Born to Cambodian immigrants in Everett, Washington, Thavoron navigated a world the place illustration was typically elusive. But, amidst this panorama, she found a vibrant musical tapestry that impressed her. In search of refuge in sound, she taught herself to play guitar and bass, drawing from an eclectic mixture of artists like Blood Orange, Lana Del Rey, and Bon Iver. Her creative journey started below the identify Sokeang, a mix of her dad and mom’ final names, earlier than she totally embraced her personal identify, which superbly interprets to “robust/baby of energy.”
Thavoron‘s extremely anticipated third album, the self-titled Thavoron, marks a big milestone in her creative evolution. Following her 2023 album, “Tommy Loves You”, Thavoron coincides together with her current popping out as a trans lady, a pivotal second that provides profound depth to her music. This transformation permits her to discover themes of identification, self-love, and acceptance with exceptional honesty.
The songwriting course of started as early as December 2019, culminating in a group of 13 tracks that she recorded in her Seattle house and her dad and mom’ house in Everett. The album showcases her means to weave collectively intricate melodies and poignant lyrics, reflecting on her experiences over the previous 23 years. Every music serves as a chapter in her life, concerning love, sacrifice, and the complexities of navigating her identification in a world that usually imposes inflexible definitions.
Be a part of us as we delve into Thavoron’s artistic journey, the inspirations behind her music, and the transformative experiences that formed this compelling new album.
Your self-titled album is a deeply private exploration of identification and self-acceptance. You talked about you began writing some songs for the album way back to 2019. Are you able to inform us about your artistic course of for this file? How did the songs evolve over time?
My artistic course of for this file was not forcing myself to have one in any respect, to be trustworthy. I used to be stern about pushing myself to write down continually round this time. I really feel prefer to a sure diploma it was as a result of I felt like I had one thing to show, as a result of I had simply been signed a yr earlier than penning this file. But additionally, that ignited a flame in me to problem myself to not simply write songs, however be capable to craft an expertise and atmosphere inside every of them. I’m so interested by creating issues with influence. I don’t wish to simply make music to make music, as a result of that looks like a waste of my energetic capability. So understanding that was behind my head whereas writing all of those songs, I suppose was my major MO for penning this file.
‘Excessive’ was the music that I wrote in 2019. I initially needed to go in a heavy-rock path for this music, however once I began performing it dwell in 2021 my buddy Spencer performed sax on it and we all the time went for one thing dreamy and soothing to perform providing the sonic thought of contemplation. I saved making an attempt to place it on all of my information that had come out earlier than the self-titled album, but it surely simply by no means felt prefer it match. So, I saved it within the archives till I felt prefer it made sense thematically for it to be part of considered one of my initiatives. It additionally helped immensely with the ability to attempt on completely different types of the music over the yr to completely be confronted with the concept of how I needed to painting it as an entity.
‘Eagle’ was a music that I wrote in 2022 simply to write down, nevertheless, it grew to become such an important a part of ‘Thavoron’. After solely writing the primary verse, I got here again into it a little bit bit additional down the road of writing all the opposite songs, after on the lookout for a music for my buddy Teather to function on. It grew to become such a pivotal and concrete second within the album, and I really feel prefer it wouldn’t be the best way that it’s in the present day, with out its existence.
I believe looping again to my obscure artistic course of, the songs developed by way of a way of viewing issues from a bigger scale perspective. I needed to stay true to making an attempt to be as trustworthy as attainable when writing all of those songs individually, however within the grand scheme of issues they’ve turn out to be impactful as a unit, and brought on a lifetime of their very own. Not due to the thematic or sonic content material, however within the sense that all of them really feel so painstakingly correct as a mirrored image of my feelings and thought processes I’ve been articulating inside the final two years. I believe I’ve by no means been extra ‘me’ than now.
Are you able to clarify what it felt like to return out as a trans lady? Is there something you’d prefer to say that may assist individuals higher perceive methods to obtain and respect this information?
It felt so liberating. I believe that’s all I can say. After doing shrooms for considered one of my finest mates Amaya’s birthday, I had such a euphoric second within the backseat of the automobile with my two childhood finest mates, Aislinn and Suna. We have been listening to music we grew up listening to, and new music that impressed this a part of my mind to embrace the concept of enjoyable, real love, and pleasure. I cried making eye contact with Suna as a result of I hadn’t felt that comfortable in so lengthy. The haze of smoke and warmth sticking to the automobile home windows, our hair flying in our faces, and the town lights beaming onto our our bodies… I felt then, that it was really okay for me to be who I used to be. And I hadn’t had that revelation with regard to my trans identification till that second. I’ll cherish it for the remainder of my life. I don’t really feel scared anymore as a result of I believe moments like that can outshine the darkness, all the time.
