Mint Simon’s New Single Embraces Gender Fluidity

Mint Simon, brainchild behind the pop band Caveboy, recently released their newest track, “Some of Everything.” This is the second single from their solo project.

Referencing iconic pop culture, Simon does a deep dive into their identity and faces their truths head-on by resisting the narrow boxes they felt pressured to fit in while growing up. Simon explains that they want the song to be a celebration for all the “non-box-fitting queers” and a reminder that you do not need a label to make your identity real.

Simon is using their new musical project as a vehicle for self-discovery and expression and already garnered praise after the release of their debut single, “Used For Love,” which was supported by some of the industry’s best including Apple, Amazon, MTV, CBC Radio One, and FYI Music. Their mission is to prove that freedom of expression allows for endless possibilities.

OFM had the opportunity to catch up with Simon and talk more about “Some of Everything” and her love for music.

Can you begin by telling us about the concept and inspiration behind your new single, “Some of Everything?”
Yes, absolutely. I always knew that I wanted to write a song that touched on my identity, but I wanted to do it in a way that still felt like me and was not forced. My producer sent me this track that had these Spice Girls vibes, this Spice Girls energy, and I instantly had the chorus. I was like, ‘I wonder if this is just too simple—liking some of everything, being some of everything, which really touches on my fluidity in both my gender and my sexuality.’ My producer was like, ‘No, you are saying something really direct and really clear.’ So, I decided to make the verses and lyrics very vulnerable and truthful. Touch on personal experiences and not hide away from it at all. Go full on in the song.

Is this track from an upcoming EP?
To be determined. I am looking into releasing a body of work next year.

You are known as the front-person of the band Caveboy, but “Some of Everything” is part of your solo project. What made you want to start your own musical journey?
The pandemic really put a halt on groups, and I think as a band, it was very difficult for us to get together and continue on. We had just released our record right before the start of the pandemic, and all our touring got canceled. In that quiet time, I realized that this is a project that I have always wanted to do. I never felt like it was the right time, then it just sort of happened. I almost don’t remember it happening. I remember being like, I want to do this, and my bandmates were extremely supportive from the get-go. Almost on autopilot, I went through the motions of starting this project. Now, here I am. I am seeing so much of the benefit of taking the risk.

Have you always had a passion for singing and songwriting?
Yes. When I was a kid, I was one of those kids who could sing well, but it was a little weird for adults to constantly ask you to sing, or kind of push you in this direction. It really turned me off from music completely. I have always loved music, listening to music, loving artists, but I never felt like I could find my own voice because I just felt caught up in that. In my early 20s, I joined my band and slowly started to find my voice. I feel like it took some time. Listening to old recordings, my voice sounds so different. I have always loved singing, but now, I feel like I get to do it for me. My voice feels like mine, and it is my favorite thing to do. I was also very shy. I could not sing in front of people for most of my life. It is so wild now.

Can you talk more about your musical aesthetic?
I am definitely influenced by the 80s and 90s, my favorite decades. Artistically, I have always been drawn to solo artists who have this magic. Like, Freddie Mercury, Prince, or Cher. I have always been intensely drawn to them, so those are definite influences of mine. Now, I am trying to find ways to bring it into the modern day and figure out how I can bring that music back into the pop world and make it kind of mainstream and popular. Because my voice is also deeper and comparable to music of the 80s, I am trying to find that balance of that old and the new.

What do you hope listeners take away from your music?
I hope people feel like they can be themselves, and they have something to dance to. Just let loose and feel the passion in what I am saying and in my voice. Celebrate who they are.

Several LGBTQ artists around this time release Pride anthems. How is “Some of Everything” different from the other singles with a message of living your true authentic self?
I think there is not as much representation for masculine folks or genderfluid people, like myself, who are trying to make pop music. I think my aesthetic and the vibe of the song is different than what I have heard before, and I want to try to make some space for more masculine-presenting folks to be in pop music and mainstream art.

You said you want “Some of Everything” to be a reminder that you do not need a label to make your identity real. Do you think younger generations are becoming more comfortable without labels, and do you believe this is beneficial?
Absolutely. I think having less pressure to try to find the answers gives them more time and room to figure out where they want to explore. For me, in the early 2000s, I first came out as bisexual, then I identified as a lesbian, then I came out as genderfluid and queer. All these different things that I have gone through, and I am just kind of at the point where I am like, gender does not matter to me in myself or other people. I am attracted to who I am attracted to, and I am kind of vibing off the youth on that one. Enjoying how much freedom and fluidity there is in the younger generation. It is inspiring me to let loose and let go of those labels.

What is the best advice you can offer someone who does feel pressured to fit into these narrow boxes?
I would say, take the time to explore, and make sure that the people around you are giving you space to do that. Of course, that is not easy for everyone, but if you have a choice on the people you surround yourself with, and friends, I would definitely lean towards people who feel similar to you and give you that room to explore your identity. People you can trust with those ups and downs, because it feels like it is ever changing.

What are some future goals you would like to achieve with your music career?
I want to be a bigger artist. That is the truth. I want to play stadiums; I want to be able to have a platform to speak my mind and bring younger queer artists on tour with me, and I want to create opportunities for other people by being able to be at a point where I can really do that.

Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects or anything else you would like to mention our plug?
I am plugging this video as much as possible. It’s 90s, campy, and has so many queer-inspired references. I hope that it resonates with people, and I hope people can see a masculine person who does not dance learn choreography and is here to do pop choreo. I hope people will dance along, learn it, and just be excited about it.

Stay connected with Simon by following them on Instagram or visiting their official website. “Some of Everything” is available on music streaming platforms.

Photos Courtesy of Mathieu Samson