Yet another doctor has been murdered for his choice to support and protect a woman's right to choose. This morning Dr. George Tiller was shot and killed as he attended Sunday morning church service. Dr. Tiller provided abortions, including late term abortions, in Kansas and had an attempt made on his life sixteen years ago. The identity of the shooter is unkown at this time, but incoming reports state that Kansas police may have a suspect in custody.
Dr. Tiller is the fourth provider to be killed in the United States since 1991. He was one of the few providers in the United States who provided late term abortions, predominantly for patients whose lives were in danger due to complications with pregnancy. He leaves behind a wife, four children, ten grandchildren. His death is a significant loss to women seeking safe abortions. I hope that soon we will live in a country where women, and doctors, can exercise freedom of choice without fearing harm and death.
For more information on how you can protect a woman's right to choose, please visit NARAL Pro-Choice America.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Prop 8: WTF
Last week, the California Supreme Court issued a 6/1 decision to uphold Proposition 8, a ballot initiative to amend the California constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman that passed on November 5, 2008. The issue before the court was not whether or not marriage should be limited to heterosexual couples - the Court had already held that marriage rights should be extended to all couples in California - but whether or not the initiative was the proper way to amend the state Constitution. Those challenging Proposition 8 argued that adding this to the constituion was such a significant change, especially because the state had just legalized marriage equality months prior and had already issued 18,000 marriage licenses - that it should be considered a revision instead of an amendment, and thus could only be passed through a constitutional convention. The state, represented by Ken Starr, argued that it was merely an amendent and thus could be passed through a popular vote. The Court, unfortunately, agreed.
In its opinion, the Court stated that this was merely a procedural issue. That gays still have rights and that in "every other area but marriage" those rights would be protected using strict scrutiny (that they would be considered a somewhat protected class). Unpacking that phrase - "every other area but marriage" - means this: every other area but survivor rights, remedies for loss of consortium, hospital visitiation, free name changes, tax free insurance benefits and on and on and on. The idea that this is merely a narrow issue of the nomenclature of a relationship is simply not correct.
This opinion is additionally problematic because it implies that, in California, ballot initiatives can be used to avoid the protections afforded by the constitution's equal protection provisions. If a popular vote is all that is needed to amend the constitution to reduce civil rights that have already been granted, that means any number of other rights can now be infringed upon.
For the reasons listed above, this opinion has set of a wave of anger and upset in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Not to be left off the bandwagon, the attorneys who were on opposite sides of the Bush v. Gore case have filed a federal law suit challenging the Court's decision. This is a highly risky move. Neither of the attorneys have a history of same-sex litigation. They haven't been on the front lines or part of the decades long strategies that have been put into place. Bringing this lawsuit could, should it not succeed, create federal precedent that would set the movement back in a significant way. In short: this suit could be highly destructive. Thanks, dudes, for using our movement for your glory.
In its opinion, the Court stated that this was merely a procedural issue. That gays still have rights and that in "every other area but marriage" those rights would be protected using strict scrutiny (that they would be considered a somewhat protected class). Unpacking that phrase - "every other area but marriage" - means this: every other area but survivor rights, remedies for loss of consortium, hospital visitiation, free name changes, tax free insurance benefits and on and on and on. The idea that this is merely a narrow issue of the nomenclature of a relationship is simply not correct.
This opinion is additionally problematic because it implies that, in California, ballot initiatives can be used to avoid the protections afforded by the constitution's equal protection provisions. If a popular vote is all that is needed to amend the constitution to reduce civil rights that have already been granted, that means any number of other rights can now be infringed upon.
For the reasons listed above, this opinion has set of a wave of anger and upset in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Not to be left off the bandwagon, the attorneys who were on opposite sides of the Bush v. Gore case have filed a federal law suit challenging the Court's decision. This is a highly risky move. Neither of the attorneys have a history of same-sex litigation. They haven't been on the front lines or part of the decades long strategies that have been put into place. Bringing this lawsuit could, should it not succeed, create federal precedent that would set the movement back in a significant way. In short: this suit could be highly destructive. Thanks, dudes, for using our movement for your glory.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Video Fridays: "Private Idaho"
I want Kate Pierson's hair. Seriously.
(Also, I think the record they're lip synching to must have skipped during the filming, right around two and a half minutes in... either that, or it was a really bad edit. Fred seemed to recover pretty well, but Kate's subsequent confusion and blank stare are priceless. Hee!)
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Shameless Self-Promotion
Hey, come see my band play!
Tonight! Double Door! 9PM! New songs! New merch! Hot pants! Exclamation points! Here's a flyer for 2 bucks off cover!
http://www.elliemaybe.com/maybenauts/maybenauts052809.jpg
Tonight! Double Door! 9PM! New songs! New merch! Hot pants! Exclamation points! Here's a flyer for 2 bucks off cover!
http://www.elliemaybe.com/maybenauts/maybenauts052809.jpg
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
You Win Some, You Lose Some: Sonia Sotomayor and Prop 8
Breaking news from the world of law this morning...
First the good news - President Obama has nominated Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court. She would be the second woman on the court, and only the third to serve in the court's history. She would also be the first Hispanic person to serve on the court. Her biography is just starting to come out, but so far we know she grew up in housing projects in the Bronx, made her way through school on scholarships, and was inspired to go into law from reading Nancy Drew books and watching the Perry Mason television show as a child. Here's hoping for a quick confirmation process and another history-making moment in 2009!
And now the bad news - The California Supreme Court has upheld Prop 8, the ban on same sex marriage which passed in November. While the roughly 18,000 marriages that were performed before the ban passed, like that of our buddy Tony of Finn and Charlie are Hitched, will remain valid, the ban does explictly prohibit any new ones from being performed in the future. This is of course a huge blow to equality for glbt individuals, and to all Americans who believe in equality and justice for all. If you'd like to express your discontent, you can do so at protests across the country tonight, via DayofDecision.com.
