Electronic music duo Jason Maek & Zaena are set to get bodies and minds moving when they perform at this year’s Philly Pride.
Sure, people are going to be dancing to their low-end pumping dance music but the duo wants people to think too. Look no further that the pair’s recent single, “This Is Not America,” for their sonic mindset these days.
“Zaena and I wrote that song and put it together,” Maek said. “We did it because we had so many things that we would talk about on a daily basis. What is going on with our current administration? What is going on with our current president and his policies? It was our way of getting that off our chest. It allowed us to say our piece because we felt like it wouldn’t be justified if we didn’t do that. We don’t make bubblegum music that just has arbitrary lyrics and popular beats. We try to wrap a message into everything we do. That’s why it made a lot of sense to do Philly Pride.”
“We really try to support anything involving human rights and equal rights for everyone,” Zaena added. “That’s really important to us.”
When it comes to activism, the two are serious about putting their money, as well as their talent, into their issues.
“It’s important for musicians to believe in something,” Maek said. “Zaena and I try to hold true to our music and everything that we do. It’s important for musicians to use their music for something more than just trying to get sales and trying to get popular. We make Pride such an emphasis. Last year we donated a percentage of our proceeds to organizations that benefit homeless LGBT teens. This year we’re covering different Pride festivals and trying to show the synergy between them and show how people are sharing love and understanding. We’re shooting a mini-documentary to show that.”
Making video and films is something that both have a knack for; the two have made and produced long-form videos they call “visual albums” that span the entirety of their two recent records.
Maek said they probably won’t do the same for the album they are currently working on but they will be adding a visual element.
“Music is an experience so we try to accompany that with visuals that kind of match what is going on,” Maek said. “It just so happens that we did two visual albums that last time but this time we are doing something different.”
“It’s definitely something we have done. We try to be as creative as we can with the visual part,” Zaena added. “We want to try to do things new and a little different every year. Visuals are very important and allow us to add other creative elements into it.”
Jason Maek & Zaena will perform at Philly Pride June 18. For more information, visit www.phillygaypride.org.