It's been way too long!

It's been way too long since I've posted but in the mean time I've been living life - I graduated nursing school, have been working 2 jobs, have moved twice in the past year and am about to have a baby!  Here are a couple of interviews with Kathleen Hanna that I'd thought I'd share:

An interview with Teenage Film: Kathleen Hanna: Start a Band Right Away.

And an interview on one of my favorite sites Collapse Board.

Blogger has a completely different format, that's how long it's been. I've got to get used to it! 

Le Tigre On Tour DVD out now!

Le Tigre's On Tour DVD is out now and it is so inspiring and awesome! Go get it!

    

MEN on Tour 2011!

I've seen MEN twice before and they put on a great show. You may have remembered the small Q&A I did with JD a while back.  Can't wait to go and dance dance dance.
 
2/01/11 – San Francisco, CA @ Amoeba (DJ Set)
2/01/11 – San Francisco, CA @ secret location
2/02/11 – Los Angeles, CA @ Amoeba (in-store)
2/03/11 – Long Beach, CA @ Fingerprints In-Store
2/04/11 – New York, NY @ secret location
2/08/11 – London UK @ The Lexington
2/10/11 – Aarhus, Denmark @ Vox Hall
2/11/11 – Amsterdam, The Netherlands @ Trouw
2/12/11 – Utrecht, The Netherlands @ Tivoli
2/14/11 – London UK @ Heaven NME Brat Awards Show w/ Sleigh Bells
2/17/11 – Paris, France @ Nouveau Casino
2/18/11 – St Gallen, Switzerland @ Theatre Palace
2/19/11 – Schaffhausen, Switzerland @ Tap Tab
2/22/11 – Brussels, Belgium @ Botanique
2/24/11 – Vienna, Austria @ Flex club
3/09/11 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
3/10/11 – Boston, MA @ TT The Bears yes, I'll be there!
3/11/11 – Montreal, PQ @ Il Motore
3/12/11 – Toronto, ONT @ Wrong Bar
3/13/11 – Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
3/14/11 – Chicago, IL @ Subterenean
3/15/11 – Madison, WI @ Frequency
3/16/11 – Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock
3/18/11 – Denver, CO @ Hi Dive
3/19/11 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
3/21/11 – Seattle, WA @ Crocodile
3/22/11 – Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Theater
3/23/11 – Portland, OR @ Rotture
3/25/11 – San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop
3/26/11 – Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex
3/27/11 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah
3/28/11 – Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room
3/29/11 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launch Pad
3/30/11 – El Paso, TX @ Lips
3/31/11 – Austin, TX @ Beauty Bar
4/01/11 – Dallas, TX @ Loft
4/02/11 – New Orleans, LA @ Republik
4/03/11 – Atlanta, GA @ EARL
4/04/11 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
4/05/11 – Washington, DC @ R and R
4/06/11 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
4/07/11 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

      

Things I Forgot to Blog in 2010 Part 5: THE Julie Ruin !

Okay, so I did remember to write about the Kathleen Hanna documentary that Sini Anderson is making.  But they recently did a benefit show in NY where Kathleen announced a revival of The Julie Ruin and the new band is also featuring Kathi Wilcox! Wow!!!!!!! When I saw Kathleen was having that Julie Ruin t-shirt contest, I was hoping something like this was on her mind.  Here is a review from BUST and another great one from Star Beat Music. I'm really upset I didn't go to this. Lame Lame Lame. I got to see Kathleen perform a few Julie Ruin songs in 1999 with some of the very early Le Tigre shows and can't wait to see more.  don't stop. don't stop. don't stop. Here are some videos from the night but be sure to check out the Star Beat Music link for set list and more detail and you can also look up the others on Youtube cos I'm not able to post 800 videos at once.

       

Much Finer

I moved and was off the grid with the internet for a while. Things have been kinda lousy but I'm hoping they'll get:

 

Lots of great grrrl stuff happening lately too, but in the move my computer speakers broke! Hopefully they will be back soon and I will get back to posting more regularly. xx 

       

The Kathleen Hanna Project

I am super excited about the upcoming documentary film The Kathleen Hanna Project, which Sini Anderson is working on  Below is a letter from Sini through facebook, looking for donations to make this project a reality!  Please consider donating. 

Dear Friends, Fans, and Family:

As some of you already know, I am currently knee-deep in the early stages of directing a documentary film about Kathleen Hanna. It’s a unique opportunity, and an important one. This film is not simply an archive of Kathleen’s impact on our culture as a feminist leader and musician (which could easily be a five-part miniseries).

I am making an intimate portrait of a complex artist and activist that explores where she’s been, where she is now, and where she is going. Inevitably, these questions will engage larger ones about the nature of art and activism, as well as fame, friendship, and community.

When Kathleen and I sat down a few months ago and talked about the film I wanted to make, we both agreed that it should be as ambitious, professional, and as beautiful as possible. Accordingly, I am shooting everything on HD cameras, with the latest technology. I won’t bore you with gibberish about P2 cards, but I can assure you that this stuff is futuristic. It is also very expensive.
Here’s what we have going for us: a kick-ass team of talented, passionate people who are temporarily willing to work for free; the collaboration of our subject, Kathleen; 20 years of archival footage documenting her work, and a clear, inspired vision of what this film will be and why it needs to be made.

Here’s what we don’t have (yet): money. Nonetheless, because we are so confident that this film will find the support it needs, we are already in production, and intend to stick to our current schedule, which has us shooting through the end of the year.
Don’t worry; we aren’t relying on faith alone to finance this film. During our marathon, hummus-fueled meetings in my Bushwick apartment, we have formulated a plan and taken action toward qualifying for non-profit status (we have an interested fiscal sponsor), while remaining eligible for private investors. We have an accomplished grantwriter on the ready. We are in the process of making a teaser video to pitch to potential producers, and a shorter cut to launch on the fundraising site, Kickstarter. However, we are in desperate need of more gigantic hard-drives to store all of our beautiful HD footage, not to mention more P2 cards, sound and lighting equipment, sustenance for our crews (don’t want anybody getting too skinny in the service of good art), media transfers, and lots more.

So this is, in the end, our first request for support (you probably already figured that out, huh?). Very much in the spirit of all independent, grassroots movements (hello, feminism. hi riot grrls. hi underground musicians, artists, and revolutionaries), we need those who support independent art, feminist art, and the documentation of our underground leaders to rally. We want to do this right, so that it's as good as it should be, and reaches the widest audience possible.
You can donate via Paypal here (you’ll have to set up an account, if you don’t have one, which takes about one minute); all you need is your email and mine (sinianderson3@gmail.com). Anything helps. $5-$500,000 right, right.

If any of you want to throw a whole bunch of money at this project, we would be thrilled to give you an executive producer credit. And if you have a larger donation that you'd like to be tax deductible, that will be possible after we have non-profit status (probably by the end of the summer). Either way, get in touch and we will figure it out.

Lastly, I'd be so grateful if you’d forward this letter on to anyone you know who might want to be of help.

So much thanks and love,
Sini Anderson


     

Le Tigre Karaoke Contest!

In anticipation for Le Tigre: On Tour DVD, Le Tigre are off the street and on the internet with official facebook and twitter sites. And when they get 1,000 followers on facebook and twitter they will post a clip from the movie, so tell your friends. They are also running a Karoke Contest.  You can find backing tracks to Deceptacon, Hot Topic, Keep on Livin', Nanny Nanny Boo Boo and TKO on their official Myspace site.

You can send videos, audio tracks, or covers with your own instruments to LeTigreContest@gmail.com.  The submissions will be posted on their blog and the winner will get a bag full of Le Tigre goodies.  So let's get creative people! And I can't wait to see your entries!  

 

 

 

     

 

      

Help My Puppy

Although there are many ways to make money with blogs, I have never used this site to do so.  But I am asking for your help. I rescued my dog Foxy four years ago. He was four years old and had already had four other homes because of a lot of issues with separation anxiety and house breaking, but I refused to give up on the lil bugger! Fast forward to last week, when he was running up the stairs and tore his cruciate ligament. He had surgery on Friday which cost almost $1700.  I am going to be selling a bunch of stuff on ebay so I can try to pay my vet bill. Please show your support to my lil puppy and buy something, and spread the word! My name on ebay is suckmyleftone and you can find my items here.  Below are just a few of the items that went up today but I plan on adding more so please check back and thanks so much for your support!

 

love, Casey and Foxy

 Vest I made with a Bikini Kill backpatch I screen printed, studs, a "riot=not quiet" patch, and some pins!

I got this one of a kind screen-printed Yeah Yeah Yeah's Purse at a show! 

 

 Another Vest I made featuring Pink studs!

Le Tigre Tour Shirt from 2003 "Bands Against Bush Tour"

A lot of Grrrl patches 

 

Pink jean jacket!

A lot of punky, spikey, studded bondage and leopard type things (belts, chokers, bracelets, etc.) 

Lot of 10 punk grrrl skirts and a pair of zippered knee-high stockings.

And for your reading pleasure.....

Flipside with the Lunachicks, Bamboo Girl zine and a special collectors edition of Ms. 

First issue of ReadyMade Magazine!

 

 Hole Courtney Love Magazine Lot

Bitch Magazine Lot

And last but not least....

 My pink puma roller skates! I love these!


   

I wanna go to the carnival

Taking a study break and I just realized that Johanna Fateman blogged about Le Tigre working with Christina Aguilera.  And I'm reading the posts on the new Bikini Kill archives. So cool and inspiring!  Kathleen is also collecting videos of any shows you have, so send them to her. I'm going to convert what I have to DVD and send it along. I cross my fingers/touch wood/spit and hope that all of this will prompt them to do a reunion show.... 

Here's a video from 1992 of Bikini Kill playing in DC. I have this show on tape, and it's aweeeesome. This video is of Girl Soldier, Hamster Baby and Jigsaw Youth.  During this show they also played one of my favorite's Daddy's Lil Girl.  <3 <3 <3

And here is another unreleased Bikini Kill song, with Billy singing! 

       

10 Ways You Can Donate to Haitian Earthquake Victims

I'm feeling so sad about all the people in Haiti. Please make a donation to one of the many organizations helping out the people of Haiti. I remember etsy did a fundraiser for Katrina families, I hope they do something similar for the Haitians as well... 

This article was originally from U.S. News and World Report by Maura Judkis.

Thousands are feared dead in Haiti after the massive earthquake that rumbled through Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, but now aid groups are struggling to assist the living. The country, which is the most impoverished nation in the Western Hemisphere, already had a large humanitarian presence, but many workers from the United Nations are missing or feared dead. The country has no electricity or phone service, and hospitals and aid centers have been reduced to rubble.

Now, Americans are wondering what they can do to help. President Obama, in a Wednesday-morning speech, pledged U.S. aid and resources. He also urged Americans to open their wallets to the citizens of Haiti, saying, "This is a time when we are reminded of the common humanity that we all share." The Center for International Disaster Information recommends financial donations, rather than supplies, as the best way to make a difference. If you're interested in donating, all of the organizations below have pledged relief for Haiti.

1. Already viral on Facebook and social networking sites, the Red Cross is getting the word out about its text-message donation system. Text "HAITI" to the number 90999 to donate $10, which will be added to your next cellphone bill. You can also donate online through the Red Cross website.

2. Hospitals in Haiti are badly damaged and overwhelmed. To help medical aid workers, donate to Doctors Without Borders on its website.

3. International aid group CARE has already sent 133 staff members to Haiti, and it will be distributing food. You can donate your Delta Air Lines SkyMiles to transport CARE aid workers to Haiti or give money for relief funds through its website.

4. Louise Ivers, clinical director for Haiti for Partners in Health, wrote in an E-mail to colleagues, "Port-au-Prince is devastated, lot of deaths. SOS. SOS ... Please help us." You can donate to support Partners in Health's field hospitals on its website.

5. Today, World Vision heads to Haiti with 18 tons of supplies, including blankets, tarps, and water containers. Support World Vision by donating through its website.

