Neither sweet nor sour, hot nor cold, bitter nor tart…Transviolet radiates opposition— an opposition compressed in a neon glow stick.
Blue and red are primary colors symbolic of the masculine and the feminine within us— our yin/ yang. These colors are the cornerstone of Transviolet’s artistic identity. When combined, they form a metaphoric shade of purple veering off the traditional color spectrum. A color representative of Sarah MacTaggart, and her music’s modern take on disco.
The Man Who Sold the World…Transviolet’s latest addition to the increasingly extensive smorgasbord of alternative music was released on Friday, presenting Bowie inspired album art, and featured McTaggart sporting similar zigzag face paint as the iconic legend himself. Six fresh new singles remind us of the group’s rejection of traditional gender labels in favor of more authentic imagery.
Psychology Today described the arbitrary nature of gender in their 2019 post, confirming that although gender is physically assigned at birth, cultural and societal conditioning are the contributing factors that enforce our assumed roles. A society that is quick to observe our gender differences and even quicker at overlooking our similarities.
With that being said…why are so many of us rebels?
Sunday mornings spent at a church also visited by Katy Perry helped to dictate the dogma characteristic of MacTaggart’s strictly religious upbringing. An upbringing no stranger to many artists, and that resulted in the necessary trauma that was the key ingredient for the self-reflection and introspection that ultimately gave wind to a colorful transcendence.
“As a species, we are moving past the idea of identifying with labels.”
Says McTaggart when faced with the complex nature of pronouns and gender related questions.
Describing herself as someone with a more fluid identity, and who is still learning. Frustration was visible when the artist spoke about the obdurate natures of societies notorious double standards towards women, noting the unfairness of how some transmen on Tik Tok opt for going topless, while the aesthetically feminine among us are not awarded the same privilege.
“You can choose to perform, but I am not sure if it is really at the core of the individual as far as identity goes.” She continued to state.
When asked about her thoughts on gender performativity in the public space, a beleaguered sigh resulted in “I don’t think we should need to perform to be accepted.”
An answer that was perhaps inspired by Transviolet’s recent Instagram post paying tribute to the death of a fan from Brazil who died due to the intolerance experienced by many within the trans community. Luke was 18.
The intolerance that is indoctrinated into the fabric of many societies across the globe and that inspire poignant song lyrics such as…” I like nobody…you with nobody” from Clean Laundry, a catchy doo-wop reminding us of the bull**** synonymous with many social gatherings and describes the hopes that queers face when connecting with the eyes of a special someone—a gaze that speaks in volumes
…sometimes symphonies.
Given the steam that has amassed from their latest EP, Transviolet will continue to make music that pushes the envelope of our gender-related issues— maybe even licking a stamp.
Aggression and a more metallic sound may also be next on the radar…in response to the future of their artistry.
“In order to create a new world, we have to embody it…we have to imagine it.”
Perhaps a transcendence is near.
STORY / ALEXANDER MAYS