woman was long and started with coming out as gay at 15. College is where she met people who helped her realize what it meant to exist outside of the gender binary. After many conversations and self reflection she realized that she identifies as a trans woman.

Torres started medically transitioning in 2021 and continues to document her journey on Tik Tok. She also works closely with the queer community, including the company she established, Continuum Company, which focuses on gender equity and consults with ballet companies to provide a safe space for dancers outside the gender binary.

Tommy Dorfman

13 Reasons Why star Tommy Dorfman is also open about her journey to identifying as a trans woman. She documented her journey of her body “living in a more fluid space” on Instagram for a while before publicly acknowledging her transition. Dorfman says she transitioned for a year before being open about it. She’s also started medically transitioning.

Gigi Goode

RuPaul’s Drag Race star Gigi Goode has also come out as trans. She originally came out as genderfluid, later realizing that she identifies as a trans female and nonbinary. Goode cites her self reflection during the pandemic and the HBO Max series Veneno for helping her realize who she really is. The fully trans actresses helped her to realize she identifies this way as well.

Goode has been open about the process of medically transitioning, discussing hormone replacement therapy and facial feminization surgery.

Laganja Estranja

Another RuPaul’s cast member, Laganja Estranja has come out as a trans woman. She discusses her ten year journey to discovering herself, including purposely coming out as trans before starting hormone replacement therapy.

Estranja expresses that outward appearance is an extension of what we feel on the inside and that clothes don’t determine whether you’re a woman or not.

Zaya Wade

Zaya Wade has also come out about being a trans girl. Her father, Dwayne Wade, first announced in 2019 on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that his 12 year old daughter Zaya wanted to be referred to by she/her pronouns.

Throughout 2020, 2021 and onward Zaya has introduced herself to the world, making many red carpet appearances with her parents. Both Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade are very supportive of their daughter’s journey and the right to express herself. They also continue to educate themselves through various means, including reaching out to the all trans cast of Pose for how to be of support and be strong allies of the queer community.

NikkieTutorials

NikkieTutorials is no stranger to talking with an audience. The YouTube star has over 13 million followers who tune into her makeup channel. Her video ‘I’m coming out’ was the first time she discussed with her huge following her journey to discovering her identity as a trans woman. In the video she states that she knew that since she was younger that she was “born in the wrong body”.

She also discusses feeling pressured to come out because trolls threatened to expose her gender identity. Making the video was her way of coming out on her own terms and controlling her own narrative.

Ashley Gray

Ashley Gray is most known for being in the 2013 Britain’s Got Talent finals. The singer revealed his identity as a transgender male on his personal Tik Tok. He shared that he had his first appointment at the gender clinic a while ago which opened up the possibility of changing his name on his passport as well as his gender marker.

Promising to keep fans updated throughout the journey, he plans to start testosterone soon.

Indya Moore

Known for their role as Evangelista in Pose, Indya Moore is a big voice in both the trans and queer communities. They identify as transgender and non binary, and use they/them pronouns. Moore is very open about the bullying and transphobia that caused them to leave home at 14 and drop out of school. They have also been very open about the scrutiny they face as female passing, though they identify as nonbinary.

Each of these stories is inspiring and liberating, but it’s important to remember there are many trans people still facing lack of resources in their journey. Supporting organizations dedicated to providing resources for trans people such as the Black Transgender Advocacy Coalition can help to provide a voice and safe spaces for trans people to thrive.

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Betty Who lights up new video for ‘Blow Out My Candle’ https://www.lesbian.com/betty-who-lights-up-new-video-for-blow-out-my-candle/ https://www.lesbian.com/betty-who-lights-up-new-video-for-blow-out-my-candle/#respond Tue, 21 Jun 2022 18:42:39 +0000 https://www.lesbian.com/?p=228746 “Blow Out My Candle" is a triumphant return to form for Betty Who.

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Betty WhoPop icon, singer-songwriter Betty Who releases an anthemic new single, “Blow Out My Candle” via BMG. Just in time for Pride, an accompanying music video that made its broadcast premiere on MTV Live and MTVU is also out now.

“Blow Out My Candle” is a triumphant return to form for Betty Who. On the ‘80s-inspired song, Betty channels her infectious spirit with a newfound level of insight and introspection. The track is a catchy ode to perseverance, with a chorus that activates the dancefloor: “You can blow out my candle, but you you’ll never put out my fire.” The video, directed by Tyler Cunningham, made its broadcast premiere on MTV Live and MTVU and finds Betty embracing the ‘80s aesthetic as she dances around in a Jamie Lee Curtis-inspired workout leotard, sweatband, and high socks as she sings about self confidence and love.

