TRANS LIBERATION is the latest addition to Ziska Staublis’s after rave / bedroom pop catalog. It’s a track under the influence of Eurodance, but it takes a left-field/alternative approach to production, blending in soft sunray vibes and a playful rap section.

The central hook (Trans Liberation, No Border No Nation) was born out of a reflection on vague proclamations of “freedom” often found in Eurodance tracks. Ziska Staubli prompts listeners to ask a more specific, more consequential question:

What does liberation really mean, and what do we need to be liberated from?

The track serves as a musical commentary on Eurodance. While Ziska Staubli has a fondness for the genre’s cheesy synthesizer preset sounds and the fun memories of not taking oneself too seriously when dancing to it, he/she is also critical of its history. Eurodance, despite its catchy and lighthearted exterior, involves problematic practices, particularly in how White male DJs exploited Black female singers like Lori Glori. This tension between skepticism and nostalgia influenced the creation of TRANS LIBERATION, making it both a celebration and a critique.

The journey of creating TRANS LIBERATION was a long and meticulous one, spanning two years. The original draft from autumn 2022 consisted of just a chord synth, a vocal line, and a clap from a hand-me-down Electribe drum machine modelled after the clap in Gala’s “Freed From Desire.”

« The rap part came to me naturally, with the phrase ‘Jubilee! Jubilee! ‘ popping into my mind as I thought about queer joy and resistance. » — Ziska Staubli

«At its core, TRANS LIBERATION is a playful hymn for the movement—a track meant to be danced to at queer feminist parties and demonstrations. I hope it becomes a soundtrack for people marching with light feet, feeling elevated and purposeful alongside their siblings. » — Ziska Staubli