In this abbreviated edition of the Women on Women Music Program, the girls play some of their favorites from 2008, and more!
Scarlet Johansson - "Falling Down" Anywhere I Lay My Head (Rhino)
The New Pornographers - "All The Old Showstoppers" Challengers (Matador)
Office - "If You Don't Know By Now" A Night at the Ritz (Scratchie/New Line)
Imperial Teen - "Sweet Potato" The Hair the TV the Baby and the Band (Merge)
M.I.A. - "Boyz" Kala (Interscope)
Crimson City Chicks - "Untitled" V/A: Girls Rock! Chicago (S/R)
All Girl Summer Fun Band - "Everything I Need" Looking Into It (AGSFB)
18th Dye - "Is" Amorine Queen (Crunchy Frog)
The Ellie Maybe Experence - "I Thought I Could Love You" Meet Ellie (Horse-Drawn)
She & Him - "I Was Made For You" Volume One (Merge)
Amanda Palmer - "Astronaut" Who Killed Amanda Palmer (Roadrunner)
PJ Harvey - "White Chalk" White Chalk (Island)
Jenny Lewis - "Acid Tongue" Acid Tongue (WB)
Mavis Staples - "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" Live: Hope at the Hideout (Anti)
Dinah Washington - "Cry Me a River (Truth & Soul Remix)" V/A: Verve Remixed 4 (Verve)
Ladytron - "I'm Not Scared" Velocifero (Nettwerk)
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Tonight: WOW's Eve of the Eve Holiday Spetacular!
Tonight, after you listen to WOW on the radio, come see us in person at the Eve of the Eve Holiday Specatacular! We'll be celebrating the holidays in style with food, music, drinks and a raffle! Best of all, ten percent of your food and drink order will benefit WOW's holiday charity, Chicago Independent Radio Project.
T's is located at 5025 N Clark Street in Chicago. The party will kick off around 10:00 p.m., right after WOW. So tune in and then head on over to T's to help us celebrate in style!
T's is located at 5025 N Clark Street in Chicago. The party will kick off around 10:00 p.m., right after WOW. So tune in and then head on over to T's to help us celebrate in style!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Women are Instrumental
A few years back, a listener of the show called up and made a request. He said he wanted to hear an instrumental song by a band made up exclusively (or at least primarily) of women.
We were stumped.
After much thought, we finally played "Take the Pain and Use It" by Bratmobile, which is 95% instrumental. (No verses, but it does repeat the title from time to time as a chorus. I didn't think of this song as a true instrumental at the time, but in hindsight, it's actually no less of an instrumental than, say, "Tequila" by the Champs, which is frequently counted among the ranks of the great instrumentals in rock and roll.)
Ever since then, this question has bugged me. What ARE the great instrumental songs by female musicians? Why are there so few of them? I hit the stacks to do some research and get to the bottom of this.
(Disclaimer part one: since our show focuses primarily on rock music, that's where I'm focusing my brunt of my research. I'm sure there are marvelous all-girl jazz quartets that exclusively perform instrumental numbers, but as instrumentals are more of a standard in jazz, I would argue that it lacks the same impact as instrumentals by all-girl bands in rock and roll. Disclaimer part two: I have an MA in Women's Studies, and spent the brunt of my time in grad school researching and writing about women in music. So allow me to nerd out for a few paragraphs.)
Historically, in the world of rock and roll, the men have far outnumbered the women. (Duh, that's why our show exists.) Of those women, there have been far more female vocalists than female instrumental musicians. Traditional constructions of gender in the western world connect masculinity with strength, rational critical thinking, technology, and the public/professional world. Femininity, however, has been traditionally associated with emotionality, physical frailness, an inextricable closeness to nature/innocence, and the private sphere of the home. While it was not uncommon for a woman of the 19th century to play an instrument such as piano in her home, in church, or as a means of instructing children, professional orchestras were made up exclusively of men, and the serious study of music restricted to same. When women eventually protested and gradually began to pursue the study and performance of music outside the home, the instruments available to them were few: the flute and acoustic guitar were acceptable because they were light, corresponded with the higher ranges of the female voice, and did not distort or strain the body or face. Percussion, low brass, and cello, on the other hand, were all seen as too heavy, requiring too much physical exertion, or ungainly for a woman to play. Furthermore, critics of the time doubted that any woman possessed the emotional self-control, physical endurance, or presence of mind necessary for the professional study and performance of music. This attitude perservered well into the 20th century, and while female instrumental musicians existed, they were few and far between (and frequently marginalized as gimmicks and/or ghettoized on a select few instruments). Heck, this attitude stubbornly perserveres to this very day, albeit to a less obvious extent... just look at the gender division along instrument lines in any high school band and you'll see what I mean.
So while women were long discouraged from becoming serious instrumental musicians, the flip side of the coin is that female singers have always been widely accepted and celebrated. A female vocalist in the classical sense (we're not talking about growly riot grrls here) supports stereotypes of femininity: the voice is a natural instrument (i.e. not manufactured by technology, nor requiring serious study for basic aptitude), singing is an obvious vehicle for emotional expression, and since there is no heavy lifting or unladylike distortion of the body, it puts the body on display as an object to be admired. When rock and roll came along, with the raw power of electrified instruments, the primal, sexualized beat, the sheer volume and energy... well, it was not a thing nice girls were supposed to DANCE to, much less learn how to play. The old gender biases of instrumentation perservered with electric guitar, bass, and drums, which were all overtly coded as masculine (if not straight up phallic) instruments. When women did make their presence known in rock and roll, it was overwhelmingly as vocalists, and has remained so to this day. (I'll allow that there are a lot of bands out there with female members, especially in the punk and indie world... but sit down and listen to any mainstream radio station. How many bands are made up of exclusively men? How many women are getting airplay? How many of those women are playing an instrument? What kind of music are these women playing, and what kind of music are the men playing?)
