Nonbinary Artist Miki Ratsula Explores Gender Envy With “Jealous of My Brother”
March 31, 2023 BY Bailey Vigliaturo
Singer, songwriter, and producer Miki Ratsula returns with their first new music of the year. “Jealous of My Brother” sees the trans, non-binary artist continue to use their voice and platform to make music more inclusive as they candidly share their innermost thoughts and feelings, this time exploring gender envy towards their cisgender brother. But peeling back the layers reveal deeper pain and truths, and even love and gratitude. Listen HERE.
Miki explains, “Below the surface, ‘Jealous of My Brother’ explores a deeper topic of being envious that my brother doesn’t have to deal with the transphobic microaggressions that I inevitably have to experience from my family (whether their intentions are good or not). The reality is, I will always be treated differently from them because I am trans, and he is not. And then even deeper, this is also a thank you letter to my brother. I am nothing but grateful for him. He is the best ally I could ask for. I wish my family could be as great of an ally as he is.”
Miki Ratsula has been releasing music independently since they were 16, having racked up over 50 million streams in the process. The Southern California-based, Finnish American artist has developed a devoted audience by openly and honestly welcoming people into their world, from coming out to getting top surgery to struggles with mental health. Last year, Miki released their debut full-length album, i owe it to myself, an acoustic pop dream guided by Miki’s lush, lofi-inspired production that captures the full emotional seesaw that rocks between youth and adulthood. Their deeply intimate record received praise and playlisting by the likes of Billboard Pride, them., Under the Radar, PopMatters, The Advocate and more. They followed the album with their made for them EP, featuring gender-neutral covers of songs by Dodie, Phoebe Bridgers, Harry Styles, Angus & Julia Stone and One Direction, which Billboard noted: “they took a fan-beloved single and gave it a modernized, indie-pop twist that adds a touch of sentimentality, making 1D’s romantic jam even more tender.”
Miki also spent time on the road last year connecting with fans, completing their first national tour supporting Lauren Sanderson and Jordy, followed by dates with Ambar Lucid & Sammy Rae & The Friends. A former soccer player, Miki was invited to sing the national anthem for LA Women’s soccer team Angel City.
“I just want to be the artist I needed growing up,” says Miki, and that’s exactly who they’ve become.
