Jae XO
Casts a Spell
With New Halloween Anthem “Dancin’ in the Full Moon”
By Kevin Wirth
Jae XO Casts a Spell
With New Halloween Anthem “Dancin’ in the Full Moon”
By Kevin Wirth
Rising transgender pop artist Jae XO is unleashing their most spellbinding release yet with “Dancin’ in the Full Moon.”
At its core, the single is a radiant celebration of trans power, resilience, and magic. “Trans people are mystical, powerful beings who fight through hell and back just to live authentically,” Jae shares. “Dancin’ in the Full Moon is about harnessing that inner strength, charging ourselves with confidence and expression, and finding joy in the fight.”
The track pulses with the high-voltage energy that fans loved in Jae XO’s breakout hit “Fabulous,” but the artist says this release takes things to another level. “This one is sexier, catchier, and more thrilling than anything else I’ve ever written,” Jae notes. “I know it’s going to become a haunting, household hit for years to come.”
She elaborates further.
“Fabulous” was a bold declaration of queer joy and radical visibility. How do you see “Dancin’ in the Full Moon” expanding on those themes and deepening your message as a transgender artist?
Jae XO: Dan Savage once said “During the darkest days of the AIDS crisis, we buried our friends in the morning, we protested in the afternoon, and we danced all night. The dance kept us in the fight because it was the dance we were fighting for”. I believe the only difference between then and now is that we don’t need to separate those events. We mourn, we fight, and we dance; all at the same time! “Dancin’ in the Full Moon” makes us all want to get up and dance, but we have to remember we are never just dancing.
Can you share the spark or inspiration behind “Dancin’ in the Full Moon”?
Jae XO: I was in my kitchen, pulling herbs to brew an evening tea: peppermint for clarity and focus, lavender for grounding and relaxation, rose for self-love and passion, rosemary for inspiration and creativity, as well as a few others that spoke to me in the moment. I empowered the tea to set me due course toward my next hit, and it did not disappoint! I was actually attempting to finish another song that I had been workshopping for a few months but a funky, witchy, disco anthem came to me instead.
Your work often blurs the line between entertainment and protest art.
Jae XO: “Fabulous” was all about owning yourself for the whole world to see. This next song focuses more on how we build our power and acceptance from within, and the resources available to us as we seek the magic of that confidence and expression. Trans people know that we are sexy and righteous beings, but sometimes we just have to dance in the light of the full moon with a coven of powerful identities to charge ourselves for the fight ahead.
We’re fighting for our lives.
Jae XO: Exactly. It’s vital we love and trust ourselves so much that no one can deny us even if they try. “Dancin’ in the Full Moon” is about charging that internal and eternal truth, owning it with shimmering visibility, and twirling it in the light for everyone to admire and enjoy.
You’ve said your artistry allows you to be “any type of artist” you want to be.
Jae XO: For many years I used my artistry as a portal to discover myself. Coming from a theatrical background, I’ve played dozens of characters all with ranging identities, priorities, and expressions. As an actor I often bring parts of myself into my portrayal of those characters, but it is the writer who created them. However, as a music artist when I am trying new things it all stems from my true identity. The parts of myself that I discover when I’m recording new vocals, doing a photoshoot, or performing on stage all influence how I understand myself.
Looking ahead, what’s your ultimate vision for your music career?
Jae XO: Many of the A-list queer and trans artists we know and love today weren’t able to embrace the entirety of their identities until after reaching a certain level of fame or accolade. For decades, the entertainment industry has tried to hide LGBTQ+ artists behind layers of production and marketing and facade. I never want to hide any part of myself just to appease a certain market. If you don’t fully love Jae XO from the get go, then that’s okay because I love myself plenty! The world will never know a version of me that is forced to hide from the truth, and I hope that commitment to myself will inspire others for generations to come.
“Dancin’ in the Full Moon” is available on all streaming platforms. Follow @jaexo.music