Masked Singer Orville Peck on Being Openly Gay in Country Music: ‘We’ve Always Been There’

Orville Peck’s roots trace back to South Africa, but at the age of 15, he relocated to Toronto with his family. Despite his background as a theater enthusiast and trained ballet dancer, he eventually ventured to London, gracing the West End stage. However, his acting career was short-lived, as his genuine passion lay in creating music—specifically, country music.

“I always aspired to be a country singer,” Peck reveals. “In my 20s, I finally summoned the courage to amalgamate all my passions and just dive into the music scene.”

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This artistic pursuit included an unusual commitment to conceal his identity. While adopting a stage name is common in entertainment, Peck took it a step further by masking himself in every public appearance—this was pre-COVID times. His extensive collection of approximately 60 masks spans from vibrant, bedazzled pieces in a rainbow of colors to bold black leather creations that might even make the Village People blush. Despite these measures, internet sleuths, fueled by details from his early punk rock career and more than 30 tattoos, attempt to uncover his true identity. Peck’s response is simple: if you want to know him, listen to his music.

Orville Peck possesses a voice that exudes a timeless enigma: his deep, soulful crooning has drawn comparisons to the likes of Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and Chris Isaak.

Currently embarking on a global tour in support of his second album, “Bronco,” Peck is unapologetically open about his identity as a gay artist. This authenticity is one aspect he has never felt compelled to conceal.

“I’ve been out since I was little,” he shares during a Zoom interview conducted from the basement of Santa Barbara’s Arlington Theatre, one of the stops on his tour. “I was fortunate to grow up in a family environment where I was shielded and embraced for whoever I chose to be.”

In true country fashion, Peck delves into themes of heartache in his music. His songs echo the sentiments of lost loves and men who have wronged him. Notably, much of “Bronco” was inspired by a relationship that concluded just before the onset of the pandemic. Reflecting on this period, Peck reveals, “I was very depressed and felt uninspired, so I compelled myself to spend six to eight hours in the studio every day, crafting new music.”

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Orville Peck’s music videos are vibrant celebrations of LGBTQ pride, featuring appearances by stars from “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” culminating in the video for “The Curse of the Blackened Eye,” where “Walking Dead” actor Norman Reedus makes a cameo as a potential love interest.

Collaborating with “RuPaul’s” country queen Trixie Mattel last year, they covered Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash’s classic duet “Jackson.” Mattel emphasizes that their foray into this genre stems from a genuine love for the music they grew up admiring. “Orville and I do this type of music because it’s the type of music we like and listen to and grew up wanting to be a part of,” Mattel states. “We’re coming at it authentically, which makes it hard to reject because when you listen to either of our music, you can tell we’re here because we love it, not because it’s the easiest genre to pick from.”

Peck traces his country music roots to his grandfather, a horseback sheriff in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, who, despite appearing tough, was a soft-hearted individual. Describing his father as “a very free-spirited, open man who’s always been extremely sensitive and taught me about sensitivity and kindness,” Peck acknowledges the influence of his family in instilling sensitivity, even in his straight brothers. He expresses an admiration and fascination for cowboys, seeing them as strong figures outwardly but sensitive and perhaps lonely internally. Peck romanticizes the idea that these characters derive strength from their outsider status and loneliness, turning it into a form of power rather than a weakness.

While often perceived as an outsider artist, Orville Peck embraced his love for mainstream country in 2020 by collaborating with country-pop superstar Shania Twain on “Legends Never Die,” featured on his “Show Pony” EP. Twain admires Peck’s voice for its familiar throwback sound, reminiscent of early male country artists. She notes the richness in his voice that compels listeners to crave more and highlights his likable and genuine personality.

Twain emphasizes the importance for country music fans to connect with artists on a personal level, seeking sincerity in their performances. She reminisces about the raw storytelling in the country music she grew up with, marked by grit in the artists’ lives and the stories they conveyed. According to Twain, the country audience yearns for more variety and distinctiveness among artist styles. She applauds Peck for his unique singing style and less predictable lyrics, making him a standout artist in her eyes.

For Peck, the significance of standing out loud and proud has grown more pronounced. He reflects on the meaningful messages and letters he receives from gay, trans, and queer fans who express gratitude for providing a sense of belonging. These fans, from various backgrounds, share stories of embracing their cultural identity through Peck’s music, even if they felt like outsiders growing up. This impact on others reinforces Peck’s commitment to visibility, particularly for those who may not have had the same experiences he did.

Entering the country music scene wasn’t as straightforward as unfurling a rainbow carpet in front of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, according to Peck. Despite facing some reluctance, skepticism, and aggression as a gay man in the country genre, he asserts that the challenges have been less daunting than one might expect.

While performing at a diverse array of venues, including Coachella and traditional country festivals in red states, Peck approaches each event with an open heart and mind. He acknowledges initial apprehensions from certain audiences, often adorned in ‘Blue Lives Matter’ shirts and Trump hats. However, Peck finds that many who may appear resistant at first end up dancing and singing along by the end of his shows. He believes a significant shift is occurring in country music, with a growing number of queer individuals and non-white, non-straight men contributing to the genre.

