Peaches performs live on stage during a concert at Columbiahalle on Nov. 24, 2016 in Berlin, Germany.
Stefan Hoederath/Redferns
June is a time to honor the LGBTQ community’s rich history and highlight its remarkable achievements. To celebrate Pride Month, Billboard asked modern music stars to pen essays about their favorite queer icons, and how their sounds, lyrics and overall images influenced a new era of artistry.
I remember first seeing Peaches live when I was about 19 years old and being absolutely enthralled by her raw inhibition on stage. I had never before seen such a force like that.
Seeing how free she was onstage truly inspired me to let go of any hang ups or nervousness that I personally had as a performer. I was inspired by how authentic she was in her sexuality, in her person, and how it inevitably blended into her music. Peaches is unafraid to be herself in an industry where it’s not always easy to be oneself. She’s been ahead of her time in many ways, including being outspoken about politics and social justice issues. I feel that she has been a voice in the LGBTQ community after so many of us have felt silenced or unable to be ourselves.
When I saw Peaches for the first time, I was figuring out how to come out to my family and friends and was unsure of how to express that side of myself. I remember feeling genuinely empowered by listening to her music and seeing how unapologetic she was in live performances. She’s been an incredible advocate for issues that resonate with so many, including myself. It has always inspired me to see artists use their platform to create change and to instill positive energy toward injustice. In this crazy world, we need more performers like Peaches.
We have the honor of working with one of Peaches’ drummers, Samantha Moloney, who is our A&R representative at Warner Bros. Records. Working with Sam encapsulates the energy and vision of what Peaches has always represented to me. We are able to be ourselves, fight for what we think is right, and create music we believe in.
Peaches’ music made me stand up a bit taller, shout a bit louder, lose myself on stage more and helped me see that I could unapologetically live the life I was meant to live.
