Podcasting for the Grrls

With an ongoing insufficient amount of lesbian representation in television and film, our community has had to get creative in its approach to entertainment that involves our interests, our styles, and our culture. Thankfully, three lesbians in San Francisco have stepped up to the plate and created a podcast that gives its audience all these things and more. The Lesbian Podcast is a dialogue between j.Church, Charlie, and Mickey Carfora about current gay culture, news, and entertainment featuring special guests that impact the lesbian community. Cherry Grrl wanted to learn more about this creative and funny show so recently talked to the hosts - and their Producer, Cory Gunn - about how it all started and where it’s going next.

Cherry Grrl (CG): How long have you been doing the show and who came up with the idea?

Mickey: I had the idea to do a lesbian podcast for four years, ever since I first heard about podcasting. But, it wasn’t until I met j. and Cory that it became a possibility.

j.Church: Mickey mentioned that she wanted to do a podcast and I knew Cory had a studio in our loft so it just seemed like it was meant to be.

Cory: We’ve been doing this show for 16 weeks, we started in September.

CG: How often do you record new shows?

Charlie: We record roughly every two weeks.

CG: Did any of you have prior experience in radio or podcasting prior to the show?

Mickey: My first job was at a radio station when I was 16, as an assistant to one of the djs. I always wanted to be a dj. Right now, I’m taking classes in broadcast journalism and I’m working on my own documentary, “Lady Hunters,” about women who hunt in the firearm deer season in Upper Michigan, which is in post-production. Previously, I worked with David Brown, a documentary filmmaker based here in SF, on his film “Chasing Maya.”

Cory: I’ve been doing audio production for years under the name The Real Dionysis, but this is the first time I’ve been able to do broadcasting in a sense. There’s a different mindset for producing as opposed to broadcast, namely in respect to the time lines.

CG: What kinds of things do you discuss on the shows?

Mickey: Lesbian news (Homo Headlines), entertainment gossip (Rainbow Rumors), events, and a wide range of guest interviews from the community.

CG: What are your overall goals with The Lesbian Podcast?

Mickey: Many people can’t express themselves as freely as we can here in San Francisco. I hope to reach those people and give them a connection to the larger queer community.

CG: What has the response from listeners been so far?

Cory: We’ve had positive feedback across multiple demographics.

Mickey: We recently got a really nice e-mail from a gay man in Chicago.

Charlie: Yeah, he said he’s been trying to educate himself on other sub-cultures and he came across our podcast.

Mickey: He said it was the first time he was able to connect with the lesbian lifestyle.

j.Church: So, we thought it was really cool, that an audience bigger than what we initially expected finds our show relevant.

CG: Where do you hope to take the podcast in the future?

TLP: Our goal is to be the best lesbian podcast by exploring the social, psychological, and educational aspects of queer culture.

For more about The Lesbian Podcast visit www.thelesbianpodcast.com.

Spotlight on Clear Channel’s PrideRadio.com

BY MATT SKALLERUD

Over the past few years, we’ve had a variety of satellite and online radio stations appear with some incredible content ranging from dance music to talk radio. We’ve also recently had real world, terrestrial radio stations bring their music online including 92.7 Energy out of San Francisco and 103.9 Pride FM out of Toronto. Now, we have PrideRadio, brought to us by Clear Channel, with content ranging from online music streaming to Internet on-demand music videos and podcasts.

What sets this new station apart is not only its corporate support by one of the largest radio media companies in the world, but rather its focus on reaching gays and lesbians wherever they may be, whether that’s online, in the car, in their homes or on their iTouch and iPhones. By having these multiple ‘touch points’ to the gay and lesbian consumer, PrideRadio.com can better command a marketer’s dream of remaining ‘top of mind’ in this cluttered media world, which is worth its weight in gold!

It’s not just this multimedia approach, however, which sets PrideRadio.com apart. By being able to tap into the company’s vast experience in music programming, PrideRadio.com is able to bring gays and lesbians music they love best, along with fun and edgy personalities such as Ryan & Caroline, radio’s ‘Will and Grace’ and program director Harry Legg.

