music

A couple of years ago I saw ex-Bikini Kill singer Kathleen Hanna speak in New York City, right before she donated her musical archives to New York University’s Fales Library. I was struck by her acerbic wit, her ‘I don’t give a fuck’ attitude.

While I was a teenager during the grunge and Riot Grrrl era, for some reason I was (at the time) more drawn to hyper-masculine, testosterone-saturated grunge and metal bands and was not that interested in what was happening on the other side of the scene. As Hanna’s talk was intriguing, I took the opportunity to check out The Punk Singer, part of the Hot Docs Festival in Toronto.

About 10 minutes into the documentary, I knew that I had made a colossal mistake.

I love Stevie Nicks. Who doesn't? However, I came upon her music only within the last couple years—I'm by no means a Stevie expert. So I was excited to see In Your Dreams, the new film Nicks and collaborator Dave Stewart directed, at SXSW this month; the screening was a chance to learn more about Stevie from herself and an opportunity to wear a Stevie-approved ensemble (long flowing skirt obviously).

Tuesday kicked off SXSW Music, the world's biggest urban music festival. Bitch is in Austin for the festival all week, covering bands we love and think you'll love too! On our first day alone, we saw four shows from all different countries! Read below the jump for highlights from our first of many 12+ hours days on the streets of Austin.

Austin is excited to see us!

Bitch is at the SXSW music and interactive festival in Austin, Texas this week! SXSW is the largest music festival of its kind ON THE PLANET, with more than 2,500 official bands registered to play at 100+ venues around the city. Starting Wednesday, look out for daily roundups of what we're seeing while we're in town, and who we think you'll be seeing and hearing more from in 2013.

Let us know who you'd like us to cover, if you're not in town, and if you are, tell us who you're most excited to see!

What better way to celebrate the time of giving than by giving back to your favorite labels, artists and general-music-enablers and purchasing some of their finest goods for a friend? 2012 was a great year for music, so step away from the dangfangled Internets and go into the real world and buy some albums! (Or embrace the internet and shop from your favorite label's e-store!)

$10 Words from BitchTapes on 8tracks Radio.

Music occasionally begs accessories. A box of tissues, a journal, a picture (ripped in half or whole, depending on the song), a sex toy... some songs simply cannot be enjoyed to the same degree without physical appurtenances. This week's Bitch Tapes is a collection of songs like this. They all require the same item. I'll give you a hint. It's erudite. It's prolix. It's usually cumbersome, as tomes go. By now, you may be holding one. Give up? It's a dictionary! All the songs on this list contain SAT-ready vocabulary words, which wrinkle our brains while massaging our cochlea. Have some to add? Share your knowledge in the comments! (Track list, with pertinent definitions, after the jump!)

Spin Magazine recently ran a comprehensive and funny piece called “The 50 Biggest White Girl Rap Moments Of All Time.” Being a white woman who vehemently loves rap music, best believe I ate that ish up. Some MCs mentioned were genuinely talented (Dessa, Princess Superstar), others... not so much. There is, as the magazine states, a “checkered” history in white girl rap (cough cough Kreayshawn cough cough Fergie). One artist who didn’t make the cut (but certainly will next round) is the one and only Kalyn Heffernan of Denver’s Wheelchair Sports Camp.

Image of Kalyn (left) copyright Jason Roberts.

Sometimes music sounds youthful and exuberant, and then sometimes you flip the record cover over and see the a picture of three smiling 16-year-olds and you think “damn, they are actually are young and exuberant!” This week’s BitchTapes is dedicated to those who don’t wait around to start making awesome music.

Bitchtapes: Young at Heart (and Age) from BitchTapes on 8tracks Radio.

School Daze from BitchTapes on 8tracks Radio.

Summer's winding down and those of us who are students are gearing up for another tough year. Even if you've been in school for years, something about the first few days always makes ya nervous–like summer camp, but perhaps with more sex, booze, and drama. It still feels like summer, so maybe you're not so motivated to get back into an academic mindset, but never fear, your lazy brain will make the change once it realizes that you're nose deep in work. Here are some songs about being back in school, being reunited with your besties, finding new friends, basking in the last days of freedom, and of course, school spirit (but not really). Tracklist after the jump!