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Bitch Interview - Live at Mohawk with Girl in a Coma - November 9th, 2008
Can you put an artist like Bitch in a nutshell? Let's try, shall we... from '95-'04 she performed with Bitch and Animal and toured with Ani DiFranco (who produced two of B&A's albums under her Righteous Babe Records label). Bitch's new band, Bitch + The Exciting Conclusion, formed in February of '05. Bitch just produced Ferron's latest album "Boulder" on her own label, Short Story Records (Ferron=one of the most influential writers and performers of women's music). She lives in NYC and appeared in the 2006 film Shortbus and the Bright Eyes video "First Day of My Life" alongside her L-Word starring girlfriend, Daniela Sea. She plays the electric violin, bass, keyboards and ukulele like it's going out of style. She's an amazing lyricist and poet. She's not a big fan of Bush (the presidential kind). She tap dances. And you should buy (not illegally download) all of her albums.
Before Bitch and I got down to business, I mentioned that our lovely readers (myself included) all have adult ADD and are checking out more MySpace bulletins then novels these days (...hence the slew of random questions).
Stacie: How many tattoos do you have?
Bitch: Zero. I've designed a lot of tattoos. But it's like Daniela says, once you have one you'll never have none again.
Stacie: Yeah, they're addicting too.
Bitch: And I don't need another hobby. Maybe one day.
Stacie: Piercings?
Bitch: Not really. My ears. I had a nipple pierced once.
Stacie: Just one nipple?
Bitch: Just one nipple.
Stacie: Do you like hugs from strangers, or do they freak you out?
Bitch: They don't freak me out. It really depends on the context. I just visited the World Trade Center Memorial and saw a photo of a woman being embraced and it was really profound. I'm thinking about writing a song about it. Sometimes you just need a hug. You need that comfort and that compassion. It's amazing how much people need each other. I don't mind hugging my fans. Sometimes people just crave to feel that connection to someone.
Stacie: What did you do yesterday?
Bitch: Yesterday, what did I do. I did some work at home and then we had band practice. We're putting out a new record in the winter, so we wanted to get a feel for playing the songs live before the tour. Then my friend God-des came over and I cooked her some tofu and we starting writing some songs together.
Stacie: Is there any emotion you're trying to avoid right now?
Bitch: I like your interview, this is good [laughs]. Anxiety. I get stressed about things like "will the bus break down?", so I'm working on chilling out before we hit the road.
Stacie: Do you sleep on your stomach?
Bitch: No. My boobs are too big. I sleep on my side
Stacie: When was the last time someone called you bitch, in a derogatory way?
Bitch: Seriously, just yesterday. Melissa Ferrick called me from a venue in Indianapolis where this guy that works there was weirdly an asshole, on every level. And he referred to me as "the bitch", so I told her to tell him he was "the dick".
Stacie: When was the last time you went to a drag king bar?
Bitch: Well, they don't exist anymore, do they? I've been to a drag king show about a month ago. There used to be one in New York's East Village at the time I wrote the song [Drag King Bar].
Stacie: I often find myself singing the line, "there's a hoe down there, a hoe down where?" in the most inopportune times. Thank you. Do you prefer baths, or showers?
Bitch: Baths.
Stacie: Your answers are making me like your music more. So what do you hear most after a performance, other than "I like your dreads" and "that was amazing"?
Bitch: Can I buy you a drink? And lately people have asked where I've been since Bitch and Animal. I look at them like, "what do you mean?"
Stacie: Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
Bitch: I don't think so. Okay...maybe I have. During my teens, with drugs. That's when I saw how low it could go.
Stacie: How were you paired up with Girl in a Coma for the upcoming tour?
Bitch: They've been fans for awhile, so their manager contacted me. I checked out their music and it was great. Traveling with fans or people you have a connection with, makes for a great tour.
Stacie: What's in your pocket right now?
Bitch: Keys, these professional musician ear plugs that are molded to my ear, ID, credit card...
Stacie: No uppers?
Bitch: [laughs] I wish.
Stacie: Do you ever get tired of playing the song Pussy Manifesto?
Bitch: No. I mean, I have in the past and I took a break from it. The band is probably sick of playing it. But we have a new version that we play. I'm actually thinking about doing a CD with different versions of the song. It can go in so many directions.
Stacie: Who was the last person you told "I love you" to?
