• Book Reviews,  Suggested Reading

    6 Great Rock n’ Roll Biographies for Summer

    6 Great Rock n’ Roll Biographies By: Theresa and Izzi Summer always permits more time, more sunlight, less homework (if you still do that stuff).  Who wants to lay out in the sun and just lay there? No, these warm months provide a great opportunity to pick up a good book. We’ve compiled a list of 10 rock n’ roll biographies that will inspire you to pick up an instrument, go to a show, or just live a rockin’ life. Theresa’s picks: Tina Turner, I, Tina: My Life Story (1986). Tina Turner’s memoir records an extraordinary music career, her violent marriage to Ike Turner, and her strength to come out…

  • Book Reviews

    The Women in Punk in Please Kill Me

    When I picked up Please Kill Me by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain I naively thought I would be writing an article about the female musicians included in the oral documentation of punk and those who were left out. It was pretty soon that I realized the issue wasn’t who they included and who they left out but how musicians and scenesters talked about women during the time, how women were portrayed and how most of the female quotes came from groupies. This was an eye opening revelation. Of course Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain are not to blame. They simply captured the quotes that tell the story of punk…

  • A Little Slice of History,  Book Reviews

    The Collected Lives of Patti Smith

    Someone asked if I would consider Woolgathering a fairy tale. I have always adored such tales but I am afraid it does not qualify. Everything contained in this little book is true, and written just like it was. ~Patti Smith Two years ago, a dear friend gifted me a signed copy of Patti Smith’s little book, Woolgathering. Published in 1992 — nearly two decades before the National-Book-Award-winning Just Kids & a full twenty-three years before the bestselling M Train — Woolgathering is a lesser-known work, an unassuming 76 pages of lyrical vignettes and photographs depicting Smith’s early life. I read Woolgathering during a time of upheaval in my life, a series…

  • Song Playlist

    :) :) Celebrate! :) :)

    We’re celebrating our first print issue of Women in Rock — released August 16, 2016 — with summery songs that make us jump for joy! Here, you can listen to the playlist!  We had such a fun time at the Women in Rock magazine release, thanks for being there!                     Le Tigre– “TKO” Best Coast– “Happy” Kimya Dawson– “Loose Lips” Lady Lamb– “Vena Cava” Patti Smith– “Redondo Beach” Tegan & Sara– “Northshore” Courtney Barnett– “Aqua Profunda!” Screaming Females– “Boss” THEESatisfaction– “QueenS” tUnE-yArDs– “Hey Life” PJ Harvey– “Good Fortune” Wussy– “Happiness Bleeds” Hurray for the Riff Raff– “Too Much of a Good Thing”…

  • Playlist,  Song Playlist

    Local Men Inspiration Playlist: Part 1

    As a follow up from our Local Ladies Inspiration Playlist in November, we have curated the same for local men in the Cincinnati music scene! These men are appreciative of and inspired by various female musicians. Here’s who moves them to make great music! Part 2 will be released on February 14, 2016.         Aaron Watkins (Commercial, Mardou, Butt)- “Papa Don’t Preach” by Madonna “Not just the song but Madonna is a massive influence to both music, fashion, art, and redefining gender roles. For her time I feel like this song was probably seen as being pretty edgy, and touches on issues of independence in the face…

  • A Little Slice of History

    When Patti Smith sang to Janis Joplin

    There are certain times that you wish you could be a fly on the wall… The moment I would die to witness would be an encounter with two of the most influential women in rock. The story appeared in “Just Kids,” a must read for any Patti Smith fan. Patti Smith writes of her life with Robert Mapplethorpe as a young person in New York City. She recounts when she was introduced to Janis Joplin by Bobby Neuwirth in 1970. Most of their interactions took place at the infamous Hotel Chelsea including Patti Smith being present when Kris Kristofferson taught Janis “Me and Bobby McGee.” One night after a show,…

  • Artist Spotlight,  Concert Information

    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…

  • A Little Slice of History

    The Mother of Punk

    Last week I posted on facebook: “If Patti Smith is the godmother of punk, who is the mother?” This truly stumped me because I always see Patti Smith referred to as the “godmother of punk” but I can’t think of anyone who came before her that is more inspiring to the punk world. My post on facebook was serious but in return I got a mix of responses both serious and shitty. The strangest thing was that all but one response were from men. Where were the girls in this conversation? Don’t they want to know who their punk mother is?? Below are the responses I recieved and my personal…

  • Song of the Moment

    Song of the Week: “Because the Night” covered by Garbage and Screaming Females

    It’s pretty damn hard to cover a Patti Smith song and do it well. Even harder to cover “Because the Night,” perhaps one of her most haunting and legendary songs, co-written with Bruce Springsteen. But it is another challenge entirely to do this while collaborating with another band. Garbage and Screaming Females teamed up this year for the ever popular record store day to make a limited 10-inch. Shirley Manson has always been an amazing Woman in Rock but this song definitely shows off Marissa Paternoster who is growing to be one of the strongest vocalists and guitarists around. Screaming Females have been a band for seven years and are from New…

  • Artist Spotlight,  Band Information

    The Lovely Ladies of Ancient Warfare: A Chat w/ Echo and Rachel

      The best way to find new bands is to stumble upon them at shows, at least that’s my favorite way. It was my lucky day back in September when I first saw the ladies of Ancient Warfare perform at the Comet. I was immediately mesmerized with their haunted sound and a certain darkness that was not expected. Ancient Warfare is made up of Echo Wilcox on guitar and vocals, Rachel Yanarella on violin and Emily Hagihara on drums and vocals. A few weeks ago, I sat down with Echo and Rachel at the Green Lantern in Lexington, Kentucky and talked to them about the music they create. IK: How old were you…