Any regulars here know it’s not often a male diva hits my radar. However, Fedge’s new EP, Through It All, is exactly what I needed this Pride Month. Fedge’s five-song EP is the perfect mix of purpose and addictive pop beats. “Can’t You See” is the universal story of the need of love, “Wish You Well” is the story of an ex that’s sweet instead of bitter, the touching ballad “Wish I Saw The Signs” about losing someone to suicide and the discoesque “Through It All” could be Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor’s creative love child about love and overcoming adversity.
Fedge was gracious enough to answer a few questions and here’s what he had to say about the music and his process:
Your music has a theatrical sound and storytelling vibe. Were you a theater kid? How did you get into singing?
You’re not the first person to mention this! It’s so funny because I don’t always hear it myself since it’s my own voice, but yes, I was definitely a theater nerd growing up. My aunt introduced me to all the classic Broadway musicals, and I loved anything Andrew Lloyd Webber as a kid.
I performed in middle and high school shows, and musical theater was actually how I got into singing. I played trumpet when I was younger, then switched to choir in high school when I fell in love with singing and haven’t really looked back since!
So far, most of your songs have been written solo or with Kevin Burke. How did you two meet and what is your songwriting process?
It’s actually a funny story! I met Kevin on Hinge years ago when he was touring with Jensen McRae as her guitarist. We stayed connected as friends, and I later started taking guitar lessons from him. He’s been my guitar teacher ever since and was the person who really helped me start songwriting.
Since Kevin is in LA and I’m in SF, most of our writing happens over FaceTime. We usually start with guitar or piano, then bring the song to my producer Griffin Emerson to build out the production. Lately, Kevin has also been producing the initial demos before we build the tracks further with Griffin.
I’ve also started writing more with Griffin. “Wish You Well” was actually written by just the two of us, and we have a few more songs together on the second EP I’m working on now, but I won’t spoil too much just yet!
In my gay opinion, “Invisible to You” is the best and most unique track on the EP. What made you decide to share this story?
I’m so glad you love “Invisible to You”! Do you prefer the original pop version or the soft boy version? (To answer Fedge’s question, although the Soft Boy Version gives the song new depth, it’s no surprise that I’m still a sucker for the poppy original.)
To me, the song is about feeling desired but not truly seen. It’s about being valued enough to hook up with, but not enough to date, and being reduced to someone’s idea of you instead of being appreciated for who you are deep down.
I wanted to share that story because I haven’t heard it explored much in pop music, but I know a lot of queer people have felt it, especially in today’s dating and hookup culture. There’s also a layer of feeling unseen by someone closeted, which can really sting when you feel a real connection there.
At My Gay Opinion, I like to promote female and/or Rainbow divas. What female and/or Rainbow artist do you think doesn’t get the recognition they deserve?
I have to shout out my friend Avery Cochrane. She’s a true Rainbow diva and queer pop artist, and her new EP, *Male Validation and Other Drugs*, is such a bop. Her song “Shapeshifting on a Saturday Night” is so anthemic, fun, and dancey!
She’s been grinding as an artist for years, and I’m really excited to see her get her flowers.
Thanks to Fedge for taking the time to answer my questions and for putting out a great EP this Pride Month, giving us all another reason to celebrate!
