Because I need to "keep my body moving" as Tunde says, and their music helps me move on a Monday morning.
Where to start?
The song that told me I would fall in love with Tunde's music was the first song on their album of the same name, "Transgressor." They sing about breaking through walls, but keeping a brick to remind them of things they've done. If that's not trans power, I don't know what is.
Why?
To make up for this oversight, I am going to remind you all that Dorian Electra has a new album coming out and their new music is absolute fire.
Where to start?
"Sodom and Gomorrah" was exactly the energy we all needed for Pride this year.
It features amazing lyrics like this verse:
"I wanna know what they did to make him bring his wrath (Ah, ah)
Yeah, I wanna know what they did, can you show me with that ass?"
Their most recent release, "Anon," actually has been one I've chewed on a bit because I'm still not sure I have a read on it despite having hooked into my brain
One thing to keep an eye on with all of Dorian's music videos is the head smash. In every single music video, they smash at least one object on their head. It started with coffee pots and drinking glasses. They continue to find new objects to utterly destroy by smashing it on their head.
Another note on "Anon," I can't help but see the fashion as a statement on the maximalist evolution of their music from one of their earlier bangers, "Career Boy" (https://youtu.be/MDDukLyXY-M)
Also also, am I the only one that somehow gets intensely masculine vibes from their stereotypically "feminine" outfits? And sometimes more feminine vibes from their "masculine" outfits? Their power for gender inversion just blows my mind.
Why?
Because her music has been my companion during countless writing sessions and slow afternoons. It never fails to lift my spirits a bit and help me find a playfulness, even when I'm feeling like a grump.
Where to start?
I think it was "we've never met but can we have a coffee or something" where I first heard her music described as being like the moment you're sitting in a cafe when the love of your life, who you have yet to meet, happens to sit down next to you.
Why? While they may have split up for now, Girlpool's music is something that keeps re-emerging for me. Towards the start of their career, the sound might remind you more of the 90s and 00s indie scene, but their style was restless and traveled into spaces that are haunting and intimate, frivolous and lively.
Both Avery Tucker and Harmony Tividad's voices have evolved over time, and it is interesting to see how both of them adapted as each other's creative directions evolved.
To get a sense of their most recent album, I suggest "Lie Love Lullaby>" It has a really good hook to it, and give you a sense of how Avery adapted his voice over transition too.
I also would suggest people check out the interview with Avery on the Gender Reveal podcast. Tuck and Avery go to some interesting places, both about music and trans life, that I've chewed on for a while. This includes our relationship to our voices and what it means to reckon with the footprint your pre-transition self has left our your life and career.
Also, #Trans friends, especially #TransMasc folks, could you comment to this post about some other trans masc and trans men musical artists you love and songs of theirs that speak to you?
I have a few that I go back to again and again, but I feel like I need to expand my rotation of transmasc musicians/singers and want to share more here for #TransMusicMonday. I'm especially curious about music that maybe speaks to you all in the intimate ways some of my favorite trans fems can do.
Why? Non-binary Icon. Formerly, the Archandroid. Music videos dripping in Pansexual Polyamory and odes to sapphic love. Monae has been a pillar of queer music for a decade They just dropped a new music video for her new upcoming album. And it is Black queer joy at it's best.
Where to start?
"Lipstick Lover" is her new single and they are out here just loving on themselves and their sexuality.
If you're unaware, Monae's music is often pioneering new aspects of Hip-Hop and R&B on a regular basis. She also has a penchant for creating concept albums and short movie length "Emotion Pictures" to go along with them.
Their album "Dirty Computer" had a 48-minute long Emotion Picture that tells the story of a polycule of queer revolutionaries going through brainwashing conversion therapy and fighting back.
If you don't want to watch an almost hour-long music video for the whole album of Dirty Computer, at least take time to enjoy "PYNK," a campy celebration of vulvas and femininity.
Also, a reminder that they've always been a gender non-conforming legend, "Tightrope" is now over a decade old and still my "get me energized and excited" song.
Artist: Lucas Silveira and the Cliks (trans man, he/him)
Why? Lucas was probably the first open trans guy to sign with a major record label as the lead singer of the Cliks. His lyrics are poetic and his guitar is heartfelt and slaps. Great for moody indie rock moods.
Where to Begin?
The song of his that first grabbed me was Savanna, with it's more gentle pace and gravely voice
Part of what I love about Lucas as an artist though is that he has adapted his style over and over again as his embodied experience has changed, bringing a human creativity and soulfulness to it all.
When he first got big, his voice hadn't yet shifted from T, and I love the sound and energy of his vocals on songs like "Complicated"
He had to change up his style and mode of expressing himself again when he started experiencing severe hearing loss. This led him to shift to acoustic only to preserve his hearing as long as he can. And he's found yet another beautiful musical mood that still feels very much him.
Why? Want some heartfelt country or folk? What about lyrics that will hit you deep about the strange moments of queer times and places. Also, so really good guitar pieces to boot!
Where to start?
I think the song of his that hits me hardest is "A Guy Named Joe" about that day when you just wake up in your life as yourself and don't know what comes next
There's a live show he played that was recorded that featured several trans folk and country singers that I often enjoy, especially on hikes and long drives
Why? Today is a day where I am finding my fight again, and Greer's music is for remembering our power as a people. I first saw their music described as "riot folk" and picket line music. She is the kind of songwriter we need for the moment we find ourselves in.
I definitely suggest the entire "she/her/they/them" album. When I was at a crossroads in my transition, struggling with dissociation and dysphoria, I would put it on and go hiking to reconnect with my body and my power. https://evangreer.bandcamp.com/album/she-her-they-them
I also suggest checking out her more recent music on "Spotify is Surveillance and the work she's doing as Director for Fight for the Future. Great thing is you can also follow them on the fedi: @evangreer !
Why? Because my Trans Music Monday stumbled into a Tuesday, I need catharsis and energy to bring my ADHD back around into the here and now. Molly Noise's music hits this wonderful infusion of older industrial noise into something a bit more cyberpunk-y/synth-y that is plugging me in.
@MollyNoise I should also note, Molly Noise makes the music for "Sophie from Mars," one of my favorite video essayists! It's great atmosphere for writing to as well