All of this. And this really jumped out at me: “Don’t get me wrong, “winning” things isn’t bad. But what if you aren’t competing in the first place?”
I’ve been often asked about things like the rock n’ roll hall of fame, etc. My answer has always been that the spirit of rock that attracted me all those decades ago gives zero fucks about a hall of fame and I am going to hold that line until I die.
I have similar outrages as to how bookstores are set up. At my home away from home (Fact & Fiction in Missoula, just two blocks north from the Wilma, Neko, and I urge you to visit when you’re in town if you have time because they love you there) they have shelf talkers (little tags) identifying Native writers, LGBTQ writers, etc. But those books aren’t shuffled off to their own sections as they are in some places. As soon as you pull Native lit from where the rest of lit is, and fence it all in separately, it’s just another fucking reservation, and that sucks. And it happens all the time.
I love how important it is to you as an artist & human being to be a tide that lifts all boats. Here's to the notion that if there have to be lists, let them be weird. Grateful to you for your music & your generous spirit. xoxo
I only have a minute to comment, and I do so out of a genuine intrigue and speculation to say that this thinking is so ingrained in almost all of us, that we have to really fight it at every turn. I am a 'boomer' and I have to coax myself out of sheer giddiness when I see a female bass player, guitarist, drummer making music so exquisitely competent that I smugly affirm: that's right, you go girl! It is that we somehow expect less, and are completely thrilled when it's sublime! Ashamed alas, but working on it. Good luck with the writing!
I was just listening to my “Ladies of the Canyon” playlist on my way home from the beach. Rocking out to “Shake Sugaree” sung by Rhiannon Giddens ~ which is a song I first heard back in the 80s at a Woman’s Music Festival in Albuquerque. A Black woman named Deidre McCalla sang it and gave us a great gift by telling us about Elizabeth Cotten, the woman who wrote it. She was pretty much Jimi Hendrix but female, and before him. I love me some Jimi Hendricks, but that festival and that story opened my eyes. Scratch the surface of just about anything and you’ll find a source. Sometimes red hot anger is what made me go looking.
Blowing a big fat raspberry at hierarchies/divisions/etc.
This hit me square in the face as I am up way too early and contemplating socioeconomic inequality as it relates to food security and health. Thank you, kind human, for reinforcing my resolve and making me feel much less alone in this mental struggle. <3
"Holding a pen with my labia" made me laugh and wince at the same time. I don't disagree with anything you said here, although I find pop culture lists fascinating, in the same way I find telephone books and dictionaries fascinating. I make my own lists, but they are for me.
Sometimes you write something beautiful about like a horse's eyelashes or the smell of falling snow, and I love those notes. But no line could get me as excited as "I am about to go off about something I find infuriating." I mean I'm sorry you have to experience the rage, but I'm glad you share it with us because you always make such great points when you're mad.
THANK YOU for articulating what is wrong with "best women" lists. I hate them so much and people always send them to me and then act like I'm an ungrateful bitch for not appreciating them.
I agree and Thanks for the laugh ! (ungrateful for not appreciating..). Some people I know get so mad & huffy if I don't love the music they like. I tried to stop giving my opinion to them but recently made a woman mad by saying I didn't like The Boy from Ipanema! I love the song The Girl from Ipanema, and I don't agree with changing the lyrics of original song that much (or at all actually..). Thanks for listening!
Ugh, people getting mad when you don’t like what they like bugs the hell out of me. I have a friend like that who once angrily told me I had a “narrow minded” taste in music, (which is laughably ridiculous), and I know it was literally only because I don’t care for everything she likes. She also threw this comment into a completely unrelated argument. 😂
I get that 😂! It's as though you have really offended them by having a different taste in anything. Then they say nothing, brood about it, and it comes up later. I respect anyone who tries to create and make a living with it, but I don't have to enjoy every singer's voice. I respect everyone on the list, but would rather listen to Neko, Rickie Lee, and Aimee Mann!
But how are we supposed to know who's good if other people aren't telling us? <------- capitalism in a nutshell
You may feel exhausted, but hopefully this essay re-energized you -- just getting those thoughts down on paper (pixels?) can do wonders for sharpening the writing tool. Keep speaking the truth, Neko -- the world needs your voice now more than ever.
All of this. And this really jumped out at me: “Don’t get me wrong, “winning” things isn’t bad. But what if you aren’t competing in the first place?”
I’ve been often asked about things like the rock n’ roll hall of fame, etc. My answer has always been that the spirit of rock that attracted me all those decades ago gives zero fucks about a hall of fame and I am going to hold that line until I die.
I have similar outrages as to how bookstores are set up. At my home away from home (Fact & Fiction in Missoula, just two blocks north from the Wilma, Neko, and I urge you to visit when you’re in town if you have time because they love you there) they have shelf talkers (little tags) identifying Native writers, LGBTQ writers, etc. But those books aren’t shuffled off to their own sections as they are in some places. As soon as you pull Native lit from where the rest of lit is, and fence it all in separately, it’s just another fucking reservation, and that sucks. And it happens all the time.
