The Trans Artists Powering Austins Alternative Nightlife Scene
p1nkstar performs Cheer Up Charlies on New Year's Eve (Jay Ybarra/Cheer Up Charlies)
Last month, Erika Vee, also known as Austin's private nightlife service, took to Instagram Stories to talk about the plight of trans artists in Texas. Be happy... If most transgender people here had to go elsewhere for medical care, the situation would only get worse."
he continued "Another point: we're not just artists, most of us do a lot of work behind the scenes that you'll never see, often with little recognition and no pay. If so, this is an opportunity to compensate. wrong".
"Transgender people do a lot of work in the underground scene, but places like Cheer Up Charlies or Coconut Club are also full of transgender people doing events." -p1nkstar
Along with partner Pat Reid (Tears of Eros) and longtime friend JT Whitfield, Erica has been working around the city creating experimental and danceable music groups as the third part of her underground label Death of Affect. They oversee the Space Club on Fourth Street, often referred to as the "Resident Advisory Club of the Week." Erica never set out to become an activist, but with the help of trans artist p1nkstar, her message spread across social media and garnered support from LGBTQIA Texans and their allies.
"After being fed up with the attention given to the post, I was happy to post it because I wanted to say what [p1nkstar] said," he explained. "The dance music scene in Texas, not just in Austin, but everywhere, is full of transgender people and it would be different without them."
His announcement follows a wild 88th regular session of the state legislature in recent weeks, in which anti-religious legislation hit the Capitol floor. Senate Bill 14 would have prevented minors from receiving sex-affirming medical services, while others, such as empty SB 1029, sought to prevent Medicaid from providing sex-affirming treatment to both adults and minors. Targeting bootleg shows, SB 12 would ban shows defined as "sexually oriented" and would require a small donation, subjecting venues to fines of up to $10,000.
Now trans Texans, many of whom are musicians and innovators, are trying to figure out their next steps.
"I'm surrounded by a lot of transgender people and a lot of them are trying to come up with a backup plan," p1nkstar said. "It's scary. People aren't sure they're going to sign a lease for another year because we don't know what the climate is going to be like."
Since moving from Mexico to Texas in 2014, p1nkstar has made a splash on the Austin dance scene, blending genre-fluid performance art with a neo-berian sensibility. Today, her presence in Austin nightlife can best be described as a politically informed pop star.
"Trans people are struggling with the underground scene, but places like Cheer Up Charlies or the Coconut Club are also full of trans people putting on events," said the event organizer. "Historically, nightlife and music have been the only places where transgender people have worked, so we have a strong presence in every city."
Sally, I'm off set (Photo: Dee Randley)
On whether or not she plans to stay in Texas, she says, "I love Austin so much that it's really hard for me to imagine leaving. There's a great community here and they really support me as a person and as a person. artist: The government has never been on our side, so we are alone. And let's look at each other. This is the best we can do.
In the face of impending threats, the solidarity of Austin's trans Austin nightlife remains strong. Tommy Jammer, better known on stage as SallyYah, has revealed his plans to make the most of his surroundings this coming summer.
“We all agreed that something was wrong because this might be the last summer we'll be in Austin. It's like the last joy.' - fair
"Me and my friends were at Club Eternal recently and there was a moment where we all stood to the side and talked about what's going on right now," Jamer said. “We all agreed that something felt wrong because this might be the last summer we'll be in Austin. It looks like the ultimate in enjoyment. We're all ready to put in the effort and put on some crazy shows together because it's going to happen. it will never be the same."
Like SaliYah, Jamer releases hypnotic electronic music on local label Growth in Decay. In addition to the studio, they have established a DJ presence at DIY parties and underground venues. After a short break in New York last year, they returned to their old hometown of Austin. However, growing anti-conversion rhetoric soon made it difficult to return home.
"All these laws have done a terrible harm to me and everyone I know. I feel hopeless in a lot of ways," Jammer says. "I grew up in the underground scene in Austin, and we were doing shows, hiring talent or fundraising, a lot of it was built by LGBT people."
they continue "There are many transgender people in the city who are giving voice in so many places. They bring a lot to these places and it will disappear because it is not safe for us."
Lucia Beyond (photo by Rosie Macek [fairyfountain])
One such audio expert is Lucia Beyond, who works as a sound engineer at some of Austin's most popular music venues, including Continental Club, C-Boy's Heart & Soul, and Sahara Lounge. He's just as comfortable on stage as he is behind the decks. As performers, Beyond DJ mixes and performs with Ezra Rodriguez (Eupphonia) and David Alvarez (ex-Artifact). His second independent mixtape recently released is Airborne Fantasy. Unlimited combines soulful guitar work with intense synth melodies, capturing the beauty and pain of the producer's experimental transition.
"I've been doing really well musically lately, and it's crazy because for the first time in my life I feel like everything is falling into place," shares Beyond. "The legislator felt this tremendous force on the horizon."
"I don't want to run away, this is literally my ancestral land," he continues. "We have a really great group of people and artists in Austin right now, and I love that."
In the midst of political turmoil, Beyond calls on those unfamiliar with musical ecstasy to broaden their horizons. “Go to a trance artist show or listen to a trance mix show and you'll see how different they are. When you change yourself intensely there is deep awareness.
"You are learning a lot. And then, of course, you have something to say that is different from what others are saying; that's what art should be."
In addition to Los Felices' weekly show at Volstead Lounge on Tuesday, p1nkstar will be performing live at Swan Dive on Friday, June 23 as part of Sister Fisters Pride. Lucia is playing the Beyond Queer Freak Show at the Sahara Lounge on Friday 23rd June, as well as the Body Mechanics queer techno rave night on 30th June all night long.