Trans communities are organizing and acting, building on an ongoing long-term struggle. And it’s time to go physical. Trans Music Archive is working on physical editions of some terrific music, and they’re asking for your support.
Trans Music Office will kick off with an edition of
Co-founders Ariel Loh and Rowan McDonald describe the project this way:
We were inspired by a conversation with Ceyenne Doroshow and Imara Jones that touched on censorship, the importance of oral tradition, and trans community, and building independence from large media institutions. They mentioned the role of artists as record keepers and the importance of physical media in a technofascist state. Using vinyl protects music from censorship and preserves it for the future.
Sign up for donations and donate (whatever you want, card or US bank account only) at their official site:
https://www.transmusicarchive.org
Um, Jennifer [artist] debut “Um Comma Jennifer Question Mark” [album] is the first release. It’s punk, but the lyrics mention Target. It’s exactly what you’re imagining, from the Bandcamp description: “Um, Jennifer? Is a punk-tinged indie rock duo based in NYC. Fig and Eli met at a party in Brooklyn. Eli wanted to hook up with Fig’s friend. Now they make music together for nobody except the vengeful god, Jennifer. Jennifer thinks their music sucks.”
I’m not entirely sure these lyrics will translate, uh, globally, but in dark times, it’s about time for punk with a sense of humor. And to quote the lead song, “maybe I’m a loser, too.”
James Factora wrote a wonderful interview for Them back in April. (Dropquote, obvious, perfect: “Trans people are the best of us. I’m a little biased, but it’s true.” It’s peak outer boroughs, so I do promise some representation for the world not near the Van Wyck Expressway, but it’s worth it, too.)
Um, Jennifer? Made an Album To Appease a Vengeful Gods
You can pick up on the conversation with Ceyenne Doroshow, Imara Jones, and Taja Cheek (L’Rain) from February in Queens (with Red Hot Org and the NYC Trans Oral History Project):
TRAИƧA is an incredible project. Started in 2021, with over 100 artists contributing, it compiles 46 songs from a variety of trans and non-binary artists:
And there’s this achingly gorgeous track; it’s a total anthem, one to put on repeat:
And sometimes, the one thing you need to cope with all of this on Earth is some really great music, so please keep going.