Girls Rock Camp Austin

Camper Review: Ume’s 'Sunshower'

2011-07-29T20:06:00.000-07:00

by Gabbie Paweler

I have to say, this band is certainly a lucky coincidence. The first time I listened to Ume’s Sunshower EP, I was in the car with my dad, and he pointed out that the silver Volkswagen in front of us had an Ume bumper sticker on it. Talk about a trippy experience. The album itself is memorable – well, I mean, I definitely won’t forget it. The music isn’t dynamic enough to be in my comfort zone, but it is still good music. I like the melody that says “Nothing really happening here” in "Sunshower," and I’m digging the dominating bassline in that track as well as in “The Conductor.” “Pendulum” is put together well and relaxes despite its heavy guitar and ever-present drumming. In the third track, “The Conductor,” says the guitar, is a scary person; the riff feels threatening. The music puts me in a lush place, much like the scenery displayed on the cover. I definitely recommend listening to the record – at least once. 3 stars (out of 5)

Camper Interview: Undergrowth Bassist Rachel Gonzales

2011-07-29T16:48:00.000-07:00

[Note: Be sure to check out Mylena Guerrero's bonus video tribute to Undergrowth the end of this article!]

by Mylena Guerrero

At first, I was shocked when my music journalism teacher told me we had to do an interview. From the second she gave us our assignment, I knew I would interview Rachel Gonzales.

I first met her at Polvo’s Restaurant, where my Mom introduced me to her.

There is where I learned that she was in a band called Undergrowth and played bass like me.

Rachel Gonzales is not your typical rock ’n roll bass player. She has been in Undergrowth since high school. She started out playing guitar but then moved on to bass.

A year had passed since our first meeting, it was my aunt’s birthday party, and Undergrowth was invited to play. The party was a lot of fun because I got to hear Undergrowth play live and see Rachel Gonzales again.

Q: How does it feel to be in a band?

A: Fun! I enjoy myself and the reactions of people.

Q: How old were you when you started playing bass?

A: I started when I was 22 years old.

Q: What’s your favorite gig you’ve played at?

A: Fire Base Charlie’s Bar (my aunt’s birthday party).

Q: When you play at a gig do you feel nervous?

A: Yes, usually all the time.

Q: What genre of music do you think ya’ll are?

A: Definitely aggressive rock.

Q: When you play, do you want people to be moved by your music?

A: Yes! It would get me to be a little loose.

Q: What’s the best road trip story, if you’ve ever been far from the gig?

A: When we went to the valley area, where I from. It was fun, nothing major.

Q: What do you think about being in power within music?

A: I won’t listen to anybody say, “you can’t do that because you’re a girl.” I can do anything!

Q: Does it make you happy when people dance to your music?

A: YES! At Fire Base Charlie’s, it was awesome!

Q: How did Undergrowth come together?

A: Well it’s a long story. We started in high school, and at that point I was in guitar. Sadly we separated a little bit, while I was still in the Valley they were in Austin. So I decided to come to Austin to play bass. The bassist before moved to Michigan. I got a little help from a friend, and he gave me bass equipment.

Camper Interview: Drummer Mel Zapata Does Her Own Thing

2011-07-29T13:40:00.000-07:00

by Kelsey Ward

Mel Zapata is a female drummer who has been teaching me everything I know so far. I came to interview her after my music journalism teacher told us we had a project to do. I thought Mel would be the greatest person to interview. She has been the drummer of many bands, including Adrian and the Sickness and Hell’s Belles.

Q: What made you want to stick with drums over everything else?

A: Actually, I wanted to play sax, but my mom couldn’t afford it. My school provided drums – that’s the only reason why I chose it. After I played for about a year, I fell in love with it.

Q: What do you want to do in the future?

A: In the future, I’m planning on going back to school for academic purposes –because I didn’t finish college – so I can get my degree. Then after that I’m probably going to look for jobs overseas either in Europe or Singapore.

Q: Aww, so you’re leaving?

A: In about four or five years … probably for a while. I’m sure I’ll still play drums.

Q: I think it’s pretty cool that people often mistake you for a guy, because of your amazing skill. I would take it as a compliment. But I want to know how you feel about it.

A: I have mixed feelings. I do take it as a compliment, because they’re basically saying I’m a good drummer. But on the other hand, it bothers me a bit that they’re so surprised that a girl could have talent or smarts.

Q: How long did it take you to learn double kick?

A: It’s weird, because I didn’t work on it: I bought it and started doing it. I’m not a typical metal double-kick drummer. I have my own style.

Q: So you don’t have to be a pro to learn double-kick?

A: Nope, you don’t have to be a pro at all. You just have to get the equipment and do it. I do have to do it and practice and copy things other drummers do that I like.

Q: How long have you been playing in bands?

A: Well, if you count school bands, I’ve been playing 30 years. The first rock band would be about 23 years ago.

Q: What inspired you to start drumming?

A: My older brother. He played drums. He played when he was 12 and I was 8 – like I said, I wanted to play sax and be different.

Q: When you’re not drumming and teaching awesome students like myself, what do you do in your free time?

A: In my free time, I like to see other bands and musicians, ride my bike. I like to ride motorcycles, although I don’t have mine because it’s in Seattle, but I will have it. I like to play video games, and I like to travel and go places.

Q: How do you feel about being an inspiration to so many young ladies like myself?

A: I think that’s one of the coolest things about playing music – it’s a nice thing to know that sometimes I can make people have confidence, and that’s pretty cool.

Q: Describe yourself and your creativity in one word.

A: [Thinks really hard.] I think “unique.” I definitely do my own thing

Q: What would you really like us to take out of this experience?

A: Probably, most of all, joy. I’m really hoping that this is something that will make you feel happy about yourself and give you confidence. I guess to make you guys think about what it feels like to accomplish something and to establish some sense of accomplishment.

LADIES ROCK CAMP 2011-BLACK FRIDAY SALE THIS THURSDAY-SATURDAY $250 PER CAMP I

2010-11-26T09:47:00.000-08:00

Ladies Rock Camp 2011 dates are official!: February 19- 22
(President's Day weekend) at The Khabele School.

Register by NOV 29, 2010 for $250
Register by DEC 25, 2010 for $300
Register after DEC 25,2010 for $365

Space is limited to 50 participants per session and registration is
done on a first come, first served basis.

Ladies Rock Camp gives adults the chance to experience the powerful,
creative, supportive environment that Girls Rock Camp offers to girls
every year. With no musical experience necessary, women of all skill
levels form bands, write songs, and perform live at the final
showcase. Proceeds benefit Girls Rock Camp Austin. Our goal this year
is to raise $10,000, which will provide scholarships for thirty girls
to attend camp.

Register @ http://girlsrockcampaustin.org/lrcapp2009.htm

Screaming Siren Turns 60: An Interview with Rosie Flores

2010-11-08T21:41:00.000-08:00

Rosie Flores is the ultimate musical pathfinder.

In the late 1960s, when folk music was the assumed genre for female guitarists, Rosie went electric. She started an all-girl band in her parents’ garage and went on to become part of the L.A. punk scene. A few years later, she was the first Latina artist on the Billboard country charts. Never one to neglect the rock-n-roll ancestresses, she’s toured with rockabilly legend Wanda Jackson, and, in 2007, she recorded the final album of rock matriarch Janis Martin.

For the past four years, Rosie has also volunteered her time as a coach and teacher at Girls Rock Austin. Now, in honor of Rosie’s 60th birthday, Girls Rock Austin is establishing the first annual Revolutionary Rocker award. We’ll be celebrating with a rock show and award ceremony next Saturday, November 13, from 1-3 pm at Jo’s on South Congress. Rock camp alumni Schmillion and Charlie Belle will play.

In preparation for the birthday celebration, I asked Rosie a few questions about how she got started and what it’s like to rock at age 60.

Paige: I think I’ve told you before that, when I was a teenager, I had a picture of your old punk band, the Screaming Sirens, on my bedroom wall. So I was wondering, what bands did you have on your wall when you were a teenager?

Rosie: Oh, I had the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. Before the Beatles, I didn’t pay attention to the instrument, the guitar. I thought that the way George Harrison and John Lennon played the guitar was just so cool. And back then, the idea of a girl doing that was just unheard of.

I remember, when I was in my class, I was fourteen years old, it was 1964, we were doing kind of a show and tell thing, and this young girl in my class had brought in a guitar. She brought a guitar to show the class. And I thought to myself, “wow, she’s a girl. That’s kind of odd. She must be a tomboy.” But what it did for me was that it totally got me used to the idea that girls could play.

