Paving The Way

Alix Dobkin

If ever there was a lesbian to give reverence to, it would be Alix Dobkin. Known as the "head lesbian"because of her presence in the community for almost 3 decades, Dobkin has literally paved the way for many out lesbian performers. In the early 70s she released Lavender Jane Loves Women (1973), the first out and proud lesbian recording.



[Photo Credit: Joanne Gigante]

There were no gay characters on television at the time so this sort of recording was monumental. It was the first recording by and for lesbians specifically. Alix Dobkin grew up in a radical Jewish family in the McCarthy Era. Activism is in her blood. Early on she had a profound appreciation for folk music, having grown up listening to Woody Gutherie, Pete Seeger, and The Weavers. She was a traveling folk singer in the 1960s as a result of those monumental influences. In 1973 she, Kay Gardner, and Marilyn Ries produced and recorded Lavender Jane Loves Women, which spoke of lesbian relationships and lives in the time period. Two of her most popular songs from that era are the "Amazon ABCs" and "Lesbian Code". In the song "Lesbian Code" she describes the different way we describe each other, i.e. "member of the church", "friend of Dorothy", "sings in the choir". I wholeheartedly recommend checking out both songs, but in particular "Lesbian Code". The song is simply BRILLIANT. This is a video a Xena fan put together with the "Lesbian Code" as a soundtrack:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf_pqcFUmCI

Since the 70s, Dobkin has released 7 albums. They include, Living With Lesbians (1976), XX Alix (1980), These Women/Never Been Better (1986), and Love and Politics: A 30 Year Saga (1992). Dobkin's impact has been immense over her 30 year career. Just the act of being out and proud was a revolutionary act at the time. Even now, Dobkin's music can inspire tears within some women. To this day she still tours the country and conducts workshops. Alix Dobkin has always advocated for womyn-only spaces which has sometimes led her to be a controversial figure. Her latest contribution to the community is in book form. In 2009, she released a memoir called My Red Blood which hearkens back to her early days as an activist for the communist movement. Whether it be for her activism, music, or courage to say what she believes, Alix Dobkin is definitely one to say thanks to for paving the way.

For more information, concert dates, and all that good stuff, visit her website:
http://www.alixdobkin.com/

Welcome To The Gayborhood

San Diego - Part Deux

Though San Diego might have a reputation as a being a conservative military town, it certainly houses a diverse and large gay population. You can find us everywhere, however the best places to see the gays are in Hillcrest, North Park, South Park and University Heights. There are music venues and happenings all over the gayborhood throughout the year. From festivals to bars, gay performers are abundant. Popular places to catch queer music in San Diego are Bar Pink, Bourbon Street, and Lestat’s.

Here are some great queer artists to check out in San Diego:

Alicia Champion
Alternative Rock

Alicia Champion is one rockin' chick! Her sound can be classified as strong, dynamic vocals meets in your face rock. At the age of 17, Champion founded her own record label Champ Records, and has performed and produced music for various artists ever since. She has graced the stage with Pink, Melissa Etheridge, The Indigo Girls and Me'shell N'degeocello. She is also the winner of VH1's nationally televised reality competition, You Rock With Melissa Etheridge. Champion is the co-founder and producer of IndieFest, the USA's only exclusively independent music festival. She is a fantastic live performer so catch her in concert if you can!

For more information, concert dates, and music samples, visit her website:
http://www.myspace.com/aliciachampion

[Photo Credit: John Hancock]


Lisa Sanders
Acoustic Folk Jazz

Lisa Sanders describes her sound as "black cowgirl pop". And like that out of the box genre, she is truly unique. Sanders is a two time award winner for San Diego's Acoustic Artist of the Year and Reader magazine's Best Acoustic Artist. She has opened for the likes of Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan, Al Green, and Stevie Nicks. Sanders is simply a must-see live. She has a stirring affect on her audience as the melodies flow with fluid grace straight from her heart.


For more information, concert dates, and music samples, visit her website:
http://www.myspace.com/lisasandersmyspace


The Steph Johnson Band

Soulful Jazzy-Funk

Steph Johnson has made her presence in San Diego KNOWN. She is a sultry singer with undeniable presence that is quickly garnering a
name for herself in southern California. She has performed in top venues like the Mint and the Belly Up, as well as appeared on radio and television shows. Her music translates in any avenue, from recording to stage, she excels in both arenas. Johnson is absolutely a force to be reckoned with.


