Flipping the Game & Doing it Over: Do Over Fest 2020 Presented by Flynn Namala
I reminisce on the days at the age of nine somewhere between second and third grade where I was completely infatuated with every pop-star that seemed to have rolled out on the scene in the early 2000’s. From the internationally crazed boy bands like Backstreet Boys and NSYNC, to pop queens such as Gwen Stefani and Britney Spears, to the ever-so famous pop-punk band that we all know as Blink-182. At the time it seemed like that was all there was for us to indulge and fan over. Whatever was playing consistently on the radio and television was what we were known to adore.
But you see, that’s the thing right there. Take a deep hard look at the list I just provided -- any BIPOC or *trans/gender non-conforming artists? Not. A. Single. ONE.
A harsh reality about mainstream pop-culture is that it has always been routinely and strategically dominated by white artists, regardless of gender. It's been ultimately ingrained into us at a young age without having the time to understand. It's what continuously happened while we sat around the television watching MTV Unplugged after school, as we rushed to the couch while devouring a plate of hot Cheetos as Nirvana rolled on the screen.
This blatant exclusion of BIPOC and trans artists is no longer something we can blame solely on media brainwashing. It's time to hold music executives and producers of massive record labels accountable for their intentional lack of inclusion. It's time to do your own part in supporting a future of justice for lost narratives in our society. And it's time to lift up BIPOC and trans artists who are creating platforms of their own.
Now it's 2020, things have drastically changed (for better and for worse). We’re seeing an uprising of the Black Lives Matter movement that has swept the nation, a pandemic, the uncovering of sexual abusers in our communities and music scenes across the country and, most importantly, the rise of BIPOC/trans artists creating platforms of their own.
Flynn Namala, a half-Indian and half-Austrian non-binary artist has done exactly that. He’s been able to create a safe space, a safe haven, and an overall passion project that has uplifted and created space for other trans and queer artists within our Los Angeles music community with the help of the online curated arts festival, Do Over Fest.
At the age of twenty-one, Flynn has re-defined what it means to be an artist within our community as he forefronts the change for BIPOC, trans, GNC and intersex artists. Awarded with a grant for trans students by the City of West Hollywood, Flynn executed his task of creating a project to help aid other queer artists at full-force. He had less than a year to create a festival of his own and things were altered just a bit due to COVID-19. Instead of the usual outside festival we might hit during a summer's day, Flynn had to make the difficult decision to either wait another year or generate the festival here and now.
After weighing the pros and cons, Flynn decided to take a leap of faith and build Do Over Fest completely online. The fest includes over forty-five artists all coming together to showcase their unique talent of art, music, and photography. While Flynn is smashing down barriers and making space, he's also redefining what your average “festival” may be. It isn't your average one-time stop you might experience at mainstream summertime festivals as you frantically decide which of your favorite artists you have to catch in the span of a day.
Do Over Fest is virtual, accessible, and available at any time day or night for the world to see going forward. Anyone with access to the internet can come together to celebrate the creations of BIPOC/trans/GNC/intersex artists that have faced massive barriers in representation for far too long. Flynn is using the grant money to prioritize paying Black artists who are involved in the festival. If he’s able to fundraise enough, he hopes to pay all of the artists at least a little bit.
I was able to to talk with Flynn Namala, the creator of Do Over Fest, on the birth of the project, the ways in which promoters and publications can make sure that BIPOC/trans/gender non-conforming artists are fully represented, how to nurture your own voice as a young queer artist, and why taking the roll as an underdog has primarily helped Flynn to conquer the Los Angeles music community- one project at a time. Last but not least, we discuss how you can personally do your part by donating straight to the artists spotlighted in the festival, or better yet, how to aid trans artists for the rest of your life.
Can you discuss with me how you cultivated the fest & the birth of this project?
A few years ago I started throwing music festivals every summer to basically promote artists within the scene that were not currently getting recognition. Which was and is mainly anyone who was not a white/cis/str8/ablebodied dude (WCSAD) who makes music. But somehow I kept booking WCSAD bands because I thought that (sadly) these bands would bring more people to the event and give more exposure to the other groups.
The major dilemma back then was a concern around money, covering the costs of a venue, security, event promotion and paying the artists was always a huge gamble and always made me super stressed about getting enough people to come instead of the actually important stuff like, having a good time and throwing a good show.
After throwing two festivals like that, I applied and received this grant from the City Of West Hollywood for Trans Artists. I highly recommend people go check out those grants if you’re interested, it’s a lot of paperwork but you get a substantial amount of money through this.