“It’s been a long couple years for all of us. I spent my time off learning to bake (of course)…and incessantly thinking all day and all night about what kind of music I wanted to return with. “Blow Out My Candle” is the story I want to share most. The feeling I held onto in the darkest moments of the last couple years. I hope it gives you the confidence and motivation it gives me,” says Betty Who about the single.

“Blow Out My Candle” — written by Betty and co-produced with longtime friend and collaborator Martin Johnson (“The Night Game/Boys Like Girls”) — is the perfect primer to announce a new chapter for Betty.

Betty has also partnered with the nonprofit organization in its voting registration efforts for the month of Pride. Betty previously performed at the 29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in 2019 and is a frequent collaborator with the nonprofit, as well as with The Trevor Project, whom she worked with on previous tours. GLAAD has declared this Pride month as a month of action and is rallying with the community to make sure everyone is registered to vote in the midterm elections. Betty Who is also working in tandem with GLAAD to fight against the anti-trans and anti LGBTQ legislation by getting record numbers of people to get out and vote. In partnership with GLAAD, the song will serve to be a vehicle for change and drive awareness for the GLAAD Vote with Pride program that looks to increase voter turnout.

Keeping with the theme of the song, she also has also released a Betty Who candle, with a percentage of the proceeds going to GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization

Showing yet another dimension of Betty’s versatility, she is making her reality TV debut by hosting Amazon Studios’ new dating show The One That Got Away. Produced by Amazon Studios and Fulwell 73 and executive produced by Elan Gale (FBoy Island, The Bachelor franchise), The One That Got Away premieres on June 24th. The show is a time-traveling, experimental dating series where six people searching for their soulmates are given the chance to explore a lifetime of missed connections as, one by one, people from their pasts enter through “The Portal” to surprise them and take their shot at love.

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Say it isn’t so: Indigo Girls’ secret revealed https://www.lesbian.com/say-it-isnt-so-indigo-girls-secret-revealed/ https://www.lesbian.com/say-it-isnt-so-indigo-girls-secret-revealed/#respond Fri, 01 Apr 2022 15:32:24 +0000 http://www.lesbian.com/?p=29523 The real secret behind the Indigo Girls' infectious harmonies will leave you saying "I can't go for that (No can do)."

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By Sally Lyde
Lesbian.com

“Anyone who has heard ‘Maneater’ knows it comes from a deep place,” Daryl Hall, 71, says as he stretches out in the living room of his Charleston, SC, home, where he shoots the web series, “Live from Daryl’s House,” an acoustic jam session with musicians he has befriended over the decades. “John and I loved doing our harmonies, so the idea came from our obsession with harmony and a desire make our music without trying to compete with the New Wave musicians. And, the fact that without his mustache, John really looks like a woman.”

Hall pauses, “I love Emily Saliers. Initially, she was a vehicle for being able to share my music, my way, but now, I’m choosing to live full time as Emily Saliers.”

Look at a picture of the Indigo Girls. Squint your eyes. A little tighter. Tighter. Now, draw a wildly masculine mustache on Amy Ray. There. It seems so obvious now. Hall & Oates are the Indigo Girls.

via GIPHY

“We missed the clues because we wanted to miss the clues,” a lesbian comedian close to the Indigo Girls said. “I’ve hung out with Emily dozens of times. She’s pure love, but she really likes pool, like in a way that pushed the boundaries of the way lesbians feel about pool. Then there was her rendition of ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ at the Christmas party in 2002.”

The biggest clue is the music and the careers. Hall & Oates moved away from the music scene in 1985 as the Indigo Girls started gaining traction. Both duos sing heartfelt harmonies about love, relationships and spirituality. Most tellingly, you’ve never seen them together.

“Look, the 1990 Grammy Awards were a nightmare. We were quick changing between Hall & Oates and the Indigo Girls all night,” Hall remembers. “It was really lucky that Milli Vanilli won best new artist that year because we were not in costume. But, the agonizing thing is that we did win a best folk album Grammy. At that point, Hall & Oates had 4 nominations and no wins, then ‘Nomads Indians and Saints’ wins.”

Hall said the competitive part of Hall & Oates made them continue to make music as both artists because they were clearly Grammy-worthy musicians and wanted to live openly as such. Now, Hall has lost at the Grammys 6 times as Daryl. He’s ready to let it go.

“In hindsight, we should have come out right then. We were so proud of our Grammy and our album,” he sighs, “But we were also afraid of losing all the love and community we found from being the Indigo Girls.”

Now, Hall is ready. “I made a life as Emily. A beautiful life with a fantastic restaurant (Watershed), wonderful friends and beautiful music, I’m ready to be that person full time.”

Somewhere Hall predicts, John Oates / Amy Ray is shaking his head. It is always this way between them. Hall / Saliers says too much, Oates / Ray says much less or nothing.

“John is probably saying to himself, ‘why can’t you just shut up and sing?'” Hall said. “But I’m more Dixie Chicks than he is.”