And so, by the time my brother started playing and starting a band, I had become so enamored with the instrument—the electric guitar especially. And folk music was starting to come in, and there was Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell and it was like, “oh, folk girls play guitar,” you know. And so my first guitar was a folk acoustic, nylon string guitar. And my brother started showing me how to play, because I was already really into singing, and my brother started showing me how to accompany myself.

By the time I was sixteen, I started borrowing the gear from his band with my girl friends from school that I started hanging out with and singing with and asking them if they would like to be in the school show with my brother’s band’s instruments. They were all really into it. So that’s when I started playing electric guitar—so I could be in the talent show as the Very First All-Girl Rock-n-Roll Band EVER. Like we had never even heard of, this was way before the Go-Gos. And there were no, I didn’t know who Bonnie Raitt was. As far as I was concerned, I was the very first woman ever doing it. This was sixteen years old. And, you know, you come to find out years later that Rosetta Tharpe was playing guitar and Cordell Jackson, and I’m not even sure who else was playing electric lead guitar, but of course there were a lot of acoustic guitar players back in the early blues days. And certainly Mother Maybelle Carter was always on an acoustic guitar and playing some lead things too.

But for me, it was so cool to be at a young age and feeling like I had the whole world in my hands, and I felt like I could just be the innovator of females playing the electric guitar and playing lead. So I jumped on the bandwagon when I was sixteen. My father brought us to the music store. He was blown away by our performance at the school show, and he got us—he signed for—about $5,000 worth of gear—you know, drums, bass, P.A. systems, amplifiers, microphones, music stands. And he set us up in our garage; we had the equipment that we needed to start practicing. And it was like Girls Rock Camp in my garage every day, you know. He gave me that. I’ll never forget my father. When I think of him and talk to him in heaven, I always feel so grateful for him giving me that gift. He didn’t put me in college, my parents didn’t have a lot of money to afford to send us kids to college, but he gave us other tools to work with. My brother was also a guitar player and in a band. So we were able to find a career early on. And it was, gosh, it was invaluable. You can’t put a price on it.

Paige: That’s a good Dad!

Rosie: So that’s how I got started.

Paige: Do you think about that when you’re working with the girls at Girls Rock Austin?

Rosie: Yeah, when I am working with the girls, it’s real easy to visualize me standing in their shoes. It takes me back, and I can totally relate with them. I can feel the excitement mixed with the frustration mixed with the feeling proud, feeling the empowerment, you know, feeling the…sometimes it can be frustrating getting your point across, because you’re not exactly sure that you’re learning how to say what it is that you want with your music. And you’re, like, trying on your creativity shoes for the first time in music. And you’re learning that you can actually create your own sound, and be unique, and have your own voice, and it’s all yours. You can do whatever you want with it. And that’s really exciting, but it’s also very frustrating at first because you’re just learning how to go about it. And so I always feel compelled to be partly a fly on the wall, but also to be there to go, “oh look, it’s just this easy,” and to help them simplify the problems that they run into.

That’s what I try to do, because I had to learn all by myself. Actually, the second time we did the school show, we did have some coaches working with us for a couple of weeks. And I was able to work with a woman who helped me with my singing and with some harmonies. I never, ever forgot her coaching. So, I think back to that woman too, and I think, “I could be that person for this band.” And I hope that someday the girls will remember me, when they’re in their thirties, forties, fifties, and they’ll think, “oh yeah, I had this really great coach. I can’t remember her name…” Or maybe they will.

Paige: I think they’ll remember your name.

Rosie: I don’t remember this woman’s name, but I remember her face and her kindness and her willingness to share with me some shortcuts to what I do now.

Paige: How is turning 60 different than you thought it was going to be when you were younger?

Rosie: Oh, I’m a whole lot younger than I thought I was going to be.

I’m still younger than the Rolling Stones, and they’re still out there rocking. I’ve watched them stay in the music business and keep rocking and keep reinventing themselves. And I kind of feel like, as long as they’re still doing it, and as long as Wanda Jackson is still doing it, then I’m good to go, because I’m younger than them! And as long as I feel healthy and I’m enjoying it and loving it, then I can keep touring.

Certainly there are other things that I’d like to accomplish in the next ten years. I’ve got a children’s book that I’m writing, with a CD, and I’m writing my own memoirs--a book that I’ve been working on for a while about my experiences as a woman in rock-n-roll and on the road. And I’ve also gotten back into painting. So, I’ve got a lot to keep me busy besides my songwriting. I’m going to be pretty busy in the next ten years. And after 70, we’ll see what happens. We’ll see what’s down the pike!

2010-06-29T18:14:00.000-07:00

How cool is this? GRCA alum and Charlie Belle guitarist/singer Jendayi is featured on Amy Poehler's web show, Smart Girls at the Party, giving a tour of our fair city. A little bird told us that Jendayi shot the video (except when she's on camera), edited, and added the voice, music and text. My favorite part of the video is in the Austin City Limits Studio, where the guitarist points out some amazing women who have graced its stage, and strums and sings a few bars Charlie Belle's song, "Uros Buros". Way to go, Jendayi!

Find more videos like this on Smart Girls at the Party

Blog on Blog: Rockers Write About Music

2010-06-18T17:56:00.000-07:00

Every summer, Girls Rock Austin campers not only write songs, rehearse, and play live after only a week together, they also tackle – and finish – additional creative projects while they're doing it.

In Session 1's Music Journalism workshop, three incredible rock & rollers discussed ways of writing about music, learned about finding their writing "voices," and wrote, created, and posted original pieces about music and culture. Their blog entries are posted below. Check it out – they did some great work!

Monica Skinner's profile of musicians who promote vegetarianism and fight animal cruelty on her blog Head First (http://skinner-headfirst.blogspot.com):

Popular belief: vegetarianism isn't ideal, it's unhealthy, it's too much work. Most non-vegetarians say that what's stopping them is the accessibility to vegetarian-friendly foods, but I find that to be

an easy excuse out. I believe it's just a lack of inspiration. What's the point anyway?

I was lucky enough to be inspired into vegetarianism at a young age. I was nine years old, and in third grade. None of my friends were vegetarians, nor were any of my family members. The Korean half of my family ate lots of red meat, as did the strictly Texan side, so it was a bit of a stretch. I decided to be come a vegetarian because of my dominant role-models, the members of my favorite bands. My idols. Many of them had taken their personal time to speak out against animal testing, the meat industry, the dairy industry, and countless other issues that must be faced. Music is what led to my vegetarianism, and I am positive that it's led to many others in this urgent generation.

Jepharee Howard of The Used speaks out against cruelty of animals for commercial purpose out of compassion for the defenseless animals hurt in the process. This is the same as countless other known musicians, such as Colin Frangicetto of Circa Survive, Andy Hurley of Fall Out Boy, Kathleen, J.D. and Johanna of Le Tigre, and even Members of Anti-Flag. Vegetarianism and animal awareness are spreading, thankfully. It's great that bands with such impressionable audiences have began to join the cause. For the younger crowds, it probably isn't the greatest idea to put PETA videos and cold hard statistics in their faces, because they won't take it as easily as older folks may. Seeing why these musicians were so passionate about their vegetarianism (the practice of following a diet without meat) and veganism (the practice of following a diet without any animal products, no milk, eggs, etc.) is what made me want to see what it was like.

I'm hopeful that my generation and generations to come will see vegetarianism as I have, through the eyes of music and who I want to be. As I've grown older I've backed my beliefs with more and more facts from the horrors that go on behind the scenes of the animal industries. For instance, on many factory farms raising chickens for food, arsenic (a harsh chemical used in pesticide) is added to chicken feed to stimulate growth. This chemical stays with the chickens, and in result is taken into the bodies of the consumer. In the fur industry, animals are put in cages that don't even give them enough room to take a step to the left or the right. They spend their whole life burdened by stress, disease, and psychological hardships. “If you have to murder another creature to be cool, you're not very cool to start with.” Says Kathleen of Le Tigre.

As said by Colin Frangicetto guitarist of Circa Survive, “If you can save anything from suff

ering, it just makes sense.” Vegetarianism, cruelty free consumerism, it's all been a normal part of my life since I made the decision to switch six years ago. Its was the most worthwhile decision I've ever made, and it wasn't even hard. So go ahead and try-- It's what the cool kids are doing.

Here are some sites with nice tips on adapting to a vegetarian or vegan diet:

http://www.Peta2.com

http://www.Goveg.com

http://www.Veggieglobal.com

And here are some videos of popular musicians for Peta2:

Nina Soza's record review on her blog, Shark Bait (http://sharkbaitatx.blogspot.com/):

Vampire Weekend's new album, Contra, consists of ten songs that have a sort of an African vibe to them. I think this is an album everyone will enjoy because it's full of upbeat and unexpected melodies. I enjoy this album because it's such an unusual and happy music and lyrics like “In December drinking horchata.”

