Thao Nguyen was born in Falls Church, Virginia in 1984, the daughter of Vietnamese refugees. Growing up in the 80’s and 90’s, Thao fell in love with radio, and the escape that music could provide from a somewhat lonely and turbulent childhood. It wasn't until her father left the family home, also leaving behind his acoustic guitar, that Thao picked up the instrument that would eventually lead to her career as a singer, songwriter, musician, and the leader of her now-former band The Get Down Stay Down.

After a few years of playing open mics and shows, Thao’s debut Like Linen was released in 2005 and within a couple of years she was signed by the iconic indie label Kill Rock Stars, and her first collection as Thao & The Get Down Stay Down We Brave Bee Stings and All came out in 2008. Her amazing stage presence and consistently fantastic songwriting has made Thao a revered figure in the indie rock world, and now on the heels of releasing her fifth album, Temple, we find Thao at an incredibly meaningful moment in her life, as she is for the first time in her career both publicly out, and embracing her Vietnamese heritage. From hugging the stereo speakers as a child to discovering the “good hurt” of songwriting, this beautiful Mixtape Memoir brings us into Thao’s journey to becoming whole. 

Credits:

Host/creator/creative director - Carmel Holt @carmelholt @sheroesmixtape @sheroesradio
Engineer/Mixing/Mastering - Phoebe Wang @feebswang 
Theme music - Lucius @ilovelucius
Cover art - Merle Cooper @m.c.cooper
Art direction - @carmelholt 
Guest: THAO @thaogetdownstaydown
Label: Ribbon Music / @ribbonmusic & Domino Records / @dominorecordco