Their website brings this all home, integrating all aspects of the programming into one easy-to-use interface, including an up-to-date ‘Gayly’ blog, photos and current gay and lesbian news clips from local content partners and from around the world. What’s unique is that each market that PrideRadio is in features a customized version of the website, so geo-targeting to specific markets can now be activated.

From a marketer’s point of view, this is a top-choice company to work with. Their experience in real world events has allowed them to do such promotions as their current ‘Win A Wedding in LA’ contest, capitalizing on the excitement of gay marriage in California, and teaming up with the musical ‘Wicked’ to offer winning couples the chance to be married on the Wicked stage, along with some of the Wicked cast members singing them the song ‘For Good’ from Wicked. Incredible stuff!

PrideRadio just finished a major promotion with Swiss Toursim, giving away a trip to Switzerland on air. Personality Harrison traveled to Switzerland and created daily travelogue features that highlighted travel partner’s destinations, and painted a picture in listener’s minds that made them visit the site to register for the trip. Banner ads ran across Clear Channel radio stations nationally to help drive traffic to the site.

Of course, they also work with their clients in more traditional marketing opportunities in the world of radio, but offering cross-platform reach in HD radio, terrestrial radio and online radio. That’s been enhanced by the release of the ‘iheartradio’ application for the iPhone and iTouch. This puts PrideRadio and all of Clear Channel ahead of competitors in new distribution methods for its content.

In the first two weeks, hundreds of thousands of consumers downloaded the application and now have access to PrideRadio. Director Brad Fuhr sees a bright future for the brand:”’We can now offer marketers an environment to get their message to the LBGT consumer via a variety of platforms and see the iPhone as a huge driver of online listening in the coming months.”

This article was reprinted from Pink Banana Media, www.PinkBananaMedia.com/MarketReport.

Featured photo by Diogo Valério. Tabber photo by Amanda Downing.

The Indigo Girls Go Independent

It’s been three years since our favorite musically gifted lesbian duo have put out a new studio album and it seems Amy and Emily have been busily making it worth the wait. Two decades ago the Indigo Girls launched their career with their independently released debut album, 1987’s Strange Fire. Now, after entertaining millions of fans with their 10 major-label studio albums (nine on Epic Records and one, 2006’s Despite Our Differences, on Hollywood Records), Emily Saliers and Amy Ray have come full circle with the independent, early 2009 release of their 2-CD album, Poseidon And The Bitter Bug, on their new label IG Recordings, distributed through Vanguard Records.

The album was recorded in Atlanta in a whirlwind three-week session – they wanted to keep a sense of spontaneity and discovery to the process. And it’s the songwriting that shines on Poseidon, with the duo exploring new approaches to melody, harmonics, and rhythm. Poseidon will also include a second CD that features acoustic versions of all the songs, plus a bonus track, “Salty South.” It’s a chance for listeners to hear stripped down, organic versions of the songs – just the Girls in a room with a few mics – before the arrangements changed with the addition of the band.

With a Grammy, six Grammy nominations and a legacy of releases and tours behind them, the Indigo Girls have outlasted many of their peers and forged their own way in the music business. They’ve always thought independently, and have always balanced their commitment to music and performing with an unwavering commitment to social, political and environmental issues – Ray and Saliers don’t just talk the talk; they walk the walk. In 1991, Ray and Saliers co-founded the non-profit organization Honor the Earth to raise awareness and financial support for indigenous environmental justice, and over the years they have supported groups fighting for women’s rights, civil rights for same-sex couples, and the abolition of the death penalty as well as voter registration.

Now with their own imprint, the Girls have come full circle; they’ve weathered the ups and downs of the music industry and come out with their musical vision and enthusiasm intact.

