Meet GypjaQ & Mx. Sykes Kai | Artists & Podcasters

We had the good fortune of connecting with GypjaQ & Mx. Sykes Kai and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi GypjaQ & Mx. Sykes, how do you think about risk?
As artists risk is a necessary component. It’s the most fun part. Even if a risk takes a while to become certain, even the practice is fun. Like a trapeze artist. They’re gonna work that new, innovative, DANGEROUS trick for as long as it takes, when attempting it even a second time is a risk. On other other hand. much art is a bit lacking in risk as industries rely on audiences nostalgia to make money. There also seems to be a socially acceptable time for and level of risk. Many artist barely survive of the risks they take for years later said risk is seen as brave by the very same people who didn’t support those who took it first. I (GypjaQ) have been gender queen since 1998…a tween. There was no support and the queer community had its own growing to do at the time when it came to gender (and still does). Beside my life being in constant danger, it made all of my music seen as “sophisticated” (meaning to complex for listeners) and y aesthetic “unmarketable”, which we see now, in other artists, money makes it marketable. For me (Mx. Sykes,) the aNvKai Tree podcasts risks take a toll on how people engage their content. The anticolonial stance is risky alone. The unapologetic way of speaking against colonialism is down right dangerous… and we don’t care.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
GypjaQ: I do performance an recording arts. It incorporates all performance from dance to live singing and acting. My music is set apart as maximalist. I’m not afraid of noise and layers both in sound and message. the meaning is never only the first thing you understand…the main theme isn’t always what you hear.

Mx. Sykes: For the aNvKai Tree we get to depths of topics most won’t go. The anticolonial stance itself sets that up because we make ourselves see where our mindsets may be colonial, assess it’s origin (where we learned it), and decolonize that and then reveal the results or the process of that.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We like cozy stuff but lso like warm climtes so we’d probably air BnB a dope house somewhere remote and throw a week long retreat. Mx SYkes throws down in the kitchen so there’d be all sorts of cuisine. Most of our riends are talented so we’d throw a concert or talent show. Depending on where maybe a hike for some field games with a cookout at the end.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to Daniel Iman (artist/producer), Julissa Contreras (playwright, podcaster), and David Sosa (artist) for the constant support. Shoutout to all that helped us in our time of need.

Website: http://patreon.com/anvkaitree

Instagram: http://instagram.com/anvkaitree

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aNvKaiTree/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheaNvkaiTree

Image Credits
Mx Sykes. (Left) and GypjaQ (Right). by Diane Wah Zuercher