I think because we think everyone has access to social media, we presume that everyone should know the right way. And in some ways it’s cool because more people can access theory and vocabulary, and I’m sure I would have accessed it earlier and in a different way than I did. Because when I was going to punk and hardcore shows every weekend I was like 13, from there I learned about riot grrrl. But where I come from in the UK, the hardcore scene was super male. I think if I’d had the internet the way I do now I’d have got to feminism earlier, and not had a period of feeling like I didn’t belong in my music scene. I value the way I learned about these things but also it would have been nice not to have the feelings of being pushed aside.

I obviously knew women experience inequality and discrimination, and queer people experience inequality and discrimination. I could not put a name to it, because I was just not as well-versed in theory, so I had a need to overperform when I played guitar to prove that I am a girl who is good at guitar, and I had a need to prove myself continually to the predominantly male audience and friend group that I had. I never questioned life that way—not that I never questioned it, but I think I could not identify with the motivations behind me wanting to succeed. Like I never questioned how people viewed my queerness: “Now we will treat Julien like she is a boy.” I’m not a boy, I’m a gay female, I’m not just one of the guys. It’s a totally different thing, and explaining that got so much easier when I became engaged with my identity.