Quotes from Justin Tranter

The thing is, if you tell your story specifically enough, it becomes so universal. Just because you're a gay man singing an honest love song, people should know that it's about men and that they can still relate to it.

I'm a walking political statement.

I've experienced some really very obvious, direct homophobia - when I was still trying to be an artist, behind the scenes, being told to be less gay, be less feminine.

My choice of shoe upsets people a lot more than my filthy mouth.

For me, as a performer or a songwriter, Stevie Nicks is always a huge inspiration as well as Iggy Pop.

Beyonce, Stevie Nicks, Ani DiFranco, Cardi B - Women tell awesome stories.

I love songs, Patty Larkin, Sharon Stone, Mae West, and Marilyn Monroe.

I'm really proud of 'Kissing Strangers.'

The one time I shot a gun, the feelings I felt, I was guilty for feeling them. There is an exhilaration and a glamour, and I felt awful for feeling that.

Once I got into pop songwriting, I was kind of just ready to help other people tell their stories... I'm here to facilitate and structure and grow and make things a little more fabulous and a little more urgent.

The larger streaming grows, the less money there will be to get the music out there, which, to me, is the sad part.

I just want to make music that people hear, and I'm not ashamed of that.

Great music is just very clear. Sonically and lyrically, you understand the point of view, you understand the melodies, you understand the vibe, and you understand the lyric pretty damn quickly. To me, that doesn't make it 'less than' - it makes it 'more than.'