For more information, concert dates, and music samples, visit her website:
http://www.myspace.com/stephjohnsonband

[Photo Credit: Ramona Willis d'Viola]

Grrrls On The Go

Doria Roberts

Doria Roberts is not the average folk rocker. She blends elements of jazz and streetwise style into her music. She's a bit of Lauryn Hill meets Melissa Ferrick. Roberts has soul and her way with a guitar. She excels live in concert, either solo or with a band. Her song Perfect off her Woman Dangerous (2006) album is a girl loves girl anthem. This is not one to miss, if you are able to see her live, DO IT. She has a few dates in the USA on the east coast and in the south before she heads off to France at the end of October. She'll be playing dates there till mid-November.

Get a taste of her sound here:
http://www.amazon.com/Woman-Dangerous-Doria-Roberts/dp/B000FOQ0MS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1279991423&sr=8-1

August 31st 2010 7:00pm - Eddie's Attic, Decatur, GA
September 25th 2010 7:30pm - The Evening Muse, Charlotte, NC
September 30th 2010 8:00pm - Busboys & Poets, Washington, DC
October 7th 2010 8:00pm - The Tin Angel, Philadelphia, PA
October 31st 2010 12:00pm - Chateauvallon ,Ollioules, France
November 1st 2010 1:30pm - Chateauvallon ,Ollioules, France
November 5th 2010 8:00pm - Chateauvallon, Ollioules, Provence, France
November 6th 2010 8:00pm - Chateauvallon, Ollioules, Provence, France


For more information, tour dates, and all that good stuff, visit her website:
http://www.myspace.com/doriaroberts


[Photo Credit: Zack Arias]

Moving Images

Ani Difranco
Two Little Girls

This is from her dvd Render (2002). If you don't have that dvd I would wholeheartedly recommend it, as it has great music and excellent behind the scenes footage. The song is off the Little Plastic Castle (1998) album. This has always been one of my favorite songs, she lets us into her own experiences, even the scary ones. It is especially haunting live, as evidenced by this video.

Ones To Know

Ani Difranco

Ani Difranco has been making music on her own terms for the past 20 years. She is a phenonmenal guitarist, singer, writer, and spoken word artist. Difranco is the very definition of individual. She bucked tradition early on and chose to release her own music herself.

[Photo Credit: Boulder Weekly]

She created Righteous Babe Records in 1990, and stayed true to the label even as her career took off and the major companies came calling. Like her independence, Difranco's music has been difficult to pin down to one genre over the course of her long career. She has updated her sound consistently every few years since her first album. Her first 6 albums, from Ani Difranco (1990) to Out Of Range (1994), all were in the folk rock vein. By the time Not A Pretty Girl (1995) rolled around she was a different artist. That album brought with it an edgier, and punk-fueled sound. This was also the time where her career really started to take off, gaining more mainstream notoriety. Her most popular album to date is Little Plastic Castle (1998), and is often referred to as "classic Ani" since her sound changed once again on the following album. With Up Up Up Up Up Up (1999), her music became more mature, and referenced jazz and funkalicious attitudes. This period of time is perhaps her least popular and well received among fans. With the new millenium brought a new genre evolution for Ani, though it is a bit retrospective for her. Starting with an Educated Guess (2004), her music has had elements of all her previous genres, from folk to jazz to lite rock.

Difranco's lyrical content has always been poetic, and yet straightforward. Her spoken word pieces have routinely generated buzz for being provocative and insightful. Tiptoe from the Not A Pretty Girl (1995) album, and Self Evident from her second live album So Much Shouting So Much Laughter (2002), are both controversial and powerful examples of her massive writing abilities.

Ani has always had a large LGBTQ audience through the years. Her fans are a dedicated and diverse bunch. She never hid her bisexuality, even before it became in vogue. As a result, she became a queer icon, and a role model for remaining true to oneself. Though she has lost some fans through the years because of her relationship choices, she nonetheless has never conformed her ideals. She has had an enoromous impact on queer musicians of today, not just through her music but her politics and business savvy as well. She is by no doubt a feminist idol, yet in the end her greatest influence has been on her many many fans. Ani Difranco is one to know.