LaRessa Quintana's thoughts on music, conformity, and style (look for her blog soon):

MGMT, once a very original band, has come out with a new video and song, “Flash Delirium.” If you haven’t seen the new MGMT video, you’re not missing out on much. While watching this video, I interpret it as MGMT saying, “The record company wants us to change our sound, but we’re trying to stay original.” Which I think this very ironic because, the song itself and the music is very mainstream – and the idea of not conforming is not original, either.

In fact, the idea of not conforming is conforming. People are conforming to the idea of individuality and not being like everyone else. I've noticed people are starting to wear flannel shirts; and not just a small number of people, but a lot of people. These people are trying to be different by going to the mall or a store to buy something that everyone else is wearing, thinking that they're being different. These same people are listening to MGMT and the new songs and liking them, maybe even more because their new songs are more mainstream.

When looking around town when I'm out, I see people wearing very funky things, and shirts I've never seen before and shirts probably no one has seen before. But when you put a group of people together who are all wearing unique and different shirts, what do you get? A group of people who are all different … in that they're the same. The music they listen to is unknown, and they go to all these little shows here and there. All of these people are doing what society considers not cool or hip – together.

Even now, my speaking out about how everyone is conforming has been done before and will be done again. But until you read another blog about people conforming, remember, I'm original.

P.S: If you would like to see the new MGMT video and critique it yourself, here it is:

Session One starts in 8 hours!

2010-06-13T23:32:00.000-07:00

We are so excited! We’ve been setting up the space all weekend and it’s amazing – 15 drums kits, 15 bass rigs, 25 guitar amps, 10 vocal mics, 6 PAs, a couple of keyboards, and lots and lots of cables! Our volunteers have been working their sweaty butts off to make it all happen. Today we had orientation for all the volunteers -- band coaches, instrument instructors, roadies, floaters, counselors, and more -- together over 40 women eager to make the world a better place and support this generation’s girl rock revolution.

What will you be doing at 9AM Monday morning? We’ll be dancing!

The Best Little Guitar Giveaway in Texas

2010-03-17T11:20:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all for participating in our first online giveaway. Your support means the world to our organization, especially our girls. We were able to raise funds to provide six full scholarships to our summer camp. The winner of the Takamine guitar is Caroline Kenny. Congratulations, Caroline.

A special thank you to Jody Williams of BMI music and Girls Rock Austin Board member for making this fundraiser possible.

Finally, thank you to Ms. Dolly Parton. Girls Rock Austin will always love you.

Buzz of Transgression: Viv Albertine

2010-03-16T21:25:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the fact that more people don't know about the Slits seems like a crime.

The late 1970s in Europe (mostly England) practically were a girls’ rock camp. In the pared-down blur of punk and its aftermath, girls picked up instruments, formed bands, wrote songs, recorded, and played – regardless of their levels of musical skill or experience. What's interesting and exciting is that these girls often didn't aspire to play like boys, or at least like the famous ones; they ignored the rules of classic rock (of which the rules of punk rock were often a simpler, but no less constricting, form), taking new and weird approaches to almost every aspect of rock music, including song structures, chord progressions, scales, melodies, and instrumentation.

Even as they grew more experienced, bands like the Slits, the Raincoats, X-Ray-Spex, the Au Pairs, and Kleenex continued to push the boundaries of rock and pop. Most also embraced some form of feminism (as well as other political positions), but their approach was personal, their outrage and refusal based on their experiences as young women and girls rebelling at expectations about what kinds of lives they were supposed to lead. To some, the resulting music was unbearable; others felt like it was something they'd been waiting all their lives to hear.

If the Slits were one of the most raucous and unschooled of what are sometimes called "post-punk" bands, they also seemed to have be having the most fun, possibly because they didn’t seem worried about being chaotic, caustic, or obnoxious. Viv Albertine was already a fixture of the London’s punk scene when she joined vocalist Ari Up (then 15 years old), drummer Palmolive, and bassist Tessa Pollitt in the Slits in 1977. Albertine, then a novice guitarist, credits her friend Keith Levene (of PiL) for teaching her that “any sounds can go together,” among other things; her sound has always been and remains distinctive, sometimes challenging, and the opposite of predictable.

After the Slits broke up in 1983, Albertine went film school and became a director as well as a mother. She didn’t play a guitar again until she was asked to join in a Slits reunion in 2008. Practicing for that event, she found herself writing new songs. She played a few shows with the reunited Slits, then left to perform and record solo. (Somewhere in there, she also started making ceramics.) She recently opened for the (also) reunited Raincoats on tour, and her Flesh EP was released this week.

Winging her way toward SXSW, Albertine graciously answered a few questions for the Girls Rock Austin blog via e-mail:

It seems like there's a through line from the politics of the time you started playing music and your new work, but this time it's expressed more emotionally, unguardedly. How has your view of the expectations of women and girls changed as you've experienced some of the traditional milestones of womanhood?

Expectations of girls and women are the same as they were in Victorian times! I know this now. From being a mother and a daughter and a wife and a girlfriend.

The thing is that motherhood and child-rearing are either undervalued or deified. Neither is right. It's a hard, lonely slog. Yes, there are good bits, beautiful bits. But to do it right – something so important – it's very, very hard. If you don't work so you can give your children the love and attention that they would like from you, you lose status in the eyes of your partner, your peers, and your children.

Let's be honest about this: If you want to do it right, you'll sacrifice a lot. Too much, I think. You have to do it not so well and be a bit of a disappointment. Tough. They'll get over it. You have a duty to live your life.

The song "Confessions of a MILF" reminds me of a documentary a friend of mine worked on called Who Does She Think She Is?, in which female artists talk about having to make a choice between being all-out artists and having children. Do you think women have to choose, in a way that men don't?

Guilt guilt guilt coming your way if you are an artist and a mother. Everything I've read on the subject, every woman feels she's let her kids down – from Yoko Ono to Louise Bourgeois and Niki De Saint Phalle.

If you have a partner who does not support you in your work, it is impossible. You cannot function as either an artist or a mother. You have to get out.

What is your songwriting process?

I write songs in different ways. Sometimes they slide out ready done. Two drafts and they are there. This type of song comes from the unconscious. I didn't know it was there. It's bizarre. Like someone else wrote it. It will start with words, a flow of thoughts that I don't analyze or edit. Every bit of rubbish, I write down. No judging. I will have a pain or burning feeling in my chest. Or a flutter of excitement or buzz of transgression. I won't look at it again for a couple days. It's too embarrassing, I think. Then, when I go back, I take out the bits that repeat or pad. It has to be succinct. This can be painful – losing sections that are heartfelt – but you have to be brutal. That is the legacy of the Seventies for me: strictness, directness, honesty, and meaning. I still find the song embarrassing, but i have learnt to live with this feeling. These are often the songs that touch people most.

Do you have any advice for girls in the arts?

Find out if you really are compelled to do it. To express yourself creatively.

If you are this sort of person and you deny it – by trying to conform, trying to fit in, trying to please, trying to impress, trying to be rich. By being too scared to fail, to look stupid, to make mistakes, to be criticised, to be ridiculed, to look ugly, to look unfeminine, to be lonely ... you will live a long, slow, and painful death of a life. Good luck with that!

I support bands who support rock camp and who, of course, make good, fun, interesting music.

2010-03-15T22:24:00.000-07:00

Rock Camp has been around long enough that it is not just about the girls anymore. While the girl campers who sign up for Rock Camp all around the country (and the world) are the fire that keep it all going, Camp is just as much about the adult woman who support it: whether it be the staff, volunteers or the bands who play.

Girl in a Coma and Those Darlins are two bands that I have become a fan of due to their involvement in Rock Camp. It’s a musical symbiotic relationship. Women have a history of solidarity and this is no exception. BUT, and hear me on this, it takes GOOD music to hold my attention as a fan, it doesn’t matter who makes it.

Girl in a Coma played the Girls Rock Camp 2009 SXSW Showcase and I have been a supporter since. This band has a signature sound revolving around little sister Nina Diaz’s powerful voice. Her guitar skills are pretty awesome too. Big sister Phannie Diaz keeps a mean beat and high school friend Jenn Alva is the tough of the group, with her snarky and hot stage banter with hecklers and fans.

Girl in a Coma takes an active role in their various communities. In an interview with Nina last year, she told me “It just so happens that we have a lot to stand for: we are vegetarians, we are a band with two lesbians, we stand up for things, we are happy to help out and we are happy to ask for help when we need it.”

