7 Comments

Norm, incredible interview as always. This is something I'm sure *you* know or have experienced at some level, but maybe Justice hasn't:

In regards to "Justice Tripp Gay" popping up on Google, I don't necessarily think that's because of legions of straight men trying to figure out if they should hate him or not.

As a gay man myself, I'm constantly Googling celebrities or musicians to see if they're gay or not. Not to pry into their lives or to judge them, but because I'll recognize something of myself in them or something I'd like to be or have in them. I'm looking for kindred spirits in the places I inhabit.

The people searching "Justice Tripp Gay" are just as likely to be queer people in the scene who see something of themselves in Justice and are looking for role models or trying to find community with him. Regardless of how Justice identifies, I think it's pretty great he can provide that kind of safety to folks.

(A big chunk of people searching "Justice Tripp Gay" are also likely gay men who think he's hot lol. Again, a compliment)

Expand full comment

Agreed, but if it really came up as the first thing in predictive text, it could have very well been all of the above!

Expand full comment

I’m a little surprised this interview hasn’t gotten more traction in the comments. I appreciate how you let Justice draw out this point in particular - “we’re all human, and I think there are [more] things that we can relate to than things we don’t.”

The evolution to that statement feels like the essence of anti-matter and your thoughts on what hardcore is.

At the end of the day, we are all trying to make our way in a world that challenges us. Many of us have an urge to creat. The balance of that urge with the realities of life gets a lot easier when you can find commonality with more people.

Expand full comment

There is a reason I try to use the word "community" more than I do "scene." I still use both, but when I use "community" I'm really highlighting its connection to the word you used—commonality. It's about sharing something, and I believe we all do. x

Expand full comment

Playing catchup as always, but damn, what an amazing interview. I found Angel Du$t through a younger friend, and while I've really loved the stuff, I haven't really delved past the music itself--I have a real respect for Justice and his openness and honesty with so many things (needing to find a healthy way to medicate for mental illness, sexuality, the complexities of the scene)...I'm lucky enough that they tend to play a lot around me, and I'm going to make so much more of an effort to catch them now.

Expand full comment

Justice is honestly just a wonderful dude. This interview was so kind and honest. Thank you, Norman ❤️

Expand full comment

KING!!!

Expand full comment