First the good news - President Obama has nominated Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court. She would be the second woman on the court, and only the third to serve in the court's history. She would also be the first Hispanic person to serve on the court. Her biography is just starting to come out, but so far we know she grew up in housing projects in the Bronx, made her way through school on scholarships, and was inspired to go into law from reading Nancy Drew books and watching the Perry Mason television show as a child. Here's hoping for a quick confirmation process and another history-making moment in 2009!
And now the bad news - The California Supreme Court has upheld Prop 8, the ban on same sex marriage which passed in November. While the roughly 18,000 marriages that were performed before the ban passed, like that of our buddy Tony of Finn and Charlie are Hitched, will remain valid, the ban does explictly prohibit any new ones from being performed in the future. This is of course a huge blow to equality for glbt individuals, and to all Americans who believe in equality and justice for all. If you'd like to express your discontent, you can do so at protests across the country tonight, via DayofDecision.com.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Monday Monday Monday
Who: The Glorious Vapors, with before and after sets by DJ Wondertwins, a.k.a. Emily (from WOW, duh) and Michael Flavor (of The Hidden Mitten and Hump Day Dance Party)
What: Rock music, cheap beers, carousing and carrying on, pretending like we don't have to go to work on Tuesday.
Where: The Whistler, 2421 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL
When: Monday, May 25th, 9pm til close.
Why: Why? Because we like you.
What: Rock music, cheap beers, carousing and carrying on, pretending like we don't have to go to work on Tuesday.
Where: The Whistler, 2421 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL
When: Monday, May 25th, 9pm til close.
Why: Why? Because we like you.
Video Fridays: "I Will Survive"
Well said, Miss Piggy. Well said.
(On a personal note, I wanted to thank Jenny and Elizabeth for the beautiful letters they wrote, thanking everyone for their support during our run at WLUW. I wholeheartedly concur: we've had the pleasure of working with some amazing people, and being an WLUW DJ has presented me with wonderful opportunities and experiences I doubt I would have been able to obtain elsewhere. I also wanted to thank you, our loyal listeners, for tuning in week after week, and year after year. Clearly, you are the reason why we do this show. I urge you to stay tuned in, because even though WOW may be retiring from the WLUW airwaves, we will keep rockin' out around the city, and right here on the blog. And that is why I will not thank Jenny and Elizabeth for being my awesome co-hosts... that just sounds way too much like goodbye to me.)
Airwaves Lose Two More Ladies
Breaking news today as WGN-AM radio in Chicago has abruptly announced the cancellation of the Kathy and Judy show. The girls are doing their final show on the air right now. This move means that there are virtually no major radio stations with prominent female hosts in the city of Chicago, and few elsewhere in the country. It also means an end to twenty years of Kathy and Judy on the air, which is just a shame.
I know that it may seem odd for me - supporter of the little gal, pro-nonprofit radio advocate - to wax poetic about two people who were on a big major commercial radio station like WGN, but I think its important to acknowledge the contribution that Kathy O'Malley and Judy Markey made to the airwaves. Particularly for the women of the baby boomer generation, like my mom, who was an avid listener of their program, it was the first time that they heard one of their own on the airwaves as the host, in control and not just a sideshow gimic. Kathy and Judy were also immensely talented at balancing a healthy and joyful embrace of the superficial (fashions on sports teams was always a favorite subject) with the serious, speaking frankly on marriage, divorce, sexuality, health, aging and parenting, all without lowering themselves to stunts or stereotypes. It is undeniable that some of what I tried to be on the WOW radio show was, consciously or not, influenced by Kathy and Judy's embrace of friendship and fun, while still addressing important issues with the dignity and respect that they required. So Kathy and Judy, I raise a glass to you, girlfriends!
The odd conincidence of their cancellation, the same week that WOW retired from the airwaves, is not lost on me. Ultimately, this underscores the need for more avenues for independent and diverse voices on the airwaves, which is why I'm working very hard with the Chicago Independent Radio Project to pass the Local Community Radio Act, which would expand low power FM nonprofit, community-run radio stations across the country. But that alone is not the answer - we need more diversity across all media, and that includes major corporate radio and television and print media as well as local community radio outlets. Ladies in journalism schools, businesswomen looking to invest in media ownership, programming directors in radio and tv and newsrooms across the country right now, are you listening? We need you!
I know that it may seem odd for me - supporter of the little gal, pro-nonprofit radio advocate - to wax poetic about two people who were on a big major commercial radio station like WGN, but I think its important to acknowledge the contribution that Kathy O'Malley and Judy Markey made to the airwaves. Particularly for the women of the baby boomer generation, like my mom, who was an avid listener of their program, it was the first time that they heard one of their own on the airwaves as the host, in control and not just a sideshow gimic. Kathy and Judy were also immensely talented at balancing a healthy and joyful embrace of the superficial (fashions on sports teams was always a favorite subject) with the serious, speaking frankly on marriage, divorce, sexuality, health, aging and parenting, all without lowering themselves to stunts or stereotypes. It is undeniable that some of what I tried to be on the WOW radio show was, consciously or not, influenced by Kathy and Judy's embrace of friendship and fun, while still addressing important issues with the dignity and respect that they required. So Kathy and Judy, I raise a glass to you, girlfriends!
The odd conincidence of their cancellation, the same week that WOW retired from the airwaves, is not lost on me. Ultimately, this underscores the need for more avenues for independent and diverse voices on the airwaves, which is why I'm working very hard with the Chicago Independent Radio Project to pass the Local Community Radio Act, which would expand low power FM nonprofit, community-run radio stations across the country. But that alone is not the answer - we need more diversity across all media, and that includes major corporate radio and television and print media as well as local community radio outlets. Ladies in journalism schools, businesswomen looking to invest in media ownership, programming directors in radio and tv and newsrooms across the country right now, are you listening? We need you!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
More Gossip
And since we're on the subject of gossip, (instantrimshot.com), have you heard that they're making a film about The Runaways? Slated to come out in 2010, it will be a "coming-of-age biopic" directed by Floria Sigismondi, best known as a director for music videos by Marilyn Manson, David Bowie, and Sheryl Crow.
Now, I like a coming-of-age biopic as much as the next girl, but I love The Runaways just a little bit more. And I will admit, I'm a bit nervous that they'll screw this one up. Mostly because they've decided to cast Kristen Stewart of Twilight fame as Joan Jett, and precocious child actress Dakota Fanning as the corset-n-boots clad Cherie Currie.
