Girlpool

While not as outwardly punk as other riot grrrl bands, this young guitar duo’s music cover everything a girl feels in the simplest, blunt, raw, and smoothest manner. So free with their emotion and, Cleo and Harmony play together harmoniously and cover their childhoods, relationships, and oppression.

Growing up and apart is one of the main themes on their debut album, When the World Was Big. These Philadelphian teens have no drummer and it adds an edge to the guitar and vocal game. You can tell that something between them just clicks on another level, Harmony says “There’s a certain understanding and empathy that we have for each other.”

Chastity Belt

These Washington natives are making waves with their sophomore album, Time to Go Home. They’ve written the feminist anthem of the year with “Cool Slut”. With lyrics like “We just wanna have some fun /Grind upon everyone.” Chastity Belt is letting girls know that it is okay to do whatever they want and just have some fun. They are writing songs for the modern girl. They started off writing joke party songs, but have since moved onto more witty and emotional party songs.
One of Chastity Belt’s main goals is to encourage more girls to be in bands. Guitarist Julia said “I’d like teenage girls to be able to relate to this album and listen to it and think ‘Oh! I could be in a band too.’”

ITS AM-ZINEEE!

Hello! Very exciting! Fanatic is now in paper format! You can now hold Fanatic! I've made a zine! Its cool, its new, its pink! Email me at kcormac15@gmail.com if you would like one.
maybe people will actually go on this now haha

One the founders of the original Riot Grrrl movement, Kathleen Hanna is keeping it alive. She has made her life’s work about feminism and keeping girls informed and encouraged, whether through music, art, zines, counseling, fashion, or public speaking.

Kathleen inspires other people, and a riot grrrl should be inspiring and supportive. After being a victim of abuse, she was a counselor at a women’s shelter, and after Bikini Kill shows she would counsel women who needed it. After performing punk shows Kathleen would be in the back performing crisis counseling, sometimes every night while on tour. But she hasn’t let anything that has happened to her make her jaded. She is sincere and has a sense of humor.

 After Bikini Kill broke up and she was in a low point, she took those pent up feelings a turned it into a self-recorded masterpiece solo album, Julie Ruin.

Then she was a part of Le Tigre, an electronic dance-punk trio which covered Bush era politics, a whole new wave of feminist issues, and supported the LGBTQ community. Currently, Kathleen is fronting the feministic post-punk pop band, The Julie Ruin, sounding more confident than ever and not letting her Lyme disease hold her back.

Kathleen is still a modern riot grrrl because she is 100% in tune with everything happening in a girl’s world. She is waiting for the next movement to occur. Kathleen recognizes that the original Riot Grrls had their flaws, (read Girls to the Front by Sara Marcus), and she is hoping that the next generation can learn and grow from that. visit Kathleenhanna.com and also watch The Punk Singer

Come To My Bedroom / Talk To My Bedroom

Bedroom music is anything that is ultra-personal. Whether it be bedroom pop, punk, or whatever, I usually think of it as usually self-recorded or semi-lo-fi. 

The word bedroom is used because what is more personal to someone than their room? A safe place that is completely their own, cut off from the rest of the world, and free from its judgement.

Colleen Green started her solo career in her room after she moved to L.A. and had been diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune disease. It was a turning point in her life and she channeled that emotion into recording and writing and figuring out how to use a drum machine by herself. Now, 4 albums later, Colleen has moved out of her room and into a studio, collaborating with others on her latest release. 

I really wouldn’t call Sky Ferreira bedroom-pop in the recording sense, but definitely in the sense of content. Sky has been the victim of abuse, and when she was writing her album she thought a lot about the way people are treated and about not letting what has happened to her define who she is. She writes songs based on ideas, not always experience. Her main goal is to be honest and speak to people. She writes simple lyrics to get her points across clearly. Sky Ferreira is taking the most personal events and sentiment and trying to help others. 

Mariam from Bong Wish said she started making music when she felt her life was missing something. She started recording songs in her room on her own. From there the band progressed and came out of her room. Which is a great thing, that she could take something intimate and share it with people. 

I have nothing but respect for anyone who takes their emotions and turn it into an art to help and share other people who have felt the same things.  

Bong Wish Interview

Hey everyone! Do you guys know Bong Wish? Well ya really should! They're a group of lovely ladies that have been playing shows non-stop. They are great and groovy and I love seeing them live. Check out my recent interview with front-women, Mariam, from the Boston Hassle! 

----------------------------------REPOST FROM BOSTONHASSLE.COM--------------------------

Mariam Saleh is the creating force behind the psych-folk dream that is Bong Wish. Not long ago, I got the chance to electronically interview the groovy songstress. Mariam shared her sagacity on spirituality, what's next for the Bongettes, and her advice for those who want to start performing.

Boston Hassle: What first inspired you to start writing and playing music?
Mariam Saleh: It just happened, my life needed something and it was music.

BH: When and how did Bong Wish form?
MS: Bong Wish I feel is always changing form, but with a strong core! The original configuration started with me, Ana Karina and Kristina. I had Kristina on bass and Karina on drums until we realized that the opposite made much more sense.

BH: How has Bong Wish changed, developed, and expanded since the band's start? 
MS: Well it started with just me in my bedroom. Multiple times a week I would record these 'under a minute' songs. I soon found myself wanting more and that's where Karina came in. It was very natural, very sisterly! Our bond was instant, quickly with love and support. Our voices also worked so perfectly together. Kristina came in, and again it was very obvious we all were supposed to be together at this time. Over time the songs lengthened, and the group spiritually became closer. We then came across Molly and like that she was a part of this sisterly connection. We often have Bongettes jump in and out of the mix, it's a very open and loving crew! Anyone can be a Bongette!

BH: Are there any particular themes or messages you try to explore or instill in your work? MS: Spirituality, love and the everlasting journey are messages I feel come across naturally with this group. Growing and sharing is important in our songs and as people.

BH: I read that when you first started a band you were a semi-inexperienced musician. What were some of the challenges that came along with that and how did you overcome them? 
MS: The only challenges I came across were inspiring ones! Getting better at my instruments and learning how to focus on what was important and to not get caught up in rock stardom.

BH: Do you have any advice for anyone that wants to form a band, but doesn't have any experience? MS: Love yourself and give love! No matter what kind of music or performance you want to pursue. Believe in yourself and challenge yourself! Don't give into the pressures of society and what fits in and what's currently cool. Real music comes from within.

BH: What is Bong Wish currently working on? Do you have a release in the near future?
MS: We are currently working on bonding as a whole, becoming more and more in tune to each other. That's the most important thing I think, playing together often and connecting mind, body and soul. We plan to record next month, potentially some demos to share with the world, or maybe even a more full record. Who knows, but for now you can see us play live!

May 24 Playlist

No.1 Party Anthem - Arctic Monkeys Bleak - Littlefoot Ode to Victory - Mac DeMarco California Sun - The Ramones Children of the Night - SaraLee What Condition Am I In? - Miles Kane All the Garden Birds - Palma Violets Tom the Drum - Palma Violets Nobody Asked Me (If I Was Okay) - Sky Ferrira Oh Yeah, That Deep Breath - Free Pizza Everlong - Foo Fighters Be the Breeder - Guerilla Toss Radical or Pro-Parental - Kathleen Hanna Saddest Summer- The Drums Strange Magic - Electric Light Orchestra Wonderwall - Oasis Philadelphia Freedom - Elton John