As San Antonio natives, they have already conquered Texas as Latinas. They opened for Morrissey and gained fans through his community. They are ardent supporters of the LGBT community playing festivals like Homo-a-Gogo in San Francisco. After all, solidarity is not just something that women practice.

Those Darlins I discovered through a Rolling Stone e-newsletter, happening to notice in the tagline that the three front women of the band met through the Rock Camp of the South. Of course that sparked my interest. Kelley is one of the founders of Southern Girls Rock Camp in Tennessee, Nikki’s boyfriend was a volunteer (Rock Camp of the South encourages men to volunteer) and Jessi was a camper (she now teaches workshops). They keep busy by continuing to volunteer for camp in the summers and tour right before and after.

I love Those Darlins for their humor and authenticity. They are from the South, and they write their songs and dress accordingly, drawing their inspiration from nature and growing up in a rural area. It’s not just any band than can get away with writing a song about eating an entire chicken on the verge of going bad (“Whole Damn Thing”).

The Darlins are firm in their belief of being aware of how they are seen as female musicians. “It’s important that any woman who’s in the music business, especially one that’s on stage, are going to scrutinized a little bit more so than males,” Jessi told me in an interview. “People are going to be paying attention to their musicianship a lot more. People will just consider it differently. It’s important to remember that if you are a woman you can take advantage of that. Just keep it mind that people are paying attention to for a reason that is unfair but you can still lead by example. You don’t have to sell your soul or whatever. You just have to remember that you’re always an example to others, other women and young girls. You have to remember what you’re doing.”

One of the things that has always bothered me about the gender imbalance in popular music (other than the gender imbalance itself) is that women who are popular music artists tend to be solo artists, rather than in bands. Male musicians, of course, come both as soloists and in a band. So, when I do see bands like Girl in a Coma and Those Darlins that has female musicians, or is all female, I take special notice. If that band takes an active role in their communities and above all makes good entertaining music, that is a band worth supporting to the end.

Girl in a Coma will be playing the Girls Rock Camp day party at 4:10 Friday, March 19th at Café Mundi, 1701 E. 5^th St FREE

Those Darlins will be playing at 1am Wednesday night, March 17 at Submerged, 333 E. 2^nd St. Show is open to the public with priority access for SXSW registrants with badges. $10 at the door.

Link to Girl in a Coma interview with Nina Diaz
http://www.examiner.com/x-6988-SF-Music-Examiner~y2009m7d14-Girl-in-a-Coma-at-the-Bottom-of-the-Hill-this-Thursday-endorsed-by-Joan-Jett-and-Morrissey

Link to Those Darlins article/interview with Jessi Darlin
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-6988-SF-Music-Examiner~y2009m10d18-Come-down-to-the-Rickshaw-Tuesday-night-for-a-romping-good-time-with-Those-Darlins

Written by Jamie Freedman

www.alwaysmoretohear.com

Girls Rock Austin volunteers ROCK!

2010-03-14T22:54:00.000-07:00

Last night the Mohawk hosted two bands fronted by Girls Rock Austin volunteers. Carrie Clark, below, helms noise popsters Sixteen Deluxe, who played their first show in over a decade. Carrie volunteered as a band coach in the summer of 2008 and hopes to return this summer, schedule permitting. She's recently been sponsored by Daisy Rock and is shown here playing her silver glitter Rock Candy Classic -- so Carrie!

Ume, featuring GRA band coach and guitar instructor Lauren Langer Larson, is playing the GRA official SXSW showcase at Submerged this Wednesday. Both Ume and Sixteen Deluxe are playing several free day parties during SXSW. Check their web sites for details.

Our thanks to both bands for supporting GRA. Thanks also to Todd V. Wolfson for sharing these photos.

Charlie Belle

2010-03-11T13:20:00.000-08:00

Jendayi is a singer, song-writer, and lead guitarist for the band Charlie Belle, a local group comprised of four members – Jendayi, Gyasi, Maya, and Michelle – their ages ranging from 9 to 16 years old. Jendayi and Gyasi are sister and brother and had already formed a band when they moved from Philadelphia to Austin. The pair reconnected with a family friend after which Maya joined the band. The lineup was complete once Jendayi and Michelle met at Girls Rock Camp over the summer. They changed their name to Charlie Belle and have been together for over a year. You may have seen them perform last year during SXSW or in the documentary Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnet Fields. Proving that you’re never too young to have a music career, their website notes: “Yeah we're kids, but we rock. We are Charlie Belle.”

Charlie Belle will be performing at the SXSW Girls Rock Camp Austin day party on Friday March 19^th. In anticipation of the day party, we caught up with Jendayi and asked for her thoughts on writing her own material, performing on stage, and what advice she would give to girls who want to rock.

What or who inspired to you to start making music? Was there a particular album/artist/band that inspired you?

When I was seven, I went to the Paul Green School of Rock Music. I was the youngest guitarist there so I had a lot of people to look up to. I especially admired one guitarist named Gina. She was the best guitarist I’ve ever met in person.

You’re a singer, song-writer, and lead guitarist for Charlie Belle – do you prefer one of these positions over the others? If so which one and why?

Out of those three, I prefer being a songwriter because my music is still out there. And anyone can stand up and sing a song, or anyone who practices enough can be a lead guitarist, but once your singing and playing is your own, nobody will take it away from you.

Tell me about your song-writing process. How do you come up with ideas for songs?

First I fiddle around and come up with a good riff. And instead of waiting to write the lyrics I immediately start making things up as I go along. If I have paper in front of me, I write it down. If not, I try to remember it.

What is it like performing in front of a live audience?

At first, it feels scary every single time, but when I play my first song, my fear turns into energy that I send out to the audience.

You’ve been to Girls Rock Camp three times now, once in Philadelphia, and twice here in Austin. What have you learned being a camper at Girls Rock Camp?

I would say anyone is out there. People who go to Girls Rock Camp could be [part of] your future band. Sometimes it could even be the girls you would never think would be in a band with you.

What advice would you give to a young girl who’s thinking about picking up an instrument, writing a song, or forming a band?

I would tell them that if they kind of like what they’re doing, they should keep doing it, because it’s going to get better, and they’re going to grow to love it.

For more information on Charlie Belle please visit their website (please link this: http://sites.google.com/site/charliebellemusic/).

Article By Kristen Lambert

Exene Cervenka

2010-03-11T07:19:00.000-08:00

Really, Exene Cervenka doesn't need an introduction. "Punk legend" should suffice.

In 1977, she co-founded X with John Doe. Fusing Chuck Berry riffs and Beat poetry about Los Angeles's decay and unrest, X went on to become a seminal band for the oft-overlooked West Coast punk scene. Cervenka co-fronted the group, writing much of their material. While guitarist Billy Zoom may have more to do with fans picking up an axe, Cervenka assuredly influenced several boys and girls to scribble poems, fit it around some chords, pick up a microphone, and let it rip.

In addition, Cervenka intermittently records with Doe and X drummer DJ Bonebrake as a member of country group The Knitters, a side project formed with Dave Alvin and Jonny Ray Bartel in 1982. She also formed Auntie Christ with Rancid's Matt Freeman in the late 1990s and The Original Sinners in the 2000s. She has released a few books of poetry, recorded spoken word, and put together several art exhibits.

Cervenka has also struck out on her own. Last year, she released Somewhere Gone on Bloodshot, a collection of political songs that fuse punk and her country roots. Her SXSW performances in support of that album were highlights for me last spring. As a lead-in to her free West Coast record store tour in April, I can't wait to see her take the stage next week at the Girls Rock Camp Austin SXSW day party.

Official SXSW showcase

2010-03-09T11:33:00.000-08:00

Our official SXSW showcase on Wednesday, March 17, is sponsored by BMI. SXSW Badges and wristbands are admitted free (and first), or you can pay a small cover charge which supports Girls Rock Austin. Totally worth it! Get there early!

Watch this space for information on the bands playing our official showcase and day party!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Submerged (333 E 2nd St) (21+)
Girls Rock Austin
♪	Kitten	8:00 p.m.	Los Angeles CA	Rock
♪	Cocktail Slippers	9:00 p.m.	Oslo NORWAY	Rock
♪	Ume	10:00 p.m.	Austin TX	Alternative
♪	Beaches	11:00 p.m.	Melbourne VIC	Rock
	The Coathangers	12:00 a.m.	Atlanta GA	Punk
♪	Those Darlins	1:00 a.m.	Murfreesboro TN	Rock

Girls Rock Austin SXSW Day Party

2010-03-07T10:37:00.000-08:00

We are thrilled to announce our 3rd annual SXSW day party on Friday, March 19 at Cafe Mundi. Bands start promptly at noon and end at 6PM. No badges or wristbands. We're FREE, all ages, and open to the public. So put your dancing shoes on and join us!

