Angie McMahon: ‘I was scared to acknowledge that level of queerness for a long time’

Angie McMahon is a musician who is best known for being nominated for the 2023 Australian Music Prize. The 29-year-old shares how her dad encouraged her musical ambition, her two closest friends who double as musical collaborators and why she found dating men in her 20s confusing.

Angie McMahon.Credit: Taylor Ranston

My maternal grandfather, Jack, was an electrician and lived with us for a period of time with my nan until she went into a nursing home. He remained with us and spoiled us with lollies and treats. He always had time to listen and liked to give practical advice when it came to cooking, like teaching us to cut the vegies the right way. He was very active and loved going to the market.

My paternal grandfather, Tom, grew up on a farm in NSW. He became a stock salesman and worked his way up in the industry. He was one of 10 children – they’d all sleep in the one bedroom together – and he was home-schooled by his older sister. He loved showing us life on the farm. He became unwell when I was young and my latter memories are of visiting him in a nursing home.

My parents met studying law at university in Melbourne. I am the third of four siblings. My sister Ester is four years older, my brother Eddie is two years older, and my other brother, Tom, is four years younger than me.

My dad raised me on his favourite music, like Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. He bought me an electric guitar because he could see how much I loved those artists. Dad has been a big influence on my confidence to step into my music dream. I wouldn’t have made my leap of faith if it wasn’t for Dad.

Dad loved taking us camping and on long drives. We piled into the station wagon and did a road trip to Uluru as kids, camping along the way. Dad loved the chance to educate us about the wild – that was a big part of our upbringing. He would take us to the farm and teach us how to ride a motorbike and how to catch yabbies in the dam. He is an activist and taught me about human rights. He is very thoughtful and compassionate in his approach to politics and the world around us.

My big brother Eddie is a great role model, very thoughtful and caring. He is an intelligent man, widely read and funny. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert is a book he suggested to me. It’s about how to be creative and brave with your life and it’s one of my favourites. I always recommend it to others.

My little brother Tom is the one who did dangerous things as a child! We called him Tommy Tornado. He would be at the top of the playground equipment, or break his arm in the backyard – a chaotic child. We say he’s the one who had five parents, because we all had a go at parenting him.

I didn’t know when I was a kid that I was queer. I had romantic relationships with men that began when I was 19 and 20. I found them confusing because I went to an all-girls Catholic school and didn’t have much to go on. I felt like a deer in headlights.

Two of my closest friends and collaborators are musicians Alex O’Gorman and Lachlan O’Kane. They have been in my band for six years and are both important men in my life. They helped me feel confident and comfortable to be who I am around them. Alex and I made my first album together and some of the second record, too.

I am bisexual and I was scared to acknowledge that level of queerness for a long time. It was only when I accepted it in myself that things changed. It was hard to bring it out of myself with all of my Catholic upbringing, but it’s been liberating, and my family has been supportive.

I thought I’d only date women but I’ve been with my current boyfriend for three years and found a lot of joy in our relationship. He is secure and kind and been supportive of my journey.

The men in my life are open to learning about the stereotypes we all inherit and the social constructs we create. I love them for their openness and how they support their communities. I think about marriage and kids, but for now I am more focused on the next musical journey.

Angie McMahon’s new album, Light, Dark, Light Again, is out now.

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