Happy April Fool’s Day, everyone!

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Fast Five with Amy.D https://www.lesbian.com/fast-five-with-amy-d/ https://www.lesbian.com/fast-five-with-amy-d/#respond Tue, 01 Feb 2022 18:10:55 +0000 https://www.lesbian.com/?p=208534 From the age of 12 years old AMY.D had started to create tracks in her bedroom using only her laptop,...

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From the age of 12 years old AMY.D had started to create tracks in her bedroom using only her laptop, microphone and mini keyboard. From 2019 she has been in the studio making tracks with Cassius Clifford (CC On The Beat) where she has developed and grown to find her own unique sound which is a mixture of acoustic and alternative/electronic pop.

AMY.D is an advocate for positivity and growth, with the objective to connect with and help the community’s that are close to her like the LGBTQ+, POC, the adolescents, people suffering from mental health and anyone who feels outcasted or unseen.

Follow Amy.D on Instagram .

1. Do you have any phobias? (please enumerate with embarrassing details)
When I was a kid I had a huge fear of heights. I didn’t really understand how gravity worked yet ,so I would walk up hills with a hunched back (practically crawling) because I thought I was going to fall.

2. What song can you not get enough of right now?
Right now, I’m obsessed with “Haunted – Laura Les.” It’s such a powerful and energetic song. When I listen to this song I feel so focused and confident, I really love the song.

3. Which celebrity would render you totally star struck if you were to meet him/her?
If I met the lead singer of my favorite band (The Neighborhood) Jesse Rutherford, I would be totally star struck. He’s an incredibly talented singer/songwriter and his stage presence is extraordinary, he’s been an inspiration of mine since I was like 11.
4. What would be your best piece of relationship advice?
My best piece of relationship advice is you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable because a good relationship/partner will push you to face your fears and help you grow and become stronger, so don’t try to hide from it, instead learn from it. It’s also important not to forget to do the little things, I think sometimes it’s the smallest of things that make a big difference.

5. If you could wake up tomorrow with one talent or skill you don’t presently have, what would you want that to be?
If I were to wake up tomorrow with one new talent/skill it would be the ability to solve a Rubik’s cube in under 5 minutes.

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Aiyana-Lee shares soul’s bounty in ‘Rich Kids’ https://www.lesbian.com/aiyana-lee-shares-souls-bounty-in-rich-kids/ https://www.lesbian.com/aiyana-lee-shares-souls-bounty-in-rich-kids/#respond Tue, 09 Nov 2021 14:17:18 +0000 https://www.lesbian.com/?p=203526 When Aiyana-Lee was 15, she and her mother moved to Los Angeles so Aiyana-Lee could pursue her dream of being a singer, writer and performer.

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Aiyana-LeeLondon-born, LA-based artist-to-watch Aiyana-Lee, 20, debuts the refreshingly candid “Rich Kids” — a song that explores her personal tenacity against materialism and prioritizing self-love. “Rich Kids” is the lead single off Aiyana-Lee’s forthcoming project, featuring collaborators including GRAMMY Award-Winning producer Neff-U (Michael Jackson, Doja Cat), Sebastian Kole (Alicia Keys, Alessia Cara), Nathalia Marshall (Kiana Lede, Bebe Rexha), and multi-platinum singer-songwriter Nicole Daciana Anderson (BLUE), who is also Aiyana-Lee’s mother, manager, and creative partner.

“The song really represents being a broke outsider, but having this fire within you that propels you forward…”, Aiyana-Lee explains. “It’s about being rich in your soul, not in your wallet, and being the best version of yourself, because ultimately that’s something money can’t buy.”

When Aiyana-Lee was 15, she and her mother moved to Los Angeles so Aiyana-Lee could pursue her dream of being a singer, writer and performer.

“My mom sacrificed everything,” Aiyana-Lee said. “We struggled, had financial troubles, including the loss of our home. We lived eating canned foods together and we’d make a good time of walking down the street and people watching, laughing when we didn’t even have a dime to our name. That’s what the song ‘Rich Kids’ is all about. It’s my story, but I feel like we’re speaking to people who still go through the same thing.”

Growing up surrounded by music—her uncle was David Ruffin of The Temptations, and her grandfather was famed American soul singer Jimmy Ruffin—she began singing at age two. Jumping on stage whenever she had the chance, she’d grab the mic and belt out lyrics as a toddler when her mother brought her on tour. An artist whose vocal depth speaks for itself, Aiyana-Lee is the most recent signing to legendary music executive L.A. Reid’s entertainment company HITCO.

“With the voice of a goddess, there is a tone and depth that’s evident in Aiyana-Lee’s music that makes it hard to believe the newcomer is only 20 years old. I am proud to present Aiyana-Lee as the newest member of the HITCO family.” -L.A. Reid

Combining elements of pop, R&B and soul with poignant, heartfelt lyrics, Aiyana-Lee’s powerhouse vocals have already captivated listeners and amassed more than 2.3 million streams of her recent single “Bedroom” on YouTube.

