Describe yourself in 3 words…
Anxious, angry, gentle.
What inspires you?
Emotions and observations. I am outwardly not the angriest of people but I channel a lot of my rage into my work. I am inspired by the people around me, by kindness, resilience, and weird interactions. More recently I’ve been inspired by the seasonal traditions and songs I grew up with.
Tell us about your worst ever gig?
In my first year of university I had a poem selected for an exhibition opening and was asked to read at the event. I was quite nervous getting on stage and right after my garbled preamble, a woman in the front row said “Can you speak up please I’d like to hear the poem!”
What’s your number one poetry pet peeve?
Self-indulgent hosting. I’m all for someone working the crowd a bit but crikey let the other performers have their moment on stage already!
Whose words do you love at the moment?
Since the release of their documentary I’ve been listening to a lot of Kae Tempest. I’ve loved their words since I was about seventeen and now they’re writing about being trans it feels like they resonate with me on another level.
I’m also a huge fan of Joelle Taylor, Vanessa Kisuule, Malaika Kegode, and all of my poet friends, particularly Aish Humphreys who I have the pleasure of writing with at the moment.
What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
Stop trying to conform to what makes you uncomfortable. If people don’t like the version of you that feels right, that’s their problem.
What are the weirdest food combinations you love?
Marmite and avocado on toast. Absolutely slaps.
About Eryn McDonald
Eryn McDonald is a multi-disciplinary artist and stage manager from the South West. They write a lot about gender, sexuality, protest and politics. They are currently co-writing a show about transness, masculinity and girlhood with poet Aish Humphreys, and they are part of the Apples & Snakes ‘Future Voices’ Cohort. They are the director of a short documentary on drag and gender identity called Queer Is A Tender Feeling, which won Best Feature at Queer East Midlands Film Festival.
Headshot by Alexa Ledecky.
Insta: @renagainstthemachine
Website: https://erynmcd.wixsite.com/eryn-mcdonald
Eryn is part of Future Voices. Find out more about the project here.