Paris Munro is a force to be reckoned with. His fantastic coverage from the summer festivals (including surprisingly Hyper Japan) on social media caught our eye and we knew we had to learn more about him. We sat him down between the gigs and asked about his radio show, new favourite bands, but mostly about his powerful story and his message of hope. There are many excellent articles on our blog, but this one is truly special. In times of hate and division, Paris Munro represents progression, survival and the beauty of diversity.
Presenter, DJ, producer, spokesman, voice over actor – you have many titles and achievements to your name. Please introduce yourself to the readers of Indieterria.
Paris: I’m Paris Munro (my real name), 36 years old, from Northampton and music has been my safe space ever since I was little. I present a weekend show on Kerrang! Radio 2-5pm so don’t be a stranger and feel free to drop me a dm if you’re ever listening to the show! I love writing music once in a blue moon, love watching people play video games online (mainly horror or any fun co-op games), and I have 2 pups – Tilly and Luna (Jack Russell cross Chihuahua). They’re super affectionate and just want kisses and cuddles all the time, they are my world!
You came out as a trans person/non binary live on air in 2022. Tell us, how did you feel at that moment? Were you scared, relieved or maybe was it something neutral you just wanted to share with your listeners?
Paris: The build up to that moment was a rollercoaster of emotions. I was absolutely terrified yet felt the biggest weight off my shoulders. Coming out to people you love is scary enough, let alone coming out on national radio as transgender, THAT was scary. It took a lot to get to that point. I came out as bisexual to my strict catholic granddad when I was 16 and was disowned for a while. He was practically my “dad” growing up, so I was extremely anxious of being disowned again. Being kicked out of someone’s home on Christmas Day for being queer, saying I don’t exist to them anymore, spending years in front of a mirror hating myself and feeling so depressed from a very young age…It was either do or die, so I finally did it after years and years of struggle. To finally be my true self. I really knew from a very young age, and wish I had the support back then.
Your story was picked up by the biggest queer and traditional media: Pink News, Voice Magazine, Manchester Evening News among others. You were praised for being a role model and for your emotional honesty. How did your transition change your life?
Paris: My transition changed my life, by giving me life. Finally being able to feel the sun on my chest after top surgery, feeling complete euphoria with hair growth and my voice deepening, being seen on the exterior as who has always been there from the beginning on the inside. It felt like everything had truly aligned.
Considering the constant attacks on the entire LGBTQIA+ community, is it hard, in your opinion, for trans people to exist in the media landscape these days?
Paris: Let me ask you something… Have you ever wanted to just go to work, to the shop, to just exist and to even just go to the bathroom in peace? Well, it is the same. Unfortunately it’s not the case. Trans people just want to exist, have the same rights – human rights, and just pee, instead the trans community are humiliated, bullied, attacked, and even killed. Why is this happening? As for bathrooms and safety, the problem isn’t trans people at all, it’s cis men. With the new guidance in place for trans people having to use either disabled toilets (which isn’t fair to people who are disabled – visible or not) or a toilet that matches their “biological sex”, this would mean I now have to use the women’s restroom. This doesn’t make sense. If you saw me in the women;s toilets, people would kick off. Because of this new guidance, this then invites cis men to prey on women even more. Trans people are not the problem here. We only want to pee in peace and get out of there as fast as we can. There are unfortunately some media outlets out there that show trans people in a negative light or only want to hear from a trans person to debate trans people’s lives. Human rights shouldn’t be up for debate.
Let’s talk about music now – one of your biggest passions in life. You come from Manchester and you are championing emerging and unsigned bands. Tell us which new bands we should be checking out at this moment.
Paris: I’m originally from Northampton but moved to Manchester for university which became my home for well over 10 years, but right now I’m now based in the south and closer to the people I love the most which makes me so much happier. While growing up in Northampton I was a singer of a band, and the grafting you have to do just to be “noticed” was insane, so I understand how hard these bands work just to be seen by people in the media. No band is too small for me to chat to, I want to give an opportunity to people who are genuinely lovely to me, and also really talented at what they do.
I really enjoy going to some of the smaller festivals and events, and this is where the future of music really is. Go out and explore your hometown, branch out a little and check out some bands.
All of your favourite artists and bands were once emerging and unsigned, and it’s always exciting to see the growth of a new band that you love! Connecting more with grassroot bands has been really heart warming for me. I got the chance to see Imperium and N0trixx perform and not only are they a laugh away from the music, but they’re also so talented. Dream State was a dream to watch for the first time recently, and the scream on Jessie…. Wow, my jaw dropped, genuinely!
Meeting RE:O at Hyper Japan, all the band members are just so lovely and a genuine pleasure to talk to. They’re really funny and we did a little dance together in our interview which was adorable. Then you see them on stage, and there’s air kicks, air punches, and swords. It was so cool! Haven Festival: Chapter 1 was so much fun. The headliner Kite Thief has so much personality as a band and as individuals, and loved catching up with them in the dressing room and seeing them do their thing. The way Elin commanded the crowd and just gave us a party… 10/10!