Once I was finally able to use the grant towards an event, everything shut down due to Covid-19. At first this was a huge setback, but I soon realized the huge advantages to creating an art event remotely. By throwing up everyone’s work on a website, I can reach the most people because the accessibility barriers of the event are basically just limited to access to the internet.
The website idea is also perfect since usually you can only have about five to seven performing artists at an evening show, but with the site I can throw up as many artists as possible. Another great thing about doing an event online is that I didn’t have to worry about venue fees or permit fees, when I was initially figuring out the event in person it was rounding up to be almost $1,500 in venue fees. I could use the entire grant ($3k) to just pay artists.
As soon as I got the grant I knew that I mostly wanted to redistribute the funds to other BIPOC artists, so I was super excited to host the event online. From the jump I also knew that I wanted to make this event specifically featuring trans artists, especially trans artists of color.
Not only do I think *BIPOC trans and *GNC (gender non-conforming) artists are just usually a lot cooler, more interesting and more talented than other people, but I also think we get the least amount of exposure, recognition and financial compensation in the game. So I definitely wanted to use the resources I was lucky enough to get, to spread the love and the funds. I think it’s really important that people start financially distributing on a smaller scale, instead of just waiting until they have access to a bigger one, you know?
How was the process like for you to find the artists that are currently in your lineup?
Honestly, it was by far the best part of organizing this event. In the beginning, I put out an ask on Instagram for people to hit me up if they were a BIPOC trans/GNC artist. I was getting a good amount of artists hitting me up to join the fest, so I initially felt that I didn't need to do the research just on my own.
But after a few days I noticed not a lot of Black trans artists were contacting me, so I realized I needed to put forth the time and energy to research these artists on my own. I think that’s something that a lot of people need to start doing ASAP, if the people in your circles are mostly white/cis/straight/male you need to do the work to find artists outside of that.
Through the process of searching for these artists I found so many amazing, talented and kind people who I now have the privilege of getting to share this space with. It feels amazing because now I’m like, “oh, I dont have to play with white cis males ever fucking again, I can create something all on my own with people who actually deserve it.”
How important is it for promoters, bookers, publicists, and publications to do the labor in regards to always making sure that BIPOC, trans, gender non conforming, intersex, queer & disabled artists are fully represented?
I feel that if you’re not willing to do the work, then get the hell out of the game. If you are just constantly promoting white artists who sound exactly the same, then just stop. Someone else can book your events and they’ll do it even better.
Most bookers I know who are out here promoting Black artists, people of color and GNC artists are not getting paid to do this work. They’re already doing all this work that these promoters do as their actual income job, on top of their full-time paying job AND doing it better than them. I think that speaks volumes.
How many artists do you currently have for the festival? Are all artists commissioned?
I have roughly about fifty-four artists which is a crazy amount but so amazing to see. I’ve been saying yes to as many artists within the community as possible, because why not? Since I have a limited amount of funds, I am currently prioritizing payment to Black artists but if I’m able to fundraise enough I hope to pay all the artists at least a little bit.
Do you feel that the trans/GNC/intersex community has been properly represented in the Los Angeles music & art community or do you feel that there is work that still needs to be done?
I would ask anyone who is reading this, how many non-cis artists they can personally name in their music community. I’m gonna bet it’s not more than a handful. Now how many white dude bands can you name? That’s your answer right there.
There really has been little to no work being done for the trans community in terms of the music scene, outside of trans/GNC people building that for themselves. Long story short, all the work needs to be done.
Have you personally dealt with any backlash for being trans/GNC in the music or art community?
I think it’s all subliminal things, meaning not getting as much recognition as maybe an all WCSAD band would have. I think all the time about if I was a WCSAD would I have blown up already? Would I have more connections? Would I have more opportunities?
That being said, I’m so fucking glad I’m not a white/cis/straight dude. I love being trans, I love being queer, I love being brown and I love who I am. It makes me aware of the fact that white people control everything and basically everyone else is getting pushed to the side.
I feel like I was born with this ‘insider intel’ on how fucked all the systems are, so I can actually do something about it. For me at least, it’s like once you are in the subculture, why would you ever want to be a part of the mainstream? It’s not in any way for the people, it’s for profit.
You have always been someone who speaks your mind freely on topics you believe in while maintaining a powerful voice for the younger LGBTQ+ generation. How did you develop the voice you have today and was that a process to build?
When you’re already at the bottom no one is going to listen to you, so I'm just going to scream because I have absolutely nothing to lose. I’ve always been super in your face with my queerness because I just personally think it’s super cool.
I have always felt like I have to be five times better at whatever I’m doing than others to even get a seat at the table. WCSAD people have the pleasure of having all this support, money and media coverage while everyone else has to do work just to be in the same position.