With regard to serving to individuals perceive methods to obtain and respect this information— I don’t know if that’s essentially solely my duty. I believe individuals ought to obtain and respect no matter within the ways in which really feel essential. I’d like to be met with timeless assist and kindness from individuals concerning this as a result of it’s actually scary to completely say ‘That is who I’m and I’m not afraid to point out you’. I believe anybody on this place ought to deserve assist. However, I believe in an ideal world we might all obtain that concerning any facet of our lives, the place we’re actively selecting ourselves. I don’t know if we’re there but, however what I’ll say is that sustaining power and composure is what I’ll proceed to do as I study extra about myself and who I’m, as I believe everybody ought to. Folks will proceed to meet their prophecies, however on the finish of the day, you recognize your self finest and what you want to do, to decide on happiness in your personal life. I’ve spent the final 23 years of my life dwelling for the comfort, sake, and luxury of different individuals, and I really feel excited to place myself within the forefront.
Did popping out as a trans lady in July affect the general themes of the album? If that’s the case, how?
Popping out particularly influenced the general themes of the album, however I believe my trans expertise did, on a unconscious stage. (I got here out as trans in July 2024, and I wrote this album beginning in 2019/September 2022) I’ve recognized I used to be trans since I used to be actually little. I all the time felt barely off in my life, or like nothing ever clicked, irrespective of which means I attempted to take a look at it or clear up it. I vaguely explored the concept of being trans in highschool, however I hadn’t reached part of my life the place I gained sufficient braveness to be happy with who I used to be, or put within the work to observe the beat of my very own drum. So I shoved it down immensely and tried to re-contextualize my expertise of figuring out as a homosexual man and problem the established order by doing issues that have been subversive to that identification. However, it felt jarring to need myself and others to understand my magnificence and my power, however prefer it needed to be by way of an pointless roadblock (my male identification). I used to be stunning twice eliminated once I simply needed to be… me. With out re-contextualization, or nuance. I simply needed to really feel like me, and that I belonged. I’ve by no means felt extra like myself in my complete life till I got here out as trans.
There was a music that was on the album that I wrote, that I took off earlier than I got here out, referred to as ‘Cool like a girl’. I believe as a result of your entire file is a illustration of my thoughts and who I’m, quite a lot of the issues that I really feel or discuss come from a spot of current inside the many crosshatches of cultural intersection I socially reside in. I wouldn’t articulate the issues the best way that I do had I not been myself, and skilled issues within the ways in which I did.
Does your Cambodian heritage inform the music and messages on this album?
My Khmer heritage informs the music and messages within the album, however not in a standard sense, although. I’ve by no means been to Cambodia. I can perceive Khmer, but it surely’s so laborious for me to talk it. I believe by way of the teachings my dad and mom and household have instilled in me from my youth— concepts of resilience, kindness, and laborious work are all the time carried out in every thing that I do. However acclimating to American tradition from a fresh-born perspective, and having to steer me by way of the world regardless of my guardian’s lack of knowledge or data of particular cultural notions, was all the time actually empowering but complicated. I really simply felt like I by no means actually belonged anyplace as a result of *I* lacked understanding or data of particular cultural notions on either side. I truthfully miss quite a lot of American cultural references, like in any respect, as a result of my dad and mom didn’t expose me to any American artwork. However there was additionally the a part of me that needed to hate my tradition and the place I used to be from as a result of it had every thing to do with the ways in which I used to be completely different, and I used to be making an attempt to pinpoint this remoted feeling I’d felt for thus lengthy and tried responsible it on who I used to be. When that by no means actually was the case or the issue. No matter this, I’ve all the time tried to seek out steadiness with what I discovered to resonate with me inside artwork. Every part that I’m impressed by are issues that I’ve really discovered by myself, or that my brother and sister have proven me. My brother launched me to hip-hop and rap, and my sister launched me to R&B and rock/various/indie music. Discovering the bridge between these two was all the time so essential to me as a result of it jogs my memory of each of them individually, however in a particular means that evokes me to seek out new methods to seek out and breed affirmation within the bridge between my human expertise and artwork/tradition.
