This photo was taken on the day of my name-change ceremony, from Claire to Clear. I was living in a communal house just South of DTLA, early 2019, with a beautiful group of activists, artists, healers + their dogs. I lived here for the duration of the writing and recording of the Qleer album; this was the beautiful backyard.
On this day, I felt so nauseas I couldn't handle the feeling of clothes on my skin, so when it was my time to go out, I pulled the curtain off the curtain rod, tied it around my waist, and hobbled out to the ceremony. After eloquently orating, Nabiro pricked my skin to draw blood (as an offering to the earth to seal the ceremony) but no blood came out. They tried again and again - I did not bleed. Moments later, my body offered vomit instead, to the base of the tree. My DNA was cast. Here I stand beside it, glowing in the sun just afterwards, basking in the relief of purging what I was no longer meant to hold.
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This song, Dream Girl, is about a non-binary artist who lived upstairs at this house, who I had a maaassive crush on - Tigre "Bailando" Mashaal-Lively. They stick-and-poked the trans symbol tattoo onto my right hand after our whole household went out to this queer rave, and I decided I wanted it spur of the moment the next morning. Tigre left this world of their own accord a couple years ago, and I'm grateful to always carry them with me, both on my skin and in this song <3
This is another piece of my story - thank you C.Y. Lee for Executive Producing this album, and for encouraging me to take this space to share my narratives and create these time-capsules around my life and art.
this was my album announcement post on IG earlier td. Made it last night. I'm highlighting this single "Mixed Feelings" cuz its the last full-length song off the album that hasn't had a promo campaign.
Also turned this visual into a short, lyricless version for Spotify Canvas.
Ended up having fun making it, which is always a deliiiiiiightful surprise. It's the first piece I've made in Hampton Palace and I love the feeling of making content in a physical space with vibe that speaks for itself. It makes it a lot easier to create something beautiful, captivating, and vibrant.
Dropping this album - 5.5yrs after making it - feels surreal. Finally. It's. Out. Of My. System.
forrestmortifee
Dream Girl (alternate cover + lore)
On this day, I felt so nauseas I couldn't handle the feeling of clothes on my skin, so when it was my time to go out, I pulled the curtain off the curtain rod, tied it around my waist, and hobbled out to the ceremony. After eloquently orating, Nabiro pricked my skin to draw blood (as an offering to the earth to seal the ceremony) but no blood came out. They tried again and again - I did not bleed. Moments later, my body offered vomit instead, to the base of the tree. My DNA was cast. Here I stand beside it, glowing in the sun just afterwards, basking in the relief of purging what I was no longer meant to hold.
-
This song, Dream Girl, is about a non-binary artist who lived upstairs at this house, who I had a maaassive crush on - Tigre "Bailando" Mashaal-Lively. They stick-and-poked the trans symbol tattoo onto my right hand after our whole household went out to this queer rave, and I decided I wanted it spur of the moment the next morning. Tigre left this world of their own accord a couple years ago, and I'm grateful to always carry them with me, both on my skin and in this song <3
This is another piece of my story - thank you C.Y. Lee for Executive Producing this album, and for encouraging me to take this space to share my narratives and create these time-capsules around my life and art.
Mixed Feelings: canvas x lyrics
Also turned this visual into a short, lyricless version for Spotify Canvas.
Ended up having fun making it, which is always a deliiiiiiightful surprise. It's the first piece I've made in Hampton Palace and I love the feeling of making content in a physical space with vibe that speaks for itself. It makes it a lot easier to create something beautiful, captivating, and vibrant.
Dropping this album - 5.5yrs after making it - feels surreal. Finally. It's. Out. Of My. System.