Trans Global Expression

TRANSA is the latest release from the Red Hot Organisation and it's huge: 46 songs, over 100 artists and nearly four hours in total, available as a digital download, 6 vinyl LPs or 5-track single album.

"Spotlighting the gifts of many of the most daring, imaginative trans and non-binary artists working today" (as the promo blurb), it's no faint claim and the list of collaborations is compelling.

I've only just bought it, so I'm nowhere near all the way through - come on, Andre 3000's contribution alone is over 26 minutes long! - but I have cherry picked a few songs that I was immediately drawn to, creating a more digestible 30-odd minute selection to whet your appetite.

 

An awesome undertaking that so far has delivered and then some. Take a chance.

1) Something Is Happening And I May Not Fully Understand But I'm Happy To Stand For The Understanding (Awakening) (Intro): Andre 3000

2) How Sweet I Roamed: Jeff Tweedy + Claire Rousay

3) Feel So Different: Sharon Van Etten + Ezra Furman

4) Feel Better: Adrianne Lenker

5) Deeper Understanding: Hand Habits + Bill Callahan

6) Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying: Julien Baker + Calvin Lauber ft. SOAK & Quinn Christopherson

7) Point Of Disgust: Perfume Genius + Alan Sparhawk

8) Young Lion: Sade

9) Something Is Happening And I May Not Fully Understand But I'm Happy To Stand For The Understanding (Awakening) (Outro): Andre 3000

 

Trans Global Expression (33:05) (KF) (Mega)

All The Stars Were Aligned

KEXP is a non-commercial radio station transmitting from Seattle, Washington. It became a regular virtual music stop for me during the pandemic and I've listened to hours upon hours of their Live On KEXP sessions.

The show follows a fairly consistent format: 4 or 5 songs, 20-30 minutes, usually performed in the small KEXP studio with lengthy Q&A mid-section with the resident DJ, sitting nearby. Occasionally, they'll use another location, even head outdoors to the local park, as evidenced by this beautiful performance from Ben Watt & Bernard Butler in 2015.

Too many favourites to mention here, so here's a small, half-hour selection of seven cracking songs for your listening pleasure.

1) Camels (Live @ KEXP, Seattle, 23 June 2019): Bill Callahan

2) Tokay (Live @ KEXP, Seattle, 10 February 2015): Dengue Fever

3) Maybe (Live @ KEXP, Seattle, 12 June 2019): SOAK

4) Is He Strange (Live @ Avast! Recording Co. for KEXP, Seattle, 18 December 2018): John Grant

5) Kicks (Live @ KEXP, Seattle, 18 November 2014): FKA Twigs

6) Corsicana Lemonade (Live @ KEXP, Seattle, 01 February 2014): White Denim

7) Magic Of Meghan (Live @ KEXP, Seattle, 10 March 2020): Dry Cleaning

All The Stars Were Aligned (Live On KEXP) (31:16)