We're featuring an international lineup of rock campers (Charlie Belle), awesome volunteers (Darling New Neighbors, Akina Adderley, Rosie Flores), punk and rock rock legends (Exene Cervenka, Viv Albertine, Rosie Flores), underground heroes (Girl in a Coma, Bo-peep, White Mystery) and the literally big-in-Japan (Chatmonchy). Jessica Hopper will read from her book The Girls' Guide to Rocking. Rock Your Face face painters will be on hand to give your mug that special something extra.

Girls Rock Austin is proud to be sponsored by Blackheart Records. WIN a guitar signed by Joan Jett. Pick up swag from the new movie "The Runaways."

After eleven years of vital service to the Austin arts and music community, Cafe Mundi will be closing its doors on March 21. We're thrilled (and somewhat saddened) to be a part of their final weekend celebration. We thank them for their support.

12 noon Charlie Belle - (Austin, TX)
12:30 Darling New Neighbors (Austin, TX)
1:05 Jessica Hopper reading from The Girls' Guide to Rocking (Chicago, IL)
1:20 Exene Cervenka (Los Angeles, CA)
2:00 Akina Adderley and the Vintage Playboys (Austin, TX)
2:35 Chatmonchy (Japan)
3:05 Bo-peep (Japan)
3:35 White Mystery (featuring Miss Alex White) (Chicago, IL)
4:10 Girl in a Coma (San Antonio, TX)
4:50 Viv Albertine (of the Slits) (London, UK)
5:30 Rosie Flores (Austin, TX)

Proceeds from the guitar giveaway and merchandise sales will benefit Girls Rock Austin. We are proud to organize Girls Rock Camp Austin, the only nonprofit camp in Austin where accomplished women musicians teach girls at all skill levels—from absolute beginners to rock-n-roll prodigies—in an all-female learning environment. See www.girlsrockcampaustin.org for more info about Summer 2010 camps.

Best Little Guitar Giveaway in Texas

2010-03-02T06:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Girls Rock Austin launched its fundraising season with The Best Little Guitar Giveaway in Texas, an online promotion using social media. Behold! A brand new Takamine "Jasmine" guitar, and it is signed by Dolly Parton! Ten dollars enters your name twice in the drawing, which will be held March 16.

A random sampling of SXSW 2010 performers

2010-02-18T19:08:00.000-08:00

Late last year when we published the blog that tallied the male vs female performers at Austin's Fun Fun Fun Fest, a lot of people wanted to know how FFF compares to other festivals. I was curious as well, but a bit daunted by the thought of doing the research for SXSW or ACL (keeping it local, for now). Somehow, I thought, we should do a random sampling. Turns out Austin360 did it for us, providing a photo gallery of SXSW 2010: Notable Artists. Obviously, this isn't totally random. Someone selected the pictures, which include press photos, live shots from Austin American Statesman archives, and others pilfered from MySpace. I don’t know what criteria the editor used to select the photos. Maybe they were selected based on the quality of the photographs or the musical tastes of the editor. It is possible that there weren’t a lot of photos of women to choose from. It is also possible, but unlikely (we hope!), that the editor intentionally focused on music made by men. I simply have no idea. But here’s what I do know.

Out of 68 photos, a woman (Sharon Jones) doesn't appear until the 11th picture. There are 155 men in these pictures and 15 women, representing less than 10 percent (by comparison, FFF was 8% women). Once again, Girls Rock Austin wants to know: What does this say about the state of women in music? About the booking policies of SXSW? About the need for Girls Rock Camp?

Our goal is to start a dialog. We think that unless this stuff is talked about, it'll never change. And we know that one way to make it change, at least for future generations, is to support Girls Rock Austin and other programs throughout the country that empower girls through music education and performance. Get involved, talk to people, be conscientious when booking shows, start a band, be a badass! If we can, you can!

Dude Dude Dude Fest

2009-11-07T15:08:00.000-08:00

There’s a music festival this weekend and we’ve been doing some math.

Yep, we’ve been counting. Men and women. Not because we want to, but because when the gulf between the two is so wide, we feel like we have to.

Let this be said: We like Fun Fun Fun Fest. We like the grassroots vibe, the small (-er than that other festival) stages, the local vendors and hanging out with our friends in the glorious fall sun. We’re looking forward to watching teenagers rock the skateboard ramp and hipsters fall off the mechanical bull. Most of all we like the bands. The organizers of this festival, Transmission Entertainment, obviously know what’s what.

But there’s something missing: women.

Not completely missing, mind you. There are 22* women gracing the four stages of this two-day event. Likewise, the acts at FFF contain 247 men. That’s a total of 269 performers – 92% men.

I wonder how Transmission would feel if 92 percent of the audience were men. Hmmm.

Anyway, here’s the breakdown of women performing at Fun Fun Fun Fest:

ONE drummer - Shonen Knife.

TWO guitarists -Shonen Knife, Mika Miko.

SIX bassists - Flipper, Fucked Up, Shonen Knife, Mika Miko,

Melt Banana, Shearwater

FIVE Keyboardists/Electronica - Of Montreal, Times New Vikings, Broadcast, Growing, LAX.

FIVE vocalists (only) - Crystal Castles, Mika Miko (2), Kid Sister, Melt Banana

ONE back-up singer – Sugar and Gold

TWO comedians - Chelsea Peretti, New Movement Comedy Group

Furthermore, the total number of music acts with a female member is fourteen. But two bands (Mika Miko and Shonen Knife) contain 1/3 of the total women. Six bands are female-fronted (Broadcast, Crystal Castles, Kid Sister, Melt Banana, Mika Miko, Shonen Knife). Two bands are co-fronted (Times New Viking, LAX). Two of the female-fronted bands are from Japan. Three bands with women members are on Matador Records, whose Co-President happens to live in Austin.

Remember, there are over 80 bands playing.

What does this say about the state of women in rock? About the booking policies of the nationally recognized music festival that probably best represents the spirit of our amazing hometown? Of the need for Girls Rock Camp? You tell us!

*We did the best we could to get accurate counts – tallying from band photos, bios, and videos – so while these numbers might not be exact, they’re very, very close.

Come see us at the Bleet-up tonight!

2009-11-05T07:06:00.000-08:00

We are thrilled to have been asked to be part of the second annual Bleet-Up, happening tonight at the Mohawk.

Win a cherry red guitar signed by Debbie Harry and The Donnas, benefiting Girls Rock Austin!

Meet the bloggers, tweeters, movers and shakers of Austin!

Thanks to Richard at Ultra8201 and Tolly at Austin Eavesdropper for asking us to participate!

Hope to see you!

Ladies Rock Camp October 23-25

2009-10-02T07:02:00.000-07:00

We’re excited to host our second session of Ladies Rock Camp. We are looking forward to having fun and raising money for a great cause. Thank you for your interest!

Ladies Rock Camp (LRC) is a weekend day camp in Austin, Texas, that provides an opportunity for women ages 19 and over to let loose and play rockin’ music together. You’ll start to learn and/or practice your instrument of choice* on Friday, then keep receiving instrument instruction all weekend. Also, you’ll form a band and work together to write an original song that you will play together on stage on Sunday. The Ladies Rock Camp showcase is an unbelievable experience! In addition, you will have the opportunity to attend a variety of workshops** with topics related to being a woman rocker. Proceeds from Ladies Rock Camp go directly to Girls Rock Camp Austin.

*Choice of instruments includes bass, drums, guitar, vocals, and keyboard.
**Specific workshops TBD. If you have any suggestions or questions about workshops, please include them on the application.

WHO MAY APPLY FOR LADIES ROCK CAMP
Any woman age 19 and over may apply. NO MUSICAL EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY; all skill levels welcome.

TUITION
The cost of camp is $375 and is not tax deductible. THIS FEE MUST BE INCLUDED WITH YOUR APPLICATION.

Please note: LRC is a fundraiser for Girls Rock Camp Austin. Tuition ($375) has been set at the absolute lowest amount possible for us to cover our costs and meet expected fundraising goals for our programs. Because it is a fundraiser, we will offer only 10 “starving artist” spots at $275. Campers can pay in installments, if necessary. Please contact Emily Marks atdirector@girlsrockcampaustin.org for more information.

DONATIONS
Donations above the tuition fee (in-kind and monetary) are tax deductible and much appreciated! Whether you can give $5 or $5,000, every little bit helps. Our Tax ID number is 26-2554207. We thank you for being a part of Ladies Rock Camp and helping young girls find their voices.

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Girls Rock Camp Austin

PAYPAL: Payment by PayPal is accepted, but an $8.00 fee (that goes directly to PayPal) will be charged in addition to tuition.