I believe my post-growing up on the web, current as a marginalized particular person by proxy from me being queer and Khmer in America, undoubtedly informs the messages of the album. As a result of once more, every thing is actually so by-product. It’s cool to pinpoint the place and why you are feeling the best way you do. I believe this goes for anybody of any cultural background— the concept of questioning these norms you’ve been supplied rising up, how you are feeling about them, the way you deviate from them, and breaking it down for different individuals will all the time be so fascinating to me.
And on the same notice, I’ve learn that there’s a posh relationship between you and your father and this has formed quite a lot of the music “American Urge.” What are you able to inform us about that relationship to assist us higher perceive this piece?
The inspiration behind ‘American Urge’ was an argument that I obtained into with my father. Ever since I used to be little, I’ve all the time been irritated with my father’s archetype and his thought of success, and the way you would need to go to realize it. He’s very impressed by the American dream, as he immigrated right here from Cambodia within the ‘80s. My father may be very hot-headed, but strong-willed, but additionally very unforgiving. My idea of self has all the time been altered and molded by him. I’ve grown akin to feeling like I’ll by no means be adequate to succeed in my father’s requirements, for him to be happy with me. However over the previous couple of years, I’ve discovered myself letting go of this concept. I believe it’s empowering to be subversive on this particular means— individuals are so caught up of their perceptions of success and survival, and the way they suppose issues needs to be on the planet. However to use that path of considering in direction of your self, in a means the place yow will discover being your self authentically empowering, and taking satisfaction in your actions, is actually a superpower we will all harness. What I need individuals to remove from ‘American Urge’ is simply to actually by no means cease combating in your life. I needed to the touch on the conclusion that every thing with regard to dwelling for different individuals is all a facade, to maintain you from recognizing the facility you maintain/achieve from being your self. Nothing you ever do might be adequate for the mistaken individuals, so that you may as effectively dwell your life the best way you wish to and be unapologetic about it, as a result of it’s your life, and no person else’s. There’s energy in selecting your story.
You talked about eager to seize “queer liveliness” in “Physique.” What does this imply to you, and the way do you hope to contribute to a extra inclusive and accepting music scene?
Queer liveliness to me means discovering a way of true euphoria inside who you’re. I believe being queer, and rising up not having a group to seek out solace or hope in, results in a skewed perspective of what’s attainable for you, particularly by way of love. With this, I’ve discovered that whenever you really, deeply, join with somebody after years of not, it turns into virtually extra intense as a result of it feels tougher to seek out, in a way. I’ll proceed to do my half by sharing my story in ways in which really feel trustworthy and genuine to me, all the time. I believe documentation of the best way I really feel, within the methods *I* understand them, is likely one of the most essential issues to me about contributing to my creative venture. To champion all trustworthy, various voices is to achieve data in regards to the world round you, and methods to invoke that in your personal life, to create a bigger influence on you and people round you, and to comprehend we’re really all alike in a means, no matter variance.
How do you are feeling in regards to the illustration of trans artists within the music business?
I really feel actually excited and really validated by the illustration of trans artists inside the business. It evokes me to proceed to share my very own story as a result of it’s simply actually so essential. I really do imagine within the therapeutic energy of music, and simply understanding there are SO many trans individuals on the market who’re really pioneers inside their respective crafts, evokes me to proceed to maintain sharing my story. All I’ve ever needed to do is soothe individuals with my music, within the ways in which so many artists have finished for me rising up. I’d prefer to be the illustration I needed to see once I was youthful.
Have been there any particular challenges or breakthroughs you confronted throughout the songwriting and manufacturing course of, and what’s your favourite lesson realized from that course of?
I believe the one particular problem I confronted throughout the creation of the file, is understanding when to name one thing finished. I believe it’s really easy to wish to be a perfectionist and fine-tune actually EVERYTHING (regarding the recording course of and the blending/mastering course of) however there’s one thing so charming about one thing that feels incomplete, uncooked, or completely different from the best way you imagined one thing. I believe that’s one thing that I attempt for when creating, whereas additionally having it meet a sure threshold of my requirements. However even then, I all the time was alright to veer away from that. I believe I realized the artwork of letting go of this course of. I’m excited to implement that into my future work.
What do you might have deliberate for the close to future?
What I’ve deliberate for the close to future, is displaying myself grace throughout this a part of my life. I really feel so comfortable and content material with the path by which my life goes, simply by way of the best way that I work together with the world. I wish to assist and foster this a part of me as a lot as I can earlier than I step into the brand new, which I’m significantly dying to do as a result of I really feel so excited to be alive. However within the meantime, I’m going to be spending quite a lot of time dwelling as the purpose of reference… <3
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