I’ve recently been delving into the world of electro-pop and post-punk, with Trans Parent being one of my favourite discoveries in recent months. Only In My Heart is an amazing, synth-laden pop song, and one you need to check out if you haven’t already. Find out more about Trans Parent below!
By Jane Howkins
You recently released a new track called Only In My Heart. What can you tell us about the song?
Only In My Heart is a song about awareness. It’s about the accelerationism of the elite who fan the flames of destruction. Witnessing one calamity after the next; war, genocide, famine, climate change and all the catastrophe that comes from it. Watching humanity destroy itself, and feeling helpless to stop it. In a way the creation of the song itself reclaims some kind of agency. The line “ to all with the power to change it…” is calling out the elite and powerful but at the same time serves as a kind of invocation, an acknowledgement of responsibility, and a declaration of my own agency— my own ability to respond to the world around me.
I wrote , recorded it, and submitted it for distribution in one day so it was kind of a hasty release, but I made it in response to what’s happening right now to the people of Palestine and just felt really compelled to get it out there asap.
How has the reception to Only In My Heart been so far, and where can it be purchased?
It’s been pretty good! It was released on Valentine’s Day, some people said it didn’t fit the theme, but romance is just as much about loss as it is about anything else. It’s on all the major streaming platforms and for download on my Patreon. I will probably release some alternate versions on Patreon as well.
You also covered the Nancy Sinatra song Bang Bang in your track, you shot me down. Why did you choose that song to cover? Do you have any other cover tracks planned for the future?
That track was kind of the catalyst that helped bring Only In My Heart into the world. I used to perform Bang bang along with These Boots Were Made for Walking back when I was doing the acoustic singer songwriter thing. It’s such a staple of western pop music, and in re-contextualising them I’m able to tell a broader, darker story about colonial violence, domination, and imperialism.
I don’t currently have any more covers planned for release, but who knows …
Do you have any more singles planned for the near future?
Yes, I have a ton! My next single is going to be called hold on to me. It’s a really fast kind of electro-pop/punk song. I originally wrote it around the time my dad died in January of 2023. I’d recorded the instrumental and was showing it to my bestie, when I just started crying uncontrollably. I was crying for a while and she just held me and held space more me and I felt this complex mix of emotions; intense grief and sadness, deep love and gratitude for my friend, and a kind of hopefulness that friendship and community bring. Almost immediately after that experience the words just started pouring out .
I’m very excited to say it should be out by the end of April or early May
Are there any plans to release a full length album or an EP anytime soon?
Right now I have enough material for 2 albums probably, and I’m always writing and coming up with ideas, but I do all my own recording, producing, mixing, and mastering and releasing one single at a time seems more manageable for me right now. I’m also working with very limited resources and equipment. Hopefully I will release an album or EP soon, maybe next year…
Only In My Heart has a synth-pop sound. What/who are you most influenced by? What have you been listening to recently?
I’ve been influenced a lot by Prince, Blouse, Bosnian Rainbows, Les Rallizes Dénudés, Ponytail , Bjork, and Sun Ra, to name a few. Admittedly, when I’m in the process of creating/ producing I don’t listen to other music much and don’t really start writing with a particular sound in mind. I’m inspired most by the world around me and whatever instruments and resources I have to work with. Lately I’ve mostly been doing everything in Ableton using programmed drums, soft synths, and a microphone.
You’re based in Houston. What is the local music scene like?
Houston has a really eclectic music scene with everything from dungeon synth to jazz. There are so many talented, and often interdisciplinary artists working in every genre and type of media. There’s always something going on. It’s really humbling to be a part of.
Do you have anything else exciting coming up over the next few months?
I have a lot of singles I’m working on releasing. I’m producing my friends first single for their new band In a body, and have plans to collaborate with more local artists. T parent also has some new members and we’re gonna be rehearsing, playing shows, and writing new music!
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
I don’t, but I’d absolutely love to tour in the UK. Hopefully that will happen in the near future
Any last words for the fans?
You can show your support by following Trans Parent on Spotify, Instagram and Bandcamp.
We also have a Patreon where you can access a lot more content, demos, samples and drum loops, etc.
Thank you thank you thank you!
Stay tuned!