“I am overwhelmingly excited to be independent because it really is where the heart of music sits for me,” says Ray, “I don’t have many regrets about the major-label life of the band because we certainly got a lot out of it. We were lucky enough to be on Epic when Pearl Jam and Rage Against The Machine were our label-mates and the company was developing bands with the intent of creating catalog artists. That has all changed, and it’s just not worth being on a major. It hasn’t felt worth it for a long time. Beyond that, it never fed my soul the way an independent career can.”

“I feel a great sense of freedom in finally being rid of the major-label world,” Ray says. “It’s been a burden for a while for me. I felt an honesty and sincerity making Poseidon, because I fully believe in independence.” Saliers says, “It fees liberating and centering, even in the midst of change.”

The Girls are set to tour in the spring and summer of 2009. Check back with Cherry Grrl soon for more coverage of the Indigo Girls and their upcoming release.

Photos by Jeremy Cowart.

Our First Shots at “A Double Shot At Love”

Well, we certainly never thought this day would come but unfortunately it has – we officially miss Tila Tequila. Thank you, Ikki Twins.

After two seasons of watching Tequila pretend to date the male and female contestants on MTV’s “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila,” we really did think we had hit the bottom of the reality TV dating show barrel. Entertaining as it was to tune in each week and witness just how low she would go in her attempts to exploit the straight men and lesbian women competing for her “heart,” it was aggravating and frustrating to know that the show was in no legitimate way the long awaited lesbian dating show that so many of us had been hoping for. It doesn’t matter if the star was really bisexual or not – what mattered is that she did the show to advance her career and nothing else. But, at least with the “A Shot at Love” shows, lesbian viewers could enjoy following along as several real lesbian women got to go on dates and make out with a sexy, somewhat famous, celebrity. That all ended when the Ikki Twins showed up.

“A Double Shot At Love” stars Rikki and Vikki, who are twins. They aren’t famous musicians like Brett Michaels or Flavor Flav. They aren’t successful singles like the men who appear on ABC’s “The Bachelor.” And again, as much as we hate to admit it, they aren’t even self-made internet sensations who set records with their millions of online fans – like Tila Tequila. So the question arises then, why do they have a dating show? Why would straight men and lesbian women line up by the thousands for the chance to date them?

Hopefully the contestants on “A Double Shot At Love” weren’t told that they were meeting a famous, successful, powerful, or intelligent bisexual woman – because the Ikki twins are none of these things. Well, maybe they’re bisexual. Maybe. Regardless, what the participants of MTV’s latest effort are competing for - and faking love connections with - are two very hot women… so we watch. Ultimately though, the entire structure of the show is confusing and annoying. Dating shows were originally developed with the premise that these individuals have such high levels of fame and fortune that it has become impossible for them to sort through the fakes and the users to find a true love who wants them for who they really are. Well, the Ikki Twins simply are what they appear to be – hot twins. It would seem then, thinking logically, that these two women – who claim on their website to have made a pact to find true love after years of heartbreak from both men and women – would have far better luck finding what they are looking for if they avoided doing it on national television. In real life we highly doubt potential suitors would be after them for their money, or their connections, or their time in the spotlight… BECAUSE THE IKKI TWINS ARE NOT FAMOUS. Now, however, the girls are providing those they date with all those things that these shows are supposed to help their stars avoid.

So that brings us to the pool of daters. So far, after one episode, one girl has already revealed that she is not actually gay. Why then would she choose to appear on a show that puts her in a romantic situation with a woman? Obviously for the chance to be on TV. And as for the guys – in just one week we saw muscular contestant Matt featured on “Paris Hilton’s My New Best Friend,” “The Bad Girls Club,” and “A Double Shot At Love.” Oh yes, true love is in the air.

Regardless, we will continue to watch this show each week and we will continue to hope that one day, on some network, there will actually be a dating show for lesbians that features a lesbian bachelorette worthy of being the object of desire for numerous gay and bisexual women while also truly being worthy of being called a lesbian. And if one of those twins is really a lesbian (and our vote is on Nikki) and any of those girls are honestly interested in falling in love with her – we wish them luck. But let’s face it – that’s just not what the show is all about.

