Feminism: It's contagious!
Listen to Girl Germs on Radio K (KUOM) Tuesdays from 9 to 11pm and Saturdays from 7 to 9am at 104.5 and 100.7 FM in the Twin Cities and around the world at radiok.org. Your hosts Dana and Jenny play the best in groundbreaking female artists - from rap to riot grrl, rock & roll to soul.
The “Honorary Lady” is a monthly feature we do on Girl Germs in an effort to discuss the boundaries that come attached to a radio show devoted to female artists. We wish to challenge what it means to be a girl or lady, and to recognize that artists who fall outside of this gender definition do make huge contributions to the music and culture we celebrate on the show.
Yes, we realize that Dr. Frank-N-Furter is a fictional character. But actor/musician Tim Curry's depiction of the mad scientist proved (much like last month's HL, Seth Bogart) that you can challenge ideas of gender and sexuality that we as a culture take for granted while being hilarious. What's more, Curry did this in the '70s, when the idea of gender-bending transsexuals or transvestites (however sweet they might be) was still pretty taboo.
And come on...look at him. Dr, Frank-N-Furter, we at Girl Germs salute you!
The “Honorary Lady” is a monthly feature we do on Girl Germs in an effort to discuss the boundaries that come attached to a radio show devoted to female artists. We wish to challenge what it means to be a girl or lady, and to recognize that artists who fall outside of this gender definition do make huge contributions to the music and culture we celebrate on the show.
One of the non-lady artists we're loving right now is Seth Bogart, a mainstay of the Bay Area garage-punk scene. While in the Kill Rock Stars-signed electro-pop band Gravy Train!!!! (which, if you're a fan of Le Tigre, you should definitely check out), Bogart took the pseudonym Hunx and, in 2008, formed Hunx and His Punx. A nod to '60s doo-wop and girl groups (not to mention poppy garage-rock from days of yore) and featuring an all-female backing band, Hunx and His Punx were soon touring with Nobunny and Jay Reatard, and even had a song featured in a LensCrafters commercial. (!)
Bogart is gay, and has never shied away from the topic of queer love - or sex in general (nor does he really shy away from anything; he even appeared in his skivvies in Girls' "Lust for Life" video). But Bogart doesn't feed into the stereotypes that so often permeate so-called "queer music." His persona is brazen, but still genuine, and his portrayals of gay romance - while tongue-in-cheek and often hilarious - seem to be from the heart. Bogart's music is especially inclusive of ladies - he often plays with female musicians, and he owns a combo vintage boutique/hair salon/record store with Tina Luchessi (who's been in Tina and the Total Babes and dozens of other rock bands).
Hunx and His Punx will release a full-length on Hardly Art in early 2011, and Bogart's side project, H.U.N.X. will release what he called in an interview with Out Magazine, "the gayest dance record ever." We can't wait.
The “Honorary Lady” is a monthly feature we do on Girl Germs in an effort to discuss the boundaries that come attached to a radio show devoted to female artists. We wish to challenge what it means to be a girl or lady, and to recognize that artists who fall outside of this gender definition do make huge contributions to the music and culture we celebrate on the show.
Oregon native Jona Bechtolt performed for several years as part of (Girl Germs fave) The Blow, a visual art-meets-electronic music project led by Mikhaela Maricich (formerly of the Microphones). Before The Blow, Bechtolt, who also played in Allegro and The Badger King, had already started performing and releasing music under the YACHT name. He has always embodied the D.I.Y. spirit that is so prevalent in the Pacific Northwest--creating his own beats, producing his own music and releasing it on independent labels. He's also a talented multi-media artist who's been commissioned by the Portland Institute of Contemporary Art and New York arts nonprofit Rhizome, and is a founder and contributor to the Urban Honking blog. We not only love Bechtolt's contributions to art, music and the D.I.Y. music scene, but we love that he's collaborated with such talented ladies as Maricich and Claire L. Evans, who became an official member of YACHT in 2008.
But perhaps what we love most about him is: dude is NOT afraid to bust a move--even while having paint dumped on him.
The “Honorary Lady” is a monthly feature we do on Girl Germs in an effort to discuss the boundaries that come attached to a radio show devoted to female artists. We wish to challenge what it means to be a girl or lady, and to recognize that artists who fall outside of this gender definition do make huge contributions to the music and culture we celebrate on the show.
August's Honorary Lady is Stephin Merritt, the singer and mastermind behind The Magnetic Fields, the 6ths, Future Bible Heroes and The Gothic Archies. Known for his deep, monotone voice and for his simplistic song style, Merritt might not seem at first like a shoo-in for Honorary Ladyhood. But listen to his lyrics. Merritt, who is gay, isn't afraid to look at the subjects of love and loneliness through an honest, candid lens (albeit sometimes a depressing or bittersweet one). In turn, Merritt and his music, which is sometimes referred to as "gay synth pop," have gained a sort of cult following among LGBT youth. Merritt has also worked with many talented ladies, among them vocalist Shirley Simms and longtime friend and bandmate Claudia Gonson, who has remarked that when the Magnetic Fields first started, "we purposely had one lesbian, one gay guy, one straight woman, and one straight man. The audience could identify with whomever they wanted."
