I’ve been listening to The Scream a lot lately but I ended up choosing a song that didn’t originally appear on the album for the Song of the Moment. A spooky number for you to kick off spring, “The Staircase (Mystery)” should be the theme song to a horror show. The song was released as a single in 1979 and later appeared on a re-issue of The Scream as a bonus track. Siouxsie and the Banshees formed in 1976 so this song really captures their early raw goth punk feel. The mix on this song is awesome, specifically the different levels on the guitar mix. It creates a jagged feel…
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Abby Hart of Mr. Clit and the Pink Cigarettes Talks About the Band and Art
It was a beautiful *almost* spring day when I drove to Indianapolis to meet up with bassist, Abby Hart of Mr. Clit and the Pink Cigarettes. I met her at PNR Graphics where she works when she’s not on the road with Mr. Clit and we proceeded to a great sushi place to have lunch and chat about her start in music and upcoming adventures. Abby got her start playing music with her bandmate in Mr. Clit and the Pink Cigarettes, David. David was in a horror punk band called Room 21 and taught her to play bass for that band. “I only knew how to play our songs, I…
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In The Know- February 2016
As a Valentine’s Day follow up, February’s In The Know answers: What do you watch out for when meeting a potential significant other at a show? Miss Alex White (guitarist and vocalist of White Mystery)- “The most important thing in looking for a potential date at a show is the person’s behavior. Are they dancing? Are they talking with friends? Or are they belligerently drunk and pushing people around in the moshpit? I love respectful people who know when to keep their hands to themselves and also know how to communicate that they are interested in getting to know one another.” Also, check out this link…
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8 Sad Girl Songs for the Lonely Hearts Club
Let’s face it… Valentine’s Day can be a very, very dark day for some people. Especially those in the perpetual mindset of “love will tear us apart.” And hey, if you’re recently single or extremely lonely, you don’t want to see all of the lovey dovey heart-shaped bullshit crammed down your throat surrounding this special day. So here is your soundtrack for a good cry alone in your room. Drink some wine, be sad. “Virgin State of Mind” by K’s Choice– This song feels like a totally surreal dream. A great song for your wine drunk daydream remembering better days when you were once happy with a lover. Yuck.…
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Local Men Inspiration Playlist: Part 2
As a continuation from yesterday’s Local Men Inspiration Playlist, we are happy to present Part 2. Thanks to so many great Cincinnati guys for continuing to support Women in Rock! Happy Valentine’s Day! Andrew Jody (Barrence Whitfield & The Savages)- “Nocturnal Emissions” by Shilpa Ray “When I was asked to do this I had a hard time making a decision… because when thinking about musicians who’ve influenced me, I don’t consciously compartmentalize them into ‘female musicians’ and ‘male musicians.’ Ya either got it or ya don’t. That being said, looking at the female artists that inspire me, I’ve noticed most of them don’t flaunt their sexuality superficially,…
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Local Men Inspiration Playlist: Part 1
As a follow up from our Local Ladies Inspiration Playlist in November, we have curated the same for local men in the Cincinnati music scene! These men are appreciative of and inspired by various female musicians. Here’s who moves them to make great music! Part 2 will be released on February 14, 2016. Aaron Watkins (Commercial, Mardou, Butt)- “Papa Don’t Preach” by Madonna “Not just the song but Madonna is a massive influence to both music, fashion, art, and redefining gender roles. For her time I feel like this song was probably seen as being pretty edgy, and touches on issues of independence in the face…
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A Q&A with Mallory of The Mardi Kings
Back in November I went to my favorite bar, Junker’s Tavern and was immediately captivated by the eccentric band that was performing. With two front-people marching around and singing their hearts out, I was giddy with excitement. I met Mallory of The Mardi Kings after the show and she was kind enough to agree to an interview with Women in Rock. Izzi: When did the Mardi Kings form? Mallory Hestand: I joined the Mardi Kings last March after Ryan (one of our star guitarists) asked me if I’d be available to attend a practice with them. I don’t really have the whole story about the band before I joined. I was just grateful that…
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“Tom’s Diner” by Suzanne Vega
“Tom’s Diner” by Suzanne Vega is crazy well known but have you heard both versions? The song was officially released in 1987 on her album Solitude Standing and the original version is an extremely eerie A Capella song. Suzanne Vega’s “Tom’s Diner” is a poetic look at the daily happenings at a diner. It flows like her train of thought. The song was remixed by DNA (Neal Slateford and Nick Batt) in 1990 to add an entirely different dynamic to “Tom’s Diner.” Suddenly the song feels almost upbeat in a blasé 90s sort of way. The DNA remix went on to be the better known version of this song.
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10 Great Pop Songs from 1995-2010
While our main focus at Women in Rock is to highlight those musicians in the wild world of rock n’ roll, there are other musicians outside this genre who rock. These pop stars have made empowering and badass songs that we can relate to and recognize as songs that rock. I worked with my sister, Kirtley, to create this playlist. She is a walking encyclopedia on a range of music and we collaborated to share some of our favorite pop songs that inspired us growing up. Here are 10 of our favorites from the years 1995-2010. 1.”Lose Control” by Missy Elliott (2005)- This song is completely dedicated to the power…
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10 Things I Learned About Poison Ivy (and The Cramps)
It is no secret that I am a Cramps fanatic. In fact, when my band goes on tour I only wear Cramps t-shirts and I have a cat named Lux. There’s something about them that I just love. Manic and sultry, The Cramps exude rock n’ roll like no other. I read Journey to the Centre of the Cramps by Dick Porter and would like to share 10 interesting things I learned about my heroine Poison Ivy Rorschach and the Cramps. Poison Ivy has always been a bad girl. Born Kristy Wallace, her family moved a lot growing up so she never had time to make friends at her new schools. She said…
