Buds Digest

“We had cardboard instruments and blow up dolls. And honestly, if you’re going to be in a band, I suggest that’s the way to go. Then you don’t have to carry anything.” Legendary queer punk artist SETH BOGART @sethbogartofficial joins his bud and @hunxandhispunxofficial bandmate SHANNON SHAW @shannonshaw for a journey through the past. The two musicians sit down with BUDS DIGEST on the heels of releasing 2025’s best punk rock album, “Walk Out On This World” — an exuberant record that took five years to make and reflects their many years of navigating life together. Join as they dive down memory lane, recounting the origin of their friendship and dueting on a wide range of topics such as being stoned at John Waters’ birthday party, psychotic ex-lovers, being stoned on the Little Mermaid ride at Disney World, Ram Dass quotes, being on acid while meeting Kesha, who should be cast in the their biopic (attention: Hammaconda’s booking agent!), and what advice they would give to their younger selves. Photography by Nick Delisi @ndelisi__ Available now at Buds-Digest.com

“People aren’t heroes or villains of your story. People are their own stories. There are whole worlds that you won’t get to see if you’re not curious.” Creative force Julio Torres (@spaceprincejulio ) joins Buds Digest to discuss his stunning directorial debut, Problemista. The inimitable writer, actor, and director sits down with Buds Digest’s Ben Tousley to discuss the inspiration behind his stunning film. Problemista (@problemista ), released nationwide this week via @a24 , is a dazzling odyssey that follows aspiring toy designer Alejandro through the maze of the U.S. immigration system and features a riveting performance from co-star and collaborator Tilda Swinton. Emphasizing the importance of nurturing a creative community, Torres tells us about his penchant for empathy, whimsy, and striving for originality in our consumer age. “I think a lot of it stems from seeing success as commercial success. And then commercial success is only achieved via mass production,” Torres explains. “That’s when something starts wilting. And then we end up with very unspecific ideas about very unspecific people.” Visit Buds-Digest.com to read our cover feature with Julio Torres / link in bio Photographed by Tonje Thilesen (@tonjethilesen ) Styled by Angel Emmanuel (@angelemmanuel ) Grooming by Jessica Ortiz (@jessica_o_ ) Headpiece by Sideara (@sideara ) Full story featuring additional looks by Mondo Guerra (@mondoguerra ), Izzy Du (@izzydu ) and Megan O’Cain (@_meganocain )

Take a drag wearing your best Buds Digest drag 💚 Order your Buds Digest apparel today for immediate shipping. Link in bio / Buds-Digest.com Photographed by Shawn Michael Jones (@shawnmichaeljones ) Buds Digest is a completely self-funded publication without advertising or profits. All sales support future issues of the magazine.

Buds Digest is proud to be featured in “Queer’d”—an exhibition of LGBTQ graphic design work, at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Thanks to the OD faculty for including us! 📖🌈📚

“Who is this hot punk fruity elf?” Our cover feature with SETH BOGART @sethbogartofficial and SHANNON SHAW @shannonshaw of @hunxandhispunxofficial has all the answers. Available now at Buds-Digest.com 📸 Nick Delisi @ndelisi__

“Boning. Eating food. Dancing, getting ripped, getting buff. Getting buff, getting stoned, taking acid, barfing. Jumping on a trampoline, jumping into water. Learning a dance routine.” In our new cover feature with SETH BOGART @sethbogartofficial , he and his @hunxandhispunxofficial bandmate SHANNON SHAW @shannonshaw offer a wide range of activities to consider while listening to their new album. Which ones have you tried? Read the feature now at Buds-Digest.com 📸 by Nick Delisi @ndelisi__

“It’s having to let go of what you think everyone else wants and trusting yourself to know that you have the eye, you have the creative ability to come up with the right thing.” Makeup artist ANDREW DAHLING, stylist ANGEL EMMANUEL and photographer BRIAN VU—unite for a collaborative photoshoot and special conversation about their creative careers and friendship.   As Dahling (@1800andrewdahling ) navigated through the New York City club scene to a meteoric rise as Chappell Roan’s makeup artist, Emmanuel (@angelemmanuel ) gained notoriety for singular styling with Julio Torres, and Vu (@brianvu ) developed his own unique visual style and makeup brand, the three met and developed a genuine friendship; collaborating with and inspiring each other along the way. 

