You Alright Babes?

Three seasons, 21 episodes later and the boys bring You Alright Babes to a close, reminiscing and sharing some of their favourite parts of the show and the incredible variety of guests who shared their inspiring stories over the podcast. We started You Alright Babes as a way to talk through queer strength and struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the creative community always finds a way to channel their creativity into new avenues to keep queer expression alive. A big thank you to all our guests and everyone who listened - we've loved every second. Love, James and Producer Robs x

The boys are joined by KISSTORY ICON and broadcaster Neev Spencer! If you grew up listening to KISS, chances are just hearing Neev say hello will bring back them memories (as they did with James, just a lil fanboy moment...) An array of topics are touched upon in this episode, from Neev's pioneering career as Britain's first female Asian DJ on a mainstream station, to Neev's work in mental health. Mental health has always been a close topic for James and Rob on the podcast, and this episode goes deeper into this topic than ever before - from everyone's individual mental health challenges, to Neev's passion of raising awareness for and supporting mothers' mental health during pregnancy and early years. 

James and Rob chat to THE Cockney Princess and star of RuPaul's Drag Race Series 3 Scarlett Harlett. The boys chat Scarlett's rise to fame as part of the iconic franchise, her difficult time on the show and the impacts all of that had on Scarlett's mental health and her associated journey through depression. There's also chat on Scarlett's drag inspirations, looks for the Season 3 tour, and even a bit or two on the House of Dragon. What do we call that? Variety (or chaos - you decide). 

OH LISTENERS, getting the super babe that is Karen Harding on the show has been a long time coming! As huge fans of dance music, Karen's music has been in James' and Rob's ears for years, and well, the episode is pure chaos! Whatever was in the water that evening... We talk 'Say Something' (of course) and Karen's recording career up to now, the focus on London as a creative hub in the UK, and a chap called Michael Mather who Karen did NOT know, but James thought might cause he was a fellow Geordie... As we said, chaos. 

Those ears best be ready for some French gorgeousness and possibly the sexiest voice on the podcast yet, as Glitterbox Creative Director, non-binary babes and fashion stylist Ru Jean joins James and Rob on the podcast. Ru and the boys talk diversifying of the world's biggest dance labels and brands, Glitterbox, as their creative lead - and honouring Ru's culture in her work in that Honey Dijon video. Ru and James also talk sobriety and some of the hardships - and opportunities - of taking that journey in the LGBTQ+ community.

You best believe series 3 is here with a bang! James and Rob are back back back again, joined by the dangerously talented Ryan Lanji. It's hard to really put a label to Ryan's talents - the man won a flower show on Netflix without having ever touched floristry... - but chances are you'll best know Ryan from pioneering his Bollywood LGBTQ+ club night 'Hungama', or very soon as one of the hosts on BBC3's 'The Big Proud Party Agency'. The boys talk everything from musical and cultural influencers growing up in a South Asian household in Canada, his experience on that Netflix lockdown gem, to creating safe, proud queer spaces for minority LGBTQ+ groups. 

We go back to Season 1 vibes as James flies solo for this episode. He's joined by the gorgeously giant Chris Jammer, co-founder and Head of Partnerships for festivals of 'Strawberries and Cream' and 'Cambridge Club'. James and Chris go way back, and discuss Chris' tenure on the recently rebooted Shipwrecked, his coming out, and being gay as black man in the music scene. 

Star of ITV's 'Peckham's Finest' joined the boys for a lengthy-chat (read: we need Mark back for part 2 STAT) on his journey from parties Dupé's Den to Jungle Kitty, his part in the new ITV2 reality show focused on young, black creatives in Peckham, and a tree called Elvisha. An absolute hun, enjoy this fun-packed episode babes x

We're used to hearing about LGBTQ+ nightclubs shutting in London, so when a new one is due to open - slap bang in Camden of all places - it's something to celebrate. And Zodiac Bar promises to be a more inclusive and friendly LGBTQ+ in London. 'Mother Jade' is the reason why. James and Rob sit down with Jade, and business (and real!) partner David to hear about what makes Zodaic so different, Jade's journey as a Philipino-Chinese trans-woman, and a potential series highlight in Dave's nickname... 

