Tomboy Tuesday: Paige
We got to sit down with Paige Reeves, a musician on a mission to heal the world and spread kindness. Read on to get to know her, and be sure to check her out on TikTok and Instagram @paigemusiq.
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Paige Reeves: I’m 27 years old, and I'm originally from Aiken, South Carolina, but I lived in Charlotte for a long time. Right now, my only occupation is just doing music full time. I started doing it last year.
TomboyX: How’d you get into making music?
PR: My grandfather taught me how to play guitar when I was younger, and I kind of just messed around with it until high school. Then I started learning to play songs that I like, and people would tell me that I could sing well. And then when COVID hit, I was at home a lot. I got laid off from my job that I'd been working at for six years, and I was like, “forget it, I'm just going to do music. I'm going to do what I want to do.” I had just tried to hide it because I was really self-conscious about it, and I think that's just that ego thing I finally let go of.
I worked at a bar for a long time, and there could be 20 or 30 people in there any given night. But with the Internet you could have thousands of people in your TikTok Live. If you put yourself out there, the people will come watch you.
TBX: What else are you passionate about?
PR: I really like to build things, and I like to cook. My grandfather and I were really close, and he built things. I just always liked to build stuff. Before I was doing music, I was selling furniture online. During the pandemic, I would build benches and stain them and seal them and paint them, and I would sell them to people. I like to do anything that's creative. I like to be good at stuff though– like, I overdo it. I want to cook the best meal. I want to make the best song. I want to build the best things. I try to push myself.
TBX: What was it like growing up queer in the South?
PR: Even in just the decade since I was in high school, things have come a long way as far as acceptance. I'm glad to see things getting better.
I knew that I was gay, but the social pressure to conform to what everybody else feels like is acceptable was really immense. But in ninth grade, my mom forced me to go to art school. So obviously there were a lot of gay teachers. I felt comfortable because I was finally somewhere that was accepting. Art school really changed my life. I'm super glad. I think that if I went to a normal high school, I would not have come out as soon or be as comfortable with myself. I came out when I was 14, but I think I knew when I was really young. I think I've always known.
I live in the south, so even around where I live, I'll just go to the store with my girlfriend, and people will stare at me. I’m like, “I know you've seen a lesbian before.”
TBX: What made you want to “live out loud” on social media?
PR: I kind of struggled in my mid twenties, because I worked at a bar and I was drinking a lot. I gained a lot of weight, and I didn't feel confident and comfortable with myself. [2020] changed a lot of things for people. I lost a lot of family members. No one in my family talks to me, basically. Lines were definitely drawn about race, lines were drawn about sexuality. So, not having the family pressure around, I say whatever I want in my songs; I talk about loving girls in my songs. I don't think that I would be so open and honest if I did have everybody in my ear. I think that it's just become a lot easier for me in my personal life to be who I am in front of everyone else. I have really turned inwards. I have found it’s okay to be by myself. I found a lot of strength in just loving me and knowing that that's enough.
TBX: Tell me about your relationship with clothing through all of that.
PR: I have never felt really that comfortable in my clothes, even down to my underwear, which is kind of miserable, if you think about it. You should at least feel comfortable in your underwear. Probably about six years ago or so, my girlfriend actually ordered me some TomboyX for Christmas and I was like, “what is this company? This is the best company.” Ever since then, it's literally the only underwear I wear. I love the way it feels. It's like boxers for me, you know, underwear for me. It felt like it was made for me.
TBX: What’s your favorite thing in your closet? Doesn’t have to be TomboyX.
PR: Actually, it is TomboyX– it's the Progress Pride Romper. I love that thing. I feel like when I wear it, I'm just so proud. That might sound silly, but I love it. It feels like me.
TBX: Plus it’s just really gay.
PR: And if you can make it gay, then you're making it better.
TBX: I’m writing that down.
TBX: If you were king of the universe, what would you demand?
PR: I would demand that everyone think before they speak. I definitely would want to see a more positive world where people are more accepting. It’s not your business what other people do. I don't really care what you do as long as you're not hurting anyone, you know?
TBX: What’s the best way for people to support you?
PR: Oh, I think all people really have to do is just listen to my music, just listen to it wherever you can. Listen to what I say in my songs, because I think deep down, everybody kind of feels alone. And if I could just wave a wand and make everyone feel good today, right now, I would do it. I feel like the only way that I can really help people feel less alone is just with my music. Even some of my songs that maybe are a little bit more sad, they're all there to help.
I feel like I'm still here today because of some of my favorite artists, like Amy Winehouse or Mac Miller. People who really, on my darkest days, helped me see the other side. I just want to be that for other people. That would make me super happy.