Let that sink in for a minute: Dakota Fanning. As Cherie Currie.
But who knows? Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe this will be like Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver, where everyone was worried about exploitation and kiddie porn and she delivered nothing less than a totally solid performance that proved her versatility as an actress.
But then again, it could suck. Much like the vampires in Twilight. Ahem.
At least Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains has finally been released on DVD.
Now, I like a coming-of-age biopic as much as the next girl, but I love The Runaways just a little bit more. And I will admit, I'm a bit nervous that they'll screw this one up. Mostly because they've decided to cast Kristen Stewart of Twilight fame as Joan Jett, and precocious child actress Dakota Fanning as the corset-n-boots clad Cherie Currie.
Let that sink in for a minute: Dakota Fanning. As Cherie Currie.
But who knows? Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe this will be like Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver, where everyone was worried about exploitation and kiddie porn and she delivered nothing less than a totally solid performance that proved her versatility as an actress.
But then again, it could suck. Much like the vampires in Twilight. Ahem.
At least Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains has finally been released on DVD.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The Gossip's New Single & Sneak Peek at Artwork
They may have just released their Live in Liverpool
album last month, but The Gossip isn't taking any time off. They've already released their new single, "Heavy Cross", the first off the forthcoming album Music for Men
. You can hear the single online at The Gossip website. And how about a sneak peek at the album artwork?
album last month, but The Gossip isn't taking any time off. They've already released their new single, "Heavy Cross", the first off the forthcoming album Music for Men. You can hear the single online at The Gossip website. And how about a sneak peek at the album artwork?
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
WOW Setlist 5/19/09 - Seven Year Itch
It's our very last show on the WLUW airwaves! We're all sad, but this is not the end of the gorgeous ladies of WOW... we'll keep things rocking right here on our blog. Please follow our exploits online, where we'll keep you up to date with our latest musical endeavors, happenings around town, writings about music and politics, and everything else fabulous about the world of women in music.
The Rondelles - "Tuesday Rock City" The Fox (Teenbeat)
Miss Piggy - "Stereau Warmup" Aerobique Exercise Workout Album (WB)
Scream Club - "Don't F*** With My Babies" Don't Bite Your Sister (Retard Disco)
Julie Ruin - "Radical Or Pro-Parental" S/T (Kill Rock Stars)
The Gossip - "Jason's Basement" Movement (Kill Rock Stars)
Bratmobile - "I'm in the Band" Girls Get Busy (Lookout!)
The Muffs - "Rock & Roll Girl" Hamburger (SFTRI)
The Breeders - "Divine Hammer" Last Splash (4AD)
The 5.6.7.8's - "Three Cool Chicks" Bomb the Twist EP (SFTRI)
Sarge - "Fast Girls (Live)" Distant (Mud Records)
Belle & Sebastian - "Seeing Other People" If You're Feeling Sinister (Matador)
Juliana Hatfield - "Universal Heartbeat" Only Everything (Atlantic/Mammoth)
Rilo Kiley - "Portions for Foxes" More Adventurous (Brute)
Donna Lynn - "I'd Much Rather Be With the Girls" V/A: One Kiss Can Lead to Another: Girl Group Sounds, Lost & Found (Rhino)
The Shangri-Las - "Give Him a Great Big Kiss" Myrmidons of Melodrama (RPM)
Diana Ross & The Supremes - "You Keep Me Hangin' On" The Best Of Diana Ross & The Supremes (Motown)
Wanda Jackson - "Let's Have a Party" Vintage Collections (Capitol)
The Dresden Dolls - "Girl Anachronism" S/T (8 Ft.)
The Moldy Peaches - "Nothing Came Out" S/T (Rough Trade)
Nina Simone - "Sugar in My Bowl" Anthology (BMG)
Tori Amos - "Tear in Your Hand" Little Earthquakes (Atlantic)
Sleater-Kinney - "#1 Must Have" All Hands On the Bad One (Kill Rock Stars)
Kim - "Too Here" S/T (S/R)
All Girl Summer Fun Band - "Million Things" 2 (K)
Le Tigre - "Keep On Livin'" Feminist Sweepstakes (Mr. Lady)
PJ Harvey - "Sheela Na Gig" Dry (Island)
Pretenders - "Tattooed Love Boys" S/T (Sire/Real)
Siouxsie & the Banshees - "Hong Kong Garden" Best Of Siouxsie & the Banshees (Polydor UK)
Sonic Youth (feat. Kim Deal) - "Little Trouble Girl" Washing Machine (DGC)
The Au-Pairs - "Monogamy" Equal But Different: BBC Sessions 79-81 (RPM)
Delta 5 - "Mind Your Own Business" Singles & Sessions 1979-81 (Kill Rock Stars)
The Runaways - "Cherry Bomb" The Best of The Runaways (Polygram)
Puffy Ami Yumi - "Friends Forever" Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi: Music From the Series (Epic)
Bikini Kill - "Rebel Girl" Pussy Whipped (Kill Rock Stars)
Thanks for listening!
The Rondelles - "Tuesday Rock City" The Fox (Teenbeat)
Miss Piggy - "Stereau Warmup" Aerobique Exercise Workout Album (WB)
Scream Club - "Don't F*** With My Babies" Don't Bite Your Sister (Retard Disco)
Julie Ruin - "Radical Or Pro-Parental" S/T (Kill Rock Stars)
The Gossip - "Jason's Basement" Movement (Kill Rock Stars)
Bratmobile - "I'm in the Band" Girls Get Busy (Lookout!)
