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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Liza Colby on the Evolution of The Liza Colby Sound
Liza Colby of The Liza Colby Sound was born to be a musician. “Both of my parents are professional musicians… They met because my dad was trying out for my mom’s band and he didn’t make it in,” Liza laughs. However, a few years later her mom, Beverly Rohlehr, was ready to do something new and asked John Colby to produce it. “They’ve been together ever since. I have a younger brother who’s also a musician.” Liza grew up in Connecticut but visited New York City regularly with her dad when she was little. “My dad would take me out of school to go to his sessions. I knew I would…
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The Bassist That’s Done It All, An Interview with Janis Tanaka
In the 1980s, a band called Sugar Babydoll was formed by Courtney Love (Hole) and Kat Bjelland (Babes in Toyland); two of grunge’s greatest women in rock. The band was also joined by Jennifer Finch of L7. I wrote about this band awhile ago for Dangerous Minds but what was left out was the story of Janis Tanaka. The band relocated to San Francisco and changed their name to Pagan Babies joined by Deirdre Schletter on drums and Janis Tanaka on bass. Here is an interview with Janis who’s gone on to play with many legendary musicians. It seems like the projects you’ve played in have always been heavier. What…
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Spending Time with Alt Country’s Outlaw, An Interview with Sarah Shook
Advertising doesn’t always work on me but after a few times of seeing Sarah Shook & The Disarmers’ album cover, Sidelong, on Bloodshot Record’s instagram, I was intrigued and decided to check it out. I was getting ready to go play a punk show so country wasn’t even remotely what I was in the mood for but halfway through the first song I was hooked. The Disarmers’ brand of alternative country is nothing but good. Even if you don’t like country music, their outlaw charm is attractive to all kinds of listeners. The Disarmers came through Cincinnati in June and I was able to catch their jaw-dropping show at MOTR…
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The Cool School Girls of Mason’s School of Rock
"We’re sometimes told ‘you’re good …. for a girl.’ We’re here to disprove that whole sexist idea.”
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Artist Profile on the Fabulous Heather Newkirk
I have a very brief memory of meeting Heather Newkirk about five years ago when I first started hanging out in Northside in Cincinnati. If my memory serves it was at the Northside Tavern for the Holly Golightly show. Other than that, she didn’t really become someone I knew until about a year ago. You may know Heather’s gorgeous smile, infectious laugh, insanely strong voice and peppy dance moves from DJing the best “danceroke” night in Northside. What you might not know is how legendary Heather’s music career is. Heather Newkirk was born in Springfield, Ohio and grew up in Yellow Springs. “My mother is a painter. My father was…
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Hero Worship; Cindy Wilson of The B-52s Talks about her debut album, Change
To say Cindy Wilson is a hero of mine would be an understatement. My parents took me to my first concert when I was six, The B-52s at Riverbend, and I know it shaped my love of music. I’m pretty sure that my tiny six year old body had never danced so much before. After that night, my fascination with The B-52s was heightened. I loved how glamorous and outrageous Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson were. I got to see them again two years later and fell in love all over. The B-52s are a huge on me so needless to say, interviewing Cindy Wilson was a dream come true.…
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A Rock n’ Roll History Lesson, An Interview with Patricia Kennealy-Morrison
Patricia Kennealy-Morrison has forged a path for herself that has lead to an accomplished and unusual life. She was the editor-in-chief of Jazz & Pop and one of the first female rock critics. The job as a critic is, of course, what lead her to meet the love of her life, Jim Morrison. As a practicing witch, Patricia and Jim were married in a Celtic handfasting ceremony in 1970. As Patricia says, the handfasting ceremony goes beyond life, it lasts forever. Patricia has written of her life with Jim in the book Strange Days: My Life With and Without Jim Morrison. She has also written the Keltiad novels, a series…
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The Venus Flytraps: We Met in a Dream
The Venus Flytraps (Cleveland, Ohio) chats with Women in Rock about animal language, biker bars, and wanting to do everything. Your first EP, Clamp Down, was released on Quality Time Records just last year. Congrats! When and how did you start playing together? In the spring of 2016, we met in a dream. Besides a mutual fascination with all things other-worldly we are drawn together inexplicably and irresistibly and now here we are. Can you describe your sound in your own words? Rock n roll from the midwestern jungle. Do you have a favorite song or lyric from your album? (Personally, I love the title track and “Cherry…
