Cause & Effect : Pixies to Slowdive

This weeks #TBT is focused on a section of this Pitchfork documentary on the English shoegaze band Slowdive. The band discussed that one of their biggest hits was in their mind, very much an ode to The Pixies. (discussed at the 24:41 mark) 

The cause:

The effect (base line and dynamics):

Zandra Rhodes, The Original Couture Punk

Where did UK fashion go after mods, hippies, and glam? And who helped musicians like Marc Bolan transition from cosmic pixie to the edgey headliner on tour with The Damned?

Meet Zandra Rhodes, the female English fashion designer who saw punk on the streets and introduced it to the couture world. Also discover what life in San Diego is like for her now and how it relates back to music in a surprising but oh, that makes perfect sense kind of way.

Easter Candy Hangover Cure : Sugar Rush

Maybe you have finally crashed after too many marshmallow peeps and fitsfulls of jellybeans. I have a candy hangover cure for you and it comes in the form of a cassette. I strongly recommend one dose of this candy coated compilation entitled Sugar Rush which exists thanks to a dual effort by our friends at Negative Fun Records and The Grey Estates.

This limited edition collection features songstresses covering a bunch of classics from Patsy Cline to The Bouncing Souls.

• "Strange" (Patsy Cline) - Claire Morales & Jena Pyle
• "Kiss Me" (Sixpence None the Richer) - Kississippi
• "Everywhere" (Fleetwood Mac) - Boosegumps
• "Unpretty" (TLC) - Sundae Crush
• "Feelin' This" (Blink 182) - PONY
• "I Held Her In My Arms" (Violent Femmes) - Susan
• "Mongoloid" (Devo) - Pearl Earl
• "People Ain't No Good" (The Cramps) - Mommy Long Legs
• "Hopeless Romantic" (The Bouncing Souls) - Alright
• "(I'm Not Your) Regular Woman" (Lucille Mathis) - The Pretty Greens
• "Riot Grrl" (Keel Her) - Daddy Issues

New Band Alert : Flasher

Flasher is a Washington, DC three piece featuring Taylor of Priests/ Young Tyrnas, Emma of Big Hush/Young Tyrnas, and Daniel of Bless/Trouble. They are little bit goth, a little bit post-punk, and the best new music I heard all last week.

They have a debut EP coming via Sister Polygon Records on cassette  April 8th.

Happy Easter 1978 Patti Smith Style

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.

Huggy Bear Member Goes Minimal

Electronic meditations may not be what you were expecting from Jo Johnson, the guitar player of the cacophonous Huggy Bear but she has an entire solo identity based around minimal soundscapes.

If you aren't familiar, Huggy Bear was England's version of Bikini Kill in the early '90s and truly fantastic.

The boy/girl revolution before:

The ambient after: