32 “MY QUEERNESS WILL NOT

says Brit popstar Mike y James.

“My queerness will not be censored,” says the Brit popstar, who sings about sugar daddies and getting your freak on!

DNA: Is 2021 going to be the year of Mikey James?

Mikey James: In 2021 I’m going to play a lot of gigs, go to a fuck-load of parties and kiss as many hot guys as my schedule allows. I’ve made a promise to work my ass off and bring my music to as many people as possible.

You were once a psychiatric doctor, true?

I was. I did it for 10 years. I know what you’re thinking, I don’t look old enough [laughs]! I used to work in hospitals in London. That’s where I met songwriter and producer Tom Bennett, also a doctor; a chance meeting that changed my life.

When did you realise you wanted to make music together?

Right away! We got chatting and it was obvious we had the same taste in pop. One of my fondest memories of working in the studio with him is recording the “rap” section to Sugar, my bawdy sugar-daddy anthem. The song is so cheeky it took a long time to get a take without us breaking into hysterics.

Your latest single Freak Tonight is hella hot, heavy and horny.

Thank you! The song is about embracing who you are and having fun. I want you to listen to it and feel empowered to go talk to that person at the party you can’t take your eyes off. It features Doug Thee Savage. He’s a super talented artist – go check him out.

Who else would you like to work with?

I’m keen to work with artists who challenge me and help me grow. I love St Vincent and I’m obsessed with Ripley, a drag artist here in London making politico-pop, which I rate.

How would you describe your music?

I eat, breathe and sleep pop music. I wanna blow the roof right off and make songs people will still be listening to in 20 years. Everything I’m doing needs to be bold, irreverent and fun. In my live set I perform a section naked in a leather harness. It’s where I get to indulge myself in fantasy and character. I played an online Pride gig where they censored the performance and cut to a commercial. I couldn’t believe it! The artist before me had been swearing left, right and centre. It clearly wasn’t a family show, so why did they feel the need to censor me?! My body and my queerness will not be censored!

What are your plans looking like for 2021?

Boys, boys, boys, pop superstardom, and more boys [laughs].

You’re based in London, but where are you from originally?

I’m Welsh. I grew up in the middle of nowhere in Wales before heading to Liverpool to study. Wales has produced a motley crew of iconic singer – who else can lay claim to both Shirley Bassey and Luke Evans [sexy actor/singer]. It’s like a gay haven!

Have you ever visited Australia?

No, but a great friend is Melburnian. He had to leave London because of the pandemic and I can’t wait to visit him. I find Australians just so ridiculously funny. I adore Josh Thomas’ show

Please Like Me. Normalising queer narratives is

the most beautiful thing.

I’m going to play a lot of gigs, go to a fuck-load of parties, and kiss as many hot guys as my schedule allows.

At the beach – speedos, boardshorts or nude?

Anyone who follows me on Instagram will know I’m a speedo guy! I’ve never been to a nudist beach before, but definitely down for it.

What’s your message to the readers of DNA?

It’s really important to do what makes you happy, to never compromise your truth, and to make sure you always look after yourself. Oh, and go stream Freak Tonight immediately!

MORE: Find more Mikey on Instagram @mikeyjameslondon or go to mikeyjames.net and mikeyjames.co.uk