My point is this: traditionally, women have not been granted the same access to instrumental study as men. Mainstream rock and roll, despite slooooowly evolving gender equality, is still largely a boys' club, and gender biases still exist in regards to women as instrumental musicians. If one were to look at any of the gear magazines (Guitar World, Modern Drummer, etc.), nearly all the highly accomplished and lauded technical wizards featured are men. Or poll your friends, chances are the gearhead geek-types, the ones that spend hours in their bedrooms learning crazy hard metal solos, are going to be dudes. When women form bands, more often than not, it seems the point is that they formed a band in the first place, and/or they have something to say. (A friend of mine offered another perspective: he always thought that female voices were so pretty, they didn't need technical prowess on an instrument to underscore what they were saying. Men, on the other hand, had shitty voices and needed to express themselves through an instrument. Interesting point, but no excuse for not learning your scales, young lady.)
Despite all that, however, more and more women are forming bands, more and more girls are starting to play at a younger age, and more and more women are becoming technical wizards on their instruments. And yes, some of them even play instrumental songs. So I've started to compile a list of instrumentals by all-girl bands, which you can read below. This list is by no means exhaustive, so if you can think of any others, by all means, please leave a comment!
The Breeders - "Flipside"
The 5.6.7.8's - "Jane in the Jungle," "Road Runner," etc.
Luv'd Ones - "Scratchy"
ESG - "UFO," "Tiny Sticks, "Parking Lot Blues," "Chistelle," etc.
Heavens to Betsy - "Intermission 247"
Blevin Blectum - "Squeezed"
OOIOO - "tune"
The Josephine Wiggs Experience - "Downward Facing Dog," "Trieste," "Mr. B Goes Surfing," etc.
Ladies Who Lunch - "Gigantic"
All Girl Summer Fun Band - "Looking Into It"
Tori Amos - "All the Girls Hate Her"
Shonen Knife - "Milky Way"
Yoshimi and Yuka - "UMEgination," "KoRoKoKoRo'N Insects," etc.
Dara Puspita - "Bandung Selatan"
We were stumped.
After much thought, we finally played "Take the Pain and Use It" by Bratmobile, which is 95% instrumental. (No verses, but it does repeat the title from time to time as a chorus. I didn't think of this song as a true instrumental at the time, but in hindsight, it's actually no less of an instrumental than, say, "Tequila" by the Champs, which is frequently counted among the ranks of the great instrumentals in rock and roll.)
Ever since then, this question has bugged me. What ARE the great instrumental songs by female musicians? Why are there so few of them? I hit the stacks to do some research and get to the bottom of this.
(Disclaimer part one: since our show focuses primarily on rock music, that's where I'm focusing my brunt of my research. I'm sure there are marvelous all-girl jazz quartets that exclusively perform instrumental numbers, but as instrumentals are more of a standard in jazz, I would argue that it lacks the same impact as instrumentals by all-girl bands in rock and roll. Disclaimer part two: I have an MA in Women's Studies, and spent the brunt of my time in grad school researching and writing about women in music. So allow me to nerd out for a few paragraphs.)
Historically, in the world of rock and roll, the men have far outnumbered the women. (Duh, that's why our show exists.) Of those women, there have been far more female vocalists than female instrumental musicians. Traditional constructions of gender in the western world connect masculinity with strength, rational critical thinking, technology, and the public/professional world. Femininity, however, has been traditionally associated with emotionality, physical frailness, an inextricable closeness to nature/innocence, and the private sphere of the home. While it was not uncommon for a woman of the 19th century to play an instrument such as piano in her home, in church, or as a means of instructing children, professional orchestras were made up exclusively of men, and the serious study of music restricted to same. When women eventually protested and gradually began to pursue the study and performance of music outside the home, the instruments available to them were few: the flute and acoustic guitar were acceptable because they were light, corresponded with the higher ranges of the female voice, and did not distort or strain the body or face. Percussion, low brass, and cello, on the other hand, were all seen as too heavy, requiring too much physical exertion, or ungainly for a woman to play. Furthermore, critics of the time doubted that any woman possessed the emotional self-control, physical endurance, or presence of mind necessary for the professional study and performance of music. This attitude perservered well into the 20th century, and while female instrumental musicians existed, they were few and far between (and frequently marginalized as gimmicks and/or ghettoized on a select few instruments). Heck, this attitude stubbornly perserveres to this very day, albeit to a less obvious extent... just look at the gender division along instrument lines in any high school band and you'll see what I mean.
So while women were long discouraged from becoming serious instrumental musicians, the flip side of the coin is that female singers have always been widely accepted and celebrated. A female vocalist in the classical sense (we're not talking about growly riot grrls here) supports stereotypes of femininity: the voice is a natural instrument (i.e. not manufactured by technology, nor requiring serious study for basic aptitude), singing is an obvious vehicle for emotional expression, and since there is no heavy lifting or unladylike distortion of the body, it puts the body on display as an object to be admired. When rock and roll came along, with the raw power of electrified instruments, the primal, sexualized beat, the sheer volume and energy... well, it was not a thing nice girls were supposed to DANCE to, much less learn how to play. The old gender biases of instrumentation perservered with electric guitar, bass, and drums, which were all overtly coded as masculine (if not straight up phallic) instruments. When women did make their presence known in rock and roll, it was overwhelmingly as vocalists, and has remained so to this day. (I'll allow that there are a lot of bands out there with female members, especially in the punk and indie world... but sit down and listen to any mainstream radio station. How many bands are made up of exclusively men? How many women are getting airplay? How many of those women are playing an instrument? What kind of music are these women playing, and what kind of music are the men playing?)