6. The UNICEF representative in Haiti, Guido Cornale, told the BBC yesterday that the Haitian earthquake is one of the worst he's seen in his life. To help children in Haiti, donate via UNICEF's website.

7. Haitian-American rapper Wyclef Jean's foundation to rebuild Haiti, Yéle, is also accepting text-message donations. Text "Yele" to 501501 to donate $5, which will be added to your next phone bill. You can also donate via the Yéle Foundation's website.

8. International Relief and Development will supply water, sanitation kits, medicines, hygiene kits, and shelter materials. You can donate to IRD on its website.

9. Oxfam already has 200 volunteers stationed in Haiti. They'll be providing clean water, shelter, and sanitation through donations on Oxfam's website.

10. The Salvation Army is sending 285,120 boxed meals of rice, soy, and vitamins to Haiti. Support the Salvation Army through its website.

         

NYU Archives "The Kathleen Hanna Papers"

You may remember that Johanna Fateman and Kathleen Hanna talked about their plans to donate their zines to NYU on Hannah Neurotica's Blog Talk Radio Show (if you missed it, you can listen here!)  Well, according to The L Magazine, NYU's Fales Library has recently acquired The Kathleen Hanna Papers.  Who wants to take a road trip? Hannah..?  Anyone..?  I know Jason will not really be into this trip, with me spending countless hours geeking out at the library and all.  Let me know, cos I'm serious.

             

Using Music to Cope with our Families over the Holidays

Many of us are already beginning to build up our mental armor to deal with our families over the upcoming holiday season. Personally, I always envision Eye of the Tiger as my warrior song.  I also like to sing Le Tigre's On Guard to myself when dealing with really difficult people.  Can you imagine surviving without music?  I can't.  What songs pull you through the chaos?

You can listen to Le Tigre's - On Guard from http://weheartmusic.vox.com/


   

Blogs We Love: Seagull Blog

Johanna Fateman owns Seagull Hair Salon with her friend Shaun (see below.)  They also have this great blog, where I saw this adorable picture from their friend Cara Kleid.  They even have their own Myspace Page.

        

     

Interview with JD Samson of MEN and Le Tigre

I caught up with JD Samson (of Le Tigre, and MEN) but instead of doing the typical Q/A format of most interviews, I gave her some prompts and asked her to complete the statements (just think of those Myspace surveys that people fill out.)  MEN is JD's newest project, and they are currently on tour with Gossip and then they are soon going on tour with Peaches!  If MEN aren't coming to a city near you, you can still pick up their limited edition demo on Itunes and Amazon.  Here's a picture of MEN from the Paradise in Boston, courtesy of Sarah.

Ohio is where nana and papa live.

I became interested in feminism when I.

Film making is done with one's fingertips.

Art is what you have passion for.

Music can feel like love.

The first song I wrote was about love.

Dykes Can Dance was a whole other world.

The New England Roses is all about love.

Le Tigre will never stop.

MEN began in an airport.
   
MEN evolved from chimps.

"What would a man do" is a way for women to build confidence.
 
Our EP is epic.

Touring is my job.

Something I thought I'd never do travel around the world.

Something I plan on doing moving to the country.

I'm listening to a lot of talking heads.
  
Lately I'm inspired by nana and papa.

My biggest challenge as an artist is not worrying about what other people think.

Something I wish someone would ask me in an interview is where do you like to be silent.

For Halloween women.

In the future children.

        

Kathleen Hanna on WFMU

When you have some time (it's about a 3 hour show with some great music!) Check out Beastin' the Airwaves! with Keili on WFMU, with Kathleen Hanna and Ad-Rock talking about one of my favorite subjects, youth empowerment through the arts!  One of the songs they play and talk about is the Fly Girlz wjp are part of a youth hip-hop series called Representing NYC, from Brooklyn.

      

Gossip, MEN and Apache Beat Show

I was waiting to post until I figured out how to upload my own videos from my iphone (HELP ANYONE!?!)  But I can't wait any longer! So... I went to the Gossip, MEN and Apache Beat show at the Paradise on Sunday.

