There’s no denying that Frankie Teardrop is a Montreal queer icon. Check out their absolutely fire mix while you read about the LIP & Slut Island founder’s journey to becoming a DJ, producer & gay superstar.

Malaika Astorga for Also Cool: From being a varsity soccer player to playing guitar in Ursula to now being a powerhouse DJ, you've been performing in front of audiences for a long time. How do you prep for a set (musically and personally), and do you have any tips for pre-show anxiety?

Frankie Teardrop: Pre-event anxiety has never failed to show up before a gig or a game, no matter how often I do it. On a team or in a band we could deal with it collectively, as a group, we could squeeze our nervousness out of us by relating and talking it through. As a DJ, you're somewhat alone in this game of butterflies. I don't want to sound like a shitty politician by not giving a direct answer to a question, so here we go.

Five things I find that help reduces my pre-show anxiety:

1) Being prepared in advance, musically and technically.

2) Talk it through. Just like therapy, vocalizing your feelings helps. Give yourself a time limit, and find a friend who is willing to listen for a moment before you head to your gig. I usually go to gigs alone, but you could alternatively bring a friend. I did this when I played Igloofest, and it helped immensely.

3) Arrival time. Go to the venue early. It always helps me to get a good sense as to what vibe in the space is like that night, who the crowd is, who the other DJs are, and what they are playing. It helps me have confidence in knowing what direction my set will take.

4) Outfit. I refuse to be ashamed to bring this up. Pick your outfit, or get in contact with the designers you're collaborating with in advance. This probably doesn't apply or even occur to a lot of dudes because they can show up in their random pantalonz and shirt, and people will drool over them. But being femme, I feel pressure whether I like it or not (reminds me of that Beyonce and Ed Sheeran meme). Personally, I feel the eyes are on me, I want to look and feel good along while also sounding good. Even if I'm in a big baggy tee, I want to rock that big baggy tee.

5) Lastly, pick one "Step back and look at yourself!" reminder. Mine is: FRANKIE YOU'RE JUST A DJ LMAO

Also Cool: You've been heavily involved in event coordinator over the past few years in Montreal and Vancouver, from your first gig at Playhouse, to LIP and Slut Island. What are the differences you've experienced in the two scenes, and what's one thing you love about both cities?

Frankie: There is quite a difference between the two, the cities are so different economically. Vancouver is expensive, event-goers live across the entire city and surrounding suburbs, and people often have to work a lot to survive.

My life here is very different than it was in Montreal. I work in film with a minimum of 14-hour days. I'm constantly exhausted, and I feel disgusting after work. Still, I try to direct any free time and energy I have towards my community projects. It is hard to find the energy, but I feel so deprived in the cis white straight man world of film that when I do hear of a queer party happening, I buy my ticket in advance and willingly look forward to that one night out.

As for Montreal, I love how abundant queer events are each weekend. It's overwhelming how many options you have every night. The scene is small but powerful. The city feels small, people live close, living is cheap, so capitalism doesn't seep in as deep. Organizers and artists are less competitive, which creates way more space for collaboration. I love Montreal, it's been a pleasure to experience and witness the growth of the queer scene over time. I miss it. xoxo Grandpa Teardrop

AC: What was your experience like when you were first finding community in Montreal? How have you been able to find community through the music scene now both online and IRL?

Frankie: When I first moved to Montreal, my community was my soccer team. I'd bus out to Loyola campus every day after class to practice with my teammates, and we'd go on trips around Quebec to play every weekend. Soccer was my life. By my third year, I had to quit, classic to women's sports. The team got no scholarly funding, so I had to work. That's when I, of course, became a freakin' raging trans-integral feminist!

I was working at American Apparel when I first found my music lovers, queer friends, and my first girlfriend (co-founder of Slut Island Sultana Bambino). I moved to the Mile End around that time with my roommate, and we started going to Faggity Ass Fridays at Playhouse. This is where I found the queer community. FAF was where I realized why I wasn't as excited as my soccer teammates when the boys would share a touring bus with us.

During this time, I also learned that parties can hold incredibly powerful messages, and can solely exist to uplift those who are in more need of support in this world. FAF was a fundraiser for the Head & Hands Sense Project. It's a project that supported and still supports youth's healthy sexual development by giving them the information and tools to make empowering decisions about their own sexual health. Fulfilled and inspired by having found community and friends I related to, listened to and learned from, I started LIP and Slut Island.

AC: What was the best after-hours spot you've been to, and why?

Frankie: The best one I've been to was in Mexico City this February. There were actually two that blew my mind, but I'll pick the one that had more bathrooms.

It was massive. There was a taco stand outside, the walls were smothered in colourful graffiti, and the ceilings were incredibly high. There were soaring pillars jutting out everywhere, holding the building up around the dancefloor. There was a little tunnel into another rave room that made me feel as if I entered into a cave, with one laser as a light source. For me, the best after-hours spot means a good sound system and a fascinating space to allow your party-people to drool over.

AC: How can we learn how to DJ while we're quarantined?

Frankie: This really depends on how accessible equipment is to you. If you already have a controller or CDJs, keep practicing mixing tracks! Many of us have time to be patient right now. If you don't have the gear, computer DJing helps a lot when preparing to use physical gear. That's how I did it, virtual DJ, to controller, and then to CDJs.

Keep an out eye for our collaborative DJ workshop series with Digital Hell, starting on April 14th.

AC: What's the best way to support you and other DJs/performers right now?

Frankie: Share and listen to our mixes. Donate if you can, most of us have our online cash drop apps up. Book us if you're doing anything online. Remind those who are not in the music or art scenes to support self-employed artists!

AC: Any final thoughts?

Frankie: I wish everyone the best during these times, it's not easy. Shout out to all the frontline workers who are working so hard right now to keep people alive and safe.

Thank you Also Cool mag for your time, I love what you're doing.

(Editor’s note: Thanks, we love you too Frankie.)

Keep up with all things Frankie here & catch them on the LIP x HOT CRIP: Club Quarantine Take Over and stay tuned for our upcoming interview with Internet sweethearts Club Quarantine.

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