APPLICATION TO LADIES ROCK CAMP

Apply online here and pay with a paypal or a credit card here.

Download an application and pay with a check here.

Girl in a Coma Rocks Camp!

2009-08-03T11:37:00.001-07:00

by KAT, ANDREA, REYNA, MONSE, and P.J.
photos by Monse and Shelley Hiam

On Thursday, July 30, 2009, Girls Rock Camp Austin writers interviewed band Girl in a Coma after an amazing performance for the camp at Austin Studios in Austin, Texas. Girl in a Coma is from San Antonio, Texas, and is made up of three members: sisters Phanie Diaz (drums) and Nina Diaz (guitar and vocals) and bassist Jenn Alva. The band got its name from a Smiths song called "Girlfriend in a Coma"; other bands they like include Smashing Pumpkins, the Beatles, and Sonic Youth. All of the group members are vegetarians, like shoes (especially Doc Martens and Vans), and are Latinas – they even plan on recording an album of songs in Spanish someday. In the meantime, their mix of punk, garage, and rockabilly can be heard on their new album, Trio B.C. Writers Reyna, Monse, Andrea, P.J., and Kat conducted an interview with the band after their performance for GRCA.

Girls Rock Camp Austin: What drew you guys to the Smiths?
Jenn: Phanie was into them first and showed me a CD. It was a great CD – it's called Louder Than Bombs, and it has all these great Smiths songs. We got into it.
Phanie: What drew us was the lyrics
Jenn: We got into the lyrics ...
Phanie: The lyrics and the melody was what got me. I don't know about you [laughs].
Jenn: Yeah – the way he sings and – everything. The music is pretty intense. We try to play it ourselves, but it's so complicated. They're just great musicians.
GRCA: What kind of other music do you like?
Nina: Right now, I'm really into Jeff Buckley. He's always been around, but just recently I'm really getting back into him. Björk. Stereolab. Old-school, like Billie Holiday, Nina Simone.
Phanie: Jenn and I tend to listen to – well, we all tend to kind of listen to the same stuff – but Jenn and I grew up listening to bands like Babes in Toyland and Bikini Kill. Recently, I've been kind of going backward – listening to 90s music. Nina got into Smashing Pumpkins, and now I'm into Smashing Pumpkins. Superdrag. Jenn's a big Elvis fan.
Jenn: I love Elvis Presley, and Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash. I like a lot of rockabilly.
Nina: And the Beatles. You gotta like the Beatles.
GRCA: What influenced your style of music and your appearance?
Nina: The music is more about whatever we're feeling at that moment – that kind of influences the way we write. Like when I start a song – I really got into Sonic Youth, and I wrote a song called "Baby Boy" on the new album that really kind of has that kind of vibe and same style. We really don't go for a style – it's just whatever pops up. When it comes to clothing, we don't really have much fashion sense [laughter]. I love wearing my Docs, I like wearing boots.
Jenn: Yeah, we're into shoes. I think, if anything, we care about the shoes. We like Vans, and –
Phanie: We shop at thrift stores.
Nina: We go to thrift stores. I do like Forever 21, though. I do like that store. [laughs]
Jenn: WHAT???! [laughter]
Nina: Purple pants, man! ... Kick me out of the band! [laughter] No, it's only thrift stores!
GRCA: It’s cool that you buy your stuff at thrift stores. It’s all about helping the earth, and you are, too.
Jenn: We're vegetarians, too!
GRCA: What is your cultural background?
Phanie: We're Latinas. Our grandfather came from Mexico, and we grew up in Texas. [looks at tape recorder] Did you hear? We're Latinas.
Jenn: She's talking to herself!
Nina [louder]: We're Latinas! [laughter]
Jenn: Phanie, she's real soft-spoken.
Nina: She's quietest, but she's also the loudest.
GRCA: Did being Latina affect your music?
Nina: Well, recently it's been working its way into it. We did this show two years ago in Los Angeles – it's a Mexican-rock show – and we did a bunch of songs in Spanish – covers of these songs. "Ven Cerca," which is actually the second-to-last song we played [in the Girls Rock Camp set] is a cover by a band called Los Spitfires. We kept that with us, and we took it on to our new album. Eventually, we'd like to do a full album of songs in Spanish.
GRCA: So do all of you speak Spanish?
Nina: Phannie speaks the most out of all of us, but we got – we have Rosetta Stone.
Jenn: [laughs] Yes, we have Rosetta Stone! ... We're in the learning process, basically.
GRCA: How did you all get into rock music?
Nina: It started with them [points to Phanie and Jenn].
Phanie: Actually, this is a funny story. The reason I started listening to rock is that our grandfather-in-law gave me a headphone set with a cassette already in it, and it was Guns 'n' Roses. So I started listening to only that tape.
Nina: Why did he have that? [laughs]
Phanie: I don't know why he had a Guns 'n' Roses tape! He didn't listen to rock or anything. Then I started exploring rock. Then I got into Nirvana. Jenn was already listening to – [asks Jenn] how did you get into rock?
Jenn: Well, when I was in sixth grade, there was a girl who was all into Nirvana and stuff. This was when they had just come out. I was cool, but then I kind of put it to rest for a bit –
Nina: – and brought out your Boys II Men tape [laughs] –
Jenn: [laughs] Yeah [laughs]. I'm like, "okay Nirvana, I'm gonna go back to Boys II Men." No, but my brother was like, he's kind of nerdy but I kind of looked up to him. He had a cool car and he listened to Pantera and White Zombie, and I was like, "Cool, I want to be like that!" So when I moved to San Antonio and met Phanie I was wearing, like, White Zombie T-shirts, and I thought I was all cool. Then Phanie and I learned, you know, not better music, but we got into our own kind of rock, basically. Because, you know, White Zombie and Pantera are really cool, but –
Nina: I got into rock because, being the younger sister, you listen to what your older [siblings do]. For a while I was listening to what my brother was listening to, and he was listening to a lot of Korn and Pantera and stuff. And then I moved on to Nirvana. I remember when I was putting up a poster – there was a Korn poster, and there was another poster for this band called Travis. I was like, "Which one do I want to follow????" because they're two different genres [laughs].
Phanie: They're completely different.
Nina: Yeah, completely!
GRCA: What convinced you start band?
Nina: I either wanted to be an actress, a singer, or a waitress. [laughs] I don't know why waitress was in there somehow. I would play air guitar and listen to bands and pretend I was playing their music. And [Phanie and Jenn] were in bands, so it was always around me. I thought, "Hey, I could do it, too." So I picked up the instrument and started going for it.
Phanie: I just wanted to be in a band. I liked seeing performers, and our grandfather played in a band and my dad drums, so ... I just wanted to do it, too.
Jenn: I liked the way it looked. I've always liked being onstage with a guitar and performing in front of people. Since I was real, real young, I wanted to be in a band. Finally, Phanie came into my life and made it possible. [Laughter.] "Came into my life." I mean, it might sound cheesy, but it's kind of in you. It's like, you want to play. When Phanie and I stopped being in a band for a little bit and were doing other things, I just didn't feel right. It's like you just want to play. It's in your heart, and you want to play music. And it's good to go for it! Because if you don't, you'll always live with, like, "Man, I could have been in a band," or "What if I was doing this?" You really just don't want to live with "what ifs." You'd rather just do it, and if it works, it works. It's just: You did it.
GRCA: Were there any barriers in your way when you were trying to start the band?
Nina: There were a lot of sacrifices we had to make. I dropped out of high school my junior year – I got my G.E.D., though!
Phanie: You always have to tour. We're broke a lot because everything that we got, moneywise, we put into the band.
Nina: Lots of little arguments because, you know, at one point you think "Should we just give up, or should we keep going?" or "Should I get a real job?" But then we'd just keep going and we'd push each other along. Whenever one was down, we would attack them, and say "no, come on, do it!" It's a lot of hard work.
Jenn: It's the greatest job in the world, I'd say but, yeah, it's tons of work.
Phanie: You have to really want to do it.
Jenn: Yeah, definitely. We miss our families back home, and we're on the road a lot, driving miles, and you get tired. Going from city to city, playing, you kind of get little a tired, exhausted – but it's all worth it.
GRCA: What's your favorite song that you wrote?
Nina: Favorite song I've written, out of all the songs? It would have to be "Their Cell." When I wrote it, it just completely flowed out. The lyrics just came out on their own. It kind of wrote itself. I don't know how. Before, I didn't really have an idea of what I wanted to write about, and on that one, an instant story came out. It felt really good. Every now and then a song comes along, and it just makes me feel like, "Whoa! I'm doing something!"
GRCA: Do you want to add anything?
Phanie: Don't get discouraged!
Nina: Yeah, there's going to be a lot, I don't know why, there's a sense of competition with other female musicians or something – I mean, anybody can be rude, but whenever you see another fellow musician, never see it as competition. Just see it as, "awesome, you're playing music, too" and embrace each other's talents. Respect everybody who has the guts to get up onstage and play.
GRCA: I hear a lot of rockabilly sounds in your band's music. When you guys first started out, did you ever intend for it to sound that way?
Jenn: No, no. Most of the songs start with Nina. We just kind of do whatever feels right at the time. All of us listen to everything.
Nina: There's lots different bands and music lingering on and then when you play, it's whatever flows out. Of course, we love Elvis, Patsy Cline.
Jenn: There's no rules with music, no matter what people say, like with the structure. It's good to have dynamics in a song, because I think that's great, instead of it just being flat – to have changes and stuff like that. Music is an art, and in art, like painting, there's no rules. People throw things together all over a canvas and people are like, "whoa, that's amazing." There are no rules with music. I just say, stay in tune, and have fun. Write whatever you want. You don't have to follow a pattern. That song we did, "Vino": It was kind of this slow song, and then we decided to make it all rockin'. And then all of a sudden, we do this little rockabilly line just because we want to. You know, just – no rules!