My point is this: traditionally, women have not been granted the same access to instrumental study as men. Mainstream rock and roll, despite slooooowly evolving gender equality, is still largely a boys' club, and gender biases still exist in regards to women as instrumental musicians. If one were to look at any of the gear magazines (Guitar World, Modern Drummer, etc.), nearly all the highly accomplished and lauded technical wizards featured are men. Or poll your friends, chances are the gearhead geek-types, the ones that spend hours in their bedrooms learning crazy hard metal solos, are going to be dudes. When women form bands, more often than not, it seems the point is that they formed a band in the first place, and/or they have something to say. (A friend of mine offered another perspective: he always thought that female voices were so pretty, they didn't need technical prowess on an instrument to underscore what they were saying. Men, on the other hand, had shitty voices and needed to express themselves through an instrument. Interesting point, but no excuse for not learning your scales, young lady.)
Despite all that, however, more and more women are forming bands, more and more girls are starting to play at a younger age, and more and more women are becoming technical wizards on their instruments. And yes, some of them even play instrumental songs. So I've started to compile a list of instrumentals by all-girl bands, which you can read below. This list is by no means exhaustive, so if you can think of any others, by all means, please leave a comment!
The Breeders - "Flipside"
The 5.6.7.8's - "Jane in the Jungle," "Road Runner," etc.
Luv'd Ones - "Scratchy"
ESG - "UFO," "Tiny Sticks, "Parking Lot Blues," "Chistelle," etc.
Heavens to Betsy - "Intermission 247"
Blevin Blectum - "Squeezed"
OOIOO - "tune"
The Josephine Wiggs Experience - "Downward Facing Dog," "Trieste," "Mr. B Goes Surfing," etc.
Ladies Who Lunch - "Gigantic"
All Girl Summer Fun Band - "Looking Into It"
Tori Amos - "All the Girls Hate Her"
Shonen Knife - "Milky Way"
Yoshimi and Yuka - "UMEgination," "KoRoKoKoRo'N Insects," etc.
Dara Puspita - "Bandung Selatan"
Sunday, December 28, 2008
WOW's Eve Before the Eve Holiday Spectacular
Come out on Tuesday, December 30th to T's Bar and Restaurant in Andersonville for WOW's Eve of the Eve Holiday Spectacular! We'll be celebrating the holidays in style with food, music, drinks and a raffle! Best of all, ten percent of your food and drink order will benefit WOW's holiday charity, Chicago Independent Radio Project.
T's is located at 5025 N Clark Street in Chicago. The party will kick off around 10:30 p.m., right after WOW. So tune in and then head on over to T's to help us celebrate in style!
T's is located at 5025 N Clark Street in Chicago. The party will kick off around 10:30 p.m., right after WOW. So tune in and then head on over to T's to help us celebrate in style!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Women On Women Music Program setlist for 12/23/08 - The Annual Holiday Spectacular Show!
playlist 12/23/08
The Breeders - Night Of Joy
Sally Shapiro - Anorak Christmas
Cocteau Twins - Garland
Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You
Destiny's Child - Opera of the Bells
Sarge - Last Christmas
Sonic Youth - Santa Doesn't Cop Out On Dope
Tsunami - Could Have Been Christmas
Pixies - The Holiday Song
The Go! Team - The Ice Storm
John & Yoko with the Harlem Community Choir - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
Ella Fitzgerald - Sleigh Ride
The Staples Singers - No Room At The Inn
Marilyn Monroe - Happy Birthday
Louie Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald - Baby Its Cold Outside
Ertha Kitt - Santa Baby
Spike Jones - My Birthday Comes On Christmas
Scotland Yard Gospel Choir - Fairytale of New York
Shitbirds - Christmas Is A Comin (May God Bless You)
Elastica - Gloria
Britney Spears - My Only Wish
Judy Garland and Mel Torme - The Christmas Song
Tori Amos - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Aimee Mann - I'll Be Home For Christmas
The Crystals - Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers
The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping
Alvin and the Chipmunks - Christmas Don't Be Late
Carpenters - Merry Christmas Darling
The Supremes - My Favorite Things
John Denver & The Muppets - We Wish You A Merry Christmas
From all of us here at the Women On Women Music Program, have a wonderful holiday and a very Happy New Year!
The Breeders - Night Of Joy
Sally Shapiro - Anorak Christmas
Cocteau Twins - Garland
Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You
Destiny's Child - Opera of the Bells
Sarge - Last Christmas
Sonic Youth - Santa Doesn't Cop Out On Dope
Tsunami - Could Have Been Christmas
Pixies - The Holiday Song
The Go! Team - The Ice Storm
John & Yoko with the Harlem Community Choir - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
Ella Fitzgerald - Sleigh Ride
The Staples Singers - No Room At The Inn
Marilyn Monroe - Happy Birthday
Louie Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald - Baby Its Cold Outside
Ertha Kitt - Santa Baby
Spike Jones - My Birthday Comes On Christmas
Scotland Yard Gospel Choir - Fairytale of New York
Shitbirds - Christmas Is A Comin (May God Bless You)
Elastica - Gloria
Britney Spears - My Only Wish
Judy Garland and Mel Torme - The Christmas Song
Tori Amos - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Aimee Mann - I'll Be Home For Christmas
The Crystals - Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers
The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping
Alvin and the Chipmunks - Christmas Don't Be Late
Carpenters - Merry Christmas Darling
The Supremes - My Favorite Things
John Denver & The Muppets - We Wish You A Merry Christmas
From all of us here at the Women On Women Music Program, have a wonderful holiday and a very Happy New Year!
