Leah Wellbaum of Slothrust Unveils Queer-Kink Anthem ‘Spill the Juice’: A Candid Conversation on Music, Identity, and Sexual Absurdity

Leah Wellbaum, fronting the genre-defying band Slothrust, has long been recognized for pushing musical and cultural boundaries. The band's newest single, “Spill the Juice,” offers not just a sonic adventure, but a celebration of queer joy, kink, and the unpredictable nature of desire. Wellbaum, who uses she/they pronouns, describes the track as imbued with a “spirit of sexual absurdity,” inviting listeners to revel in the pleasure and complexity of queer experience .

“Spill the Juice” was conceived in West Hollywood, where Wellbaum, alongside bandmates Will Gorin and Anna Barber, crafted a song that both nods to and subverts classic R&B tropes. Wellbaum explains, “The three of us laughed so hard writing ‘Spill the Juice’ in Willy’s West Hollywood studio," Wellbaum told Out magazine. "It’s kind of a take on Brian McKnight’s ‘Back at One’ as well as Craig David’s ‘7 Days’ but with a queer kink-forward spin.”

As the track unfolds, Wellbaum’s vocals playfully tease, “They say anything is possible / So let me serve the unpredictable.” The accompanying video, which features the trio exploring a blend of rock, R&B, and jazz, visually amplifies the song’s playful, boundary-pushing energy .

For Wellbaum, the release of “Spill the Juice” coincides with a period of deep personal transformation. In their conversation with Out Magazine, Wellbaum candidly discusses undergoing top surgery, an experience they describe as both liberating and affirming for their sense of self . Increasingly, Wellbaum’s music becomes a vehicle for self-expression, challenging norms and embracing multiplicity—not only in genre but also in identity.

"I'm a strong believer that representation is incredibly helpful in all collective marginalized journeys," Welbaum mused to Out, "and would love to see some of those online restrictions evolve to allow representation of all gender expressions."

Wellbaum describes “Spill the Juice” as “kink-forward,” a term that signals both sexual openness and a refusal to hide queer desire. The song does not shy away from explicit references, instead inviting listeners to embrace the unpredictable and absurd aspects of sexuality. “There’s a spirit of sexual absurdity in the track and video,” Wellbaum notes, highlighting the importance of pleasure and play in queer life .

This approach resonates with a growing movement within LGBTQ+ music and culture that celebrates kink as an integral part of identity, rather than something to be hidden. By placing queer sexuality at the heart of their work, Wellbaum and Slothrust challenge mainstream representations and offer a space for authentic self-expression.

Wellbaum’s openness about their gender journey and artistic influences serves as a beacon for LGBTQ+ fans and fellow musicians. Their musical upbringing, which includes a love for Destiny’s Child, TLC, Lauryn Hill, and later, the grunge sounds of Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins, reflects a commitment to blending genres, much like the fluidity found in queer communities [Allston Pudding, https://allstonpudding.com/interview-slothrust/, March 2023].

Slothrust’s evolution has been marked by experimentation and a refusal to be pigeonholed. Wellbaum’s influences span 90s R&B, hip hop, grunge, and jazz—a blend that manifests in the textured sound of “Spill the Juice.” The band’s formation at Sarah Lawrence College and their ongoing collaborations reflect a commitment to community and creative partnership .

In interviews, Wellbaum emphasizes the importance of music as a form of self-discovery. Covering artists like Lauryn Hill and Ginuwine, and recently exploring themes of eco-sexuality and kink, Wellbaum’s work is a testament to the power of music to articulate queer experience .