If we’re currently living in a patriarchy, imagine the day we’ll be living in an ex-patriarchy. This is the idea Berlin-based, queer/female-focused radio show Expatriarch brings to mind. Run by expat (can you see what he did there?) DJ and musician Joey Hansom, who is best known in the SIEGESSÄULE office as its English Language Editor, the monthly show is currently celebrating its fifth birthday. Expatriarch’s episodes are guides to the awesome variety of music not created by straight white guys. We chatted to Hansom about Berlin’s queer music community and that one time he interviewed Judith Butler.

Why did you start Expatriarch?
I started it because the infrastructure for the ways we produce and consume music is largely male-owned and operated. How many times do we see four bearded dudes strumming their guitars on the cover of a magazine? Expatriarch is an outlet to showcase not only queer artists, but also women artists in general, because they are underrepresented, especially in electronic music. Also, to show other gender expressions, whether that's trans or gender non-conforming people. It's not so much about saying: “This is what queer music sounds” like, but more: “These are the infinite possibilities.

Do you think people look to Berlin as a hub for music?
For music in general, I don't think so. I think for techno and house definitely, but not beyond that. I do think there’s a particular interest in the queer/gender non-conforming aspect: Berlin has a huge history of cabaret performers from the Weimar era of drag kings and queens, and Berlin is still a leader in that regard.
It is kind of a playground for experimentation – there's less infrastructure, but the flipside is that you can come and do your own thing without pressure or judgment – I think that's why a lot of queer-identified people are coming here and being creative.

How do you select the songs – what defines what brings them together?
I like to use the word “transgenre”, partly because I love wordplay, but also to talk about breaking down borders of gender and genre. I think because of the way we consume music now via the internet, people are more and more open to different styles. I also want to show the variety of stuff that's going on in Berlin – I play lots of local bands as well as other bands who are coming to Berlin that month.

Why did you get started doing events under the Expatriarch banner?
It was kind of spontaneous – Light Asylum were spending a summer in Berlin and I was telling every promoter I know to book them, and no one listened to me, so I thought “Fuck it, I’ll make it happen”. Since then, I've done loads of other concerts and parties, including the Berlin debuts of Cakes da Killa and Maria Minerva. Last year, there was the Expatriarch Generations series – if you enjoyed that, you'll be excited about what else there is to come! The Torstraßen Festival is also turning five this year, so they asked Expatriarch to curate one stage at this June's festival.

What was the most interesting interview you’ve done for Expatriarch Radio?
Well, I did once interview Judith Butler. I was sent to ask her about receiving the Civil Courage prize, and I found out just moments before she was to get on stage that she had planned to decline the award, because she felt that the organisers were complicit with racist policies. I only had this short window of time to ask her why she was turning down the prize, which she answered, for about four minutes. Then, before I could get another word in, she marched off to turn down the award. She had a commanding presence!

Interview: Josie Thaddeus-Johns