After her previous concert at The Community Center last summer, Kai Mata was able to come perform her 2018 debut album, Time to Shine . Kai Mata’s new album give us a refreshing look at the LGBT community with an amazing new single, So Hard, and just in time for Pride Month 2019!
Here is the press release we received from Kai Mata, in case any of our fans would like to keep up to date on the musical styles of one of TCC’s famed celebrities.
Queer Women Have a New Anthem in Response to Toxic Masculinity
Kai Mata, an Indonesian-American Singer/Songwriter released her provocative new single and music video, “So Hard,” on June 8 as a way to celebrate Pride Month and the Stonewall Riot’s 50th Anniversary.
In her new single, Kai retains the refreshingly delightful storytelling-style characteristic of her folk-driven, 2018 debut album, Time to Shine, while examining the issue of normalized homophobic commentary. She directly addresses the rude comments, uninformed assumptions, and ignorant mumblings she has received as a reaction to her sexual orientation and same-sex relationship. She pokes fun at the questions she’s asked, like “Don’t you miss it with a man?” and the all-too-common, “With two girls, how does ‘that’ work?” She welcomes provocateurs to “lust and fantasize, but nothing more” in a bold and playful tone we all dream of infusing into a perfectly-timed comeback.
Through witty wordplay showcased over a synthpop landscape and choral-filled harmonies, she gets to the meat (no pun intended) of a serious topic in a lighthearted manner that creates a humorous space for perpetrators to gain a new perspective on their actions.
“So Hard” is a light, catchy tune accompanied by an equally playful music video starring a dozen members of the LGBTQ+ Community in Bali, Indonesia and filmed at a café operated by gay musician Oliver James. Both the song and video draw you into the conversation of examining where we are on the spectrum of legally accepting same-sex marriage and truly respecting same-sex love, particularly in regards to female couples, who tend to be objectified and overly fetishized in their cultural representations. “So Hard” explores that discrepancy, highlighting the lack of esteem shown to female same-sex relationships when others hyper-focus on their sex-appeal and ideal fantasy fulfillment while ignoring the companionship, intimacy, and deep affection. Kai Mata’s new single aims to bridge that gap through a tongue-in-cheek tone (with a literal woman’s tongue-in-another-woman’s-cheek music video) to invite everyone to join in the full embrace of love.
What Others Have Said about Kai Mata
“Depicts sunrises, pouring rains, endless landscapes and solemn travels. Kai Mata is humble about her talent, yet boldwithher message of love and honesty”(Bruce Hillard,Better Each Day).
“Kai’s rich vocals and powerful lyrics will consume youas she tells a story”(BornMusic).
“Her style of folk-pop is refreshing and really hits you in the gut. Her lyrics are some of the most heartfelt I’ve heard in years”(Phil Russell,a little bit of sol).
Kai Mata | kaimatamusic.com | info@kaimatamusic.com |facebook: facebook.com/kaimatamusic | soundcloud: soundcloud.com/kaimatamusic | instagram: instagram.com/kaimatamusic |
