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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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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An Interview with Laura Dolan of Electric Citizen
Laura Dolan has been cool from the start. Maybe not an obvious cool that would have been appreciated by high schoolers wanting to go to the mall but a badass, legitimate cool that has led to where she is now as frontwoman of Electric Citizen. I met up with Laura at the cozy and hip bar, The Listing Loon to have a long overdue interview. That’s where I learned that while she got her start in music 5 or 6 years ago singing in bands, Laura was always “a ham” growing up. When she was little, her mom took her to the Taft Theatre and she pointed at the stage and…
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Ladyfest Cincinnati Starts Today! An Interview with Founder, Rachelle Caplan
From October 15-17th, Cincinnati will bear witness to its first ever Ladyfest– “a multi-faceted 3 day festival promoting women involved in arts and activism.” I sat down with Rachelle Caplan, founder and lead organizer of Ladyfest Cincinnati, to learn about her goals and inspirations for the fest. Rachelle’s first experience with a Ladyfest was in Chicago in 2007. She had just moved there from Florida and some friends suggested she look up the DIY fest, Ladyfest. Her friend texted her an address and a name. “She said go to this house on this day and you’ll meet awesome people.” Rachelle joined the art committee and the music committee. She thrived…
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An Interview with Kat Bjelland and Lori Barbero of Babes in Toyland
On Tuesday night I was lucky enough to meet the absolute rock legends, Kat Bjelland and Lori Barbero of Babes in Toyland before their show in Covington, KY. We met at the Backstage Café to have a drink and chat. IK: I read that Lori named the band but I’ve read this quote that I love from Kat, “boys and girls are all babes in the universe.” Where did the name and quote come from? Kat Bjelland: (points to her head) It took me awhile to figure out (Babes in Toyland) was a Disney movie. Lori Barbero: I have no idea where it came from. KB: I thought it was appropriate because we…
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Good Things Come in 3’s: Catching Up with Makenzie of The Sundresses, Their New album and an Upcoming Show
It was three years ago that I first sat down with Makenzie of the Sundresses to interview her for Women in Rock. With the release of their third album, This Machine Kills, it seemed like a good time to check in with her. The Sundresses started in 2001 as a political band. “We were a direct result of 9/11,” says Makenzie. “We would spew feelings about politics and make people dance.” But Makenzie notes that now they’re writing “life songs.” This Machine Kills was first recorded before drummer Dave Reid joined the band at Ultra Suede in Cincinnati. After he joined, the band decided to re-record as a four piece so they…
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Sarah Greenwell of Gymshorts
Sarah Greenwell, frontwoman of Gymshorts, loves telling jokes. In fact when she was little, her mom would take her to the local bowling night, “I was a tiny blonde girl that would tell dirty jokes to all the old men.” Meeting Sarah this past March I was immediately amused by her goofy jokes and band of similarly light-hearted guys. Gymshorts was formed in 2012 with lead guitarist, Devin Demers. “We wrote songs and tried to find a band for a year.” Sarah was living in New York and commuting to Providence, RI for the band. “I like driving and some of the songs I wrote came from the commute.” In…
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Ancient Warfare on the Release of Pale Horse
Ancient Warfare exudes a Southern Gothic air in the most elegant way. Today, they release their debut full length album, Pale Horse. Formed in Savannah in 2009, Echo Wilcox moved to Lexington, KY in 2011 where the band gained Emily Hagihara (drums), and Rachel Yanarella (violin). Most recent addition, Derek Rhineheimer (bass), has been with the band for over a year now. Echo says that over the years, “Ancient Warfare’s sound has evolved from a simple instrumental composition to a more fully realized band.” The development of Ancient Warfare is very apparent onstage and comes across with the release of Pale Horse. When asked about the theme of the album,…
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An Interview with the Ladies of Casual Strangers
Casual Strangers, a band out of Austin, Texas, formed in the last year and already they’re releasing their first album. The band is comprised of two women, Jaylinn(synths/keyboards) and Katey(lead singer, lapsteel guitar, triwave) and two men, Paul(guitarist, vocalist) and Jake(drummer). Their sound is psychedelic and retro, yet they manage to keep it current. The band’s couple, Paul and Katey have a vocal combo that could remind you of Jefferson Airplane but there’s something more there. The gals, Katey and Jaylinn were kind enough to do an interview with Women in Rock. Here’s what they have to say about their band! IK: With four people, who writes the songs? Is…
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Q & A with the legendary Lydia Lunch
Lydia Lunch has always been able to push the boundaries of punk. A no wave musician, a spoken word performer, a poet, a writer, a self-empowerment speaker, she is by far one of the most influential punk women. Starting out in Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, her career is beyond prolific. Now, she is touring with Retrovirus, capturing her career in music since 1977. Luckily, she’s playing Mayday in Cincinnati on Wednesday, June 25th. Ms. Lunch was kind enough to answer some questions I sent her on fashion, women in rock and her career. IK: Your dark look is extremely iconic and sexy, what in fashion inspired you? LL: More…