For more information, concert dates, and music samples, visit her website: http://www.righteousbabe.com/

[Photo Credit: Rhea Anna]

IPod Candy

Sainthood (2009)
by Tegan and Sara

Canadian twins, Tegan and Sara, emerged on the scene in 1999 with their self released album Under Feet Like Ours. It’s been the slow burn of success ever since. Their sound can be classified as indie pop rock with an emphasis on individuality. They have toured extensively worldwide for the past 10 years and are currently on tour in the USA with Paramore. Their captivating songs and charasmatic stage personas have acquired them quite the dedicated fanbase through the years. Sainthood is their sixth studio album together. The title Sainthood is borrowed from a Leonard Cohen song, "Came So Far For Beauty". It draws together the themes of love, longing, idealism and romantic obsession.

This is an album to love IMMEDIATELY. It is the perfect representation of the Tegan and Sara sound, merging the quirk and rocky edge seemlessly. It combines the pop elements of their earlier efforts from the album If It Was You (2002), and the more mature facets of their album The Con (2007). As is the case with a Tegan and Sara album, it is inherently catchy and prone to take root in your mind playing itself over and over again. Much has been made of the song Paperback Head, since it was one of the first tunes written by both Tegan and Sara. That aside, Paperback Head is a stellar track. It has a sensual, gritty groove with a trip-inducing melody. The Ocean is also an exemplary song, with it's mind-racing tempo and stream of consciousness sexy. Their latest single, Northshore, has a frenetic pace and as the lyrics suggest it is absolutely so addictive. It's the sort of song that would be fun to sing in the shower. Taking a break from the rock, Night Watch is an aural maze, a unique tune, both puzzling and hypnotic. All that said, Hell is the standout song of the album. It is the toe-tapping, head-banging, definition of whimsical pop rock. If you are a Tegan and Sara fan and don't already have the album, RUN, DON'T WALK to the store and buy it. This one is a keeper, to be played in the car incessantly, listened to while working out, cleaning the house, and just chilling. You'll listen to it on repeat for weeks. I know I will.

Listen to music samples from the album here:
http://www.amazon.com/Sainthood-Tegan-Sara/dp/B002OHOECC

http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=1943329&ap=1&albumid=13775063&songid=57412068&sms_ss=blogger

For more information, concert dates, and all that good stuff, visit their website:
http://teganandsara.com/



[Photo Credit: Pamela Littky]

Welcome To The Gayborhood

San Diego

Though San Diego might have a reputation as a conservative military town, it certainly houses a diverse and large gay population. You can find us everywhere, however the best places to see the gays are in Hillcrest, North Park, South Park and University Heights. There are music venues and happenings all over the gayborhood throughout the year. From festivals to bars, gay performers are abundant. Popular places to catch queer music in San Diego are Bar Pink, Bourbon Street, and Lestat's.

Here are some great queer artists to check out in San Diego:

Danielle Lo Presti
Indie Pop Rock

Danielle is the sort of singer that comes around once in a blue moon. She has a raw while distractingly feminine edge. Her voice has the strength of the Niagara on a rainy day and yet enough subtlety to calm a baby. Danielle's dynamic stage persona is fueled by her artistic and political integrities. She has been around the southern California music scene for many years and has performed with the likes of Metric, Jamie Foxx, Cyndi Lauper and Juliette Lewis. She is also the founder of the first and only exclusively independent music festival in the USA, known as IndieFest.

For more information, concert dates and music samples, visit her website:
http://www.danielleandthemasses.com/


Lauren DeRose
Pop Folk Rock

Lauren DeRose's sound is eclectic to say the least. In one minute she can be a brooding singer in the same vein as Linda Perry, while the next she can be energetic and animated, Ani Difranco meets the Riot Grrrls. Though her sound may be diverse, her guitar-slinging, soul baring style is nonetheless consistent. And there are not many who can resist her sexy rasp. She is a charismatic performer, her forte is definitely live shows.

For more information, concert dates, and music samples, visit her website:

http://www.myspace.com/laurenderose

[Photo Credit: Rebecca Joelson]

MC Flow
Rap

MC Flow is a feisty, quick-witted female rapper originally hailing from New York. She has made San Diego her home for the past 10 years and as evidenced by her track San Diego Song! she loves us as much as we love her. MC Flow has a natural flow of rhythm and a poignant message to share, specifically in the tunes Created Equal and Inside. She is a magnetic visual performer and absolutely worth the price of admission. FLOW IS ONE TO WATCH.

For more information, concert dates, and music samples, visit her website:

http://www.myspace.com/mcflow

[Photo Credit: Blueye Grafix]