Asexual

Cavetown talks new projects, musical evolution and war on trans people

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Cavetown: Transgender & Asexual Spectrum Artist

Sense and Sensitivity
Cavetown talks new projects, musical evolution and war on trans people
By Lawrence Ferber

As YouTube, social media, and self-released music platform Bandcamp grew in popularity, musicians could create music and garner followings from their own bedrooms: hence “bedroom pop” was born, and so was the career of UK-born, 23-year-old singer/songwriter/producer Robin Skinner (he/they), aka Cavetown.

Currently embarked on a dense, largely sold out U.S. tour through late spring with international dates to follow, the openly transgender Cavetown — who also falls somewhere on the aromantic and asexual spectrum — recently followed up his 2021 EP, “Man’s Best Friend,” with the single “Fall In Love With A Girl.” The song is a collaboration with Filipino-British next gen guitar hero beabadoobee, about “someone who’s struggling with their sexuality and how that affects their happiness,” Skinner explained in a press release. “This person is scared to take the leap to make themselves happy and tries to make things work in a hetero relationship. When they finally take the step to be in a same-sex relationship, they realize how happy it makes them and that it’s OK to trust yourself.”

Cavetown’s journey began at age 14, when Skinner uploaded his first original song, “Haunted Lullaby,” to YouTube, which, seemingly on brand for bedroom pop, boasts a ukulele (he’s swiveled more to guitars lately, plus gorgeous, richly melodic hooks and well-produced harmonies on even his most lilting tracks). A 2015 self-titled, self-released full length album scored acclaim and a quickly growing audience — which, today, includes eight million monthly Spotify listeners, over two million YouTube subscribers, and more than a billion global streams. At the same time, Skinner also kept busy dropping covers of songs by Twenty One Pilots, Elvis Presley, Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber between subsequent singles, EP and LP releases (most can be found on Cavetown’s Bandcamp), including his 2020 major label debut on Sire Records, “Sleepyhead.”

Taking a break from tour rehearsals, Skinner fielded email questions about his new single, his musical evolution, touring, insect wars, other awesome non-binary/trans bedroom pop artists and the GOP’s war against trans people.

To get it out of the way, where did the stage name Cavetown come from?

I wish I had an interesting answer, but I came up with it when I was like 12 or 13, just because it sounded cool! I’m very grateful that it still sounds cool to me and didn’t end up being something cringey.

Was there an opportunity to do something new on “Fall In Love With A Girl” that you haven’t before?

Working with beabadoobee was something new, which I was super stoked to get to do! Her voice works so well in the song, and I had a great time recording with her and mixing her vocals, as well as [musician] Jacob Bugden’s synths and drums. I pretty much just work in Logic and haven’t really explored any cool plugins or hardware, so it was sick to watch Jacob do his thing with the synths he brought. There’s so much unique stuff you can do with external hardware, but finding where to start seems so overwhelming.

You don’t shy away from being vulnerable and intimate in your lyrics. For example, in 2020, you told Billboard, “I write songs about things that I find hard to talk about in person with people.” Which song from your most recent EP, “Man’s Best Friend,” is the most personal for you?

“Sharpener” is definitely the most personal and one that I’m really proud of. Sonically, I started by taking inspiration from one of my really old songs, “I Promise I’m Trying” [from the EP Nervous Friends: Pt. 1], which has maintained a special place in my heart since I wrote it in 2015. They both come from a similar subject matter of struggling with your mental health and looking for a way to ask for help while also finding it hard to leave behind the coping mechanisms you’ve relied on for a while.

How would you describe your musical evolution since 2015?

It’s hard for me to identify how my songwriting has changed, but my production has definitely improved a lot, and I just hope that it continues to do so.

Have you recorded some songs over the years that you’re saving for a future release, or, like Prince and Paddy McAloon of Prefab Sprout, will keep in a vault forever?

No full songs that I can think of, but I have a ton of half-finished project files that I forgot about or got bored of. They’re great to keep for inspiration when I’m feeling stuck. Quite a few of my songs, like “Guilty” and “Boys Will Be Bugs,” came from unfinished projects that I originally got stuck with or thought I would be scrapping.

And what other projects are in the works that you can say something about?

I don’t know if I can share much, but I’m working on dipping my toesies into some film scoring.

There seems to be a proliferation of fantastic non-binary and trans-identified bedroom pop artists lately, including Kali, Khai Dreams and Addision Grace, your opening act on your current tour. What is it about that genre that’s so perfect for you, and did I miss any artists you’d add to that list?

I feel like I just fit so comfortably into bedroom pop as someone who’s always felt so protective over my production. I’ve always produced everything myself from home and plan on keeping it that way forever. And my friend Allie Cuva, aka allie, makes some stunning music, and an artist I played a show with a long time ago called NoSo has some of the most mesmerizing guitar skills I’ve seen in person. Highly recommend.

You performed at Lollapalooza in 2021. How was that experience?

It was cool! Definitely quite nerve-racking, as it felt very foreign to be around so many people after the pandemic, but we managed to stay as isolated as possible. The most memorable moment for me was watching a cicada and a bee falling from a tree while fighting. The cicada was screaming and I witnessed it die on the ground. [sad emoticon]

What separates touring the USA from touring your native UK and other countries?

