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A Jersey-born musician known for his 80’s inspired pop songs is tackling gay conversion therapy, “that stubborn relic of religious homophobia,” in his latest song.
Out today, ‘Conversion’ is Tom Falle's Rhumba Club third single this year after his self-referential indie ballad ‘(I’m Gonna Construct) An Image’ and ‘The House Always Wins’, a sardonic take on celebrity culture in 2021.
Like many of his other songs, ‘Conversion’ is deceptively upbeat. Contrary to what listeners might believe, the lyrics touch on a serious subject, which Tom said he felt very strongly about and which he describes as a “stubborn relic of religious homophobia”, conversion therapies.
Video: The video for 'Conversion' was filmed around London’s Evangelical and Catholic churches.
According to UK charity ‘Ban Conversion Therapy’, they are defined as “a practice or intervention which attempts to erase, repress, cure or change someone’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity”.
As Tom explained not all churches carry out conversion therapies while some “disguise” the practices with other terms such as ‘spiritual support in sexuality”, while still trying to “pray the gay away."
“It made me especially annoyed when I realised, it’s not only what I believe to be wrong, that some churches wanted to stop people being who they are, which I very much believe in. It’s something I feel very strongly about.”
Channelling the work done by Ban Conversion Therapy and Christopher Hitchens’ anti-religious works, Rhumba Club doubles down on conversion condemnation, cloaked in trademark 80s synths and gospel-laden melodies.
Pictured:Tom said the subject of conversion therapies was one he felt strongly about. (Credit: Ivan Ruberto)
Meanwhile, the video sees Tom parade around London’s Evangelical and Catholic churches, generally just being his unconverted self.
“I never experienced conversion therapy myself but I did my research and I learned about ‘Ban Conversion Therapy', who are really impressive,” Tom said.
“They put a lot of pressure on the Government to ban them, but the Governments keeps kicking the banning of it in the long grass, I think to maybe sort of appease the churches, which is just not good enough.
“I just do not see how there’s any justification for it. You would not have that in any other situation, I just do not see why sexuality is different.
“I don’t want to do too many pop songs that are about nothing. It’s something I feel strongly about.”
Pictured: Tom hopes that his “camp riposte” to conversion therapies will help keep the subject in people’s minds.
Tom hopes that his “camp riposte” to conversion therapies will help keep the subject in people’s minds.
“I have no expectation that my small contribution will have any profound impact,” he said. “But if it does make a difference for one person or emboldens one person to shout about it, that would be a big success, to invigorate someone to change their mind.”
Discussing the way he disguises his serious lyrics in seemingly cheerful tunes, Tom said he has “kind of a sadistic humour”.
“I find it quite funny there are some people who will profoundly disagree with the lyrics that are dancing to it. But if that’s what they want to do, it’s fine with me.”
The new release comes as Tom has just announced the release of his debut album, ‘Welcome To The Rhumba Club’ on 5 November 2021.
In the meantime, he will play a headline show at Hackney on 30 September.
(Lead picture credit: Will Aldersley)
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