Rockin' Out, Rockin' Out, Rockin' Out!

After spending a few days at Willie Mae Rock Camp, a camp for girls that teaches them not only how to be a rock star but also how to be an empowered female, I was amazed by how excited the girls were to perform in their new bands even though many of them had just began playing their instrument earlier that week. It would have taken me months to play as well as they had in a mere week’s time. With hours of instrument practice a day, as well as workshops and band practice, it was inspiring how intensely they worked and practiced to prepare for their performance. There is no limit at Willie Mae to what the girls can create and express at camp! They can choose from a variety of traditional instruments like bass, drums, guitar, vocals, or keyboard as well as the more non-traditional such as; violin, turn tables, and even cowbells, spoons and kazoos! For more about my time at Willie Mae keep check back on the GRGR blog and keep an eye out for a feature story in an upcoming GRGR newsletter! And check out the video here:http://bit.ly/LXlB5

Harlee Ludwig, Teen Correspondant

I'll Be Rockin When I'm 70!

Years ago I wrote a song called "Revolutionary" an ode to my frustrations about the music industry...the ageism, the need that lady rockers be held to an unrealistic standard of beauty etc. The song concludes that none of that matters to me cause I will keep rockin' no matter what! The last line of my song is "I'll be rockin' when I'm 70, I'll be rockin' as long as I can breathe!". Well can we talk about a mega inspiring moment I had last week when I was volunteering at Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls. WMRC in and of itself is such an amazing experience - just seeing a group of 100 girls form bands and write and perform a song in front of 100s of people in just a week, while learning about self expression, comraderie and communication would have been enough! Rockin with the volunteer band would have been enough! But there was another cherry on the sundae; each day WMRC has well known lady rockers performing for the girls at lunch time. Amy Ray was there from the Indigo Girls but the ultimate highlight was lady blues rocker Beverly Watkins performance, and the icing on the cake when she announced to the crowd that she was 70 years old Oh yeah!! She was accompanied by Lafrae slammin' on drums (she toured with me in 2007 so I know first hand how good she is) and Felice Rosser on bass - all I can say is WOW - Girls Rock & Girls Rule! Check out the video on our YouTube site http://bit.ly/19ziyz
For more scoop on the lil rockin ladies of WMRC and what its all about - check back on the blog for post from our GRGR Teen Correspondant, Harlee and a feature story in the Oct. newsletter!
Rock On, G. GRGR Founder/CEO

Lissy Trullie: A sign of Discovery

Music is like a gateway to the soul. It opens doors for many to uncover the truths about someone. So in a search for more discovery, I fell upon Lissy Trullie. This new artist was recently signed to Downtown records and has an album coming out in early 2010. Her single "Boy, boy" was very pleasing to my ears. "Ohhhhh, ohhhhh ohhhhhh ohhh ohh," sang her gal pals throughout her video. The melody was like a musical lullaby to my inner-child. Her lyrics and voice had a depth to it that showed attitude and a want for the truth behind a certain boy who was all wrapped up in her world. Or not. The tune was definitely a sign to what's in her heart. Or at least to what's on her mic as she kissed it during her video . Check out this amazing video and keep rocking on. Peace. =)

-Tiffany

Pat Benatar, Blondie and The Donnas Rock Coney Island

The Cyclone wasn't the only thing rattling the boardwalk at Coney Island last night.
Asser Park was packed for the Pat Benatar, Blondie and The Donnas free performance. The GRGR team and I were present for the big show and had ourselves a wonderful time. The Donnas opened up the show playing some of their well known hits, "Wasted" and "Take It Off". Drummer Tory Castellano was absent due to shoulder problems and filling in her spot was good friend, Amy of The Demonics. The ladies only played three songs. I would've really loved to hear them play a longer set but nonetheless they were even more AH-mazing live(as if you couldn't tell from all my updates on my FB status).

Pat Benatar took the stage next. Now doning a longer hair do, Pat is still great at her age. She shared stories from the past, including how she was the second video ever to be played on MTV. Benatar played songs from different eras including "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", "Love Is A Battlefield" and "We Are One". She closed her set with a universal favorite, "Heartbreaker".

Blondie was the last act of the night. Marissa and I left in the middle of her act but were able to catch her play six of her songs. But even as we were leaving, I was able to hear her play "Call Me" all the way from the subway platform.

It was an unforgettable night and probably a milestone that will always be important to my career. I watched the show in complete awe and just took it all in. The energy from the acts and the crowd themselves was an experience in itself. It's no wonder why so many girls and women are dedicated to pursuing music in hopes that they too will have the sensation of being able to play live infront of thousands.

Last night was another reason I love what I do and I am even more passionate about helping more women get on stage to play music for a living.

-Ang xoxo
Pictures to come soon!

SELF Magazine Photoshops Kelly Clarkson

The cover of most women magazines always have some gorgeous actress or model gracing their pages. I'm not saying it's wrong, but sometimes I'd like to see more real women on the pages of our magazines. They are supposed to represent women, right? Or are they just supposed to represent what women should look like?

Anyway, SELF magazine recently had rocker Kelly Clarkson represent on their cover. Yet, there is a difference on how she looks on the cover compared to how she really looks.