WOW Christmas Show - Tonight!
Don't forget to tune in tonight to the Women On Women Music Program for our very special Christmas show! We're on from 8pm to 10pm on 88.7fm in Chicago, and wluw.org worldwide. Santa is watching!
WOW Gift Guide: Charities We Like
Last minute Christmas shopping got you down and out? Give the gift of charity - a few clicks of your mouse and you can make a donation in someone's name to a charity this holiday season. WOW recommends the following charities:
Rock For Kids - Originally started over twenty years ago as a way for Chicago music business employees to give Christmas gifts to homeless children, Rock For Kids has expanded and evolved in many wonderful ways. Their flagship Youth Jam Program provides music lessons for homeless and at-risk children in the Chicagoland area, and they still go shopping every December for children in homeless and domestic violence shelters in Chicago. I've been a volunteer, and Elizabeth has been a recipient of their assistance when she spent a year working for a shelter, so we can personally vouch for them!
Girls Rock! Chicago - Girls Rock! Chicago is dedicated to fostering girls’ creative expression, positive self-esteem and community awareness through rock music. Through their music education programs for girls ages 9-16, they teach girls about the musical, technical, and creative aspects involved in musicianship, because they believe that young girls are rarely encouraged to explore self-expressive creative outlets and are less likely to be given access to musical and technical instruction or equipment. Their week-long summer camp program is organized around motivating girls ages 9-16 through instrument instruction, music composition coaching, recording workshops, song-writing workshops, hands-on activities, technical equipment workshops, guest speakers, team-building activities and band performances. WOW has had the ladies of Girls Rock! Chicago on the air several times, and Emily and I have both witnessed the cuteness firsthand as workshop speakers during the summer camp - these girls really rock!
Kiva - Give a loan that changes a life. Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world. After logging on, you can choose the person whom you would like to give a loan to, plus you can also give gift certificates to family and friends so they can choose their own project!
Planned Parenthood - Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is the nation’s leading women’s health care provider, educator, and advocate, serving women, men, teens, and families. For more than 90 years, they’ve done more than any other organization in the United States to improve women’s health and safety, prevent unintended pregnancies, and advance the right and ability of individuals and families to make informed and responsible choices. In this tough economic climate, more and more people are going to turn to Planned Parenthood for their healthcare needs, so help them out by making a donation.
Greater Chicago Food Depository - It's a sad fact that the financial crisis is making more and more people need to ask for food assistance, and many Chicagoland food pantries are actually running out of food by mid-day every day. The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago’s food bank, is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community. The Food Depository distributes donated and purchased food through a network of 600 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to 500,000 adults and children every year. If you'd prefer, you can also donate canned goods to the Food Depository at your local Dominicks.
Chicago Independent Radio Project - The Chicago Independent Radio Project is working to secure a broadcast license for a new community radio station in Chicago that is committed to local, independent programming, and generally furthering the causes of localism, diversity, and independence in broadcasting. They are working to convince Congress and the FCC to remove existing barriers to the granting of low power FM radio licenses in urban areas, including Chicago. We're big supporters of independent media here at WOW!
Rock For Kids - Originally started over twenty years ago as a way for Chicago music business employees to give Christmas gifts to homeless children, Rock For Kids has expanded and evolved in many wonderful ways. Their flagship Youth Jam Program provides music lessons for homeless and at-risk children in the Chicagoland area, and they still go shopping every December for children in homeless and domestic violence shelters in Chicago. I've been a volunteer, and Elizabeth has been a recipient of their assistance when she spent a year working for a shelter, so we can personally vouch for them!
Girls Rock! Chicago - Girls Rock! Chicago is dedicated to fostering girls’ creative expression, positive self-esteem and community awareness through rock music. Through their music education programs for girls ages 9-16, they teach girls about the musical, technical, and creative aspects involved in musicianship, because they believe that young girls are rarely encouraged to explore self-expressive creative outlets and are less likely to be given access to musical and technical instruction or equipment. Their week-long summer camp program is organized around motivating girls ages 9-16 through instrument instruction, music composition coaching, recording workshops, song-writing workshops, hands-on activities, technical equipment workshops, guest speakers, team-building activities and band performances. WOW has had the ladies of Girls Rock! Chicago on the air several times, and Emily and I have both witnessed the cuteness firsthand as workshop speakers during the summer camp - these girls really rock!
Kiva - Give a loan that changes a life. Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world. After logging on, you can choose the person whom you would like to give a loan to, plus you can also give gift certificates to family and friends so they can choose their own project!
Planned Parenthood - Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is the nation’s leading women’s health care provider, educator, and advocate, serving women, men, teens, and families. For more than 90 years, they’ve done more than any other organization in the United States to improve women’s health and safety, prevent unintended pregnancies, and advance the right and ability of individuals and families to make informed and responsible choices. In this tough economic climate, more and more people are going to turn to Planned Parenthood for their healthcare needs, so help them out by making a donation.
