THAO

THAO, known for her distinctly evocative songwriting and dynamic, arresting performance, has continued to evolve artistically and personally since dropping the moniker “Thao & The Get Down Stay Down” in 2021. Her latest album, 'Temple,' reflects a profound exploration of freedom and belonging, shaped by her experiences reconnecting with her cultural roots on her first trip to Vietnam. This journey is also the subject of her intimate documentary, "Nobody Dies," which premiered on PBS to critical acclaim. Throughout her career, Thao has expanded her reach beyond recording and touring and glided into the realms of writing, filmmaking, television, podcasting and theater. She has guest hosted the celebrated podcast Song Exploder, hosted PBS's Southern Storytellers series, and scored numerous film and dance projects, all the while continuing to tour nationally and internationally. Thao can currently be seen in the music film Amongst The Disquiet (which she co-created, starred in, and wrote original music for) as it shows in contemporary art institutions and events all over the world (ex. New Orleans Museum of Art, MCA Denver, São Paulo Biennial). Her 6th studio album will be released in 2026. She is currently at work writing her debut book for Graywolf Press (2027) and developing a musical. Balancing personal vulnerability with broader cultural commentary, Thao remains a prominent voice in the contemporary music scene and beyond.  Songwriter Al Olender tries to grasp the brief, beautiful moments that make up our lives in slow-motion but finds that the tighter she holds on, the more these frames fall into a soupy blur. Change is our only constant, but what if we wanted to steep in the now? What if we could stay right here? Olender captures the anxieties of an ever-moving world with a sweet and silly sincerity on her second full-length album The Worrier, never shying away from staring the truth right in the face. Exploring anxiety, sexuality and anarchy, both in herself and in her relationships, Olender’s acoustic, bluesy melodies point to the butterflies of first crushes, the gut-punching realities of responsibility and the eternal romance of friendship. - Sammy Maine