Q&A ‘YOU’VE GOT TO SURVIVE’ After announcing she was , Against Me’s Laura Jane Grace battled depression and loss to come out on top (and get an Emmy nomination) J Balvin (left) and Becky G BY LIZZY GOODMAN TOUR ESSENTIALS

gainst Me frontwoman Laura Jane this is cool — who cares if I win?” You get to say, “I Grace’s past three years have been as was nominated for an Emmy.” But it would’ve been MANGOS, rocky as they are inspiring. In 2012, the awesome to win. I’m not going to lie about that. MANDALAS A 34-year-old punk-rocker came out to the world as transgender and began taking hormone You came out three years ago — how has life AND MORE treatments. Grace’s longtime drummer left Against changed for you since then?

Me soon after, followed by its bassist. Then, in It was like stepping on a roller coaster — that’s a Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin, 30, 2014, Grace and artist Heather Hannoura, the cliche example, but it’s true. was this is taking Mexican-American pop-rap mother of her 5-year-old daughter, got divorced. But super-huge rush, then there was a kind of coming singer Becky G, 18, on the road as the Grace rebounded with the acclaimed Transgender down. But now I can recognize the past two years of guest artist for his 20-date La Familia Tour, which kicked off Sept. 23 in Miami Dysphoria Blues, one of 2014’s best rock albums, my life as the best thus far. I’ve been able to have the at the James L. Knight Center. The Latin and AOL Web documentary series , which most fun and be the most relaxed. stars reveal the must-haves and must- was nominated for a 2015 Emmy. Now, in the wake dos that keep them going on the road. of Against Me’s new live album 23 Live Sex Acts You mentioned a “coming down.” What was your PRESHOW RITUALS (released Sept. 4 on Total Treble), Grace is focusing lowest point? J Balvin “When I go onstage, I always on the joys of living in her own skin for the first time. I bottomed out and had a nervous breakdown. I have to step up with my right foot. If equate it to having to destroy a former ego; you I don’t, I have to go back and do it again. And I try to call my mom before Congrats on your Emmy nomination. Did you have had this person that you held on to because it was each show to ask for her blessing.” a speech prepared? who you were told you were. You had to destroy Becky G “I drink Throat Coat tea — it’s Totally. I went into it with that attitude of, “Wow, that first before you could become somebody else the best.” and start living a new life. But you’ve got to survive MUST-PACK ITEMS — you have a kid that’s your responsibility. What’s J Balvin “I need a book the alternative? I’ve got to get up and go take my at all times — right now daughter to school. I can’t just lay here and give up. I’m reading something on kabbalah. And I paint mandalas [Eastern religious Have you started dating since your divorce? symbols], so I always have a It’s really hard to date when you’re in a band, twice- notepad to paint them in.” divorced and have a 5-year-old. And I can never Becky G “I have this little Mulan figure out how people are coming at me: If they’re doll — it’s a good-luck charm from my mom and my sister — and a cross that attracted to fading masculinity or emerging my grandma gave me. It’s always in my femininity, or just the idea of who I am. So, I backpack.” don’t f—ing know. I’ve been trying for a second, KEEPING FIT ON TOUR but I’m kind of at the point where I’ve given up. Becky G “I eat lots of fruit: sandia [watermelon], pina Caitlyn Jenner recently came out as [pineapple], mangos. I wake transgender. How did you react? up at 6 a.m. and hit the gym, and quick workouts before I It’s kind of a double-edged sword, because go onstage help me get warmed obviously she’s putting herself out there — she’s up so my body doesn’t go into on a reality TV show. But at the same time, shock. I get in my show outfit, having gone through a public transition, I get together with my dancers and we do jumping jacks and planks.” respect how much pressure is involved in that. J Balvin “I do cardio when I wake up for So more power to you. I’ll respect your privacy; 25 minutes. Then I have breakfast — egg do your thing. Because I never f—ing watched whites, oatmeal with apple and coffee the Kardashians’ [TV shows], there’s no reason — and do weights. I eat proteins and a little bit of carbs — absolutely no to start watching that shit now. 0 sugar! I think we’ll be losing a lot of weight on this tour.”

POSTSHOW COMEDOWN J Balvin “I’m totally hyped, so I’ll spend a long time talking about the show. I check pics people post on Instagram and give them likes.” Becky G “I do the same, but I don’t pay attention to [social media negativity]. I mean, how many times are people going to tell me my tooth gap is ugly?” —LEILA COBO Grace Grace (left) and Against Me’s onstage at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tenn., on June 12.

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