It is hard not to be captivated with MAN ON MAN’s (M.O.M.) story. Musically and visually it transcends what we know of gay music, arriving at exactly the cultural moment that we need them. The duo’s self-titled debut album is due out on May 7, their first release with Polyvinyl Record Co. The newly launched Chosen Family LGBTQIA+ project is an extension of the band that aims to take people offline and connect in meaningful ways including a pen-pal program (which already has 500+ subscribers globally!) and a quarterly zine. “Infused with gay pop confidence, their new queer anthem “It’s So Fun (To Be Gay)” is the album’s central thesis statement. The new song has alongside a Brendan McGowan-directed video which features guests JD Samson, Patty Schemel (Hole), John Cameron Mitchell, Jibz Cameron (Dynasty Handbag), Heklina and more! 

“We wanted “It’s So Fun (To Be Gay)” to feel organic and warm with a strong, universal message,” shares the band. “For the video we aimed to focus on our community. Getting through the hardships of the past year we leaned heavily on what we mean to each other in terms of support and understanding. We were in the middle of launching our Chosen Family project and had just finished linking people up for our pen pal program and sourcing art for our quarterly zine. We thought the best way to exhibit the joy in the song would be to have a video full of our chosen family – friends, peers, and heros. So, we asked friends to share their love and lives and these queer testimonials are what make up the bulk of the video. Our togetherness and bond is key to moving forward in these times especially and we aimed to capture that bond and essence, particularly with Gay Pride 2021 on the horizon. It felt fitting to donate the launch-day’s sales to Born Perfect, which is a non-profit whose mission is to end conversion therapy.“ 

Infused with the acerbic and pure sense of humor they both share, M.O.M. is the new project from Joey Holman (HOLMAN) and Roddy Bottum (Faith No More, Imperial Teen). When we fall into their world — which was self-produced with mix support by Grammy-award winning producer Carlos de la Garza (M83, Paramore, Jimmy Eat World) and Mike Vernon Davis (Foxing, Great Grandpa) — we witness the duo’s deep intensity of falling in love while mourning, and the epic collaboration of two lovers that traverse the map of a COVID road trip. The band has just signed to Ground Control Touring in North America and fans can look forward to opportunities to experience the band’s enthralling live show as soon as it is safe.

As individuals, lovers, sons, community pillars, and human beings, M.O.M. are a womb to be reckoned with.

(Photo credit: A.F. Cortes)