The “Honorary Lady” is a monthly feature we do on Girl Germs in an effort to discuss the boundaries that come attached to a radio show devoted to female artists. We wish to challenge what it means to be a girl or lady, and to recognize that artists who fall outside of this gender definition do make huge contributions to the music and culture we celebrate on the show. You know July's Honorary Lady, and you no doubt love him. He is none other than David Bowie, one of the most groundbreaking (and gender-challenging) artists of our time. Besides being one of the all-around best singers and songwriters ever, he's played with the ideas of sexuality, androgyny, gender roles and traditional femininity/masculinity in his music, image and personal life, all while staying true to his artistic vision. Bowie remains just as relevant today as he was back in the '70s and has been a huge inspiration to ladies, gents and everyone in between.
And, hey - all that aside, we really, really, love Labyrinth.
We’re happy to announce that Little Richard picks up the crown for Girl Germs’ 3rd “Honorary Lady”. The “Honorary Lady” is a monthly feature we do on Girl Germs in efforts to challenge the boundaries that come attached to a radio show devoted mostly to female artists—we wish to challenge what it means to be a girl or lady, and recognize that artists who fall outside of this definition necessarily make groundbreaking contributions to music and the culture surrounding gender norms and possibilities.
If you were to look Little Richard up in the Dictionary, you’d probably see his face stamped next to the term “groundbreaking artists” (and hey- that’s 2/3 of our tagline!) Widely considered to be one of the very inventors of rock ‘n roll, Little Richard appeared on the national scene in 1951, introducing an entirely new style of music that combined traditional rhythm and blues melodies with the exciting pulse of funk.
Little Richard Churned out dozens of revolutionary hits in the 1950’s, including “Tutti Frutti”, “Keep A-knockin’” and “The Girl Can’t Help It.” Inspiring James Brown, Elvis, Otis Redding and countless others, Little Richard paved the way for thousands of artists to come. Nowadays, Little Richard’s flamboyant personality continues to capture the public’s attention—he still performs wearing sparkly suits and wigs, and is rumored BFFs with Minneapolis’ own Fancy Ray.
You may remember that we debuted our "Honorary Lady" feature last month (April's was Antony Hegarty). The honorary lady is an artist who may not be female, but who in some way embodies the innovative spirit of Girl Germs - by challenging perceptions of gender, standing up for GLBT rights, contributing to the DIY scene, blazing trails for female artists or supporting feminist ideals.
This month we're honoring Canadian-American singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright. Wainwright is an accomplished, prolific and award-winning musician (he won a Juno award at the age of 25 for Best Alternative Album). Wainwright, who is gay, has been lauded by the Grammies, GQ and GLAAD alike. He participated in Cyndi Lauper's True Colors tour in 2007, which donated profits to the Human Rights Campaign.
One of the many things we at Girl Germs love about Wainwright is the fact that he often collaborates with women and is forthright about their influence on his life - musically and personally. He not only makes great music on his own, but has worked with his mother, Kate McGarrigle (who sadly passed away this year), his sister Martha Wainwright, and his aunt Anna McGarrigle. His 2006 tribute concert to Judy Garland (backed by a 36-piece orchestra and featuring his mom, sister and Garland's daughter Lorna Luft) was released on CD and DVD in 2007, and is also not to be missed.
We introduced a new feature on the show tonight - the "honorary lady." The honorary lady is an artist who may not be female, but who in some way embodies the innovative spirit of Girl Germs - by challenging perceptions of gender, standing up for GLBT rights, contributing to the DIY scene, blazing trails for female artists, supporting feminist ideals...you get the picture.
Our first honorary lady is Antony Hegarty of Antony and the Johnsons. Antony is a transgender artist who, through his unique, haunting vocal styling and painfully beautiful compositions, is constantly making innovative contributions to the music world. this Mercury Prize-winning artist is also a role model, raising awareness of the trans community and reaffirming the fact that you can be talented and successful no matter what your gender is. He's collaborated with many other great artists, such as Sharon Jones, Bjork, Lou Reed, Hercules and Love Affair and Marianne Faithfull.
The “Honorary Lady” is a monthly feature we do on Girl Germs in an effort to discuss the boundaries that come attached to a radio show devoted to female artists. We wish to challenge what it means to be a girl or lady, and to recognize that artists who fall outside of this gender definition do make huge contributions to the music and culture we celebrate on the show.