Extreme Maggienificence

BY ULLA KELLY

Maggie Faris, according to some, is “just a fat old lady into extreme sports.” According to Curve Magazine, she’s also one of the top 100 funniest lesbians. I first stumbled across this extreme Maggie-ness on a wordpress blog, then I wandered across to her website and decided the most appropriate word for all of it was “offbeat.” I like offbeat. Offbeat doesn’t dress like society wants it to - it’s well outside of the mainstream and doesn’t care. Offbeat does whatever it wants and doesn’t apologize afterwards. So, if you haven’t already, meet Maggie…

I’ve never heard of a web designer/comedian before - got any funny web design stories?
Really? Are there funny things about web design? Nothing funny has ever happened to me while designing a website. I was never the person whose hand slipped off the keyboard into an electric eel pond. Although I did have a loft bed while I lived in New York and my laptop committed suicide by jumping out of the loft bed. Since then I have had to carry an external keyboard around. To me that’s more tragic than funny.

You say your eyes are hazel and phinnius… who are they?
Julia Roberts’ twins. My eyes are really just hazel but I’m so used to hearing phinnius after hazel I stuck him in.

You describe your dress sense as “old English paper boy” - what does the discerning OEPB wear?
Oh my God I love wearing old English paper boy. I wish I had more OEPB clothes. OEPB is really just what it says. Like the newsies of yesteryear. It’s a lot of wool, cords, browns, generally too big because it’s handed down by a brother or cousin, and a cap. Always a cap. Nary a day I don’t wear a cap.

Your photos - especially the skydiving one on your blog - are freaking hysterically awesome. Describe a typical “Extreme Maggie” photo-shoot?
First of all, most of the “photo shoots” you are referring to take place in front of my computer in a little program known to some as “photoshop.” Although I did do a photo shoot with an incredible photographer named Britt Lundquist. I was dressed as a ballerina in a jewelry box. That was a very fun shoot because I got to kick down the set like a rock star when it was all over. It was quite scary too as I had the most uncomfortable toe shoes on and I was on about a ten inch platform about four feet off the ground. Oh the pain of a good photograph. I thought for sure I would end up a splat ballerina.

And the videos… you’re the queen of video - how did that happen?
As a stand-up comic you dream of what kind of show you would have if you ever made it. I just took that show and started filming on my lil video camera and the videos are what I have come up with. It’s just a rough and loose idea of a show called Extreme Maggie. I spent a lot of time trying to “make it” - but now I just have fun doing my own thing and in some ways these little videos are way better than if my show was watered down for the masses. Although I wouldn’t mind the paycheck of the big production sitcom star.

The red page. Stroke of genius. How did you come up with it? (Go to Maggie’s website to see what I’m talking about.)
Seriously, I didn’t have a lot of things I wanted to link to and I needed another link for the column to look right so I made up the red page.

Is there anything you consider absolutely not funny?
Crab cakes. Crab cakes are not very funny.

Do you get homophobic heckles much?
Nope. Never. I used to do a joke in the beginning of my set about being mistaken for a man and I had a drunk lady yell out that yes I did look like a man. I flashed her my boobs and told her I was no less a woman just because I didn’t look like a trashy drunk whore like her. That was the ONLY show where I got a partial standing ovation. OK it was like one table, but still. I was excited.

Should celebrities come out, or are they entitled to their privacy?
They are entitled to their privacy. I think it’s good for the GLBT movement when they do come out but everyone has their own process and time frame and I think we should all be respectful of that. Except Clay Aiken. I mean c’mon, we all knew.

Groupies! Got any? And if so, what kinda stuff do they send/give you?
Ba Ha!!! I wish! No I have no groupies. I know a few people who have my sticker on their car but that’s the extent of it. If anyone wants to apply though…

Anything to declare?
A couple of melons, some t-shirts, a pineapple, and some other random souvenirs.

For more about Maggie visit www.extrememaggie.com and http://extrememaggie.wordpress.com.