Apache Beat are from NY and were low-key, pretty, melodic, experimental, indie rock. They remind me of someone, but I can't think of who. Tara Slone/Joydrop maybe?

MEN also hail from the Big Apple and have catchy, upbeat socially conscious dance jams.  Their current lineup is JD Samson (Le Tigre), Michael O'Neill (Princess, Ladybug Transistor) and Ginger Brooks Takahashi (LTTR, The Ballet.) Past contributors include Johanna Fateman (Le Tigre) and artist Emily Roysdon. MEN performed with some great props, including two large hands, one which read "fuck your best" the other which read "fuck your friends" for the song Credit Card Babies.  They had a sign that said "Science=Death" which I believe was during the song Simultaneously.  They also had large arrows that said "Boom" for the song Boom Boom Boom. I was excited to pick up their limited edition EP too!  If you can't catch MEN on tour you can pick up a digital version of the EP. 

And I've seen the Gossip a few times, but this was several years ago. So I guess I somehow forgot how powerful Beth's voice is, because I was blown away. DAMN! What a great live show!  This totally renewed my interest in this fabulous band. I wish the US would appreciate them as much as they are loved in other parts of the world.  We are so far behind... Anyone know why they dropped the "The"?

I will also be doing an interview soon with JD so stay tuned! And let me know if you have any questions here.


 

I wanna be there: SPILL in Glasgow

 

Imagine it.  Fraser skips school to meet Le Tigre and Gravy Train!!! at a gig in Glasgow, where he also ends up meeting Sean. Of course they become BFF's and later decide to start SPILL, which initially found success as a club night and was later turned into a radio show. SPILL was built to celebrate their mutual love for riot grrrl and rebellion against the boring half-assed techno/electro club nights that people were putting on in Glasgow at the time.

You can listen to Sean and Fraser play "riot grrrl femme punk" live every Wednesday between 2-3 pm UK time on www.subcity.org, which is a student radio station based in Glasgow University.  But don't worry, you can also stream the show anytime afterwards as well! Their only rule is that the songs have female vocalists.  The music ranges from riot grrrl to girl punk to electroclash to pop. As long as the songs have girls with attitude!

Excited, after listening to their show, I asked them what drew them to riot grrrl and to start SPILL?

"We got inspired just by the whole riot grrrl movement. We love girls who don't give a fuck and who are just really cool and make good music. It's weird though 'cos we're both guys but totally understand where these girls come from. They stand up for gay rights, which as gay men we totally agree with."

SPILL on Subcity Radio

SPILL on Myspace

SPILL on Facebook


    
          

Le Tigre and Christina Aguilera!

I never thought I'd be writing about Christina Aguilera in this blog, but she is working with Le Tigre, MIA, Lady Tron, Goldfrapp and Santigold for her next album! WOW! What a lineup of fierce women. I am psyched to hear this. ALSO, Kathleen wrote a blog post on Le Tigre's Myspace that can be read here stating Le Tigre did not break up, and it mentions some of the projects she's been working on! As you probably know, JD has been touring with MEN who I saw (and loved in Boston) can't wait to see them when they loop back around with Gossip in October!

I don't know a lot about her, but I've always felt like Christina Aguilera was a feminist, here is a cool article called Christina Aguilera, Riot Grrl, How a Pop Princess Became a New Voice for Feminism from Julianne Shepherd in the Portland Mercury in 2004.

Here's Christina's song "Can't Hold Us Down" with Lil Kim.

The Fakes

Released in 1995, The Fakes were a project that included Rachel Carns (the Need, Kicking Giant), Kathleen Hanna (Bikini Kill, Le Tigre, Julie Ruin), Tim Green (Nation of Ulysses, Fucking Champs), Billie Strain. Sue Fox and others. I remember reading in an article or zine somewhere that they made this record so you could listen to it and think "hey, I can do that." Very much in the DIY ethic and an empowering record that talks a lot about abuse survivors.


You can still buy the CD format at Chainsaw Records. And you can listen to samples on Amazon.