The Muffs - "Rock & Roll Girl" Hamburger (SFTRI)
The Breeders - "Divine Hammer" Last Splash (4AD)
The 5.6.7.8's - "Three Cool Chicks" Bomb the Twist EP (SFTRI)
Sarge - "Fast Girls (Live)" Distant (Mud Records)
Belle & Sebastian - "Seeing Other People" If You're Feeling Sinister (Matador)
Juliana Hatfield - "Universal Heartbeat" Only Everything (Atlantic/Mammoth)
Rilo Kiley - "Portions for Foxes" More Adventurous (Brute)
Donna Lynn - "I'd Much Rather Be With the Girls" V/A: One Kiss Can Lead to Another: Girl Group Sounds, Lost & Found (Rhino)
The Shangri-Las - "Give Him a Great Big Kiss" Myrmidons of Melodrama (RPM)
Diana Ross & The Supremes - "You Keep Me Hangin' On" The Best Of Diana Ross & The Supremes (Motown)
Wanda Jackson - "Let's Have a Party" Vintage Collections (Capitol)
The Dresden Dolls - "Girl Anachronism" S/T (8 Ft.)
The Moldy Peaches - "Nothing Came Out" S/T (Rough Trade)
Nina Simone - "Sugar in My Bowl" Anthology (BMG)
Tori Amos - "Tear in Your Hand" Little Earthquakes (Atlantic)
Sleater-Kinney - "#1 Must Have" All Hands On the Bad One (Kill Rock Stars)
Kim - "Too Here" S/T (S/R)
All Girl Summer Fun Band - "Million Things" 2 (K)
Le Tigre - "Keep On Livin'" Feminist Sweepstakes (Mr. Lady)
PJ Harvey - "Sheela Na Gig" Dry (Island)
Pretenders - "Tattooed Love Boys" S/T (Sire/Real)
Siouxsie & the Banshees - "Hong Kong Garden" Best Of Siouxsie & the Banshees (Polydor UK)
Sonic Youth (feat. Kim Deal) - "Little Trouble Girl" Washing Machine (DGC)
The Au-Pairs - "Monogamy" Equal But Different: BBC Sessions 79-81 (RPM)
Delta 5 - "Mind Your Own Business" Singles & Sessions 1979-81 (Kill Rock Stars)
The Runaways - "Cherry Bomb" The Best of The Runaways (Polygram)
Puffy Ami Yumi - "Friends Forever" Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi: Music From the Series (Epic)
Bikini Kill - "Rebel Girl" Pussy Whipped (Kill Rock Stars)
Thanks for listening!
Not an Ending, But Hopefully a Beginning
As noted elsewhere on this blog, tonight will be our last broadcast of WOW on WLUW. Jen did an amazing job of thanking everyone, including our friends and family, but I wanted to throw in my thoughts and thanks, too.
I started dj'ing at WLUW in the summer of 2002. I was getting over a terrible breakup and was unemployed, so I was spending my summer nights doing what the heartbroken do so well - dwelling. Emily convinced me to leave the house and join her at the station for her overnight show. So, once a week, I would leave my apartment at 1:00 a.m. and make the mile or so trek to the station, where we would play our favorites until the sun came up.
Once the summer was over, I joined Carly for her mid-week shift and shortly thereafter joined her with on Emily on WOW, where I've stayed until today.
The station, and the show, has been a huge part of my life. Being able to host a show with two of my best friends every week was an incredible experience. I feel like I grew up with the show, and with WLUW. I went through my most significant relationship while hosting WOW, using the music to celebrate new love and to mourn when it ended. I got my first law school acceptance letter on a Tuesday, and was able to celebrate not only with Emily and Jen, but with Erik and Ali of Think Pink who were, at that time, the show prior to ours. Hurricane Katrina started on a Tuesday, and we guided our listeners through the news updates. We've had listeners from Iraq listening online and sharing their experiences with us. Elections, national and global crisis, changes in our world: we've had the opportunity to address it all on air. There were so many Saturdays, or Tuesdays, when all I wanted to do was to get to the station to share a new cd with our listeners, and to hear about what Jen and Emily had been up to over the past week.
Just being able to flood the airwaves with female musicians was an incredible opportunity. Even in 2009, women are still consistently left out of the rock and roll conversation (unless it is about who has the hottest or most naked Rolling Stone cover). It isn't because women aren't making music or are less talented, either. WOW has given the three of us, and the women before us, the chance to remind the music community that women are making great art, and that they deserve attention, praise and criticism just as much as their male counterparts.
Thank you to WLUW for providing me with seven of the most educational, fun, and inspirational years of my life. The comfort I've found in working here is something that I have trouble articulating, and know that I will never be able to replicate. Thank you to Erik and Ali and Ruth, for their work on Think Pink and being an amazing neighbor on the airwaves (not to mention being wonderful friends). Thanks to Shawn Campbell, for always supporting WOW and being a great role model for women in the music community. Thanks to our listeners for tipping us off to hot bands and for giving us a reason to do our very best.
Most of all, thanks to Emily, Carly and Jen. You are my loves, my sheroes, my sisters. Watching WOW grow with you, and becoming the strong adult women we are today, has been an incredible privilege. I can't wait to see what is next for all of us!
I started dj'ing at WLUW in the summer of 2002. I was getting over a terrible breakup and was unemployed, so I was spending my summer nights doing what the heartbroken do so well - dwelling. Emily convinced me to leave the house and join her at the station for her overnight show. So, once a week, I would leave my apartment at 1:00 a.m. and make the mile or so trek to the station, where we would play our favorites until the sun came up.
Once the summer was over, I joined Carly for her mid-week shift and shortly thereafter joined her with on Emily on WOW, where I've stayed until today.
The station, and the show, has been a huge part of my life. Being able to host a show with two of my best friends every week was an incredible experience. I feel like I grew up with the show, and with WLUW. I went through my most significant relationship while hosting WOW, using the music to celebrate new love and to mourn when it ended. I got my first law school acceptance letter on a Tuesday, and was able to celebrate not only with Emily and Jen, but with Erik and Ali of Think Pink who were, at that time, the show prior to ours. Hurricane Katrina started on a Tuesday, and we guided our listeners through the news updates. We've had listeners from Iraq listening online and sharing their experiences with us. Elections, national and global crisis, changes in our world: we've had the opportunity to address it all on air. There were so many Saturdays, or Tuesdays, when all I wanted to do was to get to the station to share a new cd with our listeners, and to hear about what Jen and Emily had been up to over the past week.
