Show Notes
As one fifth of the most successful girl group of all time, Mel C spent her early twenties inseparably tied to her athletic alter ego. Her status as Sporty Spice was so entrenched in her public persona that when the Spice Girls took a hiatus in 1999, Mel C did what any trapped queer person would do; she cut her hair, dyed it blonde, changed her name and reached out to Madonna. Northern Star by Melanie C was the outcome. The debut tells tales of aggrieved emancipation, potential secret sapphism and the ongoing plight of the homeless through the combined sonic mediums of grunge, R&B, musical theatre, dance music and more. Though perhaps not a wholly cohesive offering, Northern Star granted us access to previously unseen shades of the singer and gave us the best solo single of any Spice Girl ever, thanks in large part to Hex Hector. From Wembley Stadium to the West End; Manchester Academy 3 to Mighty Hoopla, join Andy and Drew as they take a whimsical glance back over Melanie's twenty year solo career. If you enjoyed this episode, do make sure to subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, and follow us at @auralfixationpodcast, @with.all.drew.respect and @andrewdoyouthinkyouare. Don't forget to check out this episode's playlist – one listen and you'll never be the same again.
More from Aural Fixation
There's only one cosmic shift in the stratos-fierce that could bring Aural Fixation back for one episode only: The return of Madonna at her very best. Drew and Andy were determined to Get Together on the mic to discuss the triumphant Confessions II, a comeback twenty years in the making. Email us your thoughts at [email protected], and follow the boys at @with.all.drew.respect and @tracksofourqueers. This episode of Aural Fixation x Tracks of Our Queers was recorded on Wiradjuri and Larrakia land. PS apologies for the crusty audio on Andy's part -- AirPods are a vibe kill!
Hi friends, Andy here – née Aural Fixation, currently wittering away on Tracks of Our Queers. In case you're still not subscribed to the Tracks of Our Queers feed, I'm sharing one of my favourite recent episodes right here. Margaret Cho requires zero introduction. She is nothing less than a living, breathing queero, and it was an honour to chat to her about the music that has soundtracked her queer life. Subscribe to Tracks of Our Queers right here, and follow me at @tracksofourqueers. Jonesing for more Aural Fixation? You never know when Cycle 9 might pop up right here...
Andy here – as I'm putting the finishing touches on Tracks of Our Queers' second season, I thought I'd share some previews from my favourite episodes so far.
Andy here – as I'm putting the finishing touches on Tracks of Our Queers' second season, I thought I'd share some previews from my favourite episodes so far.
Andy here – as I'm putting the finishing touches on Tracks of Our Queers' second season, I thought I'd share some previews from my favourite episodes so far.