Greater Chicago Food Depository - It's a sad fact that the financial crisis is making more and more people need to ask for food assistance, and many Chicagoland food pantries are actually running out of food by mid-day every day. The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago’s food bank, is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community. The Food Depository distributes donated and purchased food through a network of 600 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to 500,000 adults and children every year. If you'd prefer, you can also donate canned goods to the Food Depository at your local Dominicks.
Chicago Independent Radio Project - The Chicago Independent Radio Project is working to secure a broadcast license for a new community radio station in Chicago that is committed to local, independent programming, and generally furthering the causes of localism, diversity, and independence in broadcasting. They are working to convince Congress and the FCC to remove existing barriers to the granting of low power FM radio licenses in urban areas, including Chicago. We're big supporters of independent media here at WOW!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Random Music Factoid for 12/18/08
Did you know that Suzi Quatro is Sherilyn Fenn's aunt?
Apparently it really is a small world after all!
Apparently it really is a small world after all!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
WOW Gift Guide: Books For The Feminist In Your Life
If you're looking to spread a little literary cheer to a feminist in your life this holiday season, WOW recommends the following books! (Be sure to check back to the blog this week, we're doing a series of feminist gift ideas and suggested charities all week!)
How about some classics -
Betty Friedan was sick and tired and bored - and she wrote it all down, and shared it with other housewives, and a movement spread.
Simone said it, hundreds translated it, and here we are, reading it today.
No feminist's book shelf is complete without Gloria's recollections.
Now some third wavers -
These two can be controversial at times, but they capture the turmoil of a generation.
Rebecca writes about feminism and biracial and religious identity in an honest, forthright way.
Seriously, listen up!
Collections from favorite feminist magazines -
Best collection of magazine articles ever from Bust!
Ten years of bitching...
Oh Sassy, you were something, may you rest in peace.
Stay tuned for more feminist gift ideas coming this week!
How about some classics -
Betty Friedan was sick and tired and bored - and she wrote it all down, and shared it with other housewives, and a movement spread.
Simone said it, hundreds translated it, and here we are, reading it today.
No feminist's book shelf is complete without Gloria's recollections.
Now some third wavers -
These two can be controversial at times, but they capture the turmoil of a generation.
Rebecca writes about feminism and biracial and religious identity in an honest, forthright way.
Seriously, listen up!
Collections from favorite feminist magazines -
Best collection of magazine articles ever from Bust!
Ten years of bitching...
Oh Sassy, you were something, may you rest in peace.
Stay tuned for more feminist gift ideas coming this week!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
WOW setlist 12/16/08
Baby, it's cold outside, so stay indoors, snuggle up, and listen to the Women On Women Music Program on WLUW 88.7fm / wluw.org.
Setlist for 12/16/08:
The Go! Team - "Universal Speech" Proof of Youth (Sub Pop)
The Dials - "Amoeba Amore" Amoeba Amore (No Fun)
Scotland Yard Gospel Choir - "Then And Not a Moment Before" S/T (Bloodshot)
The 1900s - "Bring The Good Boys Home" Plume Delivery (Parasol)
Office - "If You Don't Know By Now" Q & A (S/R)
Mavis Staples - "Will the Circle Be Unbroken (live)" Live: Hope at the Hideout (Anti)
Irma Thomas - "Back Water Blues" V/A: Our New Orleans 2005 (Nonesuch)
Ann Peebles - "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You" V/A: I Believe To My Soul (Rhino)
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - "Let Them Knock" 100 Days 100 Nights (Daptone Records)
Metric - "Dead Disco" Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? (Elgonix)
Saint Etienne - "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" Tales From Turnpike House (Savoy Jazz)
The Gossip - "Standing In The Way Of Control" Movement (Kill Rock Stars)
Sally Shapiro - "Anorak Christmas" Disco Romance (Paper Bag)
Eleanor Murray - "A Midwest Winter" For Cedar (Anonymous Monk)
Pixies - "Winterlong" Dig for Fire EP (4AD)
Yo La Tengo - "Winter A-Go-Go" Summer Sun (Matador)
Cub - "New York City" Mauler (Au-Go-Go)
Siouxsie and the Banshees - "The Wheel's On Fire" The Best of Siouxsie and the Banshees (Polydor UK)
Stereolab - "Prisoner of Mars" Dots and Loops (Elektra)
B52s - "Devil In My Car" Nude on the Moon (Rhino)
Yeah Yeah Yeah's - "Date With The Night" Fever to Tell (Interscope)
Magnetic Fields - "Let's Pretend We're Bunny Rabbits" 69 Love Songs Vol. 1 (Merge)
Belle and Sebastian - "(My Girl's Got) Miraculous Technique" The BBC Sessions (BBC/Matador)
Dressy Bessy - "In Your Headphones" Holler and Stomp (Transdreamer)
Mates of State - "My Only Offer" Re-Arrange Us (Barsuk)
Miriam Makeba - "Pata Pata"
Asobi Seksu - "Pink Cloud Tracing Paper" Citrus (Friendly Fire)
All Girl Summer Fun Band - "Everything I Need" Looking Into It (AGSFB Music)
Setlist for 12/16/08:
The Go! Team - "Universal Speech" Proof of Youth (Sub Pop)
The Dials - "Amoeba Amore" Amoeba Amore (No Fun)
Scotland Yard Gospel Choir - "Then And Not a Moment Before" S/T (Bloodshot)
The 1900s - "Bring The Good Boys Home" Plume Delivery (Parasol)
Office - "If You Don't Know By Now" Q & A (S/R)
Mavis Staples - "Will the Circle Be Unbroken (live)" Live: Hope at the Hideout (Anti)
Irma Thomas - "Back Water Blues" V/A: Our New Orleans 2005 (Nonesuch)
Ann Peebles - "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You" V/A: I Believe To My Soul (Rhino)
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - "Let Them Knock" 100 Days 100 Nights (Daptone Records)
