New country choir boosts queer visibility

In the quiet village of Candelo, nestled on the Far South Coast of New South Wales, a new sound is emerging on Wednesday evenings: the voices of Pandemonium, a choir dedicated to boosting queer visibility and fostering connection.

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When I moved here five years ago, I knew there were LGBTQ+ folks here, but I didn't feel like there was a whole lot of visibility.

Founded by locals April Davis and Pip Treloar, Pandemonium aims to provide a much-needed space for the LGBTQ+ community in a town of just 780 people. "When I moved here five years ago, I knew there were LGBTQ+ folks here, but I didn't feel like there was a whole lot of visibility," Davis explained. She noted that while activism can be "heavy," the choir offers a space "filled with joy and delight."

Robyn Martin, a Candelo singer-songwriter, leads the choir, which was inspired by the vibrant colors of rainbow lorikeets. "It's got this grassroots, groundswell of love and energy behind it," Martin said of the project. Since its inception in May, the choir has consistently drawn more than 20 members, including their dogs, to weekly rehearsals at the town hall. Sessions involve vocal warm-ups, learning songs like a modified version of Olivia Dean's "Man I Need" (now "One I Need"), and breaks for tea and biscuits.

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Historically, LGBTQ+ voices have been oppressed, silenced and left out.

For members like Kalpa Goldflam, joining Pandemonium has been a transformative experience. Initially nervous about singing in a group, she found the atmosphere incredibly welcoming. "I felt so welcome and excited that I just threw myself into it," Goldflam shared. "It feels like home." She emphasized the importance of such groups in regional areas, stating, "There are concentric circles of community and this is one of them. We need each other and we need to have fun and make beautiful, creative things together."

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I think a lot of activism and advocacy can be kind of heavy, whereas this just felt so filled with joy and delight.

The choir will take a break for the term and plans to resume in August, with aspirations to hold rehearsals in neighboring towns like Bega. This initiative highlights a growing movement in regional Australia to create inclusive spaces and celebrate LGBTQ+ identity.

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In this area, there's a lot of choirs … but I think this choir is unique.