The Trailblazing Transgender Artists – 5/30/20

Hey everyone! Today I’ll be posting something a bit more different than the usual reviews. I want to give some recognition to some of the most influential and creative transgender artists in the music scene. Obviously, I can’t reach every great trans artist in music, but I definitely want more people to be aware of the great work some have been putting out. I am just happy to see more trans representation right now in music. This post was partially inspired by the disbandment of Black Dresses. I hope they come back, or the artist Devi continues to create music under a different moniker or through a different outlet.

In the music community, and many others, transgender artists have been suppressed for a long time, which can ultimately subdue the cultural relevance of people who identify as trans. Although there aren’t any trans artists that are explicitly mainstream, many trans artists are absolutely outshining their contemporaries in multiple subcultures and more obscure settings. The artists I will be giving a spotlight to are Xandra Metcalfe (Uboa), Laura Les (100 gecs), Laura Jane Grace (Against Me), Dorian Electra, Classic J (Glass Beach), Lola Kaerde (Weatherday), Devi McCallion (Black Dresses), and Ramona Andra Xavier (Vektroid).

Uboa is a band led by Xandra Metcalfe that delves into genres such as dark ambient, industrial, noise, and drone in their music. Uboa’s music is not progressive in ways similar to that of their contemporaries, but Metcalfe really narrows in on the flawless execution of the sounds of the mentioned genres. On her most recent project, The Origin of My Depression, Metcalfe perfectly creates a holistic, traumatizing experience through cascading noises, harsh smashing noises, and sometimes euphoric walls of sound. Everything is perfectly tied together by the lyrics about abandonment and the difficulties of transitioning. This record is a must-listen for any fan of the genres that were mentioned.

Laura Les is one half of the abrasive, noisy, electronic duo known as 100 gecs that are killing the game right now. With their hit album 1000 gecs, 100 gecs has extended their reach to drastically different communities; from the hip-hop community to the indiehead or /mu/core community. Undoubtedly, this duo has been making a huge impact with 1000 gecs as it is so cutting-edge and experimental. From their abnormally fast flows to their great use of voice augmentation to their fun dubstep influences, the extremely brief 23-minute record is one that hits hard and wastes no time. Every minute of this record is incredible in my opinion, but its extreme experimentation can be a miss or hit to the usual music listener.

Laura Jane Grace is a singer-songwriter and guitarist that is known especially for fronting the punk rock band Against Me!. She is one of the first very visible punk rock musicians to ever come out as transgender, which she did in May 2012. After coming out, she released Transgender Dysphoria Blues as Against Me!’s sixth studio album. Her historical impact is undeniable, so if you like punk rock you should listen to Against Me!

Dorian Electra is a singer-songwriter that identifies as both transgender and genderfluid, who prefers to use they/them pronouns. Their debut album Flamboyant gained attention quickly with great reception and critic reviews. The album is filled with bubble-gum bass, electro, and dance-pop influences. Electra seriously progresses from their previous singles, incorporating a unique androgynous voice instead of their more conventionally feminine vocals in the past. For the more experimental pop listeners, this is for you!

“Classic” J McClendon (they/them pronouns) is the band leader of the Indie Rock (if I could even label it that) band Glass Beach. After changing their name because of an originally male denoting band name, the band has released their debut record the first glass beach album in 2019. I don’t even know where or how to begin describing this album, but it’s noisy, poppy, and sometimes even punk-influenced. Along with its unforgettably gorgeous album cover, glass beach is a must-listen for any music fan.

Lola Kaerde (Weatherday and Lola’s Pocket PC) (they/them). I am so happy to be talking about her! Weatherday’s album Come In is one of my personal favorite albums with its extreme lo-fi production, crushingly loud crescendos, and phenomenally passionate screaming. As a debut album under their alias Weatherday, the album blew up on Bandcamp, eventually reaching critical attention. Lola’s Pocket PC is a little bit more chill and accessible because it stays in the realm of electronica for an easier listening option. However, I think if any Car Seat Headrest fans or people who like anything noisy still haven’t listened to this, you are missing out. At least listen to the nearly 14-minute long masterpiece that is My Sputnick Sweetheart.

Devi McCallion used to be one half of the experimental pop duo Black Dresses; They have recently disbanded because of the misuse of their songs about Devi’s sexual assault experiences by Tick Tock users. I hope that they can come back from this horrible mishap, or at least continue releasing music individually because Peaceful as Hell is my favorite pop album ever. I have already talked about this album in a couple of posts, but in short, it’s amazing, experimental, and noisy pop that is still on Bandcamp for purchase.

Lastly, I must mention the goddess of Vaporwave herself: Ramona Andra Xavier or Vektroid. The electronic musician is credited for the creation of the genre-defining album Floral Shoppe. Under the moniker Macintosh Plus, Floral Shoppe is a masterpiece in its own realm of music and does not need much explaining. I do have a full review on the album, so check that out if you are unaware of Floral Shoppe.

Ultimately, I hope to see an artist that identifies as an unconventional gender break into the mainstream, and hopefully, with some of these mentioned trailblazers, that can happen.