Right? "Yes" to databases, "No" to gulags
Yeah political labor camps are no picnic!
Sidenote: Woo for databases!
I love how important it is to you as an artist & human being to be a tide that lifts all boats. Here's to the notion that if there have to be lists, let them be weird. Grateful to you for your music & your generous spirit. xoxo
That feeling when someone articulates your outrage perfectly and you can just let out a big ol’ exhale of fuck yeah - Sincerely, Female Drummer.
Or just “drummer”?! ‼️💕
I love your brilliant writing and "the bulb-warmed filet-o-fish feeling of unmistakable depression" is so perfect.
I only have a minute to comment, and I do so out of a genuine intrigue and speculation to say that this thinking is so ingrained in almost all of us, that we have to really fight it at every turn. I am a 'boomer' and I have to coax myself out of sheer giddiness when I see a female bass player, guitarist, drummer making music so exquisitely competent that I smugly affirm: that's right, you go girl! It is that we somehow expect less, and are completely thrilled when it's sublime! Ashamed alas, but working on it. Good luck with the writing!
I do it too! It’s a constant, heartbreaking fight.
Did you happen to read Rhiannon Giddens’ Grammy story, posted today on FB? Different but simpatico. Down with castes of all kinds!
No! But I’m gonna!
I was just listening to my “Ladies of the Canyon” playlist on my way home from the beach. Rocking out to “Shake Sugaree” sung by Rhiannon Giddens ~ which is a song I first heard back in the 80s at a Woman’s Music Festival in Albuquerque. A Black woman named Deidre McCalla sang it and gave us a great gift by telling us about Elizabeth Cotten, the woman who wrote it. She was pretty much Jimi Hendrix but female, and before him. I love me some Jimi Hendricks, but that festival and that story opened my eyes. Scratch the surface of just about anything and you’ll find a source. Sometimes red hot anger is what made me go looking.
Blowing a big fat raspberry at hierarchies/divisions/etc.
This hit me square in the face as I am up way too early and contemplating socioeconomic inequality as it relates to food security and health. Thank you, kind human, for reinforcing my resolve and making me feel much less alone in this mental struggle. <3
Right there with you <3
"Holding a pen with my labia" made me laugh and wince at the same time. I don't disagree with anything you said here, although I find pop culture lists fascinating, in the same way I find telephone books and dictionaries fascinating. I make my own lists, but they are for me.
Sometimes you write something beautiful about like a horse's eyelashes or the smell of falling snow, and I love those notes. But no line could get me as excited as "I am about to go off about something I find infuriating." I mean I'm sorry you have to experience the rage, but I'm glad you share it with us because you always make such great points when you're mad.
THANK YOU for articulating what is wrong with "best women" lists. I hate them so much and people always send them to me and then act like I'm an ungrateful bitch for not appreciating them.
I agree and Thanks for the laugh ! (ungrateful for not appreciating..). Some people I know get so mad & huffy if I don't love the music they like. I tried to stop giving my opinion to them but recently made a woman mad by saying I didn't like The Boy from Ipanema! I love the song The Girl from Ipanema, and I don't agree with changing the lyrics of original song that much (or at all actually..). Thanks for listening!
Ugh, people getting mad when you don’t like what they like bugs the hell out of me. I have a friend like that who once angrily told me I had a “narrow minded” taste in music, (which is laughably ridiculous), and I know it was literally only because I don’t care for everything she likes. She also threw this comment into a completely unrelated argument. 😂
I get that 😂! It's as though you have really offended them by having a different taste in anything. Then they say nothing, brood about it, and it comes up later. I respect anyone who tries to create and make a living with it, but I don't have to enjoy every singer's voice. I respect everyone on the list, but would rather listen to Neko, Rickie Lee, and Aimee Mann!
Well now I have to go see who Rickie Lee is. (Don’t be mad if I don’t like it! 😜)
Rickie Lee Jones. I've seen her live a few times and she's amazing. Hope you like her but I won't be mad if you don't 😆
"Must be Love" from The Magazine album is one of the most beautiful recordings I've ever heard.
In regards to lists, a wise man once said, "Yeah? Well, you know, that's just like uh, your opinion, man."
Swear to you I just bought the sticker with that quote and a great rendering of the dude this very week. It’s on my car.
Awesome! So many great quotes in that film.
STFU D right up there.
woof-woof-fuck-bark! Stay outspoken, thank you for your words
All the yes. Also, no women of color? Yes, they are, indeed, fucking high.
Not to make a fuss but I would think if they were High, they’d be waaaay caught up by now. I just vote it’s alcohol, substance-wise.
But how are we supposed to know who's good if other people aren't telling us? <------- capitalism in a nutshell
You may feel exhausted, but hopefully this essay re-energized you -- just getting those thoughts down on paper (pixels?) can do wonders for sharpening the writing tool. Keep speaking the truth, Neko -- the world needs your voice now more than ever.
Echoes of gatekeeper shitheads like Yawn Wenner saying Joni isnt "as articulate enough on this intellectual level" as fucking Bono.
10000000000000000%