Welsh-born, NYC-based queer singer-songwriter Bright Light Bright Light joined us for our first ever JOY Listening Party to celebrate the release of his new album.

Written as a love letter to the LGBTIQ communities, Fun City is a record full of collaborations with queer artists.

In the second hour of the party, Bright Light Bright Light aka Rod Thomas hangs out with Michael to chat about how the songs came about, especially in the current context of queer rights and representation. John P, from In The Studio, caught up with rapper Big Dipper and singer KAYE to talk about their tracks on the record.

Show your support by streaming and buying the album at orcd.co/funcity

Playlist

Bright Light Bright Light ft Niki Haris, Donna De Lory & Initial Talk – This Was My House

Bright Light Bright Light ft KAYE – Never be Lonely

Bright Light Bright Light ft The Illustrious Blacks – These Dreams

Bright Light Bright Light ft Big Dipper – Love Song

Bright Light Bright Light ft Mark Gatiss – Next To You

Bright Light Bright Light ft Justin Vivian Bond – Saying Goodbye Is Exhausting

The post #JOYListeningParty: Bright Light Bright Light releases queer collab album ‘Fun City’ (Hour 2) appeared first on JOY Music Highlights.

Welsh-born, NYC-based queer singer-songwriter Bright Light Bright Light joined us for our first ever JOY Listening Party to celebrate the release of his new album.

Written as a love letter to the LGBTIQ communities, Fun City is a record full of collaborations with queer artists.

In the first hour of the party, Bright Light Bright Light aka Rod Thomas had a chat with Michael about the purpose of the album and the messages he was trying to convey with its songs. The Sound of Now‘s Ti Butler got a chance to chat with Aussie singer-songwriter Brendan Maclean about meeting Rod and creating the song Touchy. Fellow Aussie Sam Sparro caught up with Turn the Beat Around‘s Robbie Molinari to share his story behind the collab.

Show your support by streaming and buying the album at orcd.co/funcity

Playlist

Bright Light Bright Light – I Used To Be Cool

Bright Light Bright Light ft Brendan Maclean – Touchy

Bright Light Bright Light ft Jake Shears – Sensation

Bright Light Bright Light ft Andy Bell – Good at Goodbyes

Bright Light Bright Light ft Sam Sparro – You Make It So Easy Don’t You

Bright Light Bright Light ft Caveboy – It’s Alright It’s Okay

The post #JOYListeningParty: Bright Light Bright Light releases queer collab album ‘Fun City’ (Hour 1) appeared first on JOY Music Highlights.

Since last being at JOY, Zak’s been performing all over Australia and busy writing new music. He caught up with Michael, JOY’s Music Director, to talk about performing in suits and on boats and the story behind the new single Fallin.

Plus:

• What happened when Zak tried to gate crash a Madonna gig?
• Whose music would he love to make a cover album of?
• How did Zak get his foot in the door?

Grab your copy of Fallin through your preferred music distributor and like Zak on Facebook.

The post Zak’s back and Fallin for you appeared first on JOY Music Highlights.

Michael and John took you on a journey through time with one song for each of the years since the very first Mardi Gras in 1978.

The fourth decade: 2008 – today

2008: Agnes – Release Me (Cahill Radio Edit)

2009: Beyoncé – Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)

2010: Beverley Knight & Chaka Khan – Soul Survivor (Bimbo Jones Radio Edit)

2011: Lady Gaga – Born This Way

2012: Scissor Sisters – Let’s Have a Kiki

2013: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft Mary Lambert – Same Love (JOY radio edit)

2014: Sam Smith – Stay With Me (Mark Picchiotti Groove Reconstruction Radio Mix)

2015: Adam Lambert – Ghost Town

2016: Dami Im – Sound of Silence (7th Heaven Radio Edit)

2017: Halsey ft Lauren Jauregai – Strangers

2018: Troye Sivan – My My My

The post 40 Songs for 40 Years: 2008 – today appeared first on JOY Music Highlights.

Michael and John took you on a journey through time with one song for each of the years since the very first Mardi Gras in 1978.

The third decade: 1998 – 2007

1998: Mousse T vs Hot’N’Juicy – Horny (1998 rework)

1999: Delerium & Sarah McLachlan – Silence

2000: Anastacia  – I’m Outta Love

2001: Kylie Minogue – Can’t Get You Out Of My Head

2002: Shakira – Whenever Wherever

2003: Britney Spears & Madonna – Me Against The Music

2004: Eric Prydz – Call On Me

2005: Mariah Carey – We Belong Together (Pete Rauhofer reconstruction radio mix)

2006: Scissor Sisters – I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’

2007: Mika – Grace Kelly

The post 40 Songs for 40 Years: 1998 – 2007 appeared first on JOY Music Highlights.

Michael and John took you on a journey through time with one song for each of the years since the very first Mardi Gras in 1978.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf4gJqjle8F

The second decade: 1988 – 1997

1988: Yazz And The Plastic Population – The Only Way Is Up

1989: Cher – If I Could Turn Back Time

1990: The B52s – Love Shack

1991: Kylie Minogue – What Do I Have To Do

1992: CeCe Peniston – Finally

1993: Janet Jackson – If

1994: Toni Pearen – Walkaway Lover

1995: Christine Anu – Party

1996: Johnna – Pride (Radio Edit)

1997: Aqua – Barbie Girl

The post 40 Songs for 40 Years: 1988 – 1997 appeared first on JOY Music Highlights.

Michael and John took you on a journey through time with one song for each of the years since the very first Mardi Gras in 1978.

The first decade: 1978 – 1987

1978: Alicia Bridges – I Love The Nightlife (Real Rapino 7″ Mix)

1979: ABBA – Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

1980: Diana Ross – Upside Down

1981: Soft Cell – Tainted Love

1982: Human League – Don’t You Want Me

1983: Prince – 1999

1984: Bronski Beat – Smalltown Boy

1985: Dead Or Alive – You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)

1986: The Communards – Don’t Leave Me This Way

1987: Bananarama – Love In The First Degree

The post 40 Songs for 40 Years: 1978 – 1987 appeared first on JOY Music Highlights.

The out-and-proud singer sat down with JOY’s Music Director Michael and they chatted about performing a song about his ex on national TV, the effects of the current Marriage Law Postal Survey and the story behind his new song, Love is Love.

He also teamed up with Matt, his guitarist, to perform Love is Love live in studio.

Plus:

• What does Alfie think about Eurovision?
• What are the plans for 2018?
• Which big British singer does he want to work with?
• And what did little Alfie get up to in big LA?

Connect with Alfie

Facebook: Alfie Arcuri

Twitter: @alfiearcuri

Instagram: @alfiearcuri

The post Alfie says YES for marriage equality appeared first on JOY Music Highlights.

Incognito

The 19-member ensemble will be performing at Alumbra in Melbourne, 29 September.

JOY 94.9’s  very own Soul Provider, Matt Warne, was in London this week and took the opportunity to catch up with the band’s frontman – composer, record producer, guitarist and singer – Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick.

This podcast is the full length Soul Provider program including interview and tracks.

The post Incognito: Full Length Show appeared first on JOY Music Highlights.

Incognito is a British acid jazz band. Their debut album, Jazz Funk, was released in 1981, with 15 more albums following, the latest of which, Amplified Soul, was released in June 2014.

The 19-member ensemble will be performing at Alumbra in Melbourne, 29 September.

JOY 94.9’s  very own Soul Provider, Matt Warne, was in London this week and took the opportunity to catch up with the band’s frontman – composer, record producer, guitarist and singer – Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick.

The post Soul Provider Goes Incognito appeared first on JOY Music Highlights.