To Hell & Back helped me find a balance – the place between chasing pleasure for oneself and being empathetic toward others. When we got together to make this film, I could really see that effort for others and effort for oneself are on the same spectrum of opportunity. This song came from my darkest experiences, and as I worked with it, I put several different masks on that experience. At first I saw it through the mask of heartbreak, then the mask of transphobia, then the mask of childhood trauma – a shifting array of masks. What began with the form of a pop ‘survivor ballad’ became a lesson in discovering the mirrors behind the masks, peeling back the layers to find within my voice the voice of life.
“I chose to film “Love Levitation” in one take – a continuous shot – as a kind of personal challenge. Part of me wanted to test my intuition and performance abilities, to prove to myself that I could cross over into a state of performative trance and be present in it as a do-or-die moment.
Here I’m channelling the X-Men character Rogue, whose touch can kill. From my own experiences of living as a gender-non conforming being, I feel a connection with Rogue because she exists in a place where no one dares to bring their love. The powers and strengths you’ve come to accept are also a curse because you feel you can never be loved like a normal human being – you’re always in-between the in-betweens. “Love Levitation” is an anthem & a reminder about never compromising who you are for someone who isn’t ready for you. Keep being Rogue!”
Berlin….This is going to be the most iconic & important show I’ve done so far. A full-on evening-length concert-performance & visual retrospective in the theatre at Trauma Bar und Kino to celebrate my ‘Paths’ EP release. I cannot wait to share it with you. M