Ultimately I'm inspired by the trans people before me that have been protesting in the streets since day one. I feel that I'm a small person in the bigger picture so I just want to push as much as I can for my community. I feel lucky that i'm able to do this because I have had the privilege of always having support and resources around me, so I need to use that privilege to pay it forward.
I’ve had a lot of exposure to white spaces and it’s really important to me to get all those people to listen, use their money, and use their privilege to support BIPOC communities. It’s more of a sense of duty for me.
My father is in the Dalit caste meaning his people are apart of the lowest racial class in India. I take that with pride to be a part of the lowest caste system, I have always loved being an underdog. Meaning always fighting for people, fighting for the ones that can’t be heard.
If you could give one piece of advice to young trans/GNC artists who are also trying to make a name for themselves within the pop community, what would you say?
Forget trying to fit in with the mainstream or whatever is popular around you. Find trans people in your community, find queer folk in your community, find BIPOC in your community and build amazing things within that.
Screw trying to fit in with others who don’t understand what you are about. At the end of the day, do whatever you want. Don’t let what you see in the media affect what you want to do.
You are the first person to tell yourself no and others will tell you no as well, so always be the first person to tell yourself yes. You have to be a little dreamy, even if it seems far fetched don't worry, you can do it. Believe in yourself, please.
Are there any trans/GNC/intersex artists you look up to currently who are also creating a positive shift in the music world?
Yes, literally all of them. Any trans/GNC/intersex artist that is fighting for a better world for everyone inspires me. But for real like almost every artist I’ve met through the festival has been incredible, they’re all making amazing, really powerful work and working hard to uplift others in their communities. To name a few folks though I would say:
@theuhuruverse - They’re a legend in the LA scene, they’re completely dedicated to their community. They’re incredibly funny, incredibly talented, super genuine and have put out so many amazing projects. I highly recommend checking out their latest project on band camp, following them on IG and subscribing to their Patreon. If you check out their work, learn anything or genuinely fuck with it, be sure to compensate them financially.
@joylimimi_ - They do SOOOOOO much free labor for the Black trans/GNC/intersex community it’s crazy, and they do it so well. Do yourself a favor and follow, also PAY THEM.
@frankconsent - Again, funny as FUCK. Super talented, so passionate and a really kind soul.
@mirroredfatality - They have some of the most moving live performances ever. They do so much great healing work and are really changing up the live music. Also just some of the kindest people I know.
@jupiterblack_ - They just recently curated a zine about LA’s queer Black creative underground. The zine is really beautiful. I just got my hard copy, it’s only $12 and I can’t recommend it enough.
I have mad love for @tommiephoenix @closegood_ @santanaxsankofa @nicmasangkay @front_hole_trauma @smoothjasisonline @daniellegrubbmusic @alima_lee @ojosmagnificos @bytchnastee @snacksidents @mai.yah @leoncurrie @bo.genis ok damn at this point I’m literally just listing everyone on the fest, but they seriously all inspire me.
They all work so hard to create art and build their dreams on their own. Like that shit is hard as fuck. It’s so easy to get burnt out, give up or never try at all. The fact that they’re all hustling so hard, inspires me everyday to keep going. Also not all these people are in the music world, I just got mushy and had to gush.
You can donate, support and find each artist that will be joining Do Over Fest at https://www.dooverfest.com.
Stay up to date with each artist and any updates regarding Do Over Fest by following Yobytterp on Instagram and Twitter.
You can donate to the artists directly by searching the artists @ on the Do Over Fest site or donate to the overall festival funds on the site as well.
*We are using trans as a loose term to describe non-cis folks, which includes but is not limited to: transgender, gender queer, gender non conforming, intersex, agender, etc. We recognize gender is fluid and is ever changing.
*GNC- Gender Non-Conforming
(sourced from https://www.mic.com/articles/52001/9-gender-and-sexuality-acronyms-you-should-learn)
*CIS- People who’s gender identify matches the sex they were ascribed at birth (sourced from https://www.healthline.com/health/cisgender-vs-straight#cisgender-defined)
*WCSAD- White Cis Straight Ablebodied Dude
*Intersex- People who are born with any range of biological sex characteristics that may not fit socially constructed notions of binary sex identity
(sourced from https://4intersex.org/#community)
*BIPOC- Black, Indigenous and people of color
(sourced from https://www.sunrisemovement.org/bipoc-gnd-crash-course)
*We are open to any and all criticism/commentary around terms and identity as we are not experts and would love to be corrected if we are misrepresenting people.
