Podcast Summary: All Of It – Red Hot's Latest Compilation Album Celebrates Queer and Trans People

Episode Information:

• Title: Red Hot's Latest Compilation Album Celebrates Queer and Trans People
• Podcast: All Of It
• Host: Alison Stewart, WNYC
• Release Date: November 25, 2024

Introduction

In this poignant episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart delves into the creation and significance of Transa Selects, a new compilation album by the Red Hot Organization. The album serves as a vibrant celebration of queer and trans communities, featuring over 100 artists who contribute to its diverse and eclectic soundscape.

Red Hot Organization and the Genesis of Transa Selects

[02:09] Alison Stewart introduces the album, highlighting its 46 tracks spanning three and a half hours. She emphasizes the album's dedication to trans art and its roots in Red Hot's longstanding mission of using music to combat HIV and AIDS.

Elia Einhorn, one of the album’s producers, reflects on the personal significance of the project:

“I did come out as transgender many years ago, and I think that the recorded testament of all the people who came before me who proved that you could actually do it, Red Hot, was one of those.” [03:32]

Agnes Walsh, from the Red Hot Organization, provides background on how the album concept evolved:

“Massima Bell, who's a trans woman from Iowa now living out in LA, and Dust Reed, the producer behind the Arthur Russell tribute, came up with the idea. It started with one track and has grown into this expansive project.” [04:25]

Collaborative Efforts and Artist Contributions

Terrence Thomas, another producer, shares his journey into the project:

“I'm black and queer. I work with a lot of black, queer, and trans artists, and when Dustin John introduced me to the project, it was a no-brainer to come on board.” [05:28]

The album, originally titled Transa, underwent a stylistic change to make it more searchable, albeit with some technical challenges:

“We had to change it because we weren't coming up in the search queries. It's a stylistic S, but it's really hard to find the backwards S button on your keyboard.” [06:27]

Exploring the Album's Structure and Themes

The album is thoughtfully divided into eight chapters, each representing a stage in the trans experience:

1. Womb of the Soul
2. Trauma, Self, and Survival Mode
3. Dark Night of the Soul and Self-Reflection
4. Spiritual Awakening
5. Grief
6. Self-Actualization, Acceptance, and Self-Awareness
7. Gender Liberation
8. Reinvention

“Transa organized in these chapters is... the closest a work of art has ever really gotten to vocalizing what it feels like to be on that rollercoaster.” [12:29]

Musical Diversity and Genre Fluidity

The producers highlight the album's genre-spanning nature:

“We live in a time where genre is becoming porous. It's about capturing a particular kind of feeling in a moment and paying tribute in that moment.” [14:29]

This approach allows for a rich tapestry of sounds, from house and techno to spoken word and R&B, ensuring inclusivity and broad representation.

Featured Tracks and Artistic Highlights

1. "Make Em Laugh" – Performed by Benet and Faye Webster

   “Did you know I was perfect? Yeah, modeled right after you... Maybe you will sometimes, no one does.” [01:29]

   This track sets the tone for the album, blending resilience with vulnerability.

2. "You Don't Know Me" – Featuring Devendra Banhart, Blake Mills, and Beverly Glenn Copeland Agnes Walsh explains the significance of the collaboration:

   “We have two languages singing in English and Spanish, three different generations represented... It just feels so beautiful to have that inclusivity.” [08:06]

3. "Make Me Feel Mighty Real" – Cover by Moses Sumney and Sam Smith

   “They are really an activist himself... Everything they do is incredible.” [17:49]

   This cover honors Sylvester's original while infusing it with contemporary emotion and activism.

4. "Young Lion" – Performed by Sade

   “...seeing Isaac, who was assigned female gender at birth, come up as this little child and his journey... it's incredibly powerful.” [22:19]

   Sade’s heartfelt rendition is a centerpiece of the album, encapsulating themes of acceptance and personal growth.

Artists as Catalysts for Social Change

The conversation emphasizes the pivotal role artists play in advocating for and facilitating social change. Agnes Walsh shares a touching personal story related to Sade’s participation:

“Sade stepped all the way up because there's a way of phoning in, helping out... She has gone above and beyond those responsibilities. She is just a goddess who can speak to everybody.” [23:52]

Production Challenges and Triumphs

Managing contributions from over 100 artists posed significant logistical challenges. Agnes Walsh elaborates on the emotional and managerial aspects:

“The responses from everyone were incredibly genuine and moving... It’s about managing how many people were really interested and invested in contributing to a really special project.” [19:21]

Personal Impact and Community Support

Elia Einhorn shares a personal anecdote illustrating the album's impact:

“My friend Devin... Her mother sent her this song 'Young Lion'... It's so nice that I get to see you now as my daughter... That's the significant point about why we do the music.” [21:08]

This story underscores the album's role in fostering understanding and acceptance within families and communities.

Conclusion

Transa Selects emerges as a monumental project that not only celebrates trans and queer artists but also serves as a sonic journey through their experiences. By blending diverse genres and featuring a multitude of voices, the album fosters empathy, visibility, and solidarity. Through heartfelt collaborations and powerful storytelling, Transa Selects stands as a testament to the resilience and creativity of the trans community.

Notable Quotes:

• Elia Einhorn [03:32]: "I think the recorded testament of all the people who came before me who proved that you could actually do it, Red Hot, was one of those."
• Agnes Walsh [08:06]: "It represents... three different generations... the inclusivity... how can you really see the beauty and complexity of someone with that wall of bigotry between you?"
• Agnes Walsh [23:52]: "She has gone above and beyond those responsibilities. She is just a goddess who can speak to everybody."
• Elia Einhorn [21:08]: "That's the significant point about why we do the music."

Transa Selects is now available for listeners to explore, inviting everyone to engage with and support the vibrant trans and queer communities it represents.