With athletic vocals that are both powerful and emotive, Aiyana-Lee’s voice is a refreshing, powerful sight to behold. Stay tuned for more to come from Aiyana-Lee this fall.

Find Aiyana-Lee at aiyana-lee.com | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube

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Carly Thomas genre-bends her truth in a brave new full length record, ‘Behind the Ficus’ https://www.lesbian.com/carly-thomas-genre-bends-her-truth-in-a-brave-new-full-length-record-behind-the-ficus/ https://www.lesbian.com/carly-thomas-genre-bends-her-truth-in-a-brave-new-full-length-record-behind-the-ficus/#respond Fri, 27 Aug 2021 18:57:26 +0000 https://www.lesbian.com/?p=196648 Along the way she guides the listener, thoughtfully through her stories of love, growth, impermanence and in finding home in unexpected places.

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Carly Thomas hasn’t quite figured out how to sit still. Inspiration has come with many departures and turning points, but during a difficult 2020 of staying put and digging into some “songs that got away”, this blossoming artist has arrived.

Throughout her celebrated career, the award-winning singer/songwriter has been turning her most beautiful– and most difficult– moments into evocative songs about love, pain, loss and hope, providing a soundtrack for the human experience.

Behind The Ficus is Carly’s third full-length album, following 2003’s Distance and 2009’s Up This High. She released her acclaimed Explode EP in 2014, as well as acoustic arrangements of her most popular songs on 2017’s Versions.

Behind The Ficus is rich in imagery of Parisian train stations, Toronto rooftops, coastal vistas, and gritty middle America highways. It is those distinctly different backdrops that bring a varied, yet cohesive, feel to the record. Along the way she guides the listener, thoughtfully through her stories of love, growth, impermanence and in finding home in unexpected places. Proving time and again that the darkest moments can provide the brightest revelations.

While Behind The Ficus pays homage to Carly’s indie rock roots (September, Carolina) and draws from the rich history of American folk music (Impossible Bottle, Stay With Me, Empty Room), the album also branches into exciting new musical territory. Production began in early 2020 alongside producer Kyle Ashbourne (London, ON), infusing lush soundscapes and a dark pop vibe into songs including Train Station, Can I Be The Fire, Front Row, and others. Together, they represent not only a brave and very personal collection, but the expression of a self-assured artist with a clear musical vision.

The collection of songs is a lyrical evolution for Carly as well. While she has always been known as an evocative and insightful writer, her new songs offer both an intense vulnerability and immediate resonance. They reveal an evolved and seasoned artist who has come to grips with what she wants to say. As she sings on Carolina, “I’ve been afraid to light up, and I don’t want to live that way.”

Behind The Ficus is Carly laid emotionally bare. Poignant, poetic and even whimsical, the album is both a confession and an encouragement to listeners to face and reveal their own truth.
All 11 songs are delivered in Carly’s strong, clear voice – which is always thick with emotion. During the opening line of her first single “Stay With Me”, we hear a clear and disarming cadence creating an instant connection to the minimalist Americana ballad.

Having cut her teeth initially in the folk clubs of Manhattan as a teenager, Carly has since performed extensively around Canada, the United States, and Europe, charming audiences with her charismatic stage presence and quirky storytelling. She spent her childhood and adolescence being constantly uprooted to locales all over the the globe. This nomadic upbringing groomed Carly for a certain comfort, adaptability and passion for the road. It’s also given her a sense of perspective and a sense of wanderlust which she uses to good advantage in her art. Whether she is playing to 20 people in a coffee house or to thousands with her full band on a festival stage, she has way of captivating and connecting authentically, taking us on a beautiful musical journey.

As the world re-opens to live music, Carly Thomas is poised for the next level. Behind The Ficus is a statement of her firm intent: it’s time to be even more vulnerable, even more hopeful, even more real.

It’s time to dive in.

FIND CARLY
BandCamp | Instagram | Facebook | Apple | Spotify | Amazon Music

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‘Ahead of the Curve’ out June 1 https://www.lesbian.com/ahead-of-the-curve-out-june-1/ https://www.lesbian.com/ahead-of-the-curve-out-june-1/#respond Wed, 28 Apr 2021 17:40:42 +0000 https://www.lesbian.com/?p=165447 AHEAD OF THE CURVE will be available to rent and purchase digitally on Apple TV, Google Play, FandangoNOW, VUDU and...

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AHEAD OF THE CURVE will be available to rent and purchase digitally on Apple TV, Google Play, FandangoNOW, VUDU and WolfeOnDemand.com on June 1. DVDs are available for pre-order at Wolfe Video now.

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