Wall of Sound

My own previous knowledge of music has been confined to Chicago, so I’d like to recognize other states with up-and-coming bands featuring one of the female musicians helping to reform music scenes across the world into something other than exclusively male. 

One of those states is North Carolina, so if you ever visit, be sure to attend an Earth Mover show. 

The band, as described by a fan at one of their shows, is a “sludgier version of Jesus and Mary Chain.” So far this has been the members’ favorite description. Influences on their Facebook page include shoegaze bands My Bloody Valentine, Spacemen 3 and of course Jesus and Mary Chain. 

Members include vocalist/guitarist John Russell and bassist Morgan Brown.

I had the pleasure of asking Brown a few questions about her past and current experiences with music, as well as future plans for the band itself. 

Brown has always looked up to bassists Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth, Debbie Googe of My Bloody Valentine and Kira Roessler of Black Flag fame as sources of inspiration.

As a result of learning to play bass and overcoming the struggles facing new musicians, Brown has so far had a positive experience within her local scene. She is no longer as quiet, shy and reserved.

Brown even plans on learning new instruments in the upcoming future, adding to her bass guitar abilities.  She hopes for vocalist and guitarist John Russell’s skills, in addition to his knowledge of drums, to rub off on her.

Earth Mover, Russell and Brown’s labor of love, is currently working on a week-long run of shows in the Northeast region, including the cities of Baltimore, Philadelphia, New Brunswick, New York, Bethlehem, located in Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. and Richmond. 

Not only is the band working on a tour, their future plans also include releasing splits with local bands as well as a do-it-yourself (DIY) compilation through The Root Press that will benefit autism research. 

Brown is more than proud of what her band has accomplished. 

“I went into this project thinking ‘if I can play a few shows and maybe record a few songs to put on tape, I’ll be happy,’ and we’re already doing more than what I ever imagined we’d be able to,” said Brown.

Earth Mover has 2 upcoming shows in North Carolina: May 22 at Area 15 and  June 1 at Static Age Records. Try to catch them before they tour or wait until they hit up your state with some heavy fuzz tunes in the future! 

From left to right: John Russell, Amanda Bartee, Morgan Brown and Keith Bendt Jr., of band Earth Mover play at Black Cat Burrito in Boone, NC on Friday Feb. 7, 2014. Photo credit: Karl Kuehn.

Link to Root Press Compilation: DIY w/ Love

[UPDATE: Made on 5/8/14 at 4:00 p.m.]

1990s & Shoegaze

While grunge bands were receiving fame in the MTV culture of the 90s, the underground and less well-known shoegaze movement was occurring simultaneously.

This genre saw much more female involvement as bands like Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden and more were all comprised of male members and seemed to cater to men given their rough and aggressive sound.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate Nirvana and other all-male shoegaze bands just as much as I do bands with female members, but the importance of having female representation in bands of the 90s was crucial as it set the scene for current experimental musicians.

The first time I was introduced to the shoegaze, or shoegazing, genre was in the film Lost in Translation.

My Bloody Valentine's song 'Sometimes' was featured in a scene that follows Scarlett Johanssen's character as she rides a taxi through Tokyo after spending a night on the town with Bill Murray's character. (Great movie if you haven't seen it already!)

Since then, I have been hooked and captivated by the dreamy vocals and harsh noise associated with the genre and ask people I know for suggestions of all-female bands who produce this type of music. If you know of any, feel free to comment.

Current bands are still influenced by these groups from the 90s, such as Whirr, Grouper, Tamaryn, True Widow and more.

Some of the bands I will mention still even perform, having been functioning groups since the late 80s or with a break in between activity.

~

My Bloody Valentine (1983-1997, active equally in 80s and 90s, Bilinda Butcher was key female member on split vocals and guitar)

Yo La Tengo (1984-present, active for all 10 years of the 90s, Georgia Hubley is sole female member on split vocals and drums, also designs cover art for albums)

Black Tambourine (1989-1992, Pam Berry is vocalist, one of earliest Slumberland record label groups)

Slowdive (1989-1995 & 2014-present, majority of years active were in 90s, female Rachel Goswell on split vocals, guitar and bass. Goswell later went on to join Mojave 3.)

Bleach (1989-1993, Salli Carson is vocalist) 

Loveliescrushing (1991-present, primary vocalist is Melissa Arpin-Duimstra)

Mazzy Star (1988-1997, 2000, 2010-present, majority of years active in the 90s, Hope Sandoval is lead singer)

Luminous Orange (1992-present, from Japan, Rie Takeuchi is now sole member but group started out as all-female)

Malory (1995-present?, from Germany, Daniela Neuhaeuser is split vocalist and guitarist)