Podcast Summary: Cavetown's Benefit Concert for LGBTQ+ Aid

Podcast: All Of It with Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Episode Date: December 5, 2025
Guest: Robin Skinner (Cavetown)

Overview

This episode features an in-depth conversation with Robin Skinner, the British singer-songwriter known as Cavetown. Skinner discusses his nonprofit organization, This Is Home Project, which supports LGBTQ+ youth by providing access to safe housing and healthcare. The episode previews Cavetown’s upcoming benefit concert at the Music Hall of Williamsburg and explores how his music and activism intertwine to support the LGBTQ+ community.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Origins of “This Is Home” and the Project (02:03–03:04)

• Alison Stewart introduces Cavetown (Robin Skinner) and his nonprofit, This Is Home Project, named after his breakout song “This Is Home.”
• Robin Skinner shares the song’s roots:
  • Robin felt uncomfortable in his own skin as a queer, trans person and wrote the song "as a little kind of lullaby to myself to comfort myself while I was figuring myself out." (02:14)
  • The phrase and the song have since resonated with many fans facing similar struggles.

2. Evolving Meaning of “This Is Home” (04:12–05:20)

• Over the years, the meaning of the song shifted dramatically for Robin.
  • Quote: “It was a song originally that I wrote for myself, coming from a very lonely place and feeling out of place in... myself and in my identity.”
  • Performing it for audiences transformed it into an "anthem" for community and mutual support:
    • “It's really cool that there's been a positive shift for me in the meaning of the song. Whenever we sing it at the end of a set, it just feels like the room... We're all giving each other a hug and we all understand one another.” (04:33)

3. Mission and Activities of This Is Home Project (05:20–06:20)

• Purpose: The organization uplifts the LGBTQ+ community, with a focus on homeless youth.
• Activities:
  • Fundraising for transitions and surgeries
  • Collaborating with other organizations to provide housing, education, and mental health resources
  • Robin frames the project as a way to "keep showing up" for the community that has supported him.

4. Benefit Concert Details and Artist Lineup (06:20–07:12)

• The concert will be held December 14 at Music Hall of Williamsburg.
• Lineup includes (as listed by Robin):
  • Chloe Moriondo (“my dear friend... did our previous benefit show”)
  • Annie DeRusso
  • Sydney Gish
  • Sydney Rose
  • Tall Girlfriends (duo)
  • Dreamer Isioma (“I’m a big fan of his music.”)
• Robin humorously notes it’s also a bit of a birthday celebration for himself: “It’s also my birthday, the day afterwards...”

5. Life in New York (07:12–07:41)

• Alison highlights Robin’s connection to New York, both through previous shows and his current move.
• Robin mentions, “It’s definitely been a challenge,” implying transitions and adapting to a new city, but details are cut off due to technical issues.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On writing “This Is Home”:
  “I kind of sang it as like a little... lullaby to myself to comfort myself while I was figuring myself out.” – Robin Skinner (02:14)
• How the song’s meaning has changed:
  “Now it's kind of become more of an anthem for me of, like, community and the support that... I'm able to give to my community and the support that they give to me in return.” – Robin Skinner (04:33)
• On the concert feeling like a birthday:
  “It’s also my birthday, the day afterwards, which is another parallel. So it’s kind of a birthday celebration for me too.” – Robin Skinner (06:52)

Highlighted Audio Segments

• [01:09–01:28]: Clip of Cavetown’s “This is Home”
• [03:04–04:12]: Recent live version from 2019 played
• [08:27–10:02]: Cavetown’s song “NPC” played as the segment is ending

Tone and Language

• Robin’s tone is warm, self-reflective, and deeply empathetic, often expressing gratitude for his community and fans.
• Host Alison Stewart maintains an encouraging and engaged approach, framing the discussion around community and artistic activism.

Final Thoughts

The episode showcases the powerful intersection of music, personal journey, and activism in Cavetown’s work. Through candid conversation, performances, and insights into the intent behind the benefit concert, listeners gain an intimate perspective on how Robin Skinner continues to support, inspire, and uplift LGBTQ+ youth.

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 02:03–03:04 — Origins of song/This Is Home Project
• 04:12–05:20 — Evolution of “This Is Home” meaning
• 05:37–06:20 — Focus and activities of the nonprofit
• 06:25–07:12 — Benefit concert details & artist lineup
• 08:27–10:02 — Outro with “NPC”

For those interested in supporting, the benefit concert is set for December 14 at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, with proceeds to This Is Home Project—a testament to Cavetown’s vision for a supportive, inclusive community.