Ready to Face the World

2009-08-02T06:47:00.000-07:00

My daughter is now a three-year veteran of Girls Rock Camp Austin. What have we tried to do over these years? Prepare her for the fact that women sometimes have to fight harder for respect when they work in a "man's" field. Encourage her natural gifts. Bring out new abilities, the ones that don't come so easily. Teach her to be a leader. Make her more curious about and questioning of the world around her. Show her she can do anything.

So we're riding high last night, after the big finale to GRCA 2009, the 11-band showcase at the Parish. (Can I get an "amen" for the Parish? They treat us so well.) The girl says, "I think now I could go to [name-brand "school of rock"] and be a feminist there."

On the one hand, I think, Oh, no. Stay in the world we've worked so hard to create for you, a place like no other. But on the other, I think, We have done our job. The fact is, the vast, vast majority of women musicians will not have the luxury of working with only women in their bands. In fact, they will mostly be outnumbered by men in their bands. Maybe programs like ours will encourage girls to tilt the balance. I hope so.

Big thank you to Spoon!

2009-07-14T22:05:00.000-07:00

We'd like to thank Spoon for having us during their three night stand last week at Stubb's. We were able to raise enough money to pay for almost two scholarships! The lucky winner of the Epiphone guitar was Taylor Adamson. Congratulations, Talyor!

Spoon has a new EP out now, available on their web site. They've also signed a poster for us that you can bid on at our second camp showcase on Saturday, August 1 at the Parish. We'll have a lot of other nifty music swag and goods/services/certificates from local businesses available also, not to mention ten great songs from bands formed during the week of camp. It's a seriously blissful hour of entertainment along with the opportunity to support camp by bidding in the silent auction! Please join us!

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Calling all lady bike riders!

2009-07-07T21:05:00.000-07:00

The groovy East Austinite blog posted about this women's bike race, benefiting Yellow Bike Project. Sounds like fun!

Ladies Rock Camp

2009-07-06T06:01:00.001-07:00

Wish you had Girls Rock Camp when you were a girl? Ever wanted to start a band but were not sure how to do it? Do you want a fun and empowering weekend rocking out with some other awesome ladies?

No experience necessary!

Dates: Friday, July 17, Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19 (Showcase)

Venue: Hosted by The Griffin School and Sri Atmananda: 710 East 41st Street and 4100 Red River St., Austin, TX 78751,

Contact Number 512. 809.7799

Application Fee: $350 (The camp for women 19 + includes instrument instruction, food, parties, and workshops, culminating in the Ladies Rock Camp Showcase on Sunday, July 19, where camper bands perform!) Remember, this is a benefit for Girls Rock Camp Austin, so your application fee enables us to give financial aid to kid campers who need it!

For an application and FAQS, go to the Girls Rock Camp Austin home page.

Win a guitar signed by Spoon!

2009-07-05T20:12:00.000-07:00

How cool is this? Spoon shows their Girls Rock Camp Austin love this Thursday, July 9. Enter to win a guitar signed by the band at the first night of the three night stand at Stubb's!

Also playing: Quasi and Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears

Fans who attend Spoon’s show on Thursday, July 9, at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater (featuring opening acts Quasi and Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears) will have a chance to enter a special drawing presented by Girls Rock Camp Austin to win an Epiphone Dot guitar signed by all members of the band. Tickets for the drawing are only $5 each. Girls Rock Camp will display the signed guitar at the event, and will post the winner on http://www.girlsrockcampaustin.org/

This is an opportunity for a Spoon fan to grab a very special piece of memorabilia and help out Girls Rock Camp Austin at the same time. Girls Rock Camp Austin, the only nonprofit all-female summer music program in Central Texas, is devolted to empowering girls through musical education and performance. Fifty percent of GRCA's campers receive financial aid through the organization.

Why I Love Girls Rock Camp

2009-07-02T18:13:00.001-07:00

I felt so flattered when Robyn Czarnecki, a camper mom sent me this blog about her thoughts on why she is so moved by Girls Rock Camp Austin. Please take a minute to read this. Enjoy!

Session I Showcase 2009

2009-06-28T07:37:00.000-07:00

I'm the parent of a camper and board member for Girls Rock Camp Austin. I don't do any of the fun stuff (like work with the girls) or any of the really skilled stuff (like work with the girls). But when showcase day rolls around, I am always so proud of what the kids have achieved. In just five days the girls form a band, and here's the thing:

They write and perform an original song. No learning covers or so-called "classic rock" chestnuts. And we are a rock camp, not a Camp Rock.

We know that a single-sex environment for girls enhances and improves their learning. This, combined with the camp's dedication to helping girls explore an authentic expression of themselves, is what makes us different.

That's not to say you won't hear the kids' influences in their performances. The tiny, firecracker vocalist for camp band Supernova may have been channeling the voices she hears in today's radio pop, but her sincerity, confidence, and ability to hold the crowd is what we'll remember. And the band Akward (coached by board member/musician Melissa Bryan) added a little surprise coda to their performance: eight or so bars of "I Wanna Be Sedated"!

Rock Camp Diary, Day 3

2009-06-25T15:50:00.000-07:00

Here's another account of day-to-day life at Girls Rock Camp Austin, brought to you by Eris Tock, a veteran camper and GRCA 2009 intern.

Unfortunately for the general public there is just too much going on at rock camp this year to really convey it all. The array of talent is truly jaw dropping and, initially, I have a difficult time deciding which of the dozen or so new bands to profile. Ultimately it comes down to a lottery. I walk down the hall and go into the classroom emanating the loudest noise. The chosen band is made up of Zoey Graham on guitar, Chandler Lindsey on keyboard, Frankie Blue on drums, CiCi Blackwood-Cross on bass, and Natalie Shey on vocals. The still un-named group is one of the four groups of older girls (they range from 13-16), about middle school age. I expect at least a little bickering, but the lack of friction between the new band mates is immediately apparent. It’s amazing how cooperative and smooth the song making process is--there are no arguments, no hurt feelings, and minimal bossiness. A palpable air of excitement fills the room.

After a couple brief tangents, multiple feedback-induced squeals of pain, and a few snatches of Michael Jackson's "Beat It," they get down to work. After just a few days they’ve already got the foundation of their eventual performance laid down. It’s a roller coaster of a song incorporating both heavy distorted riffs and a pretty ethereal chorus with lots of cymbals and bluesy throaty vocals. Overall its pretty freakin' great if they do say so themselves.

They diligently practice transitioning to the bridge for a while before deciding to break for a snack and choose a band name.

“All Things Freckled” is dismissed as much too Irish. “Freckles” is too short. “The Mitch Mitchell Jamboree Experience” is too long...and so on... until they hit on “Schmillian.” Which goes through a a number of evolutions—“Straight Up Schmillian,” “A Schmillian Ways,” “The Schmillian,” and eventually reverts back to the original Shmillian. The exact origins of the word are unclear but the whole band can agree it is just about perfect.

As I leave the newly christened Schmillian to their work I’m still humming snatches of their song. It’s catchy beyond belief, and I can't wait to hear the finished version at the showcase on Saturday (at the Parish starting at 2 for those of you who don't know).

Rock Camp Diary, Day 2

2009-06-24T12:24:00.000-07:00

This fly-on-the wall account was submitted by Eris Tock, veteran camper and GRCA 2009 intern.