The crowd is pretty consistent all over the world, which is really nice! Ninety-nine percent of the time everyone is super sweet and respectful, which is really comforting because it feels like I’m just going out into a room full of my buddies no matter where in the world I am. The biggest difference is definitely the travel time. The USA is huge. I’m very privileged to be able to travel in a bus and sleep through most of the long drives.

Any cities you love the most, or can’t wait to visit on this current tour?

I’m really excited to spend more time in San Diego, Seattle and Toronto.

Have you been to Detroit before, and if so, any anecdotes you can share?

I have! I was in Detroit during that polar vortex a few years ago visiting [fellow singer/songwriter/YouTuber] Chloe Moriondo. I’ve never been so cold in my life; it straight up felt like my lungs were gonna freeze. I remember getting into Chloe’s car, and there was a bottle of soap in the cupholder that was frozen solid.

Republicans and GOP leaders are attacking trans people through hateful state bills right now and plan to make this a culture war point for the 2022 election. Are you aware of it, and any thoughts or words of inspiration to share with people who live in those states?

I hate to say that it’s not a surprising thing to see happening. I try not to read too much on stuff like this because I just end up feeling so powerless as an individual, but it’s important to remember how enormous, loving and active our community is. Just keep sticking by your friends and being unapologetically yourself. Things will always be OK in the end, and if they aren’t OK, then it’s not the end.

1.7% of Sexual Minority Adults Identify as Asexual

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Asexuals

Findings from the first representative sample of U.S. sexual minority adults estimating the prevalence of asexual identity.
Williams Institute Press Release

An estimated 1.7% of sexual minority adults identify as asexual, according to a recent study by the Williams Institute. The study also found that asexuals are more likely to be women or gender non-binary, assigned female at birth, and younger, compared to non-asexual lesbians, gay men, and bisexual (LGB) adults.

Asexual people reported significantly less sexual activity than non-asexual participants. Yet asexual adults were as likely to report being in an intimate relationship as non-asexual LGB adults.

“Asexuality is an emerging identity,” said lead author Esther D. Rothblum, a visiting distinguished scholar at the Williams Institute. “Given that the majority of asexual respondents were young, we expect that the prevalence and understanding of asexuality will grow as more youth reach adolescence and become familiar with the identity.”

Findings

  • More than one-quarter (27%) of asexuals identify as women and three-quarters (72%) identify as genderqueer/non-binary.
  • An overwhelming majority of asexuals were assigned female at birth (86%), compared with 14% who were assigned male at birth.
  • 91% of asexuals are in the younger cohort (ages 18-27), compared to 61% of non-asexual LGB people.
  • Asexuality is not synonymous with a lack of sexual attraction, sexual behavior, or intimate relationships. A little more than a third of asexuals reported being sexually attracted; more than half of them reported having had sex; and they were as likely to report that they were in a romantic intimate relationship (59% compared with 61% of non-asexual LGB people).
  • Asexuals felt similar social support, well-being, life satisfaction and connection with the LGBT community as non-asexual LGB people.
  • Asexuals reported more everyday discrimination and stigma than non-asexual LGB people.

“We see in these results that asexuals are an integral part of the LGBT community,” said study author Ilan H. Meyer, Distinguished Senior Scholar of Public Policy at the Williams Institute. “It is important to note, however, that this study only included asexuals who also identify as LGB, so the results are pertinent to a segment of the total asexual population. We have more to learn about asexual heterosexuals.”

About the Study

The report, “Asexual and Non-Asexual Respondents from a U.S. Population-Based Study of Sexual Minorities” appears in Archives of Sexual Behavior and is co-authored by Esther D. Rothblum, Ph.D., Professor of Women’s Studies at San Diego State University, Evan A. Krueger, MPH, Research Coordinator at the Williams Institute, Krystal R. Kittle, Project Coordinator at the Williams Institute, and Ilan H. Meyer, Ph.D., Distinguished Senior Public Policy Scholar at the Williams Institute.

Research reported in this report is part of the Generations study, supported by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) of the National Institutes of Health, under award number R01HD078526. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. The Generations investigators are Ilan H. Meyer, Ph.D., (PI, UCLA); David M. Frost, Ph.D., (University College London); Phillip L. Hammack, Ph.D., (UCSC); Marguerita Lightfoot, Ph.D., (UCSF); Stephen T. Russell, Ph.D. (University of Texas, Austin) and Bianca D.M. Wilson, Ph.D., (UCLA) Co-Investigators are listed alphabetically.

From GLSEN: 10 Ways Educators Can Support Asexual Students

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How to support Asexual Students

For many GSAs and school communities, the topic of asexuality is either unseen, unheard, or not present. Whether or not you currently have any out asexual people in your GSA or school, celebrating asexual visibility is an important supportive act and may help asexual people discover, or come out about, their identities.

To begin in your support of asexual students, start by knowing these definitions:

Asexual: Someone who does not experience sexual attraction. (Defined by AVEN)

Aphobic/Acephobic: The discrimination against asexual or aromantic people.

