LA-based electronic singer-songwriter and producer FLAVIA is bursting at the mic with her own "zero-fucks " attitude and an embodied presence that is unapologetically herself. Whether she's exploring themes of love and sexuality, gender identity, her own queer-ness, personal freedoms, or boundaries, her music is always effortlessly "cool" and authentic to her brand and musical identity. Today, FLAVIA releases her four-track EP Out Loud—a thunderous and powerful presentation for the illuminated artist.
Layering powerful beats over easy-flowing melodies, FlAVIA creates an energetic forcefield right from the jump. "Switch," the first track off the EP, is an ode to owning your identity as a gift. Commanding vocals and a spirit that won't quit, the EP is a reminder to be PROUD of who you are, and what you stand for.
"Them" floats lyrics around sexual experiences over hi-hat beats and softer vocal work as"Blue" is a more soul-baring single to the start of FLAVIA's Queer journey. Sonically, FLAVIA explores a stripped-back production and vocal performance in a poetic fashion. Closing out the EP with "Gay For A Day" FLAVIA's most pop-driven and funky track off the record, fans are treated to a more catchy beat with oscillating rhythms provided by high energy vocals and high hitting keys.
EARMILK had a chance for FLAVIA to paint a storybook of each track off the EP and what they mean to her. On top of producing the project, FLAVIA paints a picture of her own internal reality in hopes of inspiring all who come across it. Step into her world below with our exclusive track-by-track breakdown.
"Out Loud"
"Out Loud" is about being unapologetically yourself. Whether it pertains to gender, sexuality, or first crushes outside of the heteronorm. It's really about freedom. Freedom to explore the depths of your own boundaries, and to be LOUD and PROUD of who you are. It's a celebration of queerness and the LGBTQ+ community which I am so incredibly grateful to be part of. I discovered my own queerness in the last 5 years, and it was truly the greatest gift – a rediscovery of my own identity. As a pansexual woman, I feel so lucky to love people for who they are as opposed to what gender they identify with.
"Switch"
Switch is about the freedom of fluidity, not putting yourself into a box, and exploring the limits of your own boundaries. When I started exploring my sexuality with women I discovered different sides to myself; I’m dominant and submissive, I’m strong and I’m gentle. It’s also a bit of a satire and a reminder to have fun and not to take yourself too seriously.
"Them"
I wrote “Them" based on a relationship I had was with someone who identified as trans-masculine and non-binary. I’m very grateful for my time and experiences with this person, as I learned through their openness how powerful language truly is, and how impactful a word choice can be for someone. Whether it's delineating between the use of 'chest' instead of 'breasts', or using someone's correct pronouns, it can be the tiniest shift in our language that makes someone feel seen, validated, and respected. “Them" is intended to be inclusive of the entire trans/gender nonconforming/non-binary community. My hope was that “Them” could help uplift the voices of the T in LGBTQ+ that is so often wildly underrepresented in popular media. I want to use my platform as an artist to continue to raise awareness for the trans community.
"Blue"
"Blue" is the first song I ever wrote about a girl. It marks the beginning of my Queer journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and love. Blue changed my life and is so special to me. I woke up one morning thinking about this girl, and I couldn't get her out of my head. It was the first time that had ever happened to me.
"Gay For A Day"
"Gay For A Day" is sort of the sequel to "Blue"…what unfolded next shall we say. As a serious baby gay and noob to the queer dating scene, I had been opened up to a whole new world and was like a kid in a candy store…but with absolutely zero gay-dar. If and when I did finally muster the courage to ask a girl out, I was most often met with "aw cute, but I'm straight" or "oh, I have a boyfriend". This song is me sort of making fun of myself and the countless straight girl crushes I had, and also naively exploring what could have been between us if she'd been "gay for a day".
