Venus DeMars

Transgender singer-songwriter hits Arizona to promote her new album, 10 Bones.

By Laura Latzko

Venus DeMars

Orbiting Venus

Transgender singer-songwriter Venus DeMars introduces new album

Transgender singer-songwriter Venus DeMars writes music that brings out her aggressive and intimate emotions.

"I have paid attention to what I see around me," DeMars said. "I have four words that fit all of that — dreams, addiction, glitter and death."

Minneapolis-based DeMars and her band, All the Pretty Horses, will perform Jan. 13 at The Rock in Phoenix and Jan. 14 at The Beastro in Prescott. The group is doing a mini-tour of Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico and Texas.

The band is introducing audiences to new songs from 10 Bones, their first album release in nine years.

DeMars said she spent four to five years gathering material for the album, which the band released in early December.

"It is a reflection of my own personal struggles or my attempts to process people's struggles," DeMars said.

DeMars said that her songs are often inspired by heavier topics, such as the loss of close friends, which is reflected in newer songs such as "Comfortably Numb," "Broken Down" and "Damage and Razor Blades."

Although she identifies as a transgender musician, DeMars said she tries to write music that speaks to different audiences. "I try to write about the human condition, not the trans condition," she said.

For the Arizona shows, DeMars said her band will play a mixture of songs from the new album and others from the band's 18-year run, including "White Horses" and "God Dog." She said that playing some of the older songs brings back emotions from the past.

"Some of those songs I'm revisiting or haven't played in awhile, I will find the spark of why I did them in the first place," DeMars said. "I will re-fall in love with them."

DeMars said audiences should expect to see a '70s glam rock style and hear an edgy sound influenced by musicians such as David Bowie.

"I don't alter my voice because I like the depth of it and the texture of it," DeMars said.

Born Steve Grandell, DeMars was performing as a male when she started in the music business at 18. She said that since she started transitioning in her mid 20s, she has struggled with dealing with people's transphobia and being seen as a serious musician.

"If people think this is a shtick to get attention, they don't take you seriously," DeMars said.

In Prescott, DeMars will also showcase her paintings and drawings, many of which she did while touring. She said her artwork often features a central transgender figure with an ambiguous appearance.

"The idea is the figure can communicate to anybody," DeMars said. "Anybody can relate to that character. It is kind of an emotional self portrait."

All the Pretty Horses features J. Evan LeFreak on bass and Jazz Angel on drums. -E

VITAL STATISTICS

Venus DeMars and
All the Pretty Horses
Phoenix: 8 p.m. Jan. 13 at The Rock, 4129 N. Seventh Ave.
Prescott: 9 p.m. Jan. 14 at The Beastro, 117 N. McCormick St.