It's not necessarily anything new that both Kathleen Hanna and Kaia Wilson are having their own revivals, but it's something I thought I would share for anyone not in the know. Kaia Wilson, formerly of Team Dresch, The Butchies, Adickdid, has been performing a few gigs in promotion of her album that came out in 2008, titled Finally a Dyke Album for the Whole Family.
Kaia Wilson
Her album has good songs on it and that nice acoustic-y feel. I feel relaxed for the most part when listening to the album and definitely recommend it for any of her fans. She just performed at Yellow Feather Coffee in Denver, but I couldn't find any other gigs coming up. I'm hoping those will be listed soon cause it would totally rock to go to her show. Either way, I'd like to share an excellent interview that she did for Westword Blog yesterday.
In other news, Kathleen Hanna has now had an interview with Spinner and with CNN in the last couple of days.
Kathleen Hanna
I love reading interviews with her. But I do think that Riot Grrrl can happen in this decade; the internet just brings a whole different coloring to it. We have also go to get more women of color in on the movement. I'm proud to be of Mexican heritage and to be a Riot Grrrl. Yes, it's a grave contrast to the culture, but I don't want to fit into that mold. And with that, I do think that the Riot Grrrl movement of this decade is different but the spirit is there! We have blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and all kinds of social media at our disposal that can connect us all together in a more cohesive manner (if we wish). I also think her critiques of female artists like Katy Perry and Kesha are right on.
What I find sad are the comments on the articles that K is a man-hater, misogynistic, a misandrist, bitter, etc. Do you find her to be any of those things? For that matter, I don't find myself to be any of those things, even though I'm in line with the same values. I quite enjoy a good bit of estrogen and testosterone in my life and for everyone to be treated equally--unless they like popped collars--that is just inexcusable! :P Check out the articles! I'm so excited to see "Who Took the Bomp," the documentary of Le Tigre on tour. It just came out and should be a good watch. So much good stuff is coming out.
Anyone wanna throw some more good suggestions out for everyone?
That's about it for me because I'm strapped for time but would like to keep active on here! However, I'll leave you with this video from J.D. Samson's, of Le Tigre and now Men, new video "Off Our Backs." It's definitely danceable and just plain awesome. Take a watch!
I've been in squealing, girly mode ever since hearing about the Fales Library and Special Collection Riot Grrrl Exhibit, but that's just between us. Now, Sini Anderson has been in the process of producing The Kathleen Hanna Project, in case you didn't know that--but you probably did! Hopefully, you're not saying "Who the heck is Kathleen Hanna?" If that's the case, Google her name or check Amazon for some great books. She's one of the reasons my blog is here today.
I just wanted to spread the word that a call for video submissions has been issued on the site and that's where we come in. It's supposed be about what Kathleen Hanna means to you, but you can also make a video about why you don't like Kathleen Hanna. I can't imagine why one would want to do that but am sure it happens. I'd actually love to hear one of those videos. I'll be working on my video ASAP because the deadline is July 1.
Wouldn't it be awesome to be featured in the documentary? Although I really just want to spread the word of Kathleen Hanna and think you all should too. Maybe another fundraising event for the documentary will be in order? I'd like to see some more Coco Moore! I've only seen pics, but I hear her rendition of Rebel Girl with her band She Murders was awesome! If anyone has a link to that performance, please send it my way! Ms. Hanna forever influenced my musical taste and was key in my pursuit of women's studies as a major and so much more. So, get your tapes in and let's help this project be successful.
So, Rihanna causes quite a stir every time she releases a video, but do people make too much of a big deal out of it? Many times the feminist community is split amongst itself over questions of sexuality and depictions of women doing violent acts. Let's just push that aside and look at the issue at hand. The Parents Television Council is up in arms over Rihanna's latest "Man Down" single because of the video, and this is just shortly after "S&M" stirred up controversy because of the portrayal of what many would term 'sexual deviance,' rather than 'normal sexuality.'
What's wrong with "Man Down"? Well, it starts with Rihanna shooting a guy in the head. We later find out that he sexually assaulted her outside after Rihanna leaves the club where the two of them danced. Many think it went too far because she is condoning that sexual assault/domestic violence survivors use violence as a means of attaining justice.
Well, it's really just a fictitious story, and the message can be taken the wrong way, but I will play devil's advocate and say that I like the message in some ways. 1) It's not saying that THIS IS what survivors should do; it's just what she did in the video. 2)Shock value - 'nuff said! Think Eminem's "Kim" 3)It just shows that both men and women are capable of incredibly violent acts toward each other. 4)The truth is that women are often looked at more harshly for doing such an act. 5)Rihanna took her power back in the most animalistic way possible, instead of just taking it.
Let's not make so many moralistic judgments on the woman for this video. In the end, any of us could be put in that situation and one never knows what will happen. I would even venture to say that people see this portrayal in an even worse light because this was done by a woman of color. No one can deny that race plays a role in the way violent crimes (any crimes) are treated!
I say Yay to this video! And just for an aside, I mostly always like her hair. Please feel free to comment about what you think, but no flaming!
This is a blog focusing on the Riot Grrrl movement and its continuation. I will do my best to promote up-and-coming Riot Grrrl acts! Please e-mail at rarariotgrrrl@gmail.com or tweet me @rarariotgrrrl. Send stuff my way and I'll review you!
