Dan Kiernan–known simply as Kiernan onstage–likely didn’t know how popular the Queerchella showcases he produces would become, and what a vital platform he was would provide to local queer indie artists. And now that he’s taking Queerchella on the road, even more folks are jumping on board! [Cover photo: @tylermillironphotography]
Thotyssey: Hello Kiernan! So, Thanksgiving is already right around the corner… are you a fan?
Kiernan: I am! I’m incredibly close with my family and cousins, so we’re excited to spend it together!
Does musical talent run in your family at all?
I never met her, but my dad said his mother had a beautiful voice. Other than that, it’s just me; although my cousins and I love a sing-a-long moment together.
Can you tell us a bit about where your from, and how you began in music and performance?
I grew up on Long Island, in Amityville… like the horror house! I started performing at an early age playing the saxophone. My first band teacher heard me singing along during a rehearsal one day, and the rest is history. Singing brought me to musical theater, which ultimately led me to a career in music.
Originally, what was your music performing and recording career like?
I’ve been writing and recording my original music since 2019. I released a live album and have released several singles since then. [In the beginning] I was doing mostly acoustic gigs with my original music, sometimes with a small band. It really wasn’t until Queerchella that I had the full space, literally and spiritually, to fully grow as a musician and artist.
Can you tell us how Queerchella came about exactly? And what sort of void is it helping to fill in this community?
Queerchella actually came from grief, and was originally “Danchella” (humbly). After losing my dad, I was struggling to get back onstage… so I booked a show and filled it with an incredible lineup in case I was unable to perform. It was a hit… but the next day the city closed due to Covid.
As the city was coming back post-pandemic, I was given a grant from the city to bring art back to the public… and that’s what really ignited the flame. We did a full day festival in Jackie Robinson Park in Harlem with a queer and BIPOC fronted lineup. This is also when I brought on my incredible co-producer, Price Troché. That Pride, we bought the concept to Bowery Electric with a full queer lineup, and that’s where our monthly residency began.
I think there’s something so special in sharing a bill with other queer artists, and performing for a queer audience. It’s not only good for the soul, but from an artist point of view it’s more beneficial for these musicians to be on a really curated lineup. In the community and in nightlife, I think it’s so special to have an event that’s really about the music, and having a safe space for queer music artists.
Right now in the queer scene, drag and sexy stuff remain the guiding nightlife attractions. Live music is hard to come by in a gay bar these days.
Absolutely, and I love those parts of nightlife! But I think there’s definitely room for live music, too!
Queerchella is flourishing in the variety of venues it happens in, and it’s constantly getting written up and praised by outlets as big as Time Out New York! What do you think the secret is the event’s growing success?
First of all, thank you. A huge part is the venues. It takes a lot more tech to have multiples bands and types of music in one night, so a massive shoutout to 3 Dollar Bill. I think another big part is our incredibly hard working team; we’re really dedicated to finding new ways to grow the event, and make it bigger and better every single month.
Finally, it’s the acts. We have received well over 500 submissions in the last year from all over the world, and we are actively seeking the best talent–the acts that could, should, and will headline the biggest festivals in the world. I personally strive to have as much diversity in representation and genre every month. I want Queerchella to be the place you discover your new favorite queer artist.
How on earth do you curate these lineups with all those submissions!?
Thankfully not by myself anymore, lol! We have a team of ten people that review submissions now. Personally, I’m always looking for three major things: 1) the vocals; I love a singer-singer, the whole package. 2) does this artist know who they are, and what they bring to a lineup? And 3) are they someone with that superstar presence you can see on a massive festival stage? We also prioritize bringing people back multiple times and building our Queerchella family; those acts are the people with that extra sense of community, and really get what we stand for.
It must be cool when people who’ve done shows with you really begin to establish themselves in the scene: folks like the Bad Judies, and Jayse Vegas and Emergency Tiara! And what other Queerchellians on the glow-up should we all be on the lookout for?
Jayse Vegas is not only one of my close friends, but I’ve truly lost count how many times they’ve done Queerchella; they’re even one of our resident hosts now. I love watching our Queerchella family grow!
As far as who to look out for, the list could go on and on. If you see them multiple times on a Queerchella lineup, they’re definitely someone to check out and that I’m personally a big fan of!
On Friday, you’ll be venturing out to Industry Lounge in Huntington, Long Island for a special on-the-road edition of Queerchella.
Yes! I grew up on Long Island, so I’m excited it’s our first touring stop! We’re bringing our NYC team with a lineup of some incredible Long Island queer talent. I’m so thrilled to bring our unapologetically queer night of music to Long Island!
And Sunday you’ll be back at your home base 3 Dollar Bill for what’s bound to be a great show with acts like The Royale Minks, Leone and Privilege.
It’s a double Queerchella weekend! I’m really excited for this lineup; it’s giving glam rock on a Sunday! Leone did our show in Jackie Robinson Park in 2021, and so I’m thrilled to have them back alongside some Queerchella debuts!
What else is coming up for you and yours?
I’m thrilled to see the future of Queerchella in 2024! We have some incredible acts joining us, and we’ll be begin planning our big summer pride festival soon! And stay tuned for some special Queerchella holidays announcements, also soon! Personally, my new single “Blue” is coming out at the end of this year and I can’t wait to finally share it!
Btw, as an indie recording artist, what are your thoughts on AI bots simulating famous singers? Is that fun, or creepy?
Listen, it’s crazy. At first I thought it was cool to hear like Britney singing a Gaga song… but what it’s doing, and could potentially do, to the industry is scary. There is nothing and could never be anything like a raw and real live vocal!
Yes, and that’s why everyone must come out and experience live music! Last question: what might your best advice be for a young queer recording artist or musician trying to break through and be heard in the scene today?
My best advice is to just do it! I talk to so many artists that are waiting for the perfect song or perfect venue to start, and I’ve always lived by: life is short, if you wanna do it, go for it. Put yourself out there, do your best, and learn on the job. If there’s a song in your heart, get it out there, baby.
Hear, hear… and sing, sing! Thanks, Kiernan!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Kiernan’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and multiple media platforms.
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