Image by: Shane McCauley

‘Temple’, the latest album from Californian band Thao & the Get Down Stay Down, sees front woman Thao Nguyen at her most publicly self-examining and honest yet as she reckons with family trauma, queer identity and her Vietnamese roots.

2SER’s Music Director Steph Liong spoke to Thao who shared how guest-hosting the popular podcast series Song Exploder, and LL Cool J’s track ‘Phenomenon’ inspired parts of the record. Thao begins by explaining the reference of sanctuaries behind the album and title track.