Rocktail Nights are hosted by two very talented Women in Rock, Kristen Kreft and MayaLou Banatwala. Rocktails take place at The Listing Loon in Cincinnati, Ohio every Second Saturday. In addition, they’re starting to team up with The American Sign Museum for some fun summer events to be shared soon! Kristen Kreft plays guitar and sings in The Perfect Children, a fabulously rockin’ retro vibin’ band. Kristen is also singing with The Brian Olive Band for live shows. She bartends Friday nights at Madeira Inn. Her favorite drink is a Rye Old Fashioned made with sugar cubes and bitters (no muddled fruit for her!). You can check out The Perfect…
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“Irene” by Joanna Lero
One of the best things about music right now are the women who are writing songs to give voices to those who feel they cannot speak up. London musician, Joanna Lero, has released a new song “Irene” in honor of her grandmother on International Women’s Day. This song will also be included on her new EP, Variations, out on March 22. The song displays Joanna’s poetic and creative songwriting. It builds and changes capturing at times what feels to be a march. Joanna says that “Irene” is a stream of consciousness and it feels powerful as it moves through it’s course. The main thing that Joanna Lero repeats through the song is…
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Shellshag, The Masters of Rock n’ Roll DIY
Shellshag, a two piece from New York, is the heart and soul of rock n’ roll DIY. Comprised of Jennifer Shagawat and John “Shellhead” Driver, the band has put in more time than most bands out there. What makes it possible for them is their genuine love of rock n’ roll. Shell first learned to play guitar from his buddy, Bob Taylor. “I was 22. He was my best friend in college. We had sculpture class together. He showed me how to play power chords and taught me this song, ‘Why Do You Wear That Stupid Toupee?’ and it’s just two chords… that was pretty much all it took, I…
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In The Know- February 2018
February’s In the Know answers, what is your favorite winter activity? Abiyah— My favorite winter activity is diving headfirst into my coat closet to figure out which of my rad winter coats I’ll rock that day. Will it be faux fur (including vintage Jordache and Sasson), vintage leather (Aigner), a wool Mondrian-inspired hip-length jacket, or a vintage 80s black ankle-length wool Albert Nipon? Madge Maril (vocalist of Scanner)– Probably my favorite winter activity is binge watching reality tv inside, specifically Tiny House Hunters. Angela Perley (vocalist and guitarist of Angela Perley & The Howlin Moons)–…
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2018 Winter Movie List
In winter, it’s hard to motivate to do things outside or go places and see people. Whether you’re sick with the flu, down from seasonal depression, or just snuggled in we find here at Women in Rock there’s a lot more TV time in the winter. We’ve compiled our favorite Women in Rock movies to give you history lessons and entertainment during the coldest months! Izzi’s Picks: Hit So Hard (2011)– This documentary is a great inside look at Hole and the heartbeat of the band, Patty Schemel. It’s the story of survival, of overcoming addiction and being able to thrive in the music scene making it out of the…
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Diving into the Depths of Door Girl, An Interview with Shilpa Ray
One of my all time favorite albums is Quadrophenia by The Who. I love it because it is a complete album, it tells a story that engages the listener. The individual songs are good but fitted together in sequence, they are a masterpiece. Shilpa Ray managed to create that high quality of art with her new album, Door Girl. On a chilly November night, Shilpa Ray and her touring band played Cincinnati’s best kept secret, Junker’s Tavern. Shilpa Ray and I chatted before her set about the creation of Door Girl and the story that goes along with it. “I knew I was going to write this record. When you…
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Terra Naomi on How to Spread Love in a World Threatened by Hate
A month ago, I was beyond touched by the release of “Machine Age” by Terra Naomi. The extremely well-written and thoughtful political song made me a huge fan of the songwriter and I wanted to know more about her. Terra Naomi became well known after releasing “Say It’s Possible” on YouTube in 2006. Now, she focuses on the release of a new album due out in September. Izzi Krombholz: Tell me about how it felt to become famous after releasing “Say It’s Possible.” How long had you been making music prior to that? Terra Naomi: I wouldn’t say I became “famous” — it was more like I had a bunch of…
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An Interview with the Main Horsehead, Texacala Jones
Texacala Jones of Tex & the Horseheads was an LA punk during the prime. Together with Jeffrey Lee Pierce, they had interests outside of just punk music. Inspired by the scene around them but drawing on country music, Tex & the Horseheads developed a deathrock aesthetic with a cowpunk sound. Texacala Jones was kind enough to answer some questions about her musical history and the creation of the band. Izzi Krombholz: Tell me about your start playing music. Texacala Jones: Los Angeles was my hometown and I grew up with music as many of my friends did. My first musical experience was playing a toy piano on the balcony. IK:…
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“Machine Age” by Terra Naomi
Wow, talk about haunting; this song will change you. “Machine Age” by Terra Naomi is the voice that all women need right now. This amazingly thoughtful song was written as a year reflection on the election of Donald Trump. Listening to this hit me the way people must have been hit by hearing Joan Baez or Bob Dylan for the first time. If I’m going to be honest, I cried through the entire thing. I truly believe this song will affect lives, it is the voice of pain and resistance. “I believe in love more than I want to hate” is the message we all need to get across in…
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“Sha La La” by Selene Vigil
Selene Vigil, lead singer of 7 Year Bitch, released an ep at the end of 2017 aptly named Tough Dance. “Sha La La,” the opening track literally can’t be described as anything other than a tough dance. Vigil’s vocals are raw and ready, driving and heavy; to put it simply, they are tough. As the guitars pick up, the song picks up into a funkier feel perfect for dancing. This is definitely the “radio hit” of the ep. Tough Dance takes emotional pulls through the songs whether they are more upbeat like “Sha La La” or slower and more reflective like the closing track, “Soul in Traction.” I used to be pissed…