Record Label Support for Queer Musicians

Based out of San Francisco, California, Queer Control Records (QCR) is an independent non-profit (501(c)(3) status pending) record label for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and questioning (LGBTIQQ) community. Since May 2007, QCR has existed for the purpose of providing charitable assistance to LGBTIQQ musicians. They have a simple goal: to bring you the best music you haven’t heard… yet. In the changing environment of independent punk music, they seek to provide an outlet for emerging artists to share their visions.

“QCR is all about bringing life back to queercore and riot grrl music. A big part of accomplishing that is recognizing that there are still a lot of great queer bands out there that even tend to be better than most of their ‘straight’ counterparts. We want to give these bands an extra boost through our support, because they will ultimately help build up the community of queer music and musicians just by being heard,” described QCR Co-founder and President/CEO Marlene Melendez.

The Bands. Pariah Piranha is an eclectic alternative rock band out of York, PA with a raw and amorphous sound. Singer, songwriter, guitarist, and all-around leading lady, Tara Gordon, is joined by funky, comedic drummer, Andrea Shearer, and ridiculously talented bassist, Tony Garber – known to his label mates as “Ginger Bear.” Based in San Francisco, Box Squad is a tongue-in-cheek political dykecore trio that’s true to its riot grrl roots. Featuring former members of The Alter Bois and Fabulous Disaster, these ladies are hilariously politically incorrect and an absolute blast on stage. Tough Tough Skin is a
Minneapolis-based ball of energy that draws on musical backgrounds in old school punk, riot grrl, folk, bluegrass and indie rock to take queer-core in a whole new direction.

At QCR they are extremely dedicated and eager to work towards their goals and to be the PA system for the next voice of music. They want to inspire musicians - both young and old by encouraging those who are new to the music scene to establish their own voice, while showing older artists a way to rediscover their original motivation.

They also recognize and respect the visionaries who have come before them and inspired them to strike out on our own and represent the next generation of GLBTIQ musicians. Their team is comprised of passionate young professionals – many who are musicians themselves. Because of this, they bring forward a unique blend of strong business management skills coupled with insightful creativity.

For more information about QCR, please visit http://www.queercontrol.com.

Grrl Rock! With Christine Martucci

Christine Martucci had an early introduction to music and she hasn’t looked back since. She was nine years old when her musician father gave her a guitar for the first time and she remembers having fallen in love with it, and music, instantly. Throughout the years since she was first introduced to what would be her life’s passion, Martucci has worked hard to establish herself as a unique and talented artist who, with her band, is now putting on shows in her home state of New Jersey and beyond in support of their sophomore album, “I’m All In.” Here, Cherry Grrl talks with the out lesbian rocker about her career, fans, and why for her, “music is like breathing - I have to do it to stay alive.”

Cherry Grrl: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard it before?
Christine Martucci (CM): My sound is rootsy, rock and roll, acoustic driven. Vocally I have been compared to Janis Joplin and Melissa Etheridge, which is not bad at all.

CG: Where did you grow up and how did that affect your musical style?
CM: I grew up in the country area of central New Jersey, Hunterdon County, farmland and woods and trees, and a sense of freedom I loved. I got on my bike and would just ride for hours. I loved the woods and the fresh air. It was the best place for me to grow up, as nature inspired I would build tipis in the woods and explore with my three brothers, it was our escape from reality, a very good place to start if you want to be an artist.

CG: Who do you consider to be your musical influences?
CM: Musically, I am in love with Motown sound, and soul and blues. Vocally, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Janis Joplin - powerful women. I relate to strength and power especially in women; the songs they sang and the hard road they traveled was very inspirational for me.

CG: Have you had a lot of support from the lesbian community throughout your career?
CM: OH yes, shout-out to my Tucci Train! My core fans, I love them. I never really “came” out publicly, I didn’t have too. It’s funny no one ever asked me, are you gay? Mainstream media never asked. I love the lesbian and gay community. I cannot do enough for my fellow brothers and sisters. Again, for me, it comes back to strength and we are a strong community. I am very blessed with all the support I have received and still receive.