James and Rob were lucky enough to be graced by London's - neigh, THE WORLD's - best drag performers in Brandy X (you might know her as LA Fierce!) The boys talk with Brandy about the London drag scene, Brandy's journey to where she is now as an established, booked and blessed drag performer and get real about family growing up in Los Angeles. It's a powerful episode - tissues at the ready! 

If you were to list a number of crazy things to do during the pandemic, opening a bar would probably have been one of them. But for Nieko - owner of the super-successful and impossible-to-get-a-booking at 'Arch Clapham - that's exactly what he did. Opening for a mere 4 weeks before a 5-month lockdown, the writing might've felt on the wall for the LGBT's newest bar, but it's been the opposite - Arch is thriving. We sat down with Nieko to discuss his journey through London's ever-changing scene, the ideas behind Arch Bar, and how hard COVID has hit the hospitality industry.

If you're a fan of gorgeously disco-dripped boat parties, then say hello to the Mas Que Nada brothers (not actual brothers, just best mates from Manchester). The boys joined James and Rob to talk about their journey in London's party scene, from boat parties to a residency at the Prince of Wales in Brixton, as well as the differences between different nights across London's vibrant parties. With the boys starting to pick up gigs again and planning a few parties of their own, the conversation turns to the highs and lows of planning in a COVID-world - and quickly descends into some down and dirty party memories... 

Charlie Craggs is a queer icon and we were so pumped to welcome her into the studio for probably the longest chat we've ever had (sorry studio team, we definitely over-ran...) We talked about changes in Charlie's career during lockdown, what it was like filming her new BBC3 documentary ('DIY Trans Teens'), authenticity on social media, being a non-voluntary vegan, Kelly Rowland, America's Next Top Model and honestly, everything in-between. It was GREAT. 

James and 'Producer Robs' are back in the studio after a corona-break, and joined for the very first episode of season 2 by non-binary performer and winner of web-series 'Slag Wars', Tyreece (@tyreece2.0). Tyreece talks becoming the third official cock destroyer, the experience and aftermath of filming the show, as well as their career as a non-binary performer and OnlyFans creator. And Tyreece shares their top lockdown listens that have got them through the last 12 months.

Just when you thought it was over... James and now microphoned 'Producer Robs' look back at Series 1 of the show, reflecting on being back in lockdown (right back at the beginning of series 1...), the show's wonderful guests, and the plans for Series 2. The boys also chat about James' love of 'energies' (second most used word of the series behind kombucha), why music is such an important part of the show, and why female popstars will always rule over their male counterparts. Sorry 'bout it!

In the final episode of series 1, James is joined by 'Boy' singer Aaron Porter to talk about how life has been for a recording artist producing new music in a global pandemic (clue: quite tough). The pair also talk dancing for Little Gay Brother and missing sweaty raves, growing up queer and studying at The Brits school (Aaron, not James - despite his trying...) 

Go-go boy Zack Riley joins James to reminisce about his job dancing at some of the queer scene's biggest clubs (remember dancing?) and Pride festivals around the world. The conversation also turns to body image issues in the gay community, and Zack's own experiences with body image as a dancer. 

James chats to London-based DJ and producer Storm Mollison about her globe-hopping time with legendary music brand Hedkandi, memories of playing in Ibiza, and the how the recent lockdown launch of her boutique radio station 'The Krner Shop' is helping up and coming DJs to find a platform.

In the very first episode of 'You Alright Babes?' James speaks to close-friend and Australian-born DJ Terry Vietheer, a core ingredient and founding name in a number of iconic queer parties across London over the last two decades (Popcorn, Little Gay Brother). James and Terry discuss clubbing in the early 2000s, the changing landscape of London's queer scene and memories from the iconic parties (hello 'Room Service'), as well as the impact of coronavirus and lockdown on the life and mind of a DJ. 

Get ready for a new podcast exploring the impact of lockdown on queer nightlife, culture and mental health of industry greats in London. Hosted by DJ James Lee.