Welcome to Almost Famous, a weekly segment where we ask up-and-coming queer musicians some hard-hitting questions about music and life and maybe even convince them to show us photos of their pets. Get to know intimate details about your new favorite artist or band before they hit the Big Time and become too famous for us to interview for real.

Header by Rory Midhani

AG
Los Angeles, CA

Photo: Jen Rosenstein

AG is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who’s arguably over-qualified for this segment. She’s released eight albums, shared stages with artists like Tegan & Sara and Jeff Buckley (!) and was one of the founding members of The Rescues, which is a pretty rad band. Not shy of a challenge, late last year AG did something that I’m not certain many artists would be game enough to do: cover and release a handful of widely-loved songs by The Beatles, including a sultry genderbending rendition of “I Wanna Be Your Man.” Be sure to check it out below.

How would you describe your music?

A Feist meets PJ Harvey baby. A brown baby though.

What instrument/s do you play?

I sing and play guitar (15 years), piano (5 years) and bass (3 years).

Which song would you most like Autostraddle readers to hear?

“I Wanna Be Your Man”

What’s your ‘guilty pleasure’ music?

80’s music. 100%. It’s kind of embarrassing, but it wouldn’t have been in 1984. I choose to envision myself as living as if it were the 80’s. That helps. I still stay away from the powder though.

What inspires you to write?

An irresistible urge and an overwhelming need. And I’m also not good at anything else (-:

Would you ever date someone whose favorite artist/band was your least favorite?

Wow, well, I’d have to say no. But that would only be because my least favorite band in the world is Fine Young Cannibals. And there is just no way I could put myself through listening to them for even one second. No matter how cute the girl is. My vision at that point is clouded by by hatred.

How do you spend your time when not making music?

I direct music videos, I paint and take photos, and I build furniture. Basically if I’m not creating something all the time, I start to twitch. Very unattractive.

What is the best and worst thing about touring?

Best thing: traveling and being in the moment. It forces you to live in the present. Worst thing: Being hungry. Sometimes I go all day without eating because I refuse to eat McDonalds. And I pay dearly for it let me tell you.

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?

U2 – Joshua Tree. That record is like praying to me.

Do you have any pre-show rituals?

Lately I’ve been doing Jillian Michaels moves. The punch out is a good one. I do these ALONE. No one but J Michaels looks good doing J Michaels.

What was the last book you read?

Last book I read: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Last book I finished: The Hunger Games, book three.

Do you have any pets, and can we see a photo?

UM YES…Bowie!

Everything else you’d like to know about AG, including where you can pick up The Beatles EP, can be found here:

www.byaginc.com
www.facebook.com/byaginc

If you are, or know of, a queer artist or band that should be featured in Almost Famous, drop me the details via crystal [at] autostraddle [dot] com. Please write ‘Almost Famous’ in the subject line!

Before you go! Autostraddle runs on the reader support of our AF+ Members. If this article meant something to you today — if it informed you or made you smile or feel seen, will you consider joining AF and supporting the people who make this queer media site possible?

Join AF+!