In the latest instalment of Paper Mag‘s ‘Girl Crush’ series, two of music’s favourite feminists sit down with each other for a chat about being just that – women in music. Perfect Pussy‘s Meredith Graves and CHVRCHES‘ Lauren Mayberry are the subject of this latest instalment, which provides some special, thought provoking and important insight into the plight of the female musician.
This conversation is the latest in the series which has already seen interviews with Emma Watson and bell hook, Salt N Pepa and Rachel Patten, actress Rowan Blanchard and Planned Parenthood’s Cecile Richards, and details what Graves’ describes as “misogyny porn”.
“When people talk to women in music about music, the primary topic is suffering, because people love to read about how hard it is to be a woman. They love to have it validated that we are really struggling; it’s never just, like, fun and easy for us. Misogyny porn is “tell us the worst thing a music writer has ever written about you,” or “tell us about the times when people privileged your appearance over your music,” or “tell us the most sexist thing anyone has ever said to you.” Why don’t you ask me about my guitar tone? Why do you want me to recount, for free, the times that I have been abused? Why is that the story?”
The two women also go onto discuss how being branded a feminist hinders their marketability, how their male band members respond to sexist questions about them and how they interact with fans. It’s a riveting and stimulating read between two of music’s brightest female artists that I highly recommend devouring for all its worth. You may even learn something!
To read the full conversation, head here.
Image: Paper