Michael T. Ogilvie on queer joy, dance pop, and building a pop identity

Jo and Dominic sit down with Michael T. Ogilvie, the Northeast’s favourite gay pop star, for a wide-ranging chat about music, queer nightlife, and the realities of being an independent artist. The conversation moves from his earliest performances and first songs to the role of dance floors as queer safe spaces, with plenty of chaotic side quests along the way. In this episode, Michael shares how performance started young through ballet and musical theatre, how he shaped his sound through Kylie, Gaga, and 80s synth pop, and why his current releases are grounded in queer, camp, clubby energy. He also talks candidly about money, burnout, community, and why being yourself on stage matters just as much off it.

Key topics

• Michael traces his love of performing back to age eight, when ballet and attention-seeking energy led him toward music and stage work.
• He explains that he started making his own music around 16 and burning tracks to CDs to play in his dad’s car.
• His first finished song was called Gravity, which he jokes should probably be leaked as a bootleg.
• He names Kylie, Gaga, and other big female pop icons as key influences, along with 80s synths and overproduced pop vocals.
• Michael says he is drawn to dance pop because the dance floor is a queer escape route, a place to be whoever you want for a few minutes and find community.
• He talks about the importance of queer venues and clubs as safe spaces, especially as nightlife keeps closing down.
• Shut Me Up is described as the dance floor side of his sound, while Flex is the darker, sluttier, more physical counterpart.
• Michael says his current creative rule is simple: if it is not queer, camp, or clubby, he is not posting it.
• He gets honest about being an independent artist, explaining that the work is huge, the returns are slow, and release day only shows about 10 percent of the effort.
• He reflects on taking breaks from music, then returning with a stronger sense of fulfillment, better boundaries, and a clearer idea of who he is.
• The discussion turns to nightlife, social confidence, and queer self-expression, including the value of being cringe, being visible, and not worrying so much about judgment.
• Michael shares his love for Newcastle’s queer scene, praising its drag, diversity, and community spirit while noting that support needs to extend beyond social media.
• He discusses drag talent he admires, including Danny Delonco and Gloria Love, and says he values kindness and backstage chemistry as much as stage skill.
• The episode wraps with talk of future projects, dream collaborations, and the continuing evolution of his pop sound.