CG: What were your goals with your latest album, I’m All In?
CM: My goal for this album was to put out a rocking, feel-good CD. With the songs I wanted to kick it up a notch from my first CD, which I thought was a bit laid back. This being my second CD I wanted to bring new life and energy to my songs and my vocal performance. I think I really captured it in this one.

CG: What is your favorite part about being a musician?
CM: My favorite part is having an outlet for my creative side. It is what keeps me sane. I love the fact that my imagination can help me come up with new songs and sounds, and of course perform on stage. It goes back to my childhood where I escaped realism and was in another place and time. I equate that to being on stage, I am safe up there and I love to perform live. I also love the fact that I have developed a relationship with my fans - we are family. Love is around me all the time because of my fans. I am truly blessed.

CG: What would you consider to be the most difficult aspect of making a career out of what you do?
CM: Being heard. I think that is the obstacle that musicians face, being heard by the one person that can take you from playing bars and nightclubs to touring the world. Also, musicians can be so hard on themselves; it is difficult as we are our own worse enemies sometimes.

I was told once if you want a lifetime of heartache and disappointment, peppered with moments of greatness, become a musician. If we can get past that, if I can get past that which is a struggle sometimes, and focus on the moments - those special once in a lifetime moments when you and the crowd are one, like we are all taking the same breath and our hearts are beating at the exact same rhythm - those moments will stay in my heart forever.

CG: What’s next for you in your career?
CM: I am working on my next album (so this winter I will be inside my head creating) and also a play, “Breakfast with Janis.” It is about my life and the hard times and the good times. It will be a musical - a lot of the songs on my new album will be incorporated in the musical - so my CD release party will also be opening night for my play. Something different.

For more about Christine visit www.christinemartucci.com and http://www.myspace.com/christinemartucci.

Kelsey Montanez: A New Favorite for the Grrls

Once in a while you come across that new, somewhat unknown artist that truly blows you away with their skill. With so many performers out there getting major record deals and becoming famous, it’s easy to forget the difference between natural raw talent and the majority of the songs that we hear on the radio every day. Kelsey Montanez is one of those extremely gifted up-and-coming talents whose voice, lyrics, and musical abilities remind you of how enjoyable music can be. Cherry Grrl wanted to learn more about the Chicago singer/songwriter and recently had the chance to ask some questions about her obvious passion for music and where she hopes to take it next.

Cherrygrrl.com (CG): How would you describe your musical style?
Kelsey Montanez (KM): I think this is always a difficult question for me. I write acoustically but they aren’t typical acoustic songs. They have a heavier feel to them. Here’s a perfect example - I’m currently working on a new demo and Charlie Benante (drummer from heavy metal band ANTHRAX) is laying down drum tracks on it. But all the songs will still sound very acoustically driven. I guess you can call them pop songs with a twist.

CG: Who are some artists, past or present, that you particularly admire?
KM: ANI DIFRANCO. That woman inspires me so much. My dad introduced me to her when I was a lot younger and took me to one of her shows. I was in awe. Her show was so powerful and her message was so beautiful. She inspires me to be a better musician and a better person. I am also very inspired by Radiohead, Death Cab for Cutie and Arcade Fire. But recently it’s been all about Atmosphere and Aesop Rock.

CG: What inspires your sound and lyrics?
KM: Emotion. Experience. The need to just get it out. I never know what my next song will be about. Sometimes I don’t even know as I’m writing it. Sometimes I have to wait until I’m done writing a song to understand how I feel about something! So I just try to dig my hands into everything and live as fully as I can and the songs come when they want.

CG: What is your favorite part about being a musician?
KM: I love all of it so much. I don’t know what stands out as my favorite. Being a musician is like being in a relationship or being in love. It’s all about passion and dedication. I love the freedom I feel when I’m writing a song. My favorite part is there will always be room left to learn more and create something else.

