November's "In the Know" answers, Who was your first favorite woman in rock?
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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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Halloween Spooktacular Playlist
Creep It Real! I’m the kind of person that would celebrate Halloween year round. I love the decor, the weather and the spookiness in the air! Here are some of my favorite Women in Rock Halloween hits. Siouxsie and the Banshees- “The Staircase(Mystery)”– It couldn’t be Halloween without Siouxsie Sioux. This song from The Scream captures the very essence of creepy punk. Concrete Blonde– “Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)”– Perfect song to prowl around dark streets looking for your next victim. PJ Harvey– “Meet Ze Monsta”– The sexiest of Halloween songs, when you’re looking for your very own monster lover. Horrorpops– “Kiss Kiss Kill Kill”– Psychobilly makes the perfect soundtrack…
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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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Cindy Wilson’s 4 Favorite B-52s Songs
Cindy Wilson, the extraordinary B-52, released her first solo album, Change, this fall on Kill Rock Stars. When I spoke with Wilson about the new album and about The B-52s (it’s their fortieth anniversary), I asked her to compile her four favorite B-52s songs. “I like the b-sides better than the ones we play all the time,” Cindy Wilson said. “I like the songs that are the weirdest and the quirkiest but there are still really cool things about them; either Ricky’s guitar riffs or Kate and my weird harmonies or some strange vocal.” “Hero Worship” “53 Miles West of Venus” “Theme for a Nude Beach” “Topaz” To…
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Janis Joplin, A Woman Left Lonely
I’ve always felt an undeniable connection to Janis Joplin. I’ve been drawn to her music; her raw yet powerful vocals and beyond expressive performances. But there’s something beyond the music that I feel a connection to; a strange combination between strength and loneliness. Today, on Janis Joplin’s 47th anniversary of death, I want to take a closer look at who this woman was and why her life was so lonely. I like to think of Janis as my soul sister and often I’ve turned to her music for strength at rough points in my life. Songs like “Down on Me” and “Women Is Losers” have put a smile on my face…
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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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How to Get Through a Breakup: Some Advice from Ruby the Rabbitfoot
Pop Musician Ruby the Rabbitfoot insists she is the “queen of getting dumped.” However, she has some great advice when it comes to getting through breakups. “My first piece of advice is to be patient with yourself because endings are beginnings. Do something really nice for yourself. Get a massage, pay for it. I’ve never gotten a massage and regretted paying for it.” Suggested Listening for your post breakup days: Lucinda Williams– “Those Three Days” Alicia Keys– “Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart” Angie Stone– “No More Rain (In This Cloud)” Jessica Lea Mayfield– “For Today” Kid Cudi– “Pursuit Of Happiness” Dwight Yoakam– “Ain’t That Lonely Yet”
