Saakred's new five-song EP is called "Make Believe." It's actually filled to the brim with gritty reality.

The sometimes controversial and mercurial transgender artist and queer activist (formerly known as Melissa Ruizesparza Rodriguez) is all about messaging — defining boundaries and breaking down walls.

"'Saakred' feels really liberating. It feels a lot more real," said Saakred, who recently came out as transgender and has a problem with pronouns "she" and "her." The musician even asked her mom not to use her old nickname, "Mel."

"I embrace (Saakred) because it makes sense because its genderless," said Saakred, a Trinity University student and part-time staffer at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, who explores gender "through fashion right now."

"Transgender is a spectrum. For me, it's not about being a man at all because I don't want to be a man. It's not about not being a woman, either. I possess both of those things and beyond that. This feels more scary than coming out as 'queer.' The misconception is that it means that you're physically transitioning."

Esperanza executive director Graciela Sanchez has watched the transformation — from naïve spiky-haired teen to emerging songwriter who "strips herself of everything and let's the world come along with her."

More Information Vinyl Valentine’s weekend Claudia Saenz, a young DJ known as Teardrop, and Eddie “DJ Plata” Hernandez are smack dab in the middle of an unprecedented vinyl Valentine’s weekend at Hi-Tones. Saenz is the common denominator and is at the forefront of a new woman’s movement on the DJ front. “My goal is to bring the girls to the forefront,” said Saenz. Friday, she brings members of her her all-female Chulitas Vinyl Club to hold court at 9 p.m. until Saakred takes the stage. Spinning vinyl with her is Olivia Garcia (“Sucia Q”) and Melanie Ortigosa (“Milkas”). Sucia Q loves cumbia soul; Miklas digs Blondie-era New Wave. Teardrop is into the low-rider sound. Other members of Chulitas Vinyl Club (Phanie Diaz of Girl in a Coma is a new member) spin everything from metal to riot grrl rock. Saturday is a first-time old-school oldies Vinyl Valentine’s Day Dance Party with DJ Plata, Justin “Rambo” Salinas of the Alamo City Soul Club, DJ Blaggard, Jerry “Strey” Valero and vinyl collector Hector Gallegos. Saenz will guest DJ, too. The focus Saturday is on the fabled Mexified, reverb-drenched San Antonio sound of the mid-1960s and early '70s. “Our job is turning people on to the little gems that San Antonio has and the real important history that we have,” said Hernandez, noting that legends like Sunny Ozuna, Joe Jama, Arturo “Sauce” Gonzalez and Luvine Elias of the Royal Jesters love the vinyl revival of their music. In DJ Plata mode, Hernandez, a fixture at Tucker’s Kozy Korner and Alamo Street Eat Bar, will work to have a lovers theme tonight. “There is a signature that San Antonio has. A key ingredient is the nice, big horn section, the vocal harmonies, the New Orleans feel,” said Hernandez, who revealed one of his Valentine’s choice. “Lots of love songs, but man, I’m spinning some heartbreak songs. 'Lost’ by the Latin Breed is absolutely one of the saddest songs I’ve ever heard. It’s beautiful.” Hector Saldaña In concert Who: Saakred, with Chulita Vinyl Club When: 9 p.m. Friday Where: Hi-Tones, 621 E. Dewey Place Cover: $3

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All which wouldn't matter a lick — for the purposes of this column — if Saakred didn't rock. Saakred's midnight show Friday at Hi-Tones with Chulita Vinyl Club is dubbed "Love Me to Death." Scene-makers can decide for themselves.

"Make Believe" will be released next month (the party is planned for March 6 at Ten Eleven), but Saakred is best enjoyed in the moment, sooner rather than later. I speak from experience.

Last summer, when I was first recovering from neck surgery, I walked every night along winding Kampmann Boulevard. Many evenings, I caught muffled snippets of driving psychedelic rock, reverb-drenched vocals and punky screams emanating from a Tudor garage loft.

I liked it and found myself disappointed on those nights when the mysterious band wasn't rehearsing. Their dedication was refreshing. It wasn't until I passed one day that I finally figured out who was the androgynous engine behind it all.

A forlorn-looking Saakred was sitting on the curb dealing with a car that wouldn't start. That's when I realized this was the impressive young performer I'd caught at the Maverick Music Festival and had met at the Esperanza.

Much has changed for Saakred, 25. This queer movement darling has lots on her mind and plenty to say. Saakred is also no longer playing with Los Teardrops (the name of her old band) but with two new musicians.

The politically charged trio, with drummer Robert Gonzales and bassist Andy Bernal, rocks hard. That's evident by the cathartic song, "Pray," whose operatic vocals and echoed moans show a musical kinship to Muse.

"It feels like what I was trying to arrive at," Saakred said. "They've brought the sound to a completely different place; , the drama that you feel, is a part of who they are, too."

Six months ago, Saakred admitted she was feeling dangerously, "scary" low and as desperate as one can get after a breakup. The vulnerability and drama informs the work but is often too much to bear.

"I hate myself for the most part. That's a part of being trans. You don't know how to love yourself. What do you do?" Saakred explained. "It's self-loathing but beyond that."

But there are benefits to embracing who you are and coming to terms with being a LGBT role model, Saakred added.

"Since I came out publicly, I can see it. I can feel the difference. I feel more, like, cariño (affection). It feels really nice. I just want to be me."

hsaldana@express-news.net