It’s the second day of camp just after lunch and band practice and time for the afternoon workshop/seminar-there’s some general milling around and the younger half of the girls, ages nine through eleven, pile into a classroom and sprawl on the carpet.

Dr. Mary Kearney, Associate Professor of the Center for Women and Gender studies, a guest speaker from U.T., takes the stage. She starts with a general discussion of gender roles and women in music and immediately the Joan Jett and Patty Smith factoids begin to fly, there are outbursts of song and multiple grim discussions of the "industry"--these girls know their chops.

Prof. Kearney explains the gaze (the way women in music videos are seen through the eyes of the (usually male) directors, producers, writers and cinematographers as she flips through a series of ads for everything from yogurt to cars, all of them objectifying women. She pauses the slideshow on a particularly striking ad for some sort of mixed drink--in it a faceless man straddles a buxom bikini clad woman lying on her back.

"Who's in control here?"

The answer is deafening "THE MANN!!!"

"Why?" she asks.

"Cause he's wearing pants!" one camper crows.

"Because he's a jerk!" another vehemently declares.

"Because he's standing over her!"

It’s a pretty clear consensus. She moves on to the Lita Ford video "Kiss Me Deadly.” Indignant and just ever so slightly red faced the girls explode in protest.

"They're more interested in how her body looks than her music!"

"You can barely see her play guitar!"

They're right of course--there's a lot of blond hair and hips but the shots of her playing guitar are brief and very vague. She stands a good ten feet away from the camera and in deep shadow, hands and guitar hidden. The group goes on to discuss how hard it is to fit into the young blond haired blue-eyed big breasted white girly girl stereotype. It’s an indication of the solemn mood that the word “breast” induces no giggles. not a one. these girls are dead serious.

As the seminar winds down the topic, of course, turns to challenging the male gaze. Music videos by Ciarra, Keri Hilson, Bjork, and Courtney Love play on the projector as Dr. Kearney explains how these women desexualize and empower themselves through their videos and in some cases even reverse and draw attention to the gaze. There's a great deal of nodding and determined looks and as the girls file out of the room many of them thank their teacher for the afternoon.

Express Yourself!

2009-05-07T16:02:00.000-07:00

Not only to Girls Rock Campers um, rock, but they have many other talents as well. Each potential camper is required to submit an Express Yourself! piece with her application, to give us an idea of what she's about. Check out this awesome diorama that was submitted recently.

More from Nikki Corvette!

2009-04-30T11:00:00.000-07:00

Nikki Corvette gives us some great advice!

Girls Like Me Were Born to Rock 'n' Roll!

2009-04-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

Girls Rock Camp Austin caught up with the fabulous Nikki Corvette last August at the Wild Weekend Power Pop Festival in Austin. For the unfortunately uninitiated, Ms. Corvette started playing music in 1978 in the male-dominated Detroit punk rock scene with her band, Nikki and the Corvettes. Despite playing shows with influential bands like The Ramones and The Romantics, Nikki had some jaw-dropping, but not uncommon, experiences with some of her xy-chromosomed contemporaries – like getting kicked off bills when promoters found out there were girls in her band, and having her stage stormed by a "girls-should-be-pregnant-and-in-the- kitchen" screaming Johnny Thunders. Watch Nikki talk about it here!

Check out Nikki's great anthems "Girls Like Me" and "Let's Go!" This video has a cool slide show of the women of 80's punk.

SXSW Day Party!

2009-03-31T16:41:00.000-07:00

Big thanks to the bands who played, the volunteers who made it all happen, and everyone who came out to our party during SXSW. Special thanks to Daisy Rock Guitars and the staff at Whole Foods Market at 5th and Lamar -- what an amazing team to work with!

London's Peggy Sue.

BO-PEEP from Tokyo rawked the patio!

This little boy was transfixed. So were the rest of us!

Follow that Bird! features two GRCA band coaches/instructors.

It was Hesta Prynn's birthday!

We fell in love with The Coathangers from Atlanta!

Adrian from Adrian and the Sickness gives the girls a little guitar lesson.

It was a long, sunny day. We all made it though!

See ya next year!

Team Brea takes the lead!

2009-03-16T23:21:00.000-07:00

What a great week! Not only do we have all our fantastic SXSW events, but we've also been chosen by Friday Night Lights/Heroes superstar Brea Grant to receive money raised in the social media Charity Smackdown (sponsored by Mashable and Paypal). We are so honored that Brea would reach out to us -- she totally wanted to compete for an Austin based agency that supports women in the arts. We think we're a perfect fit, too (and we've loved you since you first walked on the Dillon High campus). Thank you, Brea, for supporting us!

The fundraiser just went live tonight. While we know that every charity will win in this competition, we do take pride in the fact that our Brea is in first place!

Here's the tally so far:
Team Brea $240
Team Elevenmoms $175
Team Kyle $160
Team Mashable $160
Team Alec $140
Team Corbin $75
Team Hayden $45
Team Ernie $30
Team Linkin Park $10

Click here to support Team Brea. Please, circulate this far and wide. This is a great opportunity to tell all your friends about GRCA and the fabulous work we do. Remember, we have an extensive scholarship program that enables girls to come rock who might not otherwise be able to afford to. We have more programs in the works that will benefit the girls of Austin and our community as a whole.

Go Team Brea!

SXSW

2009-03-11T16:40:00.000-07:00

Lots going on next week in Girls Rock Camp Austin land! Please join us!

We'll have tons of new GRCA swag for sale - shirts, hoodies, bags and more. Also, tax deductible donations, supporting camp scholarships, will be accepted!

SXSW/ BMI Benefit for Girls Rock Camp Austin
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 7:00pm
Maggie Mae's, 323 E. 6th Street
Free for wristbands/badges. Or, slight cover charge benefits GRCA.

7:30 - Ume (Austin, TX) (featuring GRCA guitar teacher/band coach Lauren Larson)
8:30 -The Besties (Brooklyn, NY)
9:30 - Zolof The Rock-n-Roll Destroyer (Philadelphia, PA)
10:30 - Girl In a Coma (San Antonio, TX)

GRCA SXSW Day Party (Sponsored by Daisy Rock Guitars)
Friday, March 20, 2:30-7pm
Whole Foods rooftop patio, 525 N. Lamar
FREE! Open to the public! All ages! Family Friendly! Face painting!
Enter to a WIN a sparkle pink Daisy Rock Rock Candy guitar! RAD!

2:45 Fabi Reyna - former camper! (Austin)
3:00 Peggy Sue (UK)
3:40 BO-PEEP (Tokyo)
4:20 Rank + File - former camper! (Austin)
4:30 Follow that Bird! - featuring band coaches/instructors Lauren Green and Tiffanie Lanmon (Austin)
5:10 Hesta Prynn (from Northern State)(NYC)
5:50 The Coathangers (Atlanta, GA)
6:40 Adrian & the Sickness - featuring band coaches/instructors Heather Webb and Adrian Connor) (Austin)

Hope to see you at the shows!

Last year's SXSW day party

2009-03-10T22:04:00.000-07:00

Next week marks the second annual Girl's Rock Camp Austin SXSW. Here are some pictures from last year's party, held at Austin Java. All photos taken by esteemed Brooklyn photographer Stephanie F. Black.

Code Rainbow! (Austin)

We raffled a Gibson Les Paul Vixen guitar signed by the Go-Go's.

Follow that Bird! (Austin)

New York's Tiny Masters of Today. Bassist Ada attended the Willie Mae Rock Camp for girls in NYC!

Kitty, Daisy, & Lewis, from London, is a band comprised of 3 teenaged siblings. For live performances their parents accompany them. (Mom Ingrid Weiss was the drummer in The Raincoats!)

We are huge fans of New York's Care Bears on Fire!

Welcome to our blog!

2009-03-09T14:29:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to the new Girls Rock Camp Austin blog! We’ve been planning this for a while and we have some catching up to do, but we’ll start with some pictures from the First Night Parade in downtown Austin. A bunch of our intrepid volunteers and campers got together and made a huge drum for our “float”. They hooked up a generator, strung the drum with lights, and plugged in amps for the electric guitars and basses. New Year’s Eve revelers were treated to a marching rock band rendition of Joan Jett’s “I love Rock ‘n Roll,” and a medley of songs written by GRCA bands last summer. It was pretty amazing see the big smiles and pumping fists of the crowd! Check it out!

Nadine leads the charge!

Singers!

Drum line!

A rolling platform was made for the sole keyboard player.

Close-up of giant drum.

Band coach/guitar instructor Lauren Larson (Ume) and camper Celeste rock out.

Little brothers are allowed!

Drum major Rachael Shannon and GRCA executive director Emily Marks.

Post parade fun.

(photos by Melissa Bryan)