Arts & Entertainment
Lauv releases long-awaited debut album
Lauv, who has made a name for himself by racking up billions of streams for his independently-released music, has finally dropped an album.
The highly anticipated debut album from the rising pop visionary, titled “~how I’m feeling~,” features the previously released hit singles “i’m so tired…” with Troye Sivanand “fuck, i’m lonely” with Anne-Marie, alongside nineteen other tracks – including his most recent single, “Modern Loneliness, which debuted on February 2.
The anthemic new power ballad is described as “both a statement and a commentary on our current society, where we are increasingly ‘alone together.’ It has garnered over 15 million streams in only two weeks, and has reached #48 at Top 40 radio after being the most added song its first week of impact. On the heels of its success, Lauv made an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” Friday night, and is scheduled to appear on “Good Morning America” on Thursday, March 12.
Lauv has managed to become one of pop music’s brightest rising stars without ever releasing an album, issuing his music independently and writing songs for some of the biggest stars in the world while simultaneously selling out shows all over the world as a headliner
Of his long-awaited debut album, the artist says, “I can’t believe this day has come. ‘~how i’m feeling~’ began from a dark time in my life when I was depressed and having a bit of an existential crisis. I wasn’t sure if I would ever actually be able to make an album. But it marks my journey from my rock bottom at the beginning of 2019 to a stable place of happiness, full self-expression and self-acceptance. This album is everything to me and I hope the world loves it as much as I loved making it.”
The album includes 11 previously unreleased tracks, and features several highly anticipated collaborations. Lauv paired up with the biggest group in the world, K-Pop sensations BTS, for the track “Who,” as well as with Alessia Cara on “Canada” and with Sofia Reyes on “El Tejano.”
Discussing the the collaborations, Lauv said, “With everybody I’ve worked with…Each situation shows me something new about the process of creation and how different artists work.” On working with BTS specifically, he added, “It was a fucking dream! I met them at their show at Wembley Stadium and we got a chance to talk. They had a playlist of a bunch of my songs. So we were mutual fans, and I played them a song they really loved. The process was actually super-easy, especially for a group that’s so massive musically and culturally.”
According to publicity materials, a central theme of “~how i’m feeling~” is “accepting and celebrating the multiple facets of ourselves.” Lauv has been open about his struggles with anxiety and depression and has taken action on the issue with his Blue Boy Foundation, an organization supporting programs “that help young people feel more comfortable reaching out for help with mental health.” In 2019, he launched the “My Blue Thoughts” initiative, a community building mechanism for fans to anonymously write down or record whatever is on their mind, as a way to engage with people around the world who may be having similar experiences.
The artist has also announced dates for his upcoming world tour.
You can listen to “Modern Loneliness” below.
Theater
A hilarious ‘Twelfth Night’ at Folger full of ‘elegant kink’
Nonbinary actor Alyssa Keegan stars as Duke Orsino
‘Twelfth Night’
Through June 22
Folger Theatre
201 East Capitol St., S.E.
$20-$84
Folger.edu
Nonbinary actor Alyssa Keegan (they/them)loves tapping into the multitudes within.
Currently Keegan plays the melancholic Duke Orsino in Folger Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy “Twelfth Night.” Director Mei Ann Teo describes the production as “sexy, hilarious, and devastating” and full of “elegant kink.”
Washington-based, Keegan enjoys a busy and celebrated career. Her vast biography includes Come From Away at Ford’s Theatre; Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Helen Hayes Award, Best Actress) and Paula Vogel’s How I Learned to Drive, both at Round House Theatre; Diana Son’s Stop Kiss directedby Holly Twyford for No Rules Theatre Company; and Contractions at Studio Theatre, to name just a few.
In addition to acting, Keegan works as a polyamory and ethical non-monogamy life and relationship coach, an area of interest that grew out of personal exploration. For them, coaching seems to work hand in hand with acting.
WASHINGTON BLADE: You’re playing the lovesick Orsino in Twelfth Night. How did that come about?
ALYSSA KEEGAN: The director was looking to cast a group of actors with diverse identities; throughout auditions, there were no constraints regarding anyone’s assigned sex at birth. It was really a free for all.
BLADE: What’s your approach to the fetching, cod-piece clad nobleman?
KEEGAN: Offstage I identify as completely nonbinary; I love riding in this neutral middle space. But I also love cosplay. The ability to do that in the play gives me permission to dive completely into maleness.
So, when I made that decision to play Orsino as a bio male, suddenly the part really cracked open for me. I began looking for clues about his thoughts and opinions about things like his past relationships and his decision not to date older women.
Underneath his mask of bravura and sexuality, and his firmness of feelings, he’s quite lonely and has never really felt loved. It makes sense to me why his love for Olivia is so misguided and why he might fall in love with the Cesario/Viola character.
BLADE: As an actor, do you ever risk taking on the feelings of your characters?
KEEGAN: Prior to my mental health education, yes, and that could be toxic for me. I’ve since learned that the nervous system can’t tell the difference between real emotional distress and a that of a fully embodied character.
So, I created and share the Empowered Performer Project. [a holistic approach to performance that emphasizes the mental and emotional well-being of performing artists]. It utilizes somatic tools that help enormously when stepping into a character.
BLADE: Has changing the way you work affected your performances?
KEEGAN: I think I’m much better now. I used to have nearly debilitating stage fright. I’d spend all day dreading going onstage. I thought that was just part of the job. Now, I’ve learned to talk to my body. Prior to a performance, I can now spend my offstage time calmly gardening, working with my mental health clients, or playing with my kid. I’m just present in my life in a different way.
BLADE: Is Orsino your first time playing a male role?
KEEGAN: No. In fact, the very first time I played a male role was at the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, Va. I played Hipolito in Thomas Middleton’s The Revenger’s Tragedy.
As Hipolito, I felt utterly male in the moment, so much so that I had audience members see me later after the show and they were surprised that I was female. They thought I was a young guy in the role. There’s something very powerful in that.
BLADE: Do you have a favorite part? Male or female?
KEEGAN: That’s tough but I think it’s Maggie the Cat. I played the hyper-female Maggie in Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at Round House. In the first act she didn’t stop talking for 51 minutes opposite Gregory Wooddell as Brick who barely had to speak. That lift was probably the heaviest I’ve ever been asked to do in acting.
BLADE: What about Folger’s Twelfth Night might be especially appealing to queer audiences?
KEEGAN: First and foremost is presentation. 99% of the cast identify as queer in some way.
The approach to Shakespeare’s text is one of the most bold and playful that I have ever seen. It’s unabashedly queer. The actors are here to celebrate and be loud and colorful and to advocate. It’s a powerful production, especially to do so close to the Capitol building, and that’s not lost on any of us.
The Washington Blade hosted the inaugural WorldPride Boat Parade at The Wharf DC on Friday, June 6. NBC4’s Tommy McFly served as the emcee.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
The 2025 Capital Pride Honors awards ceremony and gala reception was held at the National Building Museum on Thursday, June 5. Honorees included Cathy Renna, Jerry St. Louis, Ernest Hopkins, Lamar Braithwaite, Rev. Dr. Donna Claycomb Sokol, Kriston Pumphrey, Gia Martinez, Kraig Williams and SMYAL. Presenters and speakers included U.S. Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Amber Ruffin, Raven-Symoné and Paul Wharton.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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