Showing posts with label videos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label videos. Show all posts
Friday, July 30, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Video Fridays: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
How about the new video from Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, "Tell Me"?
Friday, March 12, 2010
Video Fridays: Bjork's Triumph of a Heart
This week's video is from our girl Bjork. Happy Friday everyone!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Video Fridays: Transparence by Asobi Seksu
I love the sunshine-like quality to this song and video - especially as we're on the cusp of Spring in Chicago right now, this song just seems appropriate today. Enjoy Asobi Seksu!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Video Fridays: Charlotte Gainsbourg "Heaven Can Wait"
Charlotte's new album, Irm
, was just released and its already becoming one of my favorites of this winter. This video is for the single, Heaven Can Wait, and features Beck!
, was just released and its already becoming one of my favorites of this winter. This video is for the single, Heaven Can Wait, and features Beck!Friday, January 8, 2010
Video Fridays: Aretha Franklin - Respect
In honor of Pat, here's some Aretha for you this Friday morning.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas! Video Fridays: The 12 Days of Christmas by John Denver & The Muppets
A very Merry Christmas from all of us here at the Women on Women Music Blog!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Video Fridays: Fairytale of New York - Kirsty MacColl & The Pougues
One of our favorite and most amusing Christmas-themed songs, featuring the late great Kirsty MacColl. Sadly, Kirsty's mother's campaign for justice in the mysterious circumstances surrounding her 2000 death while scuba diving in Mexico disbanded earlier this month, due to Mexican authorities closing the case. Although we may never have satisfactory justice regarding her death, we can always honor Kirsty's legacy of great music.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Video Fridays: Martha Wainwright Covers "Christmas Wrapping" By The Waitresses
Christmas Wrapping has always been one of my favorite Christmas songs - the irony, the sad grocery store scene, the happy ending, all set to 80s new wave... what's not to love? The song itself has quite the history, sending The Waitresses to an unlikely fame, just before its breakup. Unfortunately, The Waitresses never made a video, but I've found Martha Wainwright's cover of it here. Enjoy, and happy holidays!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Stupid in Love
Last winter, the pop and R&B world was rocked when fan favorite Rihanna failed to make her scheduled appearance at the 2009 Grammy awards. Her absence was due to an incident that occured the night prior, when she was beaten by boyfriend Chris Brown. The paparazzi and press jumped on the story, and on her, and not only published the photos of her bruised and cut face but followed her every move following her release from the hospital. In the weeks following the abuse, Rihanna spent time with Brown, which was also captured and published for mass consumption.
The press and blogosphere judged her quickly, the general sentiment being "How could she even think about spending time with someone who would hit her?". Pop stars aren't the only ones who deal with this kind of judgment. Conversations around domestic violence frequently include place an expectation on the abused partner that they can easily remove themselves from the situation. That it is easy to leave, especially if there are no financial barriers, as in the case of Rihanna and Brown. That if someone won't leave then they deserve it, or don't deserve support, or are just plain stupid.
As someone who has both been a survivor of domestic violence and has worked in the field, I can tell you: it isn't that easy. The shock that someone you love, and who loves you, would harm you is overwhelming. Someone's palm on your face doesn't erase the good memories, or the positive parts of their personality. It doesn't eliminate your relationship or friendship. And if that person is your main source of emotional support....it gets so much harder. There is an impluse to try and make it work out, if only to show those around you that you weren't stupid enough to fall in love with an abuser. And to prove to yourself that you were right in seeing good things in them - that you aren't such an idiot as to give your heart to a monster.
This aspect of abuse, though, is rarely discussed. We expect abuse survivors to have the emotional strength of a herd of clysdales and to be able to cut off all contact with their abuser, to leave them in the dust, as soon as the first hit lands. It would be great it if were that easy, as that is the only way that the abuse cycle will end. As with most things, reality is so much more difficult.
Now that the dust has settled from the press bonanaza that occured this weekend, Rihanna has come out with a new album addressing issues around abuse that are usually kept in the dark. This blog is not intended for lauding the mainstream - commercial music gets enough press as it is - but I was so struck by her new record, and her bravery in addressing the more complicated issues that survivors face, that I had to write about it. Embedded below is a track off her new record, R Rated, "Stupid in Love". A warning to survivors - the song may trigger flashbacks or strong emotions.
The press and blogosphere judged her quickly, the general sentiment being "How could she even think about spending time with someone who would hit her?". Pop stars aren't the only ones who deal with this kind of judgment. Conversations around domestic violence frequently include place an expectation on the abused partner that they can easily remove themselves from the situation. That it is easy to leave, especially if there are no financial barriers, as in the case of Rihanna and Brown. That if someone won't leave then they deserve it, or don't deserve support, or are just plain stupid.
As someone who has both been a survivor of domestic violence and has worked in the field, I can tell you: it isn't that easy. The shock that someone you love, and who loves you, would harm you is overwhelming. Someone's palm on your face doesn't erase the good memories, or the positive parts of their personality. It doesn't eliminate your relationship or friendship. And if that person is your main source of emotional support....it gets so much harder. There is an impluse to try and make it work out, if only to show those around you that you weren't stupid enough to fall in love with an abuser. And to prove to yourself that you were right in seeing good things in them - that you aren't such an idiot as to give your heart to a monster.
This aspect of abuse, though, is rarely discussed. We expect abuse survivors to have the emotional strength of a herd of clysdales and to be able to cut off all contact with their abuser, to leave them in the dust, as soon as the first hit lands. It would be great it if were that easy, as that is the only way that the abuse cycle will end. As with most things, reality is so much more difficult.