You host an afternoon show every weekend between 2 pm and 5 pm on Kerrang! Radio. Tell us something about the show ? And of course the most important things – who chooses the weekly playlist?
Paris: I grew up with Kerrang TV and Kerrang! Radio so it’s very nostalgic for me, and when they asked me to do the weekend show I was over the moon. It was a dream! The show is nothing but the best bangers, ones that you know and love, and the occasional new bands too. It’s a space for you and I to hang out, be ourselves, talk about what the bands are up to, hearing about all the fun things you get up to, stuff that’s trending, things going on in my life and we get to listen to awesome bands like Sleep Token, Limp Bizkit, Skindred, Bad Omens, Dayseeker, Linkin Park, Yungblud and so much more! The alternative community has always been a home and safe space for me. As much as I’d love to, I don’t get to pick every song on my show, or else it would be the Bad Omens Show or Paramore Show! A lot of stations in the radio industry have a designated person who carefully curates the playlists/logs. There is the odd occasion with request shows every now and then.
In 2023, you created a popular podcast Queer and The Beat. You hosted and spoke to Bebe Rexha, Zara Larsson, HoneyLuv and others. Are you planning to return to this format? Maybe a new edition could welcome bands from rock and metal scenes?
Paris: I’ve thought about this ever since, and genuinely want to bring this back and do a rock or metal version. Watch this space is all I’m going to say!
You are not only a voice on the radio, you are also the presenter welcoming guests at red carpets events and premieres. You worked at The Brits, The Heavy Music Awards, Diva Awards and among many other events. Tell us, which is harder: working on the radio or when you are in front of the cameras? Do you enjoy red carpet interviews?
Paris: Working red carpets and in person interviews are harder, but I love them the most. I love that instant connection despite social anxiety. It’s so much fun on the carpet and a very long day on my 36 year old knees and back haha. The Brit Awards and Heavy Music Awards are my top 2 favourite awards I’ve ever done. The energy, excitement and just the overall vibe feels surreal, it’s a real “pinch me” moment.
This summer has been extremely busy for you. We have seen you attending Hyper Japan, Download Festival, Bloodstock Festival, Pride Rock, 2000Trees – the list goes on and on. Which festival so far was your favourite and why?
Paris: I’ve attended conventions before and did EGX years ago and really enjoyed that. I actually screamed my head off from playing a zombie maze and from trying out a flying virtual reality game. Completely lost my voice from all the screaming but it was a fun time overall, so I must do more conventions in the future. It was actually my producer Beth who suggested Hyper Japan, I can’t believe I left it this long to go, it was awesome! I got the chance to interview RE:O and they’re so lovely to chat to, plus their energy on stage was so much fun, even a sword made an appearance!
There are some festivals and events that don’t always feel inclusive and immersive. I’ve had one particular one this year that I found out they had backlash toward my community (LGBTQ+) and the overall feeling whilst there didn’t quite hit the mark of others I did. So it’s not always sunshine and rainbows (pardon the gay pun).
However Pride Rock and 2000 Trees were incredible, and in the top for sure! We’ve also done some of the grassroots festivals such as Haven Festival: Chapter 1 and I’ve enjoyed engaging with the future talent and some of the amazing people that are pushing for the future in music. But to pick a winner my favourite so far has to be the Download Festival. Right from the get go, super inclusive and I felt seen and part of the family. I had never felt that level of welcome till I met the amazing team behind LD Comms. I felt so understood too and I can’t thank them enough.
If anybody would like to work with you or reach out to you, what’s the best method of contacting you? Email? Instagram? Carrier pigeon?
Paris: I’m on Instagram most of the time, so if you ever wanted to drop me a follow, dm or check out the page: @itsparismunro
I have an email button on there too. Carrier pigeon – why didn’t I think of that?!
Last questions at Indieterria are always fun. Let’s say you have been chosen as the musical director at the BBC Proms. You have the entire BBC Symphony Orchestra at your disposal. What metal/rock tracks are they playing?
Paris: I can imagine a really emotional piece covering “Sleepyhead” or “Vertigo” by Jutes. “In The End” by Linkin Park. Any song by Sleep Token or Bad Omens, “Pale Moonlight” by Dayseeker, or “Dial Tone” by Catch Your Breath. I’m all about feeling the emotion from the lyrics or instruments and if I can feel something, that’s what does it for me, that’s what hooks me in.
Paris Munro online:
https://www.instagram.com/itsparismunro
https://www.facebook.com/p/Paris-Munro-61552418450596/
https://www.tiktok.com/@itsparismunro
https://www.youtube.com/@TheParisShow_TV
Listen Paris on Kerrang! Radio:
https://www.hellorayo.co.uk/kerrang/shows/kerrang-radio-paris-munro
Rita and Malcia Dabrowicz
Indieterria 