CG: What are some of your interests outside of music?
KM: I like to read whenever I can. When I’m not writing songs I just like to write in general. It usually always boils down to music though. I think about it all the time. My mother always yells at me and says I need to find a hobby that has absolutely nothing to do with music because I’m going to drive myself crazy one day. I tell her it’s not possible.

CG: How does living in Chicago affect you musically?
KM: I think that there are so many places to go for music and it’s so accessible. When you’re in Chicago music will have its impact on you whether you’re aware of it or not.

CG: Lesbians have a reputation for being extremely supportive of LGBT artists. Have you had a positive response so far from the lesbian community?
KM: Oh absolutely. I have fans of all different backgrounds, ages, genders, etc. But the LGBT community is extremely receptive and welcoming. A show always feels more like a movement than a performance.

CG: Are you planning any tours soon? Where can people find you performing next?
KM: Right now I’ve been working on a new demo and that is taking up a lot of my focus. But in the coming months I plan on doing a lot of shows in the coffee house scene all around Illinois until I can find a full band to accompany me.

CG: Where would you like to take your career next?
KM: I would like to finish the demo I’m working on and shop it around to a bunch of labels. Then I want to get the actual album finished and tour it all over the place!!

To learn more about Kelsey visit her at http://www.myspace.com/kmontanez.

Catie Curtis Keeps Life Sweet

When Catie Curtis was 15 years old, a neighbor gave her a guitar on the promise that she would learn to play it. Having had an interest in music from the time she was seven or eight – when she would sit next to a stereo listening the radio, wanting to “climb inside it” – Curtis held true to her word. She is now a talented and successful artist with a dedicated following that has grown steadily over the course of her 15-year career that has included nine albums and the recognition of the 2006 International Songwriting Competition Grand Prize. Her latest album, Sweet Life, joins the singer songwriter - who recently took the time to talk to Cherry Grrl - in her collection of musical contributions that bring listeners warmth, positivity, and happiness.

Cherry Grrl (CG): Your music and style is described as folk rock/folk/acoustic. How would you describe it in more detail?
Catie Curtis (CC): I write melodies that are influenced by growing up on pop radio. I try to find the balance between the yummy-ness and the thoughtfulness so it’s sweet but has sustenance too. The acoustic, organic sounding production style keeps it honest, keeps it real, like music played by someone who could be right in your living room. The live shows have a lot to do with engaging the audience; sometimes it’s completely silly and sometimes seriously intense.

CG: What inspires you, especially with all of the negative things going on in the world today, to create such inspiring and warm songs?
CC: I know there’s trouble in the world - it’s everywhere. But I’m not going to write all about it… It’s like when it’s winter - do you eat ice? No you have hot cider! I write what I need to hear.

CG: What is your favorite thing about being a musician?
CC: The physicality of playing music. It just feels good. That and the cool people I’ve met through music.

CG: Who are your musical influences?
CC: I grew up on singer songwriters, that 70’s music. I’ve been most influenced by those who keep it really simple and do it so effectively, like Lucinda Williams, Bruce Springsteen, and Ani Difranco.

CG: How is Sweet Life different than your previous releases?
CC: I recorded Sweet Life in Nashville - which I’d never done before - and worked with musicians who’ve played on some of my favorite recordings by people like Bonnie Raitt and Shawn Colvin. The tone of the CD is playful and resilient, which is what I needed to be over the last few years.

CG: Sweet Life is your 9th album, in a career that has spanned 15 years. What would you say has been the highlight of your career so far?
CC: Singing with Bonnie Raitt, and performing with Lilith Fair come to mind. Having my kids with me at the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival was also really cool. They are six and four and it was pretty interesting to see the festival through their eyes. But truly, I always hold on to the most recent great gig to keep me going: a packed house, a great vibe, and a feeling of connection with everyone there.

CG: What has been the most challenging aspect of your career so far?
CC: Long drives.

CG: Do you have a lot of lesbian fans and if so how do you feel shows with a large lesbian audience compare to more mainstream-attended shows?
CC: Yes I have a lot of lesbian fans, yay! Generally when a venue is crowded with lesbians it just means I can joke about The L Word or whatever kind of “inside” topic that might not fly otherwise. But basically, people are people and I don’t change my show based on a demographic.