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Recent years have witnessed notable strides in the inclusion of LGBTQ+ artists in country music. Figures like Chely Wright, Ty Herndon, and Billy Gilman came out, though it was years after reaching their peaks as ’90s hitmakers. Brandi Carlile, initially recognized as an Americana artist, has seamlessly transitioned into a country star through frequent collaborations in the genre. In a rare occurrence, T.J. Osborne of Brothers Osborne publicly shared his sexuality while still maintaining his status as a major headliner, discussing it in a 2021 interview with Time magazine.

Entering the country music scene wasn’t as straightforward as unfurling a rainbow carpet in front of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, according to Peck. Despite facing some reluctance, skepticism, and aggression as a gay man in the country genre, he asserts that the challenges have been less daunting than one might expect.

While performing at a diverse array of venues, including Coachella and traditional country festivals in red states, Peck approaches each event with an open heart and mind. He acknowledges initial apprehensions from certain audiences, often adorned in ‘Blue Lives Matter’ shirts and Trump hats. However, Peck finds that many who may appear resistant at first end up dancing and singing along by the end of his shows. He believes a significant shift is occurring in country music, with a growing number of queer individuals and non-white, non-straight men contributing to the genre.

see more : Justin Timberlake and Megan Thee Stallion Had ‘Zero Fight’ Backstage at the VMAs, Source Says

Recent years have witnessed notable strides in the inclusion of LGBTQ+ artists in country music. Figures like Chely Wright, Ty Herndon, and Billy Gilman came out, though it was years after reaching their peaks as ’90s hitmakers. Brandi Carlile, initially recognized as an Americana artist, has seamlessly transitioned into a country star through frequent collaborations in the genre. In a rare occurrence, T.J. Osborne of Brothers Osborne publicly shared his sexuality while still maintaining his status as a major headliner, discussing it in a 2021 interview with Time magazine.

rewrite “We’ve always been there, but a lot of us are now more kind of in the mainstream,” Peck says. “It’s just a matter of time that that slowly chips away at the belief systems that some of these country fans have in place, these kind of maybe bigoted ideas. I think if we keep our heads held high and we keep together and we keep doing what we’re doing and being authentic, I like to believe that it will hopefully not only change the landscape of country music, but it’ll also help change the cycle of racism and homophobia.” Last August, Peck played the Hinterland Music Festival in St. Charles, Iowa. He stood onstage in a red-and-white ensemble that would have made Elvis proud or help a queen win a “Power of the Dog” challenge on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” There, he performed Lady Gaga’s 2011 hit “Born This Way,” the same cover he contributed to the 10th-anniversary rerelease of Gaga’s album of the same name, all of whose tracks were reimagined by mainly LGBTQ artists. “This song is just about being yourself, which sounds really easy, but it’s hard to do,” Peck told the crowd. “And it took me a long time to figure out how to be myself.” He added with a chuckle, “It looks like this now.” The crowd roared with applause. “I think the future is so bright for Orville,” says openly gay CMT host Cody Alan. Which suggests the future is bright for other queer country musicians. “One step leads to another, and we’re going to have more country artists who are out as queer from day one,” Alan says. For now, Peck is on the road through mid-August (including a prominent spot at Goldenvoice’s Palomino Festival in Pasadena in July, which will make him the only artist this year to play that, Stagecoach and Coachella). To answer the inevitable question, he doesn’t know if or when he’ll stop wearing his masks. But he does reveal that he’s already working on a third album. “I have written one song for it,” he says, smiling. “It’s the first love song I’ve ever written. I’ve never written about being in love. I’ve only ever written Julia Johnson/Sony Music about heartbreak.”

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“We’ve always been there, but many of us are now more prominently in the mainstream,” Peck asserts. “It’s a gradual process that slowly erodes the belief systems some country fans may hold, challenging potentially bigoted ideas. I believe that if we maintain our authenticity, hold our heads high, and continue what we’re doing collectively, it might not only reshape the landscape of country music but also contribute to breaking the cycle of racism and homophobia.”

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In August of the previous year, Peck took the stage at the Hinterland Music Festival in St. Charles, Iowa. Dressed in a red-and-white ensemble reminiscent of Elvis or fit for a queen conquering a “Power of the Dog” challenge on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” he performed Lady Gaga’s 2011 hit “Born This Way.” This cover was part of the 10th-anniversary re-release of Gaga’s album, featuring reinterpretations by predominantly LGBTQ artists. Addressing the crowd, Peck remarked, “This song is just about being yourself, which sounds really easy, but it’s hard to do. And it took me a long time to figure out how to be myself.” With a chuckle, he added, “It looks like this now,” prompting a roar of applause from the audience.

Openly gay CMT host Cody Alan expresses optimism about Peck’s future, suggesting that it bodes well for other queer country musicians. Alan envisions a progression where more country artists are openly queer from the outset. Currently touring until mid-August, Peck has notable appearances, including the Palomino Festival in Pasadena, making him the only artist this year to perform at that, Stagecoach, and Coachella. As for the inevitable question about his masks, Peck remains uncertain about when or if he’ll stop wearing them but reveals that he’s already working on his third album.

“I’ve written one song for it,” he discloses with a smile. “It’s the first love song I’ve ever written. I’ve never written about being in love. I’ve only ever written to Julia Johnson/Sony Music about heartbreak.”

Source: https://dominioncinemas.net
Category: Music