Venus de Mars, transgender multidisciplinary artist best known as the lead of glam band All the Pretty Horses, is raising funds to make an acoustic album.

Fresh off a tour with Laura Jane Grace, the former lead singer of punk rock band Against Me! who came out as a transgender woman in 2012, de Mars is using Indiegogo to crowd-source funding for an upcoming acoustic solo album. de Mars says:

The songs I’m choosing for this album come from way inside. Deep. And while on tour, I’ve seen how the new followers of Laura since she came out, the young and older, trans-kids are so impassioned, so hungry for our voice to finally be heard. And honestly.. the older crew of fans… the ones from before she came out… They’re standing by her… they’ve become allies to the trans-community. And That’s especially moving to me. I can’t tell you all how, after coming out myself 20 years ago, how moved I am at the changing landscape around me. I felt so alone for so long fighting the ‘trans-fight’ for voice and recognition. It’s been such a journey. I SO want to share with you all with this new album I want to do. I want to share with you what I’ve experienced. Please help me realize this.

de Mars is working with producer Barb Morrison who has worked with Blondie, Rufus Wainwright, and L.P.

For those in the Duluth area, de Mars will be at Sacred Heart Studio on Saturday, Sept. 13 along with Rachael Kilgour and Poetry presented by Kathleen Roberts & PRØVE Gallery. The event starts at 7:30pm and is all ages with $10 tickets ($15 at the door).