Metric - "Dead Disco" Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? (Elgonix)
Saint Etienne - "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" Tales From Turnpike House (Savoy Jazz)
The Gossip - "Standing In The Way Of Control" Movement (Kill Rock Stars)
Sally Shapiro - "Anorak Christmas" Disco Romance (Paper Bag)
Eleanor Murray - "A Midwest Winter" For Cedar (Anonymous Monk)
Pixies - "Winterlong" Dig for Fire EP (4AD)
Yo La Tengo - "Winter A-Go-Go" Summer Sun (Matador)
Cub - "New York City" Mauler (Au-Go-Go)
Siouxsie and the Banshees - "The Wheel's On Fire" The Best of Siouxsie and the Banshees (Polydor UK)
Stereolab - "Prisoner of Mars" Dots and Loops (Elektra)
B52s - "Devil In My Car" Nude on the Moon (Rhino)
Yeah Yeah Yeah's - "Date With The Night" Fever to Tell (Interscope)
Magnetic Fields - "Let's Pretend We're Bunny Rabbits" 69 Love Songs Vol. 1 (Merge)
Belle and Sebastian - "(My Girl's Got) Miraculous Technique" The BBC Sessions (BBC/Matador)
Dressy Bessy - "In Your Headphones" Holler and Stomp (Transdreamer)
Mates of State - "My Only Offer" Re-Arrange Us (Barsuk)
Miriam Makeba - "Pata Pata"
Asobi Seksu - "Pink Cloud Tracing Paper" Citrus (Friendly Fire)
All Girl Summer Fun Band - "Everything I Need" Looking Into It (AGSFB Music)
Hope! Hope! Hope! A Holiday Rock Show Benefiting Chicago Coalition For The Homeless
What: “Hope! Hope! Hope!” is a fund- and awareness-raising event for Chicago’s homeless. All proceeds benefit Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. CCH organizes and advocates to prevent and end homelessness based on our belief that housing is a human right in a just society.Where: Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., Chicago (773-276-3600)
When: Tuesday, 12/23/08, 9:00PM SHARP
What Else? $10, 21 and over show
Who: Over 35 local dancers, artists, and musicians volunteering their time and talents, including MC Ratso and Miss Mia from Chic-A-Go-Go, Jyldo & Matthew Hollis, John Battles, Oishi, WoodenSleepingBag (Noah Tabakin from Mucca Pazza), Eiren Caffall, The Dolce Veeta Band, Quietly Mine, Kim (reunion show!), John Greenfield, Radar Eyes, Ellie Maybe Xmas Xperence, Blasted Diplomats, Favorite Saints, Nadine Y. Nakanishi, and Busy Beaver Buttons.
Why: Homelessness effects everyone, especially during challenging economic times and the holiday season. Often, artists and performers aren’t in financial positions to donate monetarily. These contributors are excited to have the opportunity to volunteer their time and talent to the only organization in Chicago that runs regular outreach to homeless families, unaccompanied youth, ex-offenders, prostitution survivors, and single adults.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Video Fridays: Kirsty MacColl and The Pogues' Fairtytale of New York
One of WOW's favorite Christmas songs is "Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, so I wanted to put this up as our Friday video feature, since 'tis the season! In researching the links, I discovered that next week actually marks the eighth anniversary of the death of the English singer-songwriter. She was killed in Cozumel Mexico, vacationing with her family. While scuba diving, a speed boat entered the restricted area, and Kirsty pushed one of her two sons out of the way, saving his life but resulting in her death. The driver of the boat paid a fine the equivalent of ninety U.S. dollars and was released. Since then, her family and friends have pressured the Mexican government to investigate the matter further through their Justice For Kirsty campaign. Part of the campaign is encouraging people to push "Fairytale in New York" to the top of the U.K. Christmas song charts every year, so we'd like to do our part to help. If you liked the song below, consider purchasing a dollar download via the button below.
Watch the video:
Watch the video:
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Worst Place To Be A Woman: Congo
We're heard the stories of the atrocities of civil war, militias run rampant, rape, and murder in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for quite some time, but now Amnesty International has made it official - the Congo is the worst place in the world to be a woman. Women and girls in the Congo are nearly all survivors of calculated and systematic sexual assault, which has been used as a weapon in the ongoing civil war since 1996. In addition to the emotional and mental anguish experienced by the survivors as well as members of their local community (assaults are often carried out in public, aimed to undermine the strength families or local towns), physical injuries have been devastating in an area of the world where medical care is sorely lacking, and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, are quickly rising. One result is that survivors are expelled from their families and communities, cut off not only from a support network but also from economic opportunity. To make things even worse, few aid organizations are able to work in the Congo, due to the civil strife that is ongoing.
Amnesty International hopes that by naming the Congo the worst place in the world to be a woman, they can urge other women to join in the call for an end to violence. They've prepared a petition on their website calling on President-elect Barack Obama to protect women of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. You can sign that here, and we hope you do.
Amnesty International hopes that by naming the Congo the worst place in the world to be a woman, they can urge other women to join in the call for an end to violence. They've prepared a petition on their website calling on President-elect Barack Obama to protect women of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. You can sign that here, and we hope you do.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Day Without A Gay
Today marks the first work boycott launched by the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in the United States. The mission of Day Without a Gay is to get LGBT employees to call in "gay" to work and spend the day volunteering at an organization working to further queer civil rights.
