Free EP ’50 Shades of Gay’ by Junksista to celebrate the international day against homophobia and transphobia – interview
We also asked some questions to Alfa Matrix’s Label & Artist Manager Seba Dolimont
SL: For the occasion of the international day against homophobia, Alfa Matrix decided to release the “50 Shades Of Gay” EP. How important are such “international” days for you?
Seba. Well… I find such dedicated days important. Maybe not all cos some are a bit too commercially oriented to my taste. But for such important causes as women rights, homosexual rights, etc. yes they are important to help us not forget. At the same time it’s sad we need such celebrations to create awareness. Cos if mentalities have evolved a lot the last 2 generations in Western Europe countries, there are still too many places in the world where rights are not respected and where being homosexual is even a taboo and is assimilated to a disease! I am very happy to see that the Belgian gay pride is celebrating its 20th birthday this year reaching out more and more visibility! Even where I work for my daily job next to Alfa Matrix, they decided to illuminate our building in the center of Brussels with the rainbow colours during this all week. This is something we could never have thought of last century!
SL: You released this EP now against homophobia, you did the “Absolute Grrrls Manifesto” compilation putting women in the spotlight, you release the music of the BRUDERSCHAFT project supporting cancer charities… Is Alfa Matrix an engaged label?
Seba. Not sure whether “engaged” is the right word? We do not have a specific one-cause we are fighting for. Our focus is to give a way to artists expressing themselves without restrictions nor censorship. We definitely release the music and design of engaged artists who have things to express and they shout it loud! We have full respect and trust in our artists and they enjoy total artistic freedom at Alfa Matrix… So let’s say we proudly support the engagement of our bands and friends.
SL: You have been active on the music scene for almost 30 years. Have you seen things changing over the years as far as homophobia?
Seba. Generally things have changed positively even if there are still many more wars to win… Even around me, at work for example, being gay is no longer something to hide. I remember managing at work some people from earlier generations than mine who were quite shy about their homosexuality. Nowadays the younger people seem to be much more open about their sexual orientation and it’s very nice! On the music scene, I find there is more and more tolerance and more and more artists openly talk about their homosexuality, etc.
But it also means there are maybe less actions to struggle against homophobia than in the past? I remember for example how impacting it was when Claus Kruse of Plastic Noise Experience launched his Gaytron project with very engaged lyrics. But sadly we still have stupid intolerant people around who send us insulting mails and messages when we released awesome songs like “Be My Fetish” or yet “The Bears Aren’t Sleeping Tonight” by Leaether Strip for example. I’m not happy having such closed-minded individuals amongst our label fanbase. Alfa Matrix stands for eclecticism and tolerance. I am against all forms of discriminations. So thanks a lot to you for publishing this article! Your rule!
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