Visit Buds-Digest.com to read as they discuss Dahling’s whirlwind year, the joys and trials of working within the fashion industry, the queer drive behind what they do, and their mutual admiration for each others’ eye-popping, explorative work. 

Photos Brian Vu @brianvu 
Makeup Andrew Dahling @1800andrewdahling 
Styling Angel Emmanuel @angelemmanuel 
Wigs Paul Keo @paulkeo.wig

“Everyone wants you to do mushrooms in the woods like they’re some hung slut. Enough already.”
 Comedian Michael Henry (@michaelhenry915 ) joins the Buds Edible Moments series to reveal his guilty pleasures, hanky code and thoughts on the intersection of homosexuals and psychedelics. Available on the site now. 

Photographed by @jasonrodgersphoto

Brooklyn comedian (and Buds cover-star-alum) Josh Sharp (@cluckcluckjoshsharp ) sits down for a revealing entry to our Edible Moments series in the encore weeks of his one-man show TA-DA! (@joshsharptada — five shows left). Visit Buds-Digest.com to check out his favorite drag queen (it’s @charleneincarnate ), who he most wants to get stoned with (it’s Noam Chomsky), and more… Photographed by @jasonrodgersphoto

Today the great Meg Duffy @hand.habits releases their new album “Blue Reminder” — out now via @fatpossum 🔵 Revisit our Issue 8 cover feature with Meg and @tomberlinnnn as you listen. Portraits by @chantalaanderson for Buds Digest. Congratulations Meg!

NYC, TONIGHT! The revelatory @christeene_official will be performing at @claywomanhello ’s fundraiser for Palestinian Refugees today July 29 in Brooklyn. Read on below for more information ❤️ Portrait by @samuelmcguire from Buds Digest Issue 5 Via @claywoman : I’m having a fundraiser for Palestinian refugees on TUESDAY JULY 29th at 7:00pm featuring some of NYC’s finest queer performers: CLAYWOMAN, CHRISTEENE, JOSEPHINE NETWORK (solo set), PLAYPLAY, and BASIC BITCHES (plus a raffle and tarot readings by me). Please join us! It promises to be a night of outstanding music, laughs, dancing and community-all the good stuff that reminds us that we’re human and we’re in this together. ✊ Grab your tix at Union Pool LINK IN BIO Thank you to my comrades Lizzie and Rider for your help organizing this event. @honeygirlband @ rider Artwork by Brett Lindell @brett_lindell *proceeds go to benefit @networkforpalestine plus direct aid to two refugee families living in Cairo, Egypt to secure essentials like housing and food. 🇵🇸 Free Palestine 🇵🇸

Dear NYC: Our old friend (and Buds Digest Issue 1 cover star) CLAYWOMAN is hosting a fundraiser for Palestinian Refugees tomorrow July 28. Read on below for more information ❤️ Portrait by Brian Vu Via @claywomanhello — I’m having a fundraiser for Palestinian refugees on TUESDAY JULY 29th at 7:00pm featuring some of NYC’s finest queer performers: CLAYWOMAN, CHRISTEENE, JOSEPHINE NETWORK (solo set), PLAYPLAY, and BASIC BITCHES (plus a raffle and tarot readings by me). Please join us! It promises to be a night of outstanding music, laughs, dancing and community-all the good stuff that reminds us that we’re human and we’re in this together. ✊ Grab your tix at Union Pool LINK IN BIO Thank you to my comrades Lizzie and Rider for your help organizing this event. @honeygirlband @ rider Artwork by Brett Lindell @brett_lindell *proceeds go to benefit @networkforpalestine plus direct aid to two refugee families living in Cairo, Egypt to secure essentials like housing and food. 🇵🇸 Free Palestine 🇵🇸