Not only will this put more hands on deck at organizations that need all the free labor they can get, it will draw attention to gay employees' worth as, you know, people and workers. Hopefully employers and co-workers will note their absence and connect the dots: "Hey, things aren't as fun/productive/smooth without Bob or Sue at work today. Wow, they are standing up for civil rights that they have been denied but I've been granted for arbitrary reasons. Gays: they really are just like the rest of us. Huh."
In an ideal situation, Day Without a Gay will create a noticable impact on straight allies and potentially change the minds of those who support hate-filled amendments such as those recently passed in California, Colorado, Florida and Arkansas. It will, at the very least, show that the community is done sitting down and accepting "tolerance" in the place of full civil rights. In other words: not being beat up (as much) and being given domestic partnerships or civil unions in a handful of states isn't enough, and we're taking action.
Not only will this put more hands on deck at organizations that need all the free labor they can get, it will draw attention to gay employees' worth as, you know, people and workers. Hopefully employers and co-workers will note their absence and connect the dots: "Hey, things aren't as fun/productive/smooth without Bob or Sue at work today. Wow, they are standing up for civil rights that they have been denied but I've been granted for arbitrary reasons. Gays: they really are just like the rest of us. Huh."
In an ideal situation, Day Without a Gay will create a noticable impact on straight allies and potentially change the minds of those who support hate-filled amendments such as those recently passed in California, Colorado, Florida and Arkansas. It will, at the very least, show that the community is done sitting down and accepting "tolerance" in the place of full civil rights. In other words: not being beat up (as much) and being given domestic partnerships or civil unions in a handful of states isn't enough, and we're taking action.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
WOW Setlist 12/9/08
Tune in every Tuesday from 8 to 10pm on 88.7fm in Chicago, or online at wluw.org everywhere else!
Concrete Blonde - "Everybody Knows" V/A: Pump Up the Volume Soundtrack (MCA)
Imogen Heap - "Daylight Robbery" Speak for Yourself (RCA Victor)
Asobi Seksu - "I'm Happy but You Don't Like Me" S/T (Friendly Fire Recordings)
The Reputation - "Some Senseless Day" To Force a Fate (Lookout)
Bang! Bang! - "Move" Do You Like It? (Heads Up)
Jucifer - "Ruin and Pink Chiffon" Calling All Cars on the Vegas Strip (Capricorn)
Petra Haden - "I Can See For Miles" Petra Haden Sings The Who Sell Out (Bar None)
Nouvelle Vague - "Ever Fallen in Love?" Bande A Parte (Luaka Bop)
Puffy Amiyumi - "Can-Nana Fever" I Love Guitar Wolf... Very Much (Narnack)
Mavis Staples - "This Little Light" Live: Hope at the Hideout (Anti)
Belle & Sebastian - "(My Girl's Got) Miraculous Technique" The BBC Sessions (Matador)
Mirah - "Nobody Has to Stay" C'mon Miracle (K)
Loretta Lynn - "High on a Mountain Top" Van Lear Rose (Interscope)
Guadalcanal Diary - "...Vista" Flip-Flop (Elektra)
Sinead O'Connor - "Mandinka" The Lion and the Cobra (Chrysalis)
Shesus - "Hang on to Yourself" V/A: Spiders from Venus (Skipping Discs)
Cub - "Little Star" Betti-Cola (Mint)
18th Dye - "Backdoor" Amorine Queen (Crunchy Frog)
Bettie Serveert - "Captain of Maybe" Log 22 (Hidden Agenda/Palomine)
Free Kitten - "Never Gonna Sleep" Sentimental Education (Kill Rock Stars)
Neko Case - "Rated X" The Tigers Have Spoken (Anti)
The Shangri-Las - "Train From Kansas City" Myrmidons of Melodrama (RPM)
The Cramps - "Goo Goo Muck" Bad Music for Bad People (IRS/A&M)
The Gossip - "Jason's Basement" Movement (Kill Rock Stars)
Essential Logic - "Aerosol Burns/Quality Crayon Wax O.K." Fanfare in the Garden (Kill Rock Stars)
Concrete Blonde - "Everybody Knows" V/A: Pump Up the Volume Soundtrack (MCA)
Imogen Heap - "Daylight Robbery" Speak for Yourself (RCA Victor)
Asobi Seksu - "I'm Happy but You Don't Like Me" S/T (Friendly Fire Recordings)
The Reputation - "Some Senseless Day" To Force a Fate (Lookout)
Bang! Bang! - "Move" Do You Like It? (Heads Up)
Jucifer - "Ruin and Pink Chiffon" Calling All Cars on the Vegas Strip (Capricorn)
Petra Haden - "I Can See For Miles" Petra Haden Sings The Who Sell Out (Bar None)
Nouvelle Vague - "Ever Fallen in Love?" Bande A Parte (Luaka Bop)
Puffy Amiyumi - "Can-Nana Fever" I Love Guitar Wolf... Very Much (Narnack)
Mavis Staples - "This Little Light" Live: Hope at the Hideout (Anti)
Belle & Sebastian - "(My Girl's Got) Miraculous Technique" The BBC Sessions (Matador)
Mirah - "Nobody Has to Stay" C'mon Miracle (K)
Loretta Lynn - "High on a Mountain Top" Van Lear Rose (Interscope)
Guadalcanal Diary - "...Vista" Flip-Flop (Elektra)
Sinead O'Connor - "Mandinka" The Lion and the Cobra (Chrysalis)
Shesus - "Hang on to Yourself" V/A: Spiders from Venus (Skipping Discs)
Cub - "Little Star" Betti-Cola (Mint)
18th Dye - "Backdoor" Amorine Queen (Crunchy Frog)
Bettie Serveert - "Captain of Maybe" Log 22 (Hidden Agenda/Palomine)
Free Kitten - "Never Gonna Sleep" Sentimental Education (Kill Rock Stars)
Neko Case - "Rated X" The Tigers Have Spoken (Anti)
The Shangri-Las - "Train From Kansas City" Myrmidons of Melodrama (RPM)
The Cramps - "Goo Goo Muck" Bad Music for Bad People (IRS/A&M)
The Gossip - "Jason's Basement" Movement (Kill Rock Stars)
Essential Logic - "Aerosol Burns/Quality Crayon Wax O.K." Fanfare in the Garden (Kill Rock Stars)
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Accolades for The Accolades
Check it out, Saudi Arabia's first all-girl rock band!