Bitch: Aww. Um, hmmm. I think it was my nephew because I just talked to him last night on the phone.
Stacie: What was it like working with June Millington (aka. Fanny)?
Bitch: June. I learned so much from June. Even when she wasn't working on the record with me, I feel like I channeled her. She's another Aries, so we like to butt heads a little now and again, but something good always comes out of it. The way she hears things, the way she listens...just her curiosity alone is inspirational.
Stacie: Have you ever owned a cat? If not, why? If so, why?
Bitch: I have. It's actually in Austin. My x-roommate got her in the divorce.
Stacie: Yeah, I have a few step-cats out there. Do you shave your underarms?
Bitch: Sometimes, but with clippers. I never get too close.
Stacie: Have you and Animal ever considered the possibility of reuniting?
Bitch: Yeah, we talked about it just last year when I was working on the Ferron project. Now that I have my own recording studio, I told her we should hang out and record some songs. Even if we didn't tour, ideas for a new album are on the table.
Stacie: Will there be any tap dancing on your upcoming tour?
Bitch: [laughs] You know, I should pack my tap shoes...I will bring my tap shoes.
Stacie: Do you feel like a lot of your recent writings have been inspired by traveling?
Bitch: Now, not so much. Not what I'm currently working on. With the last EP, yes. It's hard to not be inspired by traveling after spending so much time on the road.
Stacie: Would you call yourself a top, or a bottom?
Bitch: A top.
Stacie: Do you believe the phrase "butch in the streets, femme in the sheets"?
Bitch: Oh, I believe that it exists. Maybe "femme in the streets, butch in the sheets".
Stacie: Where you shocked when Clay Aiken came out?
Bitch: No, I didn't realize he ever went in. That's the guy from American Idol right? I don't watch a lot of TV.
Stacie: And that leads me to my next question. Do you watch TV often, or do you think it's an evil mind-number?
Bitch: Yes. It's time consuming and it's so odd how people have this connection with TV shows. You don't realize it unless you're out of the loop. It's like they're speaking another language. When I'm in a hotel room, the TV's on but I don't own a TV, and I don't seek one out. I still haven't seen the last season of the L Word.
Stacie: Do you high-five?
Bitch: Yes, all of the time. You know, I just found a good method for high-fiving. You look at the person's elbow and then you never miss. I actually prefer high-fives over hugs. Guys high-five and give hand shakes, but girl's are always about hugging.
Stacie: Which label do you prefer: fag, queer, dyke or lesbian?
Bitch: Queer.
Stacie: Are you okay?....
Bitch: Am I okay?
Stacie: Sorry, I just wanted to relive that scene on Shortbus. Moving on...
Bitch: [laughs] I love it.
Stacie: Speaking of which, did you guys improv that bedroom scene?
Bitch: Yes. John did such an amazing job at capturing that. After reading the script, I wondered how the film would move people. After seeing it and the improvisation, it was so moving.
Stacie: Are you a PC or a Mac?
Bitch: Mac. I can't even get my head around why anyone would want a PC.
Stacie: At what BPM do you find yourself the happiest?
Bitch: [laughs] You know, I never thought in those terms until the other night when God-Des gave me a lesson in BPMs. I really don't know.
Stacie: Last night I gave a homeless man two cigarettes and said "one for the road". What is the last ironic thing you did?
Bitch: Hmmm... voting today? I'm going to be on tour, so I voted. I just can't imagine the whole ballot system not being corrupt.
Stacie: Obama fan?
Bitch: I like him. I think it's good that he can give people hope, and bring a new group of people out to vote...I hope.
Stacie: Out of the six albums you've released, which one is the most personal to you?
Bitch: Make This/Break This.
Stacie: In past relationships, I've been asked "why are you listening to that sad song, is that how you feel?" (in a rather snide way). Do you feel that being in a relationship takes some of the heartbreak out of your writing?
Bitch: Yes. I actually talked to my therapist about this. When I felt happy I almost worried about how good it felt. Like the rich man that worries about losing everything. And my therapist told me there's enough pain in the world out there, and enough past memories and feelings to channel that emotion. And honestly, I haven't felt any less of a flow.
Austinites can checkout Bitch and the Exciting Conclusion's flow live on Sunday, November 9th at Mohawk with Mocktigers and Girl in a Coma (outside, starting @ 9:00pm). Do it, you need more diversity and Bitch in your life.