Demisexual: Someone who only experiences sexual attraction after an emotional bond has been formed. This bond does not have to be romantic in nature. (Defined by AVEN)

Heteronormativity: The assumption that heterosexual identity is the norm, which plays out in interpersonal interactions and institutional privileges that further the marginalization of people who are not heterosexual, such as asexual, lesbian, gay, and bisexual people.

Here are some ways to deepen your practice in supporting asexual youth:

1. Remember that identity is multifaceted. A student’s identity as asexual will be impacted by other identities they hold such as their race, sexual orientation, gender, ability, and/or class. All these various identities may affect the way that this person interacts with their asexual identity and how others may perceive their identity operating outside of heteronormativity. That being said, students may hold multiple identities such as being asexual and also lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and/or trans.

2. Learn about the asexual identity spectrum. This will provide a foundation for learning about the nuances between asexual identities and establish a common language to speak about them. In doing your own research, you shift the burden of education away from the marginalized community and provide them the space of sharing their lived experiences instead of generalities or feeling like they are representing an entire identity.

3. Respect all types of relationships. There are nuances between asexual identities and relationships. Your students, including your asexual students, may be interested in romantic or non-romantic relationships, and that’s okay. Know that wherever they fall on the asexual spectrum, their relationships are valid, too.

4. Approach asexuality with an open mind and avoid misappropriation. Use resources such Information for Educators, provided by AVEN, and Ace Inclusivity by the Safe Zone Project to learn more about asexuality. Put in the effort to learn the correct terms and to use them in appropriate ways. It’s fine to have questions, but be open-minded and receptive while listening to those who decide to share, and again, be sure to start by doing your own research.

5. Promote asexual visibility. Celebrate Asexual Visibility Week every October! Also continue throughout the year by including asexual identities, experiences, icons, and history in topics talked about with your students.

6. Protect asexual students who’ve received aphobic harassment. Validate student experiences of harassment that are shared with you. Check the anti-bullying policies for your school and see how they can help you to intervene on behalf of your asexual students.

7. Affirm their experiences as asexual people. Listen to how people identify and affirm experiences that are shared with you, rather than questioning them. Use terms that students use to describe themselves, their feelings, and their relationships.

8. Include asexual-inclusive sex-ed curricula and consent information. Consent should be at the foundation of any topic regarding relationships, and asexual relationships should be included in these discussions. Sexual health educators should teach that not everyone is sexually active and also discuss the asexual spectrum with their students .

9. Don’t affirm asexuality for the wrong reasons (e.g., “Well, now no one has to worry about you getting pregnant or getting STIs anymore!”) Affirming should look like listening and validating what students share with you about their identity and experiences.

10. Understand what allyship looks like. If you yourself are not asexual, you hold a perspective that may prevent you from fully grasping the unique and abstract concepts that impact the daily experiences of members of the asexual community. This is a practice and not a destination. Continue to defer to people in the asexual community; learn from them sharing, and advocate for their visibility and integration whether they’re present or not.

When implementing these asexual-inclusive practices, understand that as educators and GSA advisors, you should provide education and conversations around asexual identity. If you have out asexual GSA members, be sure to create space for them to share and lead the conversation should they choose to. You can invite them to educate others with their own experiences and challenge misconceptions and stereotypes about asexual people.

As the adults in school, you can support your students by continuing to learn about all of the identities and experiences that they have. To keep learning about asexual people and identities, follow these links:

AVEN (Asexual Visibility and Education Network)

Demisexuality.org

Asexuality Archive

Asexuality: The ‘X’ In A Sexual World

The Invisible Orientation

Asexuality Top Ten

(reprinted from the GLSEN website)

Seattle Aces Meetings at Gay City

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Seattle Aces

Seattle Aces, the asexuality meetup group for the Greater Seattle area, meets regularly at Seattles LGBTQ Center, Gay City.   The event is described as “A comfortable space to share and discuss the broad spectrum of asexuality and your experience and questions with others in the community.” The meeting usually takes place on the second Saturday of the month at 11:00 AM.  Be sure to check the Gay City calendar to confirm the date and time.

In addition to the monthly discussion groups, Seattle Aces holds occasional happy hours and other informal gatherings in the greater Seattle Area.   Find out more about Seattle Aces at www.seattleaces.org.

Gay City promotes wellness in LGBTQ Communities by providing health services, connecting people to resources, fostering arts, and building community.  Find out more about Gay City at www.gaycity.org.

 

Asexual Information & Resources

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Asexual Resource

An asexual person is someone who experiences either no desire to have sex or in some cases a very low interest in sex. Although some researchers might disagree, most people who identify as asexual (or Ace for short) believe asexuality is a sexual orientation like being gay or straight.  Some asexual individuals experience romantic attraction (A-romantic).  Asexuality exists on a spectrum and those who fall in the middle of that spectrum (between sexual and asexual) often identify as demisexual.

Asexual Resources

Asexual Facebook Page: Asexual Facebook Page

Asexual Twitter Page: Asexual Twitter Page

Asexual Outreach: www.asexualoutreach.org

The Asexual Visibility and Education Network: www.asexuality.org