Music Review of Just Breathe by Ellie Desautels

NBC'southward high schoolhouse theater drama Rise debuted last Tuesday (March 13) and it's already gaining attention for its LGBTQ-inclusive storylines. In the airplane pilot episode, we meet Michael Hallowell, a transgender student who auditions for the school production of Spring Awakening and lands a part as one of the prominent male person leads. Non simply is the grapheme transgender, simply the actor behind the office, Ellie Desautels, identifies every bit gender non-binary.

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Desautels explained their graphic symbol as a natural musician: "At his core, he's an artist and very sensitive. But being transgender makes him stiff. He knows himself very well and stands up for himself. Most importantly, Michael is unapologetic in living his truth. He doesn't let anything or anyone go in the way of being himself."

They also explained how seeing a character similar Michael might have afflicted their own process of self-discovery in their coming out as non-binary.

"When I was growing upwards, there was no truthful representation of a trans person on TV, let solitary a major network," Desautels said. "If I had a character like Michael to relate to and if there had been a show similar Rise that doesn't shy abroad from queer vocabulary, I would have institute out that I was trans at a younger historic period. I never got to know that person that I could accept been."

To gloat their groundbreaking part, Billboard asked Desautels to create a playlist of songs that capture the essence of Rise. Check out their selections, including classics like Prince and Pearl Jam, likewise every bit songs by queer artists like Shawnee and LP, below.

Brightly, "Preflight Nerves"

Afterward the stop of my get-go queer relationship, I wandered Crane Embankment in Ipswich, MA and blasted this album in my headphones for hours. I was feeling lost merely full of potential at the same time. Those hours were a alone but empowering little window of time betwixt heartbreak and independence.

The Shins, "Commonwealth of australia"

This is probably my favorite song always, by my favorite band e'er. I discovered it a long time ago when I was in high school. The Shins create such a beautiful, unique sound in all their music. This song makes me think of Ascent because it reminds me of being a teenager.

Worriers, "They/Them/Theirs"

I came across this song while brainstorming for this playlist and I didn't know it existed. In a earth where people constantly see me on the binary, I sometimes go discouraged and frustrated. This song reflects that angsty role of me that I don't oftentimes share openly. Sometimes it's good to feel angst and let information technology all out.

Shawnee, "Warrior Heart"

I picked this song because two-spirit musician Shawnee wrote information technology, and I retrieve queer indigenous people need a much bigger voice in the world. The proceeds fabricated from this vocal went to the We Matter Entrada in endeavour to cease aboriginal youth suicide. The power of this song cannot be ignored, and its sound and feeling remind me of Ascent.

Trixie Mattel, "Mama Don't Brand Me Put on the Wearing apparel Over again"

I love singing this vocal created by one of my favorite elevate queens, Trixie Mattel. I feel like it'due south a very queer, feel-skilful folk song and you lot don't go very much of that from drag queens. She's one of a kind, and in a time when queer people are struggling for bones human rights, we demand amazing songwriters and hilarious personalities like Trixie Mattel.

LP, "Tokyo Sunrise"

I fell in beloved with this song when I discovered it a few years back. LP has this incredible, chilling, haunting voice that gives me goosebumps every fourth dimension I hear it. The sound of this song is authentic and truthful and reflects the authenticity in Rise.

Prince, "Raspberry Beret"

For a couple years in higher I was a drag male monarch and performed as Otto Matick. I'd say that's when my gender exploration started, and subsequently a couple years I began to sympathize and define my gender identity, then I started using Otto as a mode of gender expression. When I listen to Prince, I see the complexities of gender expression in colors, and his music helped me learn that femininity can be masculine and masculinity can be feminine and that yous can be every bit neither.

Suburban Legends, "Bright Spring Morning time"

My older siblings and I all love ska music, and so I had to include at least one ska vocal in this playlist. I've loved this band since I was in 6th class, so it'due south quite a coincidence for me that the lyrics relate then well to the story nosotros're telling in Rising. There'southward more to life than this dusty town, allow's do something worth doing, and alive a life worth living.

Pearl Jam, "Just Breathe"

Having a solo song in the pilot for Ascension was momentous for me. I did not know what to await when we learned Tom Kitt's system of "Just Breathe." After a couple hours of fully learning the music, I discovered I was a part of something and so much bigger than myself. It was the most beautiful piece of art I had ever contributed to.

Oh Wonder, "Lose It"

Y'all know when you lot meet someone who is only and then easy to have fun with? That'south this song. And that's my fiancé. We figured out our gender identities together and always had each other for support. Without them past my side, I wouldn't have discovered my true self.

Tune it to watch Rising on NBC Tuesdays at 9:00pm ET / viii:00pm CT. Follow Ellie Desautels' playlist on Spotify below.

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Source: https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/rise-michael-ellie-desaute-trans-8253427/

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