Sistahood or actually really good?
Why, as lesbians, do we like queer music/musicians? Or, more specifically, music made by a sapphic sister. Are we just drawn to Melissa Etheridge/Indigo Girls/Ani DiFranco/et al purely because they are lesbians or do we really like their music?
Shortly after I came out, my first real life girlfriend bought me a full set of Melissa Etheridge cds. I presumed that other standard issue items would follow; ya know like the self help books, the cat and a lifetime supply of soya milk but apparently it doesn’t happen like that, I was supposed to buy additional items myself. Anyway, I have to say that initially I wasn’t that struck by Melissa Etheridge’s music but perservered. And why? Just simply because she was singing about a girl? If I don’t like someone’s music in general then I don’t listen to it, naturally. So why find myself not giving up on her throaty whinings?
The reason I ask is that I went to see Axe Girl this week. A friend asked if I wanted to go and as a) she’s a sister and b) it was only £2 I decided that it was my duty as a lesbian to support GrrlsLikeUs. Which is crazy as if you listen to her music on myspace, it’s not that great and under any other circumstances ( i.e. if she was straight) I’d have politely refused. As it turns out she was much better live and she is very easy on the eyes. So it was a good night. Even if her, her band and most of the (small) audience did make me feel 100 years old.
I think it is probably no more complicated than when it comes to music I have to connect with the lyrics, something has to strike a chord and I have to feel like I can identify with it. I’m not that deep so obviously it also has to be catchy and sound pretty too. Otherwise I’d have bought every bit of t.a.t.u . merchandise known to (dirty old) man.
But what do you think?
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I feel the same way about Cris Williamson - many of my friends (also old like me) connect with her big time, but she puts me right to sleep. Melissa Ferrick I could take or leave–wouldn’t waste the money on a CD. I love Melissa E. because she’s a great rocker - I grew up in the age of rockin’ rockers and not only do I connect with the lyrics, I connect with the style.It’s like art - I don’t know what I like, but I know it when I see it. I love kd lang because I love her forays into different genres. Even though Invincible Summer was panned by everyone, it remains my favorite of all her work. That’s the beauty of being an individual - something you don’t have to give up when you are handed your official Lesbian card.
I think it’s a little bit of being able to relate to the lyrics and a lot about musical style. I love Ani, and Melissa Ferrick (but I only like MF playing live) but I don’t like Melissa Etheridge or the Indigo Girls.
Most of what I listen to is not or are not “lesbian artists”. But, I guess I’d say I’d be more likely to give a lesbian artist more of a chance than a straight artist because I’m always looking for music that speaks to that aspect of my life and experiences. But if they don’t hook me after 2 or 3 listens, then I move on.
Lori, don’t get me wrong; my taste in music is as varied today as it’s always been. Alls I’m sayin’ is that I tend to try harder to like a lesbian musician, is all. p.s. thanks for the Melissa Ferrick reminder, yes most of her stuff is shite but I really like Drive and downloaded it instantly. Oh and I agree completely that Cris Williamson is a bore.
Zoe, I am definitely from the school of GiveLesboMusicAChance too. I suppose it’s about exposure too, though. I’d never heard of most of the music I now listen to before girlfriends (’girlfriend’ in the let’s-have-naked-fun sense, not in the you’re-a-friend-and-you’re-a-girl sense) introduced me to it. Two of my sisters (who are as straight as they come) aren’t adversed to a bit of Indigo Girls and Catie Curtis and if it weren’t for me they probably would never have been exposed to their music.
All I know is that I listened to Ani before I ever thought about sexuality. I’ve always thought Ani was amazing and I listened to Melissa Ferrick as a child. In my case the music made the lesbian, not the other way around.
I think it depends on the specific lesbian culture to which one identifies.
Don’t you think?
The black lesbian community - the one I identify with - tends to be generally just music loving.
I am curious
Two names: Tegan and Sara. I mention them to my straight friends and I get a dumbfounded look followed by, “Who???” Luckily they just happen to be talented singer/songwriters AND adorable lesbians.
On the contrary, I saw Leisha Hailey’s band Uh Huh Her this past weekend at SXSW. Their music leaves much to be desired, but in a way I still feel compelled to support them. Sort of like the way I support locally grown, mediocre bands from my hometown. We sometimes identify and connect with them for reasons that go beyond the music. What they stand for, what they represent. And a little eye candy never hurt anyone.