Nach dem wirklich phänomenalen Zoom-Video zu „Phenom“ veröffentlichen Thao & The Get Down Stay Down zur neuen Single „Pure Cinema“ erneut ein Video, das während der kalifornischen Ausgangsbeschränkungen jeweils Zuhause bei Sängerin. Thao Nguyen und ihren Bandkollegen entstanden ist. Zusammengefügt hat das Material Regisseur Justin Mitchell. Über das Video sagt Thao:
“’Pure Cinema‘ is such full band song, and it has so much to do with our years of touring as a roving family constellation, that I really wanted this video to highlight and celebrate The Get Down Stay Down. However much of a fraction I have been out there over the years, our band and crew kept me as safe and sane as was possible. They have been my stabilizing force for so long. As it goes with family I don’t know if I’ve ever truly thanked them or told them. It was so sweet and also quite bittersweet to see everyone at home, projected into our home. I don’t know when we can play shows together again, I don’t know what touring will look like. I miss the band.”
Am 15. Mai 2020 erscheint „Temple“, das 5. Studioalbum von Thao & The Get Down Stay Down. Darin verarbeitet und thematisiert Thao Nguyen erstmals ihre queere Identität, die sie aus Angst vor Entfremdung vor ihrer vietnamesischen Familie und Kultur lange geheim gehalten hat. Auch für diesen mutigen Schritt findet Thao starke Worte:
„But that shit will kill you. I have divided myself into so many selves. I am nervous, but hopeful that in belonging to myself, I can still belong to my family, and my Vietnamese community, especially the elders. I believe that shame has made my work more general, when I’ve always wanted to be specific. This record is about me finally being specific. If you listen to my music, I want you to know who you are dealing with.”
Foto © Shane McCauley