Eternally delightful Swedish singer Marit Bergman has become the newest entry into our Queering The Band series with her exclusive acoustic version of her song “Casey, Hold On.” The track was the official song of Stockholm Pride 2009, and its actually gives me goosebumps. Even if you weren’t kicked out of of the house as a gay teen (a sadly too-common phenomenon,) I think most of us can remember the feeling of wanting to be somewhere else where we would be accepted. The sentiment here is an important one for queer folk of all ages, which is to have patience and keep fighting to find that time or place when things will be better.

Marit recorded this acoustic version of the song exclusively for The New Gay, a fact which makes me extremely happy. Thanks, Marit! You’re the best. She was nice enough to also include an exclusive video interview where she answers a set of questions I emailed to her. Marit, for someone I’ve never met you sure are going out of your way to help me.

You can check out  the interview embedded below. If you still are hungry for more Marit, check out her her newest solo album, The Tear Collector, or 3 am. her mournful collaboration with Kleerup.

And seriously, Marit, I think we all can agree that you’re the cutest. Ever! 

DC-based rock band These United States plays stubbly, bangs-in-eyes, meat and potatoes rock that would make The Boss proud. It certainly does not lack for emotion, or goosebumps or any other hallmarks of subtletly, but that whole subset of modern rock is not always thought to be extremely queer-identified.

Enter The New Gay.

For our new feature “Queering The Band” we will be commissioning contemporary artists of all genres to “gay up.” This will happen either by having straight bands switch gender pronouns in their songs, cover some of the old gay classics, or do what These United States did here and have Chris Dennison, the gay frontman of glam rock revival band Chico Fellini, cover the song “We Go Down To That Corner” from the former’s new album Everything Touches Everything.

Christopher has been a long time friend of TUS’ frontman Jesse, and as such he was the band’s first choice for this project when we initially contacted them. We hope you take a listen to the song, or download it at the link below the player, and check out this feature in weeks to come.

Right click to download We Go Down To That Corner.