Beau Wheeler EP Release and Pronoun Party!

Besides having maybe the most powerful singing voice in Vancouver, Beau Wheeler has some incredible songs. "Open Up Your Heart" in particular has the feel of a classic, a song that merits being elevated from the indy music scene into something known across the continent, a song that at the very least the CBC should program forthwith, if they haven't already; it's a song that deserves to be known and embraced, taken as an anthem; it's a song that could maybe even make you a better person. 

...But if it's maybe Beau's best song, it's not the one that I most wanted to ask about. The original that struck me at the last show I saw of Beau's was a song that at the time was called "Monster" (which has an earlier incarnation you'll read more about below). In the chorus, Beau identified with the monstrous, which struck me as both pretty brave and pretty unusual (because any communications with Beau I've had have been marked by a very noticeable positivity, cheerfulness, and big-heartedness, not qualities usually associated with monstrosity; nicest monster *I* ever met). But as a big Nightbreed fan, identifying with the monstrous resonates with me pretty deeply. And what a delivery Beau gave the song...

There's lots else online about Beau - including a recent interview with Sad Mag, here, and another here by me after first being exposed to Beau as performer at a past Bowie Ball. You can also check out Beau's music tomorrow night at the Burnout Cafe, at the release party for Beau's digital EP, Tiny But Mighty (based on a live performance from the Robson Valley Music Festival, online here). The rest of this should be self-explanatory! I'm in italics, Beau is not. See you at the Burnout tomorrow?

Beau and I, folk fest selfie last year

Allan: I am very excited that "Monstress" is on the EP, but the performance I saw of it last year had, I thought, the lyric "I am a monster," and now it's become feminized... I wonder which has primacy? Was it written originally as one or the other, or do you change the gender of the song every time you perform it, or...? Any stories about the inspirations or writing of the song would be great...

Beau: Thanks for asking about this song, it is an interesting one for me right now because during the pandemic, I came out as trans and changed my pronouns and name. This EP release marks the celebration of another change in my pronouns to he/ him. The process of coming out as a trans person is a personal process for everyone who goes through it. I think process is a really important word because it does happen that way where your mind opens further and further to your true identity as you go through the process. This song shows my process. 

 Originally when it was written and performed live at Robson Valley Music Festival, where this EP was recorded, I was identifying differently than I am now. I thought about whether I should release this song because it is very gendered. I decided to release it under its original title, "Monstress," because that is the way that this live performance was captured. Now, when I sing this song live, I use the title "Monster," and I’ve changed the lyrics to reflect that as well, because it feels more true to my spirit. When you perform as a public musician, your personal evolution is part of what is recorded as you record music throughout your life. I decided to release this version of this song because this song really meant something to me when I sang it, and I think you can hear that. You can see my struggle with not fitting into being called a woman; it never fit for me, and you can see that in the way that I paired the iconography of a monster with a female suffix. For me, this is a very powerful song that shows my breakthrough and breakout of the constricting gender binary that I was born into. I have chosen to release this song to show my path towards the person that I am evolving into, and the person that I have always been. We all evolve through our lifetime, and it is a vulnerable thing to show that to others. It is also very powerful. I believe that an artist’s vulnerability, and the things that make them different in real life are actually their super powers.

Can you talk about monsters a bit? Do you have a favourite monster or genre of monster movie? 

I think monsters are very important in our culture because they represent people who don’t fit in. They also represent the unbridled power of a person who does not fit in. Everybody feels like they don’t fit in, but we are hardwired as humans for connection. This is why so many people identify with monsters, I don’t really have a favourite monster, but I am a huge fan of folklore and fantasy because it is storytelling just like songwriting is. But behind all storytelling, what really resonates with people is the truth of humanity, and what it means to be a person.

We have, I believe, already talked before about some of the other songs on the EP, but I'm wondering if there is anything new in the Saturday set, stuff we have not talked about, new songs, things people will not have heard live before? Tell us a bit about those songs...?

During the pandemic, I recorded a live EP, a band album and a synthpop record. All of these recordings will be coming out one after the other this year. I also have about two albums worth of material that hasn’t been performed or recorded. This EP release will be largely solo but also, I will be joined by Jesse Waldman on guitar, who plays in my band and produced one of my upcoming records. Since it is a very immediate live solo performance, this Saturday, I think I might play a bunch of never before heard songs, because it will be a very intimate show. I like to fly by the seat of my pants. The musicians that play with me are so incredibly talented that they can follow anything on the fly, never having heard the material. I am incredibly lucky to get to play with them.

Curious - I have no idea what scenes you were related with?

I like to float between many different scenes. I’ve been playing live for years now in Vancouver I really love the inspiration that you get when you move between different groups of musicians and artists I’ve found that that is incredibly inspiring for me. I love people, and I love meeting new people whether they are artist or not I find the more different types of music that you listen to or interact with as a musician the better. The musicians that seem to be the most versatile are the ones that are the most open minded that is something that I’ve always aspire towards.

My wife and I are both People of Size, and the irony of either of us wearing a "Tiny But Mighty" t-shirt tickles us. So do you have 3X or 4X "Tiny But Mighty" shirts? Is there a history to the phrase, "Tiny But Mighty," for you? (It feels like it might come from somewhere...?).

That’s really cool that you relate to this title. It means a lot to me. I’ve found for myself that I try to speak to the issues that I have personal experience with, and try not to create art that is telling somebody else’s story. I also try to follow the words of Hannah Gadsby. I found her stand up that explained how making jokes about being queer was also making a joke out of herself I am doing my best to try and celebrate who I am and those around me that I love if anything I do or say resonates with you, I am honoured. The title of this EP comes from the pandemic performance that was presented by Shara Gustafson, who presents the Robson Valley Music Festival. I was very lucky to be a part of that small presentation, which included a number of fantastic musicians, including Old Soul Rebel . This EP would never have been made without Shara and all of the wonderful technicians involved. You can see live footage of the video on YouTube, Connor Pritchard kindly mastered the audio for me to release as an EP.

Is there physical media, or is this an online EP only, or...? What about the upcoming album? 

Right now this EP is the digital release, but I worked in record stores for 20 years and I am a huge fan of vinyl. I’d love to put this out on vinyl eventually.

 Anything to say about the Saturday show? Will it be a solo gig or a band show?

I feel like music is very important to people these days, whether you are a musician, or a listener, music has become something that is incredibly special right now, because it connects us. After the pandemic, people are ready to come together and celebrate and lift each others spirits and live. We all do this in our own ways but music has this incredibly magical power to do it immediately, and with such force. There are so many difficult things going on in the world right now, but also, there is an incredible flowering and beautiful opening of an artistic period that I believe will be one of the most significant going forward.

 

Beau introduces their - or, I mean, HIS pronoun party and show in this clip; there's a bit more information on Beau's website, but it's $20 at the door (or pwyc) at 2032 E. Hastings.