CG: What is the Aspire to Inspire Initiative that you recently launched?
CC: I created the Aspire to Inspire Initiative to give guitars away, because I believe that playing music has the power to change a person’s life. This year, thanks to some generous donors, I was able to give away 15 guitars to underprivileged kids. As I mentioned earlier, I was given a guitar as a teenager. So this is my chance to pay it forward. The website for the endowment is www.HopeEquity.org/catiecurtis.

CG: If you weren’t a professional musician, what do you think you would be doing?
CC: I once worked in a haunted house. Maybe I would do that again!

CG: What are your goals for the future of your career?
CC: I’m planning to record an album of cover tunes - my first covers CD - arranged in a bluegrass/rootsy style, for a fall of 2009 release. In the big picture, I am gratified by the way my career has continued to grow, and I look forward to keeping on the path to see what is around the next corner.

For more about Catie visit http://catiecurtis.com and http://www.myspace.com/catiecurtis.

Laughable Lesbianism - and More - with Amy Tee

Let’s face it - sometimes being a lesbian isn’t that funny. The drama, the heartbreak, and well… the women – can be hard to handle at times. Amy Tee – the rising comedic star out of New England, however, has found a way to laugh at it all and help her audiences escape from the trials and tribulations of their relationships and beyond. She uses her own life experiences – which do include the girls – and delivers unique and hysterical comedy that is appealing to gay and mainstream audiences alike and quickly earning her a spot among popular comics nationwide. Cherrygrrl.com had the chance to ask Amy a few questions about her talent, career, and where we can find her next.

Cherrygrrl.com (CG): How long have you been performing stand up comedy and how did you get started in it?
Amy Tee (AT): I have been performing for about five years. It was always something I had wanted to try and cross off my life list. One of my very dear friends suggested I take a stand-up class with her at a local community college. I did and six weeks later I performed my first five-minute set I wrote and was instantly hooked!

CG: What types of subjects make it most often into your routines?
AT: I mostly write about what’s happening in my life at the time. They say the best comedy comes from tragedy…with that being said I have written about my marriage, now divorce, and back out being single and dating again. Girls are a wealth of material.

CG: What is it that you like about being a comedian?
AT: One of my favorite quotes is: “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” That pretty much says it all. There’s nothing better than to have people laugh at something you have written.

CG: What’s the hardest part of being a comedian?
AT: Questioning if what I write is gonna make somebody laugh. At the end of the day, that’s why we do what we do.

CG: How is the comedy scene different in New England from other parts of the country?
AT: Well, there is only one Bangor Maine so the dental coverage jokes only go so far! Seriously though, regional references can be hard but lesbian dating is pretty universal. Just being aware of that is half the battle.

CG: Who are some other comedians, either currently performing or not, that you particularly admire or respect?
AT: There are so many great comedians around and I have had amazing opportunities to work with some truly talented people. Some of the comics I really admire are Suzanne Westenhoefer, Kathy Griffin, Jennie McNulty, Sarah Silverman, Dave Rattigan, and Kate Clinton.

CG: Why do you think there is such a strong presence of lesbian comics on the scene?
AT: I think there have always been a lot of great lesbian comics flying just under the radar. Ellen’s coming out helped bring us into the mainstream and gay marriage has been such a hot topic in the media that it brought us more to the forefront. The political climate has been kinda intense for a while; I think we were all overdue for some humorous input.

For more information about Amy visit http://www.myspace.com/amyteehee and http://www.amytee.com. Upcoming performances include:

Nov 9th – NJ, A.N.G.E.L. benefit for suicide prevention.
Nov 14th - NYC, Gay & Lesbian Center, Laughing Matters DVD Premier
Nov 15th – NYC, Gotham Comedy Club
Nov 29th – Bradford, MA, The Roma Restaurant
Dec 13th – Providence, RI, Sunset bar and Grill

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