Just being able to flood the airwaves with female musicians was an incredible opportunity. Even in 2009, women are still consistently left out of the rock and roll conversation (unless it is about who has the hottest or most naked Rolling Stone cover). It isn't because women aren't making music or are less talented, either. WOW has given the three of us, and the women before us, the chance to remind the music community that women are making great art, and that they deserve attention, praise and criticism just as much as their male counterparts.
Thank you to WLUW for providing me with seven of the most educational, fun, and inspirational years of my life. The comfort I've found in working here is something that I have trouble articulating, and know that I will never be able to replicate. Thank you to Erik and Ali and Ruth, for their work on Think Pink and being an amazing neighbor on the airwaves (not to mention being wonderful friends). Thanks to Shawn Campbell, for always supporting WOW and being a great role model for women in the music community. Thanks to our listeners for tipping us off to hot bands and for giving us a reason to do our very best.
Most of all, thanks to Emily, Carly and Jen. You are my loves, my sheroes, my sisters. Watching WOW grow with you, and becoming the strong adult women we are today, has been an incredible privilege. I can't wait to see what is next for all of us!
Thank You!
Dear listeners, friends and supporters,
Tonight, as Emily, Elizabeth and I officially retire the Women On Women Music Program from WLUW, we wanted to again thank you for your support over the years.
On behalf of Emily and Elizabeth, I wanted to extend our deepest thanks to several people who have been with us for the journey. First, thanks to our parents and siblings - Frank and Colleen and Ang, Pat and Ned and Ang, Kay and Mr. A and Mike - and extended family members who have supported us in our time at WLUW. Some of our favorite shows were the ones where we had our moms on for Mothers Day and dads on for Fathers Day! Thanks also to our best friends, boyfriends, roommates and pets who have put up with our schedules, music, fundraising and events for many years. Without their support, we would never have made it this long.
Second, we'd like to thank our fellow WLUW volunteers. I’d especially like to thank the people who have been WOW’s “neighbors in radioland” over the years – Radio L’Union, who were always such delightful gentlemen, and taught us that music and radio is a universal language, The Hip Hop Project, who were our biggest champions against the occasional WOW stalker and showed us the hearts behind hip hop, Think Pink, who were our comrades in all ways always, Jen Van Matre (and Danny too), who is always a smiling face to see and tips us off to great underground music and crafty things, Ken and Darius of Reality Radio who are always indulgent of our crazy “last songs”, and Fred who has been our go-to man for basketball game nights. Thanks to the old friends who have been our friends, confidants, and colleagues for many years and with whom we’ve worked on many projects together – Mike Stephen and Andy, Ginny, Kate and Rachel, Razor and Di, Luke and Chris, Jerry, Eduardo, Philip, Carrie, Bohus, Mica, Tom Jackson, Shani and Slacky J.
Third, we'd like to thank the people who have been most instrumental in our radio careers, Craig Kois and Shawn Campbell, who served as the management of WLUW for nearly all of our careers. Not only did we learn more about community radio than we'd ever dreamed, we also learned a lot about how to life your life, and for that we can never repay them. Thanks also to the other folks who have passed in and out the WLUW doors and touched our lives in the last decade at various points - wherever you are now, thanks go out to Rob Creighton, Jim Lemon, Jammin Down JD, Eddie, Miss Konnie, Avi, Carly Chillmon, Kate Rainey, Caitlin, Mati, Mike G, Jim C, Steve Kallao, Jaime, Justin Government, Justin Indiana, KB, Lionel, Chris K, LJ, Rob A, Erik, Ruth, Ali, Tony, Andrew, Michael A, Michael Flavor, Dustin, Mary, Kristin, Chris S, the late Jack Trahey and everyone else who we are forgetting.
Finally, thanks to you, the listener, reader, and supporter of WOW. It is because of you that we have done this for so many years, and we appreciate your support more than you can ever know. I sincerely hope that you will stay in contact with us as we embark on this new journey. Please tune in tonight from 8pm to 10pm as Emily, Elizabeth and I play our favorites of all time and bid WLUW goodbye, and the world of the blogosphere hello!
With thanks and love,
Jen
Tonight, as Emily, Elizabeth and I officially retire the Women On Women Music Program from WLUW, we wanted to again thank you for your support over the years.
On behalf of Emily and Elizabeth, I wanted to extend our deepest thanks to several people who have been with us for the journey. First, thanks to our parents and siblings - Frank and Colleen and Ang, Pat and Ned and Ang, Kay and Mr. A and Mike - and extended family members who have supported us in our time at WLUW. Some of our favorite shows were the ones where we had our moms on for Mothers Day and dads on for Fathers Day! Thanks also to our best friends, boyfriends, roommates and pets who have put up with our schedules, music, fundraising and events for many years. Without their support, we would never have made it this long.
Second, we'd like to thank our fellow WLUW volunteers. I’d especially like to thank the people who have been WOW’s “neighbors in radioland” over the years – Radio L’Union, who were always such delightful gentlemen, and taught us that music and radio is a universal language, The Hip Hop Project, who were our biggest champions against the occasional WOW stalker and showed us the hearts behind hip hop, Think Pink, who were our comrades in all ways always, Jen Van Matre (and Danny too), who is always a smiling face to see and tips us off to great underground music and crafty things, Ken and Darius of Reality Radio who are always indulgent of our crazy “last songs”, and Fred who has been our go-to man for basketball game nights. Thanks to the old friends who have been our friends, confidants, and colleagues for many years and with whom we’ve worked on many projects together – Mike Stephen and Andy, Ginny, Kate and Rachel, Razor and Di, Luke and Chris, Jerry, Eduardo, Philip, Carrie, Bohus, Mica, Tom Jackson, Shani and Slacky J.