Now that the dust has settled from the press bonanaza that occured this weekend, Rihanna has come out with a new album addressing issues around abuse that are usually kept in the dark. This blog is not intended for lauding the mainstream - commercial music gets enough press as it is - but I was so struck by her new record, and her bravery in addressing the more complicated issues that survivors face, that I had to write about it. Embedded below is a track off her new record, R Rated, "Stupid in Love". A warning to survivors - the song may trigger flashbacks or strong emotions.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Friday Video: Peaches "Talk To Me"
Always a favorite of the ladies of WOW, Peaches is the kind of girl who says - nay, screams - what we're all secretly thinking. Looking for some of the harshest lyrics written by a woman in the last ten years? That's Peaches. Looking for an INSANE live show that will leave your head spinning? That's Peaches. Looking for a good time November 20 in Chicago? Peaches plays Metro. Here's a little taste - the video for "Talk to Me", her single off the latest album, I Feel Cream.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Video Fridays: "Man-Size"
Speaking of great guitar girls...
Oh Polly Jean, you're such a ham.
(Also, is it just me, or does it look like something falls out of her nose about 2:18 in?)
Oh Polly Jean, you're such a ham.
(Also, is it just me, or does it look like something falls out of her nose about 2:18 in?)
Friday, October 16, 2009
Video Fridays: Papas Fritas
From 1997's Helioself.
I'm gonna pretend it's not almost winter already, ok?
I'm gonna pretend it's not almost winter already, ok?
Friday, October 9, 2009
Video Fridays: Teenage Jesus & the Jerks
A clip from the legendary no wave band Teenage Jesus & the Jerks, from their Empty Bottle show earlier this week:
Friday, September 25, 2009
Video Friday & Scotland Yard Gospel Choir Needs Your Help
As has been widely reported today, friends of our blog and all around good peeps Scotland Yard Gospel Choir were in a serious van accident yesterday while on tour involving multiple rollovers and head injuries. We've spoken with friends of their family and hear that they are all doing well, despite their serious injuries, and Ethan, Jay and Alison have already been released from the hospital. Mary and Elia remain hospitalized as of this writing, and Mark is in the most serious condition at this point, but all three are expected to recover and continue to improve. However, the band's van and equipment were destroyed in the crash, and they are likely to face mounting medical bills. SYGC is always one of the first bands to volunteer to support great Chicago charities like Rock For Kids, CHIRP and 826Chi - now it's our turn to give back to them. Bloodshot Records has set up a donation page for the band - throw a few bucks in the virtual donation bucket, if you can.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Mary Travers Now In Honah Lee
How many times in the last few months have I turned on CNN in the morning, looked at the little bar scrolling across the bottom, and thought "Awww, shoot" as another icon has died? Too many times, I think - maybe it's a sign of my own getting older. The latest instance of me shaking my head sadly is the death this week of Mary Travers, best known as Mary from Peter, Paul and Mary. After successfully battling cancer since 2005, she died from complications from chemotherapy this week at the age of 72.
Mary Travers' importance to folk music and women musicians cannot be overstated. In the trio, she was the focal point, the pretty girl with the beautiful voice that captured more mainstream attention for the Greenwich Village subculture of the 1960s. Through her humanity and talent, she put a face on the folk music movement which had been largely ignored or ridiculed prior to that time. When the group did their own versions of important songs in the folk music subculture, suddenly, people took notice. Of course, it didn't hurt that she was beautiful, which may have been why mainstream culture was willing to listen. But Mary took that attention to heart, using her platform to advocate for political causes through music like Pete Seeger's "If I Had A Hammer" and the remake of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' In The Wind", as well as through where the band chose to play, including the 1963 March on Washington and the voting-rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., in 1965. Throughout the rest of her life, she would be an advocate for civil rights, nuclear disarmament and other political causes.
Peter, Paul and Mary weren't entirely serious though. One of their most popular and beloved songs, "Puff The Magic Dragon", was a whimsical tale of the adventures of a misunderstood boy and the dragon who teaches him to be brave. It later became a children's television special, and then movies, extolling the values of imaginary friends, adventures, understanding creatures who are different than us, and being courageous. Doubtless it spawned many of my own imaginary friends. Ready for a singalong?
Mary Travers' importance to folk music and women musicians cannot be overstated. In the trio, she was the focal point, the pretty girl with the beautiful voice that captured more mainstream attention for the Greenwich Village subculture of the 1960s. Through her humanity and talent, she put a face on the folk music movement which had been largely ignored or ridiculed prior to that time. When the group did their own versions of important songs in the folk music subculture, suddenly, people took notice. Of course, it didn't hurt that she was beautiful, which may have been why mainstream culture was willing to listen. But Mary took that attention to heart, using her platform to advocate for political causes through music like Pete Seeger's "If I Had A Hammer" and the remake of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' In The Wind", as well as through where the band chose to play, including the 1963 March on Washington and the voting-rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., in 1965. Throughout the rest of her life, she would be an advocate for civil rights, nuclear disarmament and other political causes.
Peter, Paul and Mary weren't entirely serious though. One of their most popular and beloved songs, "Puff The Magic Dragon", was a whimsical tale of the adventures of a misunderstood boy and the dragon who teaches him to be brave. It later became a children's television special, and then movies, extolling the values of imaginary friends, adventures, understanding creatures who are different than us, and being courageous. Doubtless it spawned many of my own imaginary friends. Ready for a singalong?
Friday, August 14, 2009
R.I.P. Les Paul
Friday, August 7, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
