Bitch, from The L Word, will be performing at the Rainbow RiverFest 2012 on September 22 at the Holyoke Canoe Club, in western Mass.
Photo by: Crayola
By: Christine Nicco/TRT Reporter–
Holyoke, Mass. — Bitch, an international acclaimed indie-electro band, notoriously known for a world renowned tour with Ani DiFranco and music features on Showtimes’ The L Word, is making a Holyoke, Mass. debut at Rainbow RiverFest 2012, the LGBT Coalition of Western Massachusetts’ annual fundraiser. Popularly known for fierce electric violin musicianship and electrifying music, the band’s lead-woman fills the stage with unmistakable synergy between her shows and name, both which mark the epitome of self-liberation.
In this e-interview with Bitch, the singer explains how her name and persona have empower her personally and professionally to get to where she is today.
The Rainbow Times: Bitch, a sexist word used to defame women, is not typically a classic name for an artist to proudly carry. What is the meaning behind it for you? How did it come about?
Bitch: It’s a way to reclaim a word that has been used to insult powerful, outspoken and smart women.
Q. Do you think that your name has helped to form your artistic persona? How so?
A. To walk on stage, knowing that I am naming that space absolutely helps me to stay in my skin, be super powerful, and not apologize for anything!
Q. Before Bitch, there was Bitch and Animal. What happened to Animal? Are the two of you still friends?
A. Yes we are friends! She lives in San Francisco, still makes amazing music and writes musicals for kids.
Q. How would your friends or family describe you?
A. As a loud laugher, a loud sneezer, [someone who] brings a ton of energy to a room and never remembers birthdays!
Q. What is your most memorable performance or favorite gig?
A. It’s hard to put one time as the absolute best. But, there was one time in Italy when I was playing “Traffic”—a ballad on my bass, and it was super quiet and I wasn’t sure they were going to understand the poetry. When I finished the song, there was a communal pause, and then the place erupted with applause. Those are the moments a performer lives for. To transcend lines of language speaks to the
power of music!
Q. How did your music being featured on Showtimes’ The L Word change the trajectory of your career?
A. … [It] has definitely opened me up to a more global audience!
Q. Many artists say that live performances are preferable because they can feed off of the crowd’s energy. Is that true for you? How does studio recording compare?
A. Live shows are absolutely my favorite way to play. I’m a theater nerd and actually think of my show as much as theater as it is music. Being in the studio is something I have learned to love—it’s a way of making your imagination be the audience and you have to sing like you’re giving away your deepest secrets.
Q. Many would argue that there has never been an election more important than this year’s Presidential election between Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney and President Obama. What are your thoughts about that?
A. If Obama doesn’t win, I may move to Europe!
Q. You’re performing at the Rainbow RiverFest this year in Holyoke, Mass. What will audience members get from you for this live performance?
A. There will be an Alligator on stage, room to dance, and my always witchy electric violin. It will be an eloquent and poetic display of wildness and confidence.
According to her website, Bitch is currently working on a new album that highlights her electric poetic pop. Recently, through collaboration with filmmaker Billie Jo Cavallaro (Billie and the Violent Kids), she has completed Thunder, a documentary about the folk-singer Ferron. Her newest album, Blasted! came out on her own label, Short Story Records, and was funded entirely by her fans via Kickstarter.
For more information about this pop culture sensation, visit www.bitchmusic.com.
It is absolutely repulsive that a supposed “LGBT” event would bring an open and unrepentant transphobe to the stage. And even more than that, it’s embarrassing that TRT didn’t think to even mention the controversy, given that this issue was not that long ago foregrounded right over at the Boston Dyke March. It’s hard to imagine the red carpet treatment being given to an open homophobe, isn’t it?
What?? Bitch has, since March 2011, clarified all of the “alleged talk” about something that she, in her own words has fought for and “somehow trying to defend the radical gender outlaw and activist i am.” You can find her open letter that indicates her side of this situation (http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150162614373255). I don’t think TRT has given her the “red carpet treatment”, she is a performer & TRT, if I am right, is supporting the event because the organization helps LGBT youth, and will soon have a program for trans women too, which was given to them from right here in western Mass. from the Women’s Fund. Perhaps, you didn’t know about the artist open letter or perhaps you did. At least she took the time to explain herself in what seems to be a big misunderstanding. Should we not give her the credit she deserves for standing up for what she says she “stands for” and at least accept her explanation? You don’t have to agree with me. However, I can’t stand the “uncle Tom” crap that people like you seem to have towards our own community. Can’t we just all get along???