Third, we'd like to thank the people who have been most instrumental in our radio careers, Craig Kois and Shawn Campbell, who served as the management of WLUW for nearly all of our careers. Not only did we learn more about community radio than we'd ever dreamed, we also learned a lot about how to life your life, and for that we can never repay them. Thanks also to the other folks who have passed in and out the WLUW doors and touched our lives in the last decade at various points - wherever you are now, thanks go out to Rob Creighton, Jim Lemon, Jammin Down JD, Eddie, Miss Konnie, Avi, Carly Chillmon, Kate Rainey, Caitlin, Mati, Mike G, Jim C, Steve Kallao, Jaime, Justin Government, Justin Indiana, KB, Lionel, Chris K, LJ, Rob A, Erik, Ruth, Ali, Tony, Andrew, Michael A, Michael Flavor, Dustin, Mary, Kristin, Chris S, the late Jack Trahey and everyone else who we are forgetting.
Finally, thanks to you, the listener, reader, and supporter of WOW. It is because of you that we have done this for so many years, and we appreciate your support more than you can ever know. I sincerely hope that you will stay in contact with us as we embark on this new journey. Please tune in tonight from 8pm to 10pm as Emily, Elizabeth and I play our favorites of all time and bid WLUW goodbye, and the world of the blogosphere hello!
With thanks and love,
Jen
Friday, May 15, 2009
Video Fridays: "Buffalo Stance"
Far from being the musical flash-in-the-pan, Ms. Neneh Cherry has quite the musical pedigree. Daughter of West African percussionist Amadu Jah and stepdaughter of jazz trumpeter Don Cherry, Neneh was briefly in punk bands the Cherries, (WOW favorites) the Slits, and the Nails before settling down in innovative no-wave/jazz/soul band Rip Rig & Panic in the early 80s.
Part of why this video has always been memorable, to me at least, is the presence of the enigmatic dancers. Rumor has it, Neneh saw the two kids dancing at a club in London, liked their moves and their clothes, and simply invited them to come to the video shoot the next day. (It was Nina Hagen's clubkid-esque outfits in last week's "Smack Jack" video that reminded me how much I always liked the "Buffalo Stance" video, and that I should post it here.)
Also, little-known DJ fact about this song: the 12" single sounds equally good at both 45 AND 33. Heh.
Part of why this video has always been memorable, to me at least, is the presence of the enigmatic dancers. Rumor has it, Neneh saw the two kids dancing at a club in London, liked their moves and their clothes, and simply invited them to come to the video shoot the next day. (It was Nina Hagen's clubkid-esque outfits in last week's "Smack Jack" video that reminded me how much I always liked the "Buffalo Stance" video, and that I should post it here.)
Also, little-known DJ fact about this song: the 12" single sounds equally good at both 45 AND 33. Heh.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
California Girls Rock a Misogyny-Free Prom
Hurrah for the girls in the Women's Health and Issues Club at Arcadia High School in California! Bust magazine's blog tipped us off to this story - after being interviewed by Oprah earlier in the year about hip hop's attitudes towards women, the girls began discussing how mysogynistic lyrics made them feel, and decided to start a campaign to have a prom free of those songs. After collecting signatures on a petition and working with school administrators, they received a promise that twenty of the worst offending songs would not be played at prom. If this is what these girls can do as teenagers, imagine them as adults! Kudos to you, ladies of Arcadia High School's Women's Health and Issues Club!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
WOW Setlist 5/12/09 - 88.7fm/wluw.org
Second to last on-air show! After next week's show, we're going blog-only, so make sure to tune in next Tuesday from 8 to 10pm on 88.7fm in Chicago, wluw.org everywhere else, for our last show on WLUW. In the meantime, here's today's setlist:
Bang! Bang! - "Move" Do You Like It? (Heads Up Records)
Saint Etienne - "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" Travel Edition 1990-2005 (Sub Pop)
Metric - "Sick Muse" Fantasies (Last Gang)
Prototypes - "Who's Gonna Sing" S/T (Minty Fresh)
The New Pornographers - "All the Old Showstoppers" Challengers (Matador)
The 5.6.7.8's - "Guitar Date" Bomb the Rocks (Giant Claw)
Talking Heads - "Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town" Talking Heads: 77 (Sire)
Sleater-Kinney - "I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone" Call the Doctor (Chainsaw)
The Velvet Underground & Nico - "Velvet Underground" S/T (Polygram)
Pixies - "Winterlong" Dig for Fire EP (4AD)
The Magnetic Fields - "If There's Such a Thing as Love" i (Nonesuch)
Eleni Mandell - "Pauline" Thill (Space Baby)
That Dog - "He's Kissing Christian" Totally Crushed Out! (DGC)
The Butchies - "Make Yr Life" Make Yr Life (Yep Roc)
Poster Children - "If You See Kay" Daisychain Reaction (Twin/Tone)
The Pipettes - "Your Kisses Are Wasted on Me" Your Kisses Are Wasted on Me (Memphis Industries)
Kate Havnevik - "Unlike Me" Melankton (Continentica)
Mary Lou Lord - "His Indie World" S/T EP (Kill Rock Stars)
Edith Frost - "My Lover Won't Call" It's a Game (Drag City)
Kaki King - "First Brain" ... Until We Felt Red (Velour)
Yo La Tengo - "Tears Are in Your Eyes" And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out (Matador)
The Vaselines - "Molly's Lips" The Way of the Vaselines (Sub Pop)
Bratmobile - "The Real Janelle" The Real Janelle EP (Kill Rock Stars)
Bis - "Starbright Boy" The New Transistor Heroes (Grand Royal)
The Ting Tings - "Great DJ" We Started Nothing (Columbia)
Le Tigre - "The The Empty" Le Tigre (Mr. Lady)
The Gossip - "Yr Mangled Heart" Standing in the Way of Control (Kill Rock Stars)
The Bangs - "S.O.S." Tiger Beat (Kill Rock Stars)
Pretty Girls Make Graves - "The New Romance" The New Romance (Matador)
Bang! Bang! - "Move" Do You Like It? (Heads Up Records)
Saint Etienne - "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" Travel Edition 1990-2005 (Sub Pop)
Metric - "Sick Muse" Fantasies (Last Gang)