Fighting still-oppressive public morality standards, The Accolades are a group of college-age girls who, encouraged by the growing trend of rock and roll in the country's more urban settings, have decided to start their own band.
In a country where women are not allowed to drive and rarely appear in public without their faces covered, the band is very different. The prospect of female rockers clutching guitars and belting out angry lyrics about a failed relationship... would once have been unimaginable here.
“In Saudi, yes, it’s a challenge,” said the group’s lead singer, Lamia, who has piercings on her left eyebrow and beneath her bottom lip.... “Maybe we’re crazy. But we wanted to do something different.”
Read the full article (courtesy of the New York Times) here.
Fighting still-oppressive public morality standards, The Accolades are a group of college-age girls who, encouraged by the growing trend of rock and roll in the country's more urban settings, have decided to start their own band.
In a country where women are not allowed to drive and rarely appear in public without their faces covered, the band is very different. The prospect of female rockers clutching guitars and belting out angry lyrics about a failed relationship... would once have been unimaginable here.
“In Saudi, yes, it’s a challenge,” said the group’s lead singer, Lamia, who has piercings on her left eyebrow and beneath her bottom lip.... “Maybe we’re crazy. But we wanted to do something different.”
Read the full article (courtesy of the New York Times) here.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
RIP Odetta
Legendary African-American civil rights folk singer Odetta died yesterday at the age of 77, just weeks before she was to perform at the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Odetta started her singing career in the opera and musical theatre as a teenager in Los Angeles (cleaning houses with her mother to pay for classes), but made the move towards folksinging in 1950 after encountering the new American folk revival in San Francisco. She toured extensively across the country, bringing a sound of jazz and blues mixed with American folk revival and spiritualism to audiences from New York to Los Angeles and influencing artists like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. Using her musical skills to give voice to the civil rights struggle, Odetta toured the country, marched on Washington, and met with Presidents of many administrations, including Bill Clinton who introduced her as the 1999 winner of the National Endowment for the Arts National Medal of Arts. When her health failed in recent years and her doctor forbid her from performing, she switched doctors and defiantly went on stage in a wheelchair with an oxygen tank. We wish that Odetta could have lived to sing at the inauguration!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Women On Women Music Program setlist 12/2/08
Listen live every Tuesday from 8pm - 10pm on WLUW 88.7fm or online at wluw.org.
setlist 12/2/08
The Gossip - (Take Back) The Revolution
Sonic Youth - Mariah Carey and the Arthur Doyle Hand Cream
Beth Orton - This One's Gonna Bruise
The Fiery Furnaces - Guns Under The Counter
Asobi Seksu - New Years
Patti Smith - Cartwheels
The Muffs - Kids In America
Sleater-Kinney - Rollercoaster
P.J. Harvey - Rid of Me
Metric - Live It Out
Lady Sovereign - A Little Bit of Shhh
Le Tigre - Mediocrity Rules
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl
Eleni Mandell - American Boy
Marianne Faithfull - Sex With Strangers
The Magnetic Fields - I Die
Sarah Harmer - Don't Get Your Back Up
Charlotte Gainsbourg - The Songs That We Sing
Stars - The Night Starts Here
Mirah - You've Gone Away Enough
Cat Power - Cross Bones Style
Yo La Tengo - You Can Have It All
She and Him - Sentimental Heart
Tegan and Sara - I Bet It Stung
setlist 12/2/08
The Gossip - (Take Back) The Revolution
Sonic Youth - Mariah Carey and the Arthur Doyle Hand Cream
Beth Orton - This One's Gonna Bruise
The Fiery Furnaces - Guns Under The Counter
Asobi Seksu - New Years
Patti Smith - Cartwheels
The Muffs - Kids In America
Sleater-Kinney - Rollercoaster
P.J. Harvey - Rid of Me
Metric - Live It Out
Lady Sovereign - A Little Bit of Shhh
Le Tigre - Mediocrity Rules
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl
Eleni Mandell - American Boy
Marianne Faithfull - Sex With Strangers
The Magnetic Fields - I Die
Sarah Harmer - Don't Get Your Back Up
Charlotte Gainsbourg - The Songs That We Sing
Stars - The Night Starts Here
Mirah - You've Gone Away Enough
Cat Power - Cross Bones Style
Yo La Tengo - You Can Have It All
She and Him - Sentimental Heart
Tegan and Sara - I Bet It Stung
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