News and Muse: September 30th, 2016

Today at 11AM Kathleen Hanna (the Julie Ruin /Bikini Kill) will be talking with Meredith Graves (MTV/ Perfect Pussy) live for the Talkhouse Music Podcast.

Oh no! This is how a woman really sounds when she sings? The weirdest thing I have read in ages is the technical evaluation of the new Lady Gaga single that some people find to be nails on a chalkboard. Some listeners can't wrap their head around a singer belting out a melody without the technology to clean it up so it sounds inhumanly in tune and like an unfeeling robot. I am baffled by the unnecessary push back to this very common approach to recording vocals.

In more befuddling reads, there are a lot of people who still buy CDs and Noisy wanted to know WTF. Hint, some people like physical stuff, enjoy the full journey of following a release from start to finish-getting the artist's full story, there is loyalty to the artist, that is how I listen to music in my car, I don't know how to download or I don't trust digital files, and you are probably over the age of 30.

Spotify is in "advanced talks" to buy SoundCloud; so much room for potential or disaster. Either way it threatens Apple music and will allow Bandcamp to remain more of an indie artist favorite when compared against these European superpowers in digital music.

"Girls Own Love" is an all female Andrew W. K. tribute band from Athens, Ga that features Kay Stanton who is currently also playing with Pylon Reenactment Society and Casper & the Cookies.

Amoeba in Berkeley, California goes green meaning they just got license to sell marijuana.

There is a battle brewing over the digital download cards that may or may not be included in that new record you just bought. Love 'em or hate 'em, there are lots of interesting opinions here from various record label owners.

Well that was fast; goodbye G.L.O.S.S., we hardly knew ya.

Sheila B, one of my favorite ladies and an extraordinary DJ (tune in today to WFMU to hear why) recently toured Europe and recapped it for fans here. Cha Cha Charming indeed.

Montreal has a public vinyl archive at the Never Apart Gallery and venue and it tells a story you once had to stay up very late to hear.

Congrats to Kathleen Brennan for receiving an award for writing "Song Lyrics of Literary Excellence"! If only some of the bigger press outlets called you by your name rather than just Tom Waits' wife. We know that a woman is more than who she is married to.

Harlem based producer Veronica Lauren turned bedrest from a botched spinal injury treatment into music.

Dolly is a beacon of strength for women. Oh come on. There is only one Dolly and we all know it.

This remarkable computer program essentially reads data and can turn it into music. Listen to the sound of climate change and learn more about this musical technology that will forever change how our brains can take in information. Woo your elitist music snob friends when you tell them your new favorite genre is "data sonification'.

Vinyl record sales are down 9.1% this year but we all already knew that the bubble has vinyly burst - right? See what I did there?

This interview with the Chicago rapper Noname also features her new album and both are worth your time.

What does The Boss have to do with one feminist's life journey?

There is a 16 year old editor in chief of a hopelessly cool biannual that showcases youth talent. Elise By Olsen started "Recens Paper" at age 13 which should all make us feel like we should probably all be doing more with our lives right about now.

Mexican duo Lorelle Meets the Obsolete has a new album out entitled Balance and why aren't more music sites talking about it yet?

Feminist Fridays : A Weekly Reading Round Up

A famous Polly goes to DC, writes a song about it then her tour guide writes a story about it.

We believe survivors and with a not guilty charge, CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi extends rape culture for another year.

Thank goodness for a feature by a woman at the summer NAMM convention (infamous sausage party) that calls out stupid, out of touch music instrument brands who think it is rock and roll to objectify women. Viva She Shreds Magazine and Lauren for calling out brands for creating sexist products and super sexist marketing techniques. Best quote ever about a power supply names in poor taste Pussy Power : "It more concerns me that than appeals to me honestly."

Sexual assault can happen at any time, anywhere. Kate Nash encourages women to speak up and tell their story.

You had me at art show featuring an archetypal punk doll house .

Six gifted black female MCs just opened for Chuck D and I am so pleased this news is being reported on. Get to know Set it off Cypher.  

A conversation with female A&R reps, sorry Apple music, women have a great ear for finding and signing new talent. And speaking of technology, learn how it is failing women.

I grew up with one role model and that is Laura Ingalls Wilder, yes the very same woman behind Little House on the Prairie. I am pretty darn excited to learn that the actress who played her on the television show, Melissa Gilbert, is running for congress.

This week I learned about an islamic Turkish feminist cult whose female members are called Kittens and look more plastic than the Kardashian family. Thanks Vice for blowing my mind and showing me chair dancing 2.0. "It feels like someone rubbed crayon all over my face."

The past is filled with women who are rebels and there is a fantastic video series entitled Ordinary Women: Daring to Defy History to celebrate them.

Azelia Banks has released a new mixtape titled Slay-Z and it can be yours for free.

I don't spend much time exploring all the different aspects of Spotify but I am a subscriber and use it often to listen to new music in an effort to decide if I want to spend the money to purchase it on vinyl. This week I discovered that in celebration of Women's History Month, Hilary Clinton has created a playlist of 30 songs to help smash the glass ceiling. If that doesn't do it for you, you can always check out the Sylvia Plath playlist instead.

My earworm discovery of the week. Mamamoo; Gwen Stefani wishes.

Follow This Atta-GIRL! Playlist

I have created a 2016 Atta-GIRL! Spotify playlist.

Every time I post about a new release that can be found on Spotify, I will add it to this playlist. Follow this playlist to have all the music I review in one handy, organized place.