Prototypes - "Who's Gonna Sing" S/T (Minty Fresh)
The New Pornographers - "All the Old Showstoppers" Challengers (Matador)
The 5.6.7.8's - "Guitar Date" Bomb the Rocks (Giant Claw)
Talking Heads - "Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town" Talking Heads: 77 (Sire)
Sleater-Kinney - "I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone" Call the Doctor (Chainsaw)
The Velvet Underground & Nico - "Velvet Underground" S/T (Polygram)
Pixies - "Winterlong" Dig for Fire EP (4AD)
The Magnetic Fields - "If There's Such a Thing as Love" i (Nonesuch)
Eleni Mandell - "Pauline" Thill (Space Baby)
That Dog - "He's Kissing Christian" Totally Crushed Out! (DGC)
The Butchies - "Make Yr Life" Make Yr Life (Yep Roc)
Poster Children - "If You See Kay" Daisychain Reaction (Twin/Tone)
The Pipettes - "Your Kisses Are Wasted on Me" Your Kisses Are Wasted on Me (Memphis Industries)
Kate Havnevik - "Unlike Me" Melankton (Continentica)
Mary Lou Lord - "His Indie World" S/T EP (Kill Rock Stars)
Edith Frost - "My Lover Won't Call" It's a Game (Drag City)
Kaki King - "First Brain" ... Until We Felt Red (Velour)
Yo La Tengo - "Tears Are in Your Eyes" And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out (Matador)
The Vaselines - "Molly's Lips" The Way of the Vaselines (Sub Pop)
Bratmobile - "The Real Janelle" The Real Janelle EP (Kill Rock Stars)
Bis - "Starbright Boy" The New Transistor Heroes (Grand Royal)
The Ting Tings - "Great DJ" We Started Nothing (Columbia)
Le Tigre - "The The Empty" Le Tigre (Mr. Lady)
The Gossip - "Yr Mangled Heart" Standing in the Way of Control (Kill Rock Stars)
The Bangs - "S.O.S." Tiger Beat (Kill Rock Stars)
Pretty Girls Make Graves - "The New Romance" The New Romance (Matador)
A Special Announcement From WOW
Dear Listeners, Supporters, and Friends,
We’re very sad to tell you that the Women On Women Music Program will be retiring from the WLUW airwaves later this month. Our last broadcast will be on Tuesday, May 19, 2009. There is a silver lining, however, as we will carry on the good name and spirit of WOW through our blog, http://wowmusichicago.com/, where we will continue to write about music and women’s issues. (And hopefully soon, we will be able to bring you playlists and podcasts as well!) We hope you’ll bookmark this website, add it to your RSS readers, and keep returning for the spirited discussion, music reviews, and intelligent humor you’ve come to expect from the beautiful ladies of WOW. (And who knows? You may not have seen the end of the show format yet...)
The decision to retire our show from WLUW is one we’ve undertaken with much contemplation and more than a few tears. Producing the Women On Women Music Program, and being volunteers with WLUW, has been a large part of our lives for nearly a decade – from the time that we each walked into the station as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed students, through the many years of learning, growth, and development, through studio moves and management changes, through pledge drives and fundraisers and more…. WLUW has been a part of our lives, careers and friendships, and we will miss it greatly. We appreciate all the encouragement and support from all of our listeners and friends over the years, and it's our weekly live connection with you that we'll miss the most.
Part of the impetus behind our decision is the simple fact that individually, we are all in very different places than we were when we took over the show over six years ago, and certainly, from when we started at WLUW as student volunteers. Our current commitments, as well as the fact that the station itself is moving in a different direction, have made it unrealistic for us to continue on at WLUW. We’ve grown up with our listeners over the years, and we feel that we’ve come a long way, baby. We don’t often share our personal lives on the air, but we're all extremely proud of each other, and the fantastic projects we're working on outside of WOW: Elizabeth is graduating law school and will sit for the bar this summer, and recently completed an internship for LAMBDA on LGBT civil rights lawsuits. Emily has been busy drumming for a hot new local band, The Maybenauts, as well as performing with a prestigious percussion ensemble within Redmoon Theater. Jenny, in addition to her “day job” at Metro, is currently juggling an increasingly successful freelance writing career, and a position as Vice President of the Chicago Independent Radio Project. (All three of us, incidentally, are volunteering for CHIRP, a group that will launch an online community radio station this summer and is seeking a low power FM license. We urge you to visit the website and throw your support behind this great organization.) As you can see, we are three very busy ladies!
While we recognize that the blog format may not be exactly the same as a live radio show, we hope to keep things rockin', and we hope that you will continue your unflagging support of WOW. We've kept the show going for as long as we have because of you, our listeners, and the simple joy we get from hanging out and playing our favorite records for you. We plan on continuing this tradition, just in a slightly different format - more details will be coming in the next few weeks, so stay tuned to this blog. Please, come along with us as we start this new phase in the life of WOW!
buckets of love,
Jenny, Emily, and Elizabeth
Friday, May 8, 2009
Video Fridays: "Smack Jack"
Oh Nina Hagen. You are so weird.
The first time I saw this video, it was playing on the tv monitors behind the bar at a dance club I used to frequent. I was, let's say, less than sober. I'd heard Nina Hagen before, but never actually seen what she looked like... needless to say, this video completely blew my pickled mind.
<3
The first time I saw this video, it was playing on the tv monitors behind the bar at a dance club I used to frequent. I was, let's say, less than sober. I'd heard Nina Hagen before, but never actually seen what she looked like... needless to say, this video completely blew my pickled mind.
<3
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Babes With Blades Presents An All Female Macbeth!
