Take Five with Marital Streep

Published October 21, 2026 by biggayhorrorfan

Over the past couple years, my brilliantly fun friend Wendi Freeman has began producing music as the delightfully monikered Marital Steep. In the months since her debut release, her electro clash rhythms have definitely brightened many a dance enthusiast’s ear buds. This is especially true with her latest offering, Hunting for a Beautiful Accident. On the eve of her performance at Bezazian Library’s Gay Fright Fest – because what self respecting queer doesn’t love a lively set from a self produced pop princess?!?! – Freeman took a moment to chat with me about the horror influences in her music and to let us know what she is currently listening to, as well.

Big Gay Horror Fan: What inspired you to create music as Marital Streep?

Marital Streep: Marital Streep sprung from a desire to be allowed to dance. I had been playing drums in punk bands for so many years and wanted to just admit to myself that I like classic 80s synth pop.

BGH: I love the cinematic nature of your sound. Is that something you’ve worked purposefully towards?

MS: I’ve always loved artists like Tangerine Dream, and how horror films specifically use synth scores, like John Carpenter. I aspire to that level of versatility to construct a mood.

In the song, Diagetic I play with how I wish my music could be something a character pops on in the background. I want someone to tune in a radio or put in a cassette and you hear my song in the background. That’s one of my favorite tropes- when a character puts a song on and it’s tinny and distorted and then they pop it in as the main soundtrack and you suddenly hear it clearly.

BGHF: You recently released a new EP, Hunting for a Beautiful Accident. Is there a song on that new collection that you found was truly exhilarating to work on?

MS: This entire ep was exciting to work on because I really learned new skills about chopping and sampling. I’d find a glockenspiel loop and get excited to distort and warp it.

BGHF: That is so cool! What Marital Streep song do you think would fit perfectly in one of your favorite horror films?

MS: I want to be the musical act at a prom! I want someone getting killed or bullied while I’m singing something bright and bubbly like Used to Dance.

BGHF: You’d be like EG Daily meets Devo!! As a huge music fan yourself, what current dance acts have been getting your pulse to race to the BPM?

MS: This year in particular has been a great time for women producing their own music. I’m inspired by Ninajirachi and Pink Pantheress creating their own beats and my favorite album recently has been underscores’ U.

Be sure to find Marital Streep on all your favorite streaming devices. You can also follow her at http://www.maritalstreep.bandcamp.com and http://www.facebook.com/p/maritalstreep-61574760700991/.

Marital Streep will be performing at Gay Fright Fest at the Bezazian Library branch, 1226 W Ainslie, in Chicago on Saturday, October 24th at 1PM. It’s a free event with candy, prizes, screenings and (obviously!!) great tunes…so please join us!

https://chicagolocalevents.com/events/gay-fright-fest-2026-10-24-bezazian

Gay Fright Fest

Published October 17, 2026 by biggayhorrorfan

As someone who loves physical media, I don’t think I have always reaped the full benefits of my local libraries. Innately, I want to own the books I read and to have copies of the films I love on the ready at any given moment in time. That being said, budget issues and the space limitations of city living have often compelled me to make glorious use of the three libraries that mark the boundaries of my neighborhood. What fantastic spaces they are!

Those who don’t ever visit their own branch may also not realize the amazing services that these institutions provide for the community, as well. They offer free computer use and job resources, after school activities for teens and a warm space for the homeless to gather during winter months. They also provide amazing and inclusive programming.

In fact, this fall I’ve been happily co-programming an upcoming Halloween event at the Bezazian Library Branch in the Uptown neighborhood in Chicago. Gay Fright Fest will highlight how queer genre cinema has changed over the years, with modern short Family for Christmas playing alongside 1940’s The Mad Doctor. Christmas‘ director Nick Pospisil will even be on hand for a panel discussion on how the openly gay couple of his work compares with the queer coded partnering, supplied by the ever elegant Basil Rathbone and the always mysterious Martin Kosleck, at the heart of Doctor.

To make the afternoon even more spook-tacular, electroclash artist Marital Streep will be performing songs from Hunting for a Beautiful Accident, her latest EP. Free candy, coloring contests and photo ops – perhaps even with The Mad Doctor himself!!! – will also round out this eclectic celebration.

We hope all you rainbow-hugging Midwest fiends can join us!

The Friends of the Bezazian Library present Gay Fright Fest on Saturday October 24th – 1 pm at the Bezazian Library, 1226 W Ainslie – Free Admission.

Music to Make Horror Movies By: Marital Streep

Published February 22, 2025 by biggayhorrorfan

“Fear is knowing the right answer while hoping it’s the wrong one…take the safety off the gun.” – Marital Streep

She, smartly, mixes the ’80s No-Wave Disco vocals of NYC’s Cristina with soundscapes that feel like driving, late at night, on Chicago’s Lake Shore Drive. Thus, musician Marital Streep is making music that deserves to decorate the soundtrack of your newest favorite movie.

Nicely, due to the wide range of her inspirations, the celluloid masterpiece she might potentially be underscoring could be a slick William Friedkin style action-fest or a visually kaleidoscopic modern horror piece.

Unconvinced? One listen to Violent by Consent, her recently released EP, will definitely change your mind.

Streaming on all major platforms, you can also support indie art by purchasing the tracks directly from her at: Violent by Consent | Marital Streep.

More merchandise and info on Marital Streep is available at https://linktr.ee/maritalstreep, as well.

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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