Benjamin Stewart: Gender, Soundscapes & Lucid Dreams

Welcome to https://www.inthekeyofq.com/ (In the Key of Q) the weekly podcast where I chat with inspiring Queer musicians from around the world as they share stories, inspirations and of course their music. Benjamin Stewart has been making music for over 10 years and has written and recorded since the age of 12. They define as non-binary. Living an authentic life in America's Mississippi state. In November 2021 they released the album 'Spaces', a dystopian electronic eight-track instrumental work. Benjamin is constantly inspired by the everyday, accidental rhythms around them such as the weekly fire alarm test in their complex. These lead to the creation of their long, complex instrumental pieces that are both edgy and relaxing. Listen with headphones! The music will take you into another world. Further inspiration is taken from within as Benjamin talks about https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OK3SfNxbK3Y (lucid dreaming) and the remarkable way that they have managed to teach themselves the skill to regularly achieve it. It's all about habit, hands and a candle! And tied in with this is Benjamin's celebration of rest, and a plea to the world to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYzuqhBU0Ic (allow itself time-out.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVe8wpmH_lU (Narrow definitions of gender) are very much not their bag. Benjamin talks about their own journey, delighting in the freedom granted by being freed from gender expectations. Additional MaterialBenjamin on https://www.instagram.com/benjamin_james_stewart/?hl=en-gb (Instagram) and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100073334365846 (Facebook). Benjamin on https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK21KYnbD4ik3X9wl1sGDsGrJW4swrfkb (YouTube), https://open.spotify.com/album/3PvFOb9h5lUtj6ttoCu4YU?si=dKl5Mqh-SG2GZONJs9t4CA (Spotify), https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/benjamin-james-stewart/1425560739 (Apple) and https://projektrecords.bandcamp.com/album/spaces (Bandcamp). A great article celebrating https://www.hrc.org/news/celebrating-the-diversity-of-the-non-