All Female Macbeth debuts in Chicago this month! Babes With Blades, a group working to expand opportunities for women in the field of stage combat, is putting on an all-female Macbeth. It started last weekend at La Costa Theatre at 3931 N. Elston Ave. 2nd Floor and runs through May 30th. Already, the reviews are glowing -
"It has been quite some time since I have seen a stage performance as exciting, engaging, and as well performed as Babes With Blades rendering of Macbeth." - Norman Doucet, Gapers Block
"With luminous, corrosive clarity, Babes With Blades proves that you don't need to be a man to shake up Shakespeare; you just need a big enough sword. And indeed, it's about time someone brought new meaning to the phrase "girl-on-girl action." - Anna Pulley, Centerstage
I know I want to see it already! Tickets are now available for $20 each, but seniors and students pay just $13. Visit BabesWithBlades.org for details.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
WOW Setlist, 5/5/09 - Tuesdays 8-10pm on 88.7fm / wluw.org
Hey, Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
PJ Harvey & John Parish - "Sixteen, Fifteen, Fourteen" A Woman A Man Walked By (Island)
Le Tigre - "Mediocrity Rules" From the Desk of Mr. Lady EP (Mr. Lady)
Metric - "Help I'm Alive" Fantasies (Last Gang)
Blondie - "Rip Her To Shreds" S/T (Chrysalis)
Ladytron - "Season of Illusions" Velocifero (Nettwork)
Rainer Maria - "Broken Radio" Look Now Look Again (Polyvinyl)
Stars - "The Night Starts Here" In Our Bedroom After the War (Arts & Crafts)
Mates 0f State - "Like U Crazy" Bring it Back (Barsuk)
The Reputation - "Misery By Design" S/T (Initial)
Liz Phair - "Cinco de Mayo" Whip-Smart (Capitol)
Lola Beltran - "La Tequilera" 12 Grandes Exitos, Vol. 1 (Warner Music Latina)
Yma Sumac - "Gopher" Mambo! (The Right Stuff)
Bebel Gilberto - "Tanto Tempo" Tanto Tempo (Ziriguiboom/6 Degrees)
Patti Smith - "Kimberly" Horses (Arista)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Soft Shock" It's Blitz! (Interscope)
The Raveonettes - "You Want the Candy" Lust Lust Lust (Vice)
Scarlett Johansson - "Song for Jo" Anywhere I Lay My Head (Rhino)
The Magnetic Fields - "All My Little Words" 69 Love Songs (Merge)
Belly - "Gepetto" Star (Sire)
Bjork - "Undo" Vespertine (Elektra)
Cat Power - "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" The Covers Record (Matador)
Prototypes - "Je Ne Te Connais Pas" S/T (Minty Fresh)
The Thermals - "We Were Sick" Now We Can See (Kill Rock Stars)
New Black - "Time Attack" Time Attack (Thick)
Delta 5 - "Mind Your Own Business" Singles & Sessions 1979-81 (Kill Rock Stars)
Sonic Youth - "Sacred Trickster" The Eternal (Matador)
The Peechees - "Tomfoolery" Life (Kill Rock Stars)
Pixies - "Blown Away" Live in Chicago 11/13/04 (S/R)
Portishead - "We Carry On" Third (Mercury)
PJ Harvey & John Parish - "Sixteen, Fifteen, Fourteen" A Woman A Man Walked By (Island)
Le Tigre - "Mediocrity Rules" From the Desk of Mr. Lady EP (Mr. Lady)
Metric - "Help I'm Alive" Fantasies (Last Gang)
Blondie - "Rip Her To Shreds" S/T (Chrysalis)
Ladytron - "Season of Illusions" Velocifero (Nettwork)
Rainer Maria - "Broken Radio" Look Now Look Again (Polyvinyl)
Stars - "The Night Starts Here" In Our Bedroom After the War (Arts & Crafts)
Mates 0f State - "Like U Crazy" Bring it Back (Barsuk)
The Reputation - "Misery By Design" S/T (Initial)
Liz Phair - "Cinco de Mayo" Whip-Smart (Capitol)
Lola Beltran - "La Tequilera" 12 Grandes Exitos, Vol. 1 (Warner Music Latina)
Yma Sumac - "Gopher" Mambo! (The Right Stuff)
Bebel Gilberto - "Tanto Tempo" Tanto Tempo (Ziriguiboom/6 Degrees)
Patti Smith - "Kimberly" Horses (Arista)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Soft Shock" It's Blitz! (Interscope)
The Raveonettes - "You Want the Candy" Lust Lust Lust (Vice)
Scarlett Johansson - "Song for Jo" Anywhere I Lay My Head (Rhino)
The Magnetic Fields - "All My Little Words" 69 Love Songs (Merge)
Belly - "Gepetto" Star (Sire)
Bjork - "Undo" Vespertine (Elektra)
Cat Power - "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" The Covers Record (Matador)
Prototypes - "Je Ne Te Connais Pas" S/T (Minty Fresh)
The Thermals - "We Were Sick" Now We Can See (Kill Rock Stars)
New Black - "Time Attack" Time Attack (Thick)
Delta 5 - "Mind Your Own Business" Singles & Sessions 1979-81 (Kill Rock Stars)
Sonic Youth - "Sacred Trickster" The Eternal (Matador)
The Peechees - "Tomfoolery" Life (Kill Rock Stars)
Pixies - "Blown Away" Live in Chicago 11/13/04 (S/R)
Portishead - "We Carry On" Third (Mercury)
Friday, May 1, 2009
Video Fridays: "Eating Toothpaste"
A classic from Bratmobile.
Who knew Allison Wolfe had a twin sister?
Come to think of it, in addition to Allison and Cindy Wolfe, there's also Kim and Kelly Deal, Cherie and Marie Currie*, Marguerite and Mary Ann Ganser from the Shangri-Las, Tegan and Sara... not just sisters, but all of 'em twins. And then there's Petra, Rachel, and Tanya Haden, who happens to be triplets!
This could just be a case of red car syndrome, but still... Weird!
*Interestingly enough, rumor has it that Marie was the one who was originally offered a spot in the Runaways. After she turned down the opportunity, Cheri auditioned... and the rest, as they say, is history. (Or herstory. Whatever.)
Who knew Allison Wolfe had a twin sister?
Come to think of it, in addition to Allison and Cindy Wolfe, there's also Kim and Kelly Deal, Cherie and Marie Currie*, Marguerite and Mary Ann Ganser from the Shangri-Las, Tegan and Sara... not just sisters, but all of 'em twins. And then there's Petra, Rachel, and Tanya Haden, who happens to be triplets!
This could just be a case of red car syndrome, but still... Weird!
*Interestingly enough, rumor has it that Marie was the one who was originally offered a spot in the Runaways. After she turned down the opportunity, Cheri auditioned... and the rest, as they say, is history. (Or herstory. Whatever.)
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