News and Muse: September 16th, 2016

Before you post something about how the sky is falling because you skimmed a headline and believe Amoeba Records in Hollywood, CA is closing, read this. Read the full article before posting outrage people!

My ears are reminding me that this was the best thing it heard this week: Sampa the Great from Australia.

Aphex Twin and Bjork you say? Christmas comes early this year in Houston, TX.

Ladies, Yoko Ono wants you! Tell her about the trauma you have suffered for no other reason that being a woman. Her son Sean also made the news this week when he shared his unfortunate thoughts on mansplaining.

This is the most talked about music news story of the week; G.L.O.S.S turned down an Epitaph Records contract. To me the bigger story is that they might be the only band I know who talks about pressing 20k of a record out of the gate. Now that is the real story here.

Have you ever wondered why you hated the sound of your own voice? This article explains why. Science! 

England has two female revolutions happening; music (meet The Tuts, the newest in a seemingly endless crop of killer bands) and fashion.

The lesson here is one of determination and no apologies for being who you are. Publicist Michelle Kambasha shares her experiences as a black woman in the independent music world.

The New York Art Book fair is THE place to be this weekend. Somebody go and report back for me - please? You can get a Kim Gordon or Genesis Breyer P-Orridge tattoo! Oh, and in other Kim Gordon news, there is this short film made by Carrie Brownstein for the Kenzo fall/winter campaign. And wait! More KG news! She has a new single out too!

Amy McGrath of Denver, CO has written an essay about why women rock on and off the stage.

What does Marnie Stern have to do with Seth Meyers and his late night television show? Her enormous music talent is being put to good use.

These songwriters are fighting the Justice Department because of their recent music copyright ruling as it relates to digital streaming compensation.

Modular synth fans, don't miss this 25 minute non-tradional documentary on the making of the collaborative LP between Suzanne Ciani and Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith. Think of this as a visual companion to the music rather than your typical thing where artists talk about their project.

I have produced records with just about every vinyl pressing plant there is since the early '90s but my favorite experience remains with Erika Records. I first heard about them because they were partners with Sub Pop early on but I remain dedicated to them because they are owned by Liz Dunster. Oh the things this woman has put up with over the years because of her gender. I have so much respect for her and her dedication to producing top quality records in a professional manner. Check out this recent article on her and her company.

Nothing says objectifying and marginalizing women in a really stupid way quite like this very real recent music group comment. Tell me more about women in your creepy shoegaze fantasy world. Oh wait. Don't. Just don't. It is exhausting (not to mention insulting) to see comments like this about women in bands that treat us more like an accessory than a talented member of the band. We are real people who make art.

This article slipped through the posting cracks a few weeks ago. Why are more women freelancing?

Titwrench is raising the bar for music festivals according to this story.

Shirley Manson has some words for you about fetishizing the '90s, body image, and well, click here to see what else.

Feminist Friday Music News: August 19th, 2016

There are a lot of disturbing yet fascinating perceived notions about women that simply are not true. These "truisms" are all wrong yet they are still setting us back in the world, from art to our careers. And no, Yoko did not break up The Beatles.

There is another brilliant record on Sister Polygon Records. Check out Post Pink from Baltimore.

Carol Kaye is among the most important American bass players. Discogs wrote a little piece on the most sought after records she plays on. And speaking of Discogs, they have a crowdfunding type idea for getting rare records repressed. It seems like a licensing nightmare to me so good luck with that.

Shaun White is best know for his snowboarding and skateboarding skills but he also plays in a band and is facing a lawsuit from an ex member for sexual harassment.

Light in the Attic is doing a series of reissues for the French painter/poet/post punker/painter Lizzy Mercier Descloux and Quietus wrote a really nice overview on all of her diverse and many talents.

Another long time record store closes down, this time Disc Exchange after 20 years of serving the Knoxville music community. What does it take for an indie record store to survive these days anyway? Weird, I would have guessed being independently wealthy was the answer.

Women are kicking ass in the Olympics this year so let's celebrate with a mix of brilliant feminist music from Brazil.

The band Fea is Latina punk at its finest.

I recently worked on an Alice Bag interview and spent a lot of time with her new album that is heavily inspired by '60s Girl Groups so this article about new bands influenced by this style couldn't be timed any better for me. I saw Midnight Snaxxx play a few years ago at Goner Fest and really loved them so while I don't know the other groups in this article, I stand by that band 100%.


So how do we stop sexual assault from happening at music festivals. It starts with education says David Huggins.

The problem with being a record nerd who is given a list like the story of feminist punk in 33 songs is I can't stop thinking about what I would change about it. In fairness though, this list is pretty darn great.

Oh boy! Another music industry race to the bottom. There are some important lessons to be learned in the demise of a sync music company in Chicago.

An old co-worker of mine Glenn Peoples wrote this piece about music marketing and the heart of the point really surprised me. Did you know that an artist's voice + new music = a serious click through rate?

Making music can be one of the most empowering and self confidence building tools in the world. A London engineering and design company is working on creating musical instruments for people with physical disabilities that may have otherwise been excluded from the gift of making music.

And in the name of a flashback Friday, check out Snatch, an obscure female punk duo from the late '70s.