Big Dipper talks Podcasting, Making Music, and Performing at IBC

February 23, 2023
JORDAN JAYRO

Many of us know Big Dipper as the man behind some of our favorite podcasts, but that barely begins to cover the magnitude of his skill set. Dipper is a recording artist, songwriter, content creator, producer, podcast host, and I'm certain there are more that I'm forgetting! He co-hosts the podcast Sloppy Seconds with Big Dipper and Meatball on the MOM Podcast network in conjunction with Forever Dog. Big Dipper also just recently released Club Go Up (The Remixes), an EP featuring remixes of his song Club Go Up. Check out his music video for the song at the end of this interview It's no wonder IBC (International Bear Convergence) wanted to Dipper to headline its Redemption in Paradise Pool Party on Sunday, February 26th! The event is sponsored by Fleshbot, so you know it'll be fun! Get tickets here. It was so awesome getting to do this interview with Big Dipper! Check out his answers below:

On your podcast Sloppy Seconds with Big Dipper and Meatball, you talked about attending IBC in the past. How does it feel now to be able to attend as a performer?

I'm so excited to perform at IBC this year! Some people think it's an obvious choice to have me perform… which I mean, I'm a bear so it makes sense. But a lot of big bear events usually prefer DJs and go-go boys over live music acts. So I'm excited to really shake things up and show those bears in Palm Springs some out-of-breath and sweaty entertainment!

Sloppy Seconds recently surpassed 300 episodes! What do you think has been the secret to the show’s longevity?

Honestly, I have no idea. Meatball and I both have a really strong work ethic so we don't really give up on projects… maybe that has something to do with it? I also think there is something about our chemistry that feels special. I find Meatball endlessly entertaining and always have more to say to her. So I guess we'll just keep making podcasts until we run out of things to say, and no one else wants to come be a guest on the show.

You are a graduate of Ithaca College, a program known for its alumni being a part of the media and entertainment industries. How has your experience there prepared you for the work you do today?

Deep dive to college! I love it! I had a great time at Ithaca College. I studied theatre with a focus on directing and producing and I use ALL of those skills today. I learned how to put on my own productions, and studied everything from performing to directing and stage managing, to marketing and theatre management. I use all of those skills as an independent artist because I am the engine behind all things Big Dipper. There is no label or management company pushing me, so I have to be able to do all the things necessary for Big Dipper to be successful, and college helped teach me that.

A lot of queer artists have said that cis-gay male audiences do not support male artists the same way they rally behind female artists. Do you think there is truth to that?

Gay audiences have a LONG history with diva worship, so this idea tracks with me. I feel like it can be traced back to gay men being in the closet and using their love for some glamorous diva performer as a front to the hetero world. I'm sure there is some deep anthropological study about why this is, and I do believe it's a thing. Gay audiences always think they are funnier than the comedian on stage, and that they can design better clothes than the drag queen or designer on TV. They cringe when anyone is doing anything too unique or too sincere, and then they fall head over heels for Gaga, Beyoncé, or Ariana. I see it for sure, but don't know how much this idea affects me. I feel I'm in such a niche market because people don't see me as a male artist but as a bear artist. So to be honest, I'm just grateful for the attention I do get.

When did you know you wanted to make music?

Making music kind of snuck up on me. When I made my first song it was more of a joke. The whole idea of being a recording artist was meant to be a one-off idea; one song, one video, and one big performance. But then everything sort of snowballed and I was able to build something bigger. I think for me, songwriting is part of the bigger picture. When I write a song, I'm imagining the music video, the costumes, and the stage performance. So for me, my passion isn't the making of the music, it is more the sharing of the music and putting on a show. I've always loved that.

Do you have a preference between making music videos or performing live?

I love the energy of a live performance! You can't really beat that. But when I make a music video, I can be super detailed in the edit and take my time. I can flesh out ideas and feel like a superstar because it's all mine! Sometimes when you get booked for a gig, they have you performing in a parking lot on a piece of plywood that can't hold your weight and the set time overlaps with something else, so like 8 people are there and the mic doesn't work… at least with a music video project I know I'm in charge and I'm gonna make it cool.

Do you have a preference between hosting a podcast, or producing a podcast?

I LOVE hosting! I'm a talker, so I always want to pipe up and be heard. I produce a Drag Race recap podcast called Race Chaser with Alaska and Willam and I'm just the producer, but somehow over the years, I've weaseled a microphone and some air time out of them. I just always have something to say that simply must be heard.

I love that there’s always an aspect of sex positivity in everything you do. Can you share where your confidence comes from?

To me, my body positivity and sex positivity all started with a "fake it till you make it" mentality. When I first started performing I knew I wanted to present a pop persona, which was always about being scantily clad, being sexy, and showing my body. And when I started writing lyrics, all that came out of me were these super sexual phrases. So I just went with it. In the beginning, being that sexual was really out of my comfort zone, but now I don't feel like I'm doing a good job at my show unless I'm stripping. Making myself to just BE confident and BE sexy when I started, taught me how to embody those things for real. And I feel like that evolution has had such a positive impact on me as a person.

As a podcast host and producer, you’ve gotten to work with a lot of drag queens. What are some things you’ve learned working with drag queens?

Here is a list of things I've learned:

Drag queens are always running late (except Meatball).
The lighting is never enough, always have more lights.
Straws are important.
Cash is more important.
They will say they are ready, but then they still need to put on nails.
There is no directing a queen, they do what they want.
Drag is magical and amazing and endlessly entertaining.

You’ve accomplished so much in your career! What’s left on your career bucket list?

Oh, I'm just getting started! I would love to perform on TV and work with mainstream artists without diluting what I bring to the table. I would love to collaborate with someone like Lil Nas X or Lizzo or Meghan Trainor and be my sexy raunchy self on a mainstream track. I want my own TV show to show off the narrative storytelling and acting skills I can bring to the table, and I want the MOM Podcasts network that I run to grow massively and create tons of queer entertainment for the world to consume.