The Editor-in-Chief Lucy Danziger stood up for her decision in Photoshopping the singer. She said this to ET: "SELF magazine inspires and informs our 6 million readers each month to reach their all around best," Lucy adds. "Kelly Clarkson exudes confidence, and is a great role model for women of all sizes and stages of their life. She works out and is strong and healthy, and our picture shows her confidence and beauty. She literally glows from within. That is the feeling we'd all want to have. We love this cover and we love Kelly Clarkson."

Clarkson has actually admitted to not caring about Photoshop in her blog. Yet, my question is was it still right to Photoshop her? Especially when this woman exudes so much pride in her image. What do you think?

-Tiffany

Lucinda Williams celebrates the big 3-0

Grammy Award-winner, Lucinda Williams really knows how to celebrate a milestone. In honor of the 30th anniversary as a recording artist, Williams is performing around the U.S. and Canada and sharing her gift for everyone to enjoy.

Williams, who has fused country, folk and rock music into a genre of her own, has released nine albums and has won three Grammys over the 30 years. The 17 city tour that kicks off on September 18 includes a three night stand at The Fillmore at Irving Plaza from October 3-5.

It is said that Williams will be performing a full set of songs from different eras of her career.

For more info on the Lucinda Williams tour, check out her official site.

-Ang

Ladies shake the stage at Lollapalooza

Lollapalooza spiced up the summer this weekend at Grant Park in Chicago. There were a lot of hot bands that definitely left the crowd begging for more. Yet, of course this wouldn't be a real show without a couple of girl bands to heat up the stage. Check out some of the female rockers that hit the stage:

Bat For Lashes

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Santigold

Crystal Castles

If you missed out, don't feel bad. The summer isn't over yet. So check out our rockin' femmes at a summer concert near you. =)

-Tiffany

Three Days Till Pat Benatar!

On August 13, Pat Benatar, Blondie AND The Donnas make a pit stop in NYC as part of their "Call Me Invincible Tour." Me and GRGR Founder Gail Silverman are popping by (and we may do more than just that -- stay tuned!). Until then, check out this dope video:

xoxox
Marisa

A Wedding Fit for a Rock Queen

Perhaps I'm on some sort of a writing dry spell because I have no clue about this subject in particular, but I feel that this will have some kind of pull with a lot of you ladies out there. A friend of a friend of mine just had a wedding not to long ago. Personally, I wouldn't really care about a ceremony but what was so cool about this one was that it was a total rockstar themed wedding. I'm not one for lace and lillies but I also wouldn't wanna be married by an Elvis impersonator.My friend attended her rocker wedding at a small music venue/theater where the couple got married on stage and made all the guests wear temporary tattoos of their initials.
Surprisingly this is a trend that is being pulled off by many modern rock brides.

So for the rocker chick who has found a rocking prince charming and ready to walk down the aisle in a none traditional fashion (including some of our GRGR ladies ;]), this one goes out to you.

Now for those planning the ultimate rocker soiree, I'd check these sites out:
RockNRollBride.com and OffbeatBride.com. These two sites provide pictures and stories of brides who threw unforgettable ceremonies that prove to stand out among the rest. They have great ideas from giving out personalized guitar pics as wedding goodies to groomsmen wearing matching converse sneakers.

To add some more inspiration, take a look at some famous rocker weddings during the past years such as Gwen Stefani, Pink, and Carmen Electra.

Hope this helps out some brides to be. With a rockstar theme to die for, I'm sure it will be fun for you, the groom and everyone else attending. Let's just hope I find my rockstar so that I may do the same! Wishing you nothing but love and happiness!

-Ang xoxo

Reni Lane's Music Brings out a New World

Reni Lane is surely making her place in New York. I just had an interview today with this rocker and I must say it was quite an experience. After she was a few minutes late due to her dead phone, (I can so relate. My phone has been acting up lately too.) we headed into a beautiful conversation where we discussed how her lyrics influenced her fans, how PJ Harvey inspired her, and her concerts that she had right in her college dorm room. Her thoughts on women in rock and the musical connection with her fans put me in a dreamworld; a world where I could feel one with the music as if it's a guide telling me that every thing's going to be OK. And my dreamworld didn't end there. This vivacious singer has a pop, yet alternative edge to her music that really connects with the listener. Her single “Place for us” put me on the road for adventure. The beat easily stuck in my head and lit up my night as it had me thinking of sunlight. A ray of hope was set in my mind. Surely, Reni's music has a place in my heart. Check out this single on itunes on August 11 and the Q&A with this awesome femme in the future.

-Tiffany

Video Killed the Radio Star: VMA 2009 Female Rocker Nominees

Along with writing song lyrics and melodies, today's musicians find another expressive outlet through music videos. The nominations for the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards were announced today and some of today's bright and shining rocker chicks have earned their chance to bring home a moon man. Here are some of the nominees.

For Best Female Video:
Pink- "So What"
Kelly Clarkson- "My Life Would Suck Without You"
Katy Perry- "Hot'n'Cold"

For Best Rock Video:
Paramore- "Decode"