The self-described “bi-polar folk” artist KERA has released their second single this year: “Vitamin T”. Following on from “Bright Future Ahead”, their collaborative effort with Devendra Barnhart, for which all proceeds went to Trans Lifeline, “Vitamin T” takes a step further towards true acceptance by examining the relationships that you have and the people that you choose to surround yourself with.

Of the track, KERA stated:

[su_quote]’Vitamin T’ is an exploration into connection and the importance of acknowledging and understanding the change in some relationships… In time I began to recognise there were reasons for these changes and now I’ve learned to view these experiences through a more compassionate lens.[/su_quote]

“Vitamin T” itself has the muted sensibilities of classic surf bands such as The Beach Boys merged together with an underlying rockabilly edge in a way that makes for a heady mix. There’s even a classic Elvis Presley air present in the later more plodding stages of the song, felt in the transition to a slower, more waltzing time signature.

With their new track, KERA creates a masterclass in how to successfully mix tempos without the accompanying jarring effect. The aforementioned muted guitar has a deep-rooted connection to heartache and despondency in the innate Americana that it conjures up through its sound. It draws to mind images of desolate dive bars and sweltering summers but also the joy and excitement that comes from feeling truly ignited by another person.

Over the course of the track, we hear KERA pose some philosophical questions about the very purpose of our time on Earth in a beautiful and delicate way. It’s done deftly and in such a way that doesn’t feel filled with existential dread or intrusive. It rather sounds deeply humanistic and soulful in its delivery. Much of this softness does come from the tempo change at the two-minute mark, that beat fizzling motion into the waltzing time signature accompanied with the gradually slowing sliding guitars allows this shift to feel seamless.

“Vitamin T” works by essentially being an ode to people, those that fill our lives and enrich them with their presence. It encapsulates the true duality of life, managing to be sombre and introspective whilst opening itself up to universality with lines such as “This is what life’s worth living for, to find connections you can’t ignore/ Just know you can need me anytime.” This sentiment is the central take away from the song; accepting the reality that some friendships and relationships dissolve and others will occur, but you can still honour your past relationships as KERA said themself.

Kera is also the curator of our Queeropedia playlist this month. Read more about their picks there.

Kera Armendariz’s musical evolution has been a thing of beauty. They broke onto the scene in Southern California in 2013 as Kera and the Lesbians with the single “Nailbiter”, a gritty, sultry track layered with sharp-edged horns, tambourines, and their unmistakable voice, which breaks with intensity in all the right places. A cleaned-up version of the track made the cut on their debut album a few years later. Check out the original version of “Nailbiter” below:

Kera and the Lesbians was an ironic moniker given that the band was composed of Kera, who is queer, and a rotating cast of cis men. (They also have the twitter handle @thelesbians, a fact that this queer writer will always be in awe and a little bit jealous of). The band put out their self-titled debut album in 2016, and it features the bluesy freak-folk tracks “November” and “Witch’s Tit”, one or both of which your ex-girlfriend probably put on a playlist for you around that time.

Since then, they’ve dropped “and the Lesbians” and begun releasing new music under their given name. As Kera, their work takes a softer, more melancholy approach without losing their signature vocal style and their penchant for foot-shuffling rhythms. 2018’s Fall.Apart. is a burst of languorous melodies, shakers, and fuzzed-out vocal effects that melt each track into a thick, syrupy-sweet delight. Lead single “I’m Late” features LA indie-folk band The Wild Reeds, who provide their signature harmonies for an added touch of depth.

Their latest track, “Bright Future Ahead“, is a laid-back, shimmering track drenched in reverb and chorus effects. It features backing vocals by freak-folk icon Devendra Banhart, whose voice adds another layer of depth and intrigue to an already gorgeous track. Armendariz donated all profits for the track to Trans Lifeline, a crisis hotline created by and for trans people, and by June they raised over $700 USD for the cause.

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They’ve got another new single dropping August 16, and we at HighClouds are very excited, to say the least. In the meantime, we’re honored to present you with a QUEEROPEDIA playlist curated by KERA. About this selection, they stated:

[su_quote]I made this playlist because growing up I experienced feeling a lot of shame of my identity and found it hard to connect with many of the up and coming artists at the time. I didn’t see myself represented in their work, but now I find it refreshing to see more representation of the LGBTQ community in the music industry. I hope you find a connection in some of these songs, and continue to uplift underrepresented artists.[/su_quote]

All the previous episodes of Queeropedia are available on our Spotify profile.

Los Angeles-based musician KERA has established a name for themselves without playing the game of an industry that relies too much on image and brand. Following up on their 2018’s 3-track EP Fall.Apart., the queer singer-songwriter is back with a necessary and soothing new track in collaboration with Venezuelan American artist Devendra Banhart.

Their collaborative track “BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD” is nothing else than an appeal for love and support. As transgender people still face pervasive discrimination in many areas of life including from their LGBTQI peers, the artists will donate 100% of the proceeds of the song to Trans Lifeline, a national trans-led organization dedicated to improving the quality of trans lives by responding to the critical needs of the community.

About the Jon Joseph-produced track, KERA detailed:

[su_quote]’BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD’ is the urgency to live unapologetically. A paradox between the helplessness in today’s political status quo and the need to support one another. This song is written with the intention of offering encouragement, community, and resilience to all who listen.[/su_quote]