American Queers by SuperKnova

American Queers is my debut album. A symbol of my confidence as an artist and as a person. Like me, the songs are complex. Loud and proud.

For this album, I wanted to channel those artists who paved the path before me. Who used their music to inspire social change. James Brown shouting “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud!”. Joan Jett powerfully strumming her guitar, not giving a damn about her “bad reputation.” People who were proud of their stigmatized identities and broke free from their oppressive stereotypes. I’m a proud Asian American, transgender woman and it’s with the spirit of those artists, that I wrote this album. Not just for people like me, but for anyone has felt confined to a role in life that they didn’t choose for themselves.

As with Splendor Dysphoria, American Queers was 100% independently produced. I wrote all the songs, produced all the music, played all the instruments/vocals, recorded, mixed and mastered every song myself. I do this partly because I love music in all its aspects. But more importantly, I want my music and my message to be completely unadulterated. Producing myself, I have complete control. No one can tell me what to say or not say. I write about what I want and I make it sound exactly the way I want. In an industry traditionally plagued by racist, misogynistic, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, imperialist, fatphobic gatekeepers, I embrace the DIY culture. I make my own path and I create my own success. Of course, collaboration with like-minded artists is a powerful tool. However, for this album, I wanted to make a statement of my independence and my abilities.

Finally, American Queers is a celebration. A celebration of the beautiful spectrum of life experience and identity that is unique to all of us. A celebration of all of you who have supported queer, independent or DIY music. Those who have shared space with me physically, digitally or emotionally. I appreciate you all so much and I could not have done any of this without you. Please enjoy these songs as my tribute to inspiring artists past, present and future and, most importantly, to you. Thank you

- SuperKnova

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