Wrabel & Trans Chorus of Los Angeles Join Forces for Transcendent New Recording of LGBTQ+ Anthem “The Village”
May 31, 2024 BY Emma Orland
“I wrote ‘the village’ in 2017 in response to federal protections for trans students being removed from public schools. Since its release, hundreds of anti-trans bills have been passed in the US. It breaks my heart that in 2024, this song is more relevant now than ever. But that’s where I find the hope and the love. This song has continued to live on. Its intention has been so clear from the start.
To The Trans Community:
This song is for you. It’s yours.” – Wrabel
Since its release in 2017, Wrabel’s “The Village” has proven to be a culturally reverberating anthem for the trans community and beyond. Originally penned after a powerful conversation between Wrabel and two transgender fans, the track remains just as prescient, if not more so, today. Now, Wrabel shares a profound new version recorded with the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, who came together with producer Drew Pearson (Kesha, One Republic) at Los Angeles’ iconic Village Studios, along with a moving music video featuring footage from the magical and cathartic day.
WATCH + SHARE “THE VILLAGE (TRANS CHORUS VERSION) BELOW:
Wrabel says, “I am absolutely overjoyed to share this new version of “the village” with TCLA. So many collaborations happen for so many reasons, but this is the most special one I’ve gotten to be a part of. So much heart and so much meaning. This song is the closest thing to my heart and to get to share it with this amazing group of incredible people is such a gift. I want to shine a spotlight on them not only as performers and singers, but as humans and real-life heroes.”
Trans Chorus of Los Angeles Artistic Director Abdullah “Abby” Hall shares, “We at TCLA salute Wrabel on this wonderfully apropos message that has captured the spirit and hearts of us and the TGI community. What a joyful inspiration to lift our collective voices singing ‘There’s nothing wrong with you. It’s true, It’s true.’ To sing these words has brought tears to our eyes. Knowing that our voices collectively will reach into the minds and souls of all who hear. Hopefully they will gain a little compassion and love. Its narration aligns with our own motto of changing the Trans narrative from victim to VICTORIOUS. For in just surviving as who we are we will always be victorious.”
Recently featured in powerful placements on Britain’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent, the song continues to resonate with anyone who has ever felt “othered” for simply being who they are. The song, which has over 180M combined streams across DSPs, has been praised by People Magazine, Out Magazine, Billboard, and more. Wrabel also spoke with Good Morning America last year about how he hopes his music connects with people to offer solace and community when they need it the most.
One of modern pop’s most prolific songwriters, Wrabel’s own personal discography has racked up over 1 billion streams across all DSP platforms, while his writing credits include such high-profile artists like Kesha, P!nk, Backstreet Boys, Ellie Goulding, Cam, and more. He released his sophomore album, based on a true story, last fall, showcasing Wrabel’s never-endingly brilliant knack for nuanced storytelling, lyricism and inescapable earworms.
About Trans Chorus of Los Angeles:
Since 2015, the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles-TCLA has made an impact in the choral world by using our unique voices to be visible, bold and proud. TCLA is the premiere all Trans-identified chorus in America, composed of transgender, gender non-conforming, gender non-binary, gender fluid, and intersex individuals. In 2017, under the new leadership of Artistic Director Abdullah “Abby” Hall and Executive Director Dr. Kathryn Davis, TCLA has proudly represented the TGI community, performing for the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. TCLA was the first group of trans-identified singers to perform our nation’s National Anthem at the 2020 Democratic debates hosted and aired on CNN. TCLA has recorded and sung with artists Wrabel, MUNA, Phoenix Claea Rousiamanis, Jennifer Leitham, Mila Jam, Angelica Ross, Alex Newell, Maggie Szabo, Andy Grammer, G-Flip, Demi Lovato and Noah Cyrus. Currently TCLA holds a Spring and Winter performance residency at the Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center Renberg Theatre. As a Chorus, we celebrate diversity and acceptance in physical appearance and vocal presentation so that others can see and feel the joy we share in being our authentic selves so that others can see and feel the joy we share through our music, changing the trans-narrative from victim to VICTORIOUS. https://transchorusla.org/
