We are beyond excited to announce that Women in Rock will be releasing our first print publication this August! Yes, you read that right, we are taking this to print!!! Our first issue will be celebrated with an event at the Woodward Theater featuring Alice Bag, Leggy and Birdie Hearse on August 16th!! Tickets are available here. We’d like to give you a sneak peek as to what will be in the first issue… An exclusive interview with Alice Bag, Screaming Females, Marcy Mays of Scrawl, Kid Congo Powers, a fun celebratory playlist, a review of a riot grrrl compilation, a book review and much more! We are giving away the magazine…
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Lana Del Who?? Check out The Black Belles
By now you’re probably aware of Lana Del Rey, the new glamorous sensation. However, she is just another woman to put down her guitar, put on a pretty dress and catch the attention of media. My question is, how come she gets all the attention and a well-deserving band like The Black Belles get overlooked? Maybe you haven’t heard of them, let me introduce you. The Black Belles are four women who put a new spin on “southern gothic.” From the looks of them, you might mistake them for witches in their all black, wide rimmed hats and long black hair. And who knows, maybe they will cast a spell…
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About the Night and What It Does to… Me
A Review of a Rare Patti Smith Album Perhaps Patti Smith’s best work, and yet hardly known. The day I bought it the cashier at Shake It Records looked at me with an expression that told me he was jealous I was walking out of the store with their only copy of About the Night and What it Does To You. Even then, I had no idea what I was getting into. Everyone can agree that the talent of Patti Smith really shines through her ability as a lyricist. Yet, this album, hardly known at all, is the best example of her talent. Comprised of 12 tracks, Smith covers well-known…
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Top 10 Female Rock Albums of 2011
This was a tough call to make because a lot of great albums were released this year. I would like to acknowledge a few notable albums before my top 10 list begins: Wanda Jackson, The Party Ain’t Over Vivian Girls, Share the Joy Florence + The Machine, Ceremonials Björk, Biophilia Lykke Li, Wounded Rhymes 10. Cat’s Eyes, Cat’s Eyes (Polydor)- A collaboration of Faris Badwan of The Horrors and Rachel Zeffira, an Italian-Canadian soprano and composer, Cat’s Eyes creates an eerie but nostalgic sound. Inspired by the Ronettes and other 60’s girl groups this duo puts a new spin on the classic sound with their Goth infused tones. 9. Cults, Cults (Columbia)-…
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Wild Flag- The First Female Supergroup
Well… I must say it’s about time. Everyone is always going on and on about supergroups. Some of them are cool and others, well let’s say they never should have happened. The original supergroups included Cream, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and Blind Faith and other notable ones have come and gone but recently, supergroups have seriously been lacking. Not that I don’t enjoy seeing Mick Jagger jump around in a pink suit while singing with Joss Stone and Damien Marley in his new supergroup Superheavy… Yet here we are in 2011 and for the first time, an all female supergroup has emerged. Wild Flag is composed of Carrie Brownstein,…
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Jenny and Johnny
I’m Having Fun Now Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley first met Jonathan Rice in 2005 through Conor Oberst. This proved to be the start of a musical bond. They have played on each other’s recordings and Johnny toured with Jenny, playing live with her at every solo tour she’s done. They decided to start a band in 2009 and I’m Having Fun Now was created. This album has such an Americana sound. It really captures a feeling of driving through the plains of American surrounded by farmhouses and dirt roads. The album was recorded in Omaha, Nebraska in the middle of winter but the sound of the album is warm. The strongest…
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New Young Pony Club
The Optimist New York Pony Club, what a name. This five piece is from London, England and has a wonderfully catchy sound. The band formed in 2005 and has released two albums now. The Optimist, their sophomore release came out this past March and is a great follow up to their first release, Fantastic Playroom. Known for their upbeat and hook driven sound, New Young Pony Club makes you want to dance. Their sound is post punk and could almost be compared to the Talking Heads except with female vocals. The Optimist marks huge improvement and growth for the band. It is edgier and slightly darker, less monotone vocals but still remains disco-punk. While…
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Agent Ribbons
Chateau Crone Is it the year 2010? Listening to Agent Ribbons you definitely will feel confused as to how this sound can be a product of the year 2010. This three piece is based in Austin, Texas and has been together since 2006. Chateau Crone is their third album and was released in October of 2010. Agent Ribbons has a very dreamy sound that manages to rock. This band is extremely retro and these girls are witty. “I’ll Let You Be My Baby” can be compared to something the Dresden Dolls would play. And well the rest of their music, it sounds like something out of the fifties or sixties.…
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Shilpa Ray and Her Happy Hookers
Teenage and Torture It was probably a dreary Brooklyn day for Shilpa Ray as she attended another day on the job in a boutique helping uppity customers. Yet this day was unlike the others. This was the day Nick Cave called to see if she would like to open a few dates for him on his Grinderman tour. With the release of their second album in January, Teenage and Torture, Shilpa Ray and Her Happy Hookers have spent the last few months touring the country and leaving audiences everywhere in awe. Shilpa Ray leads the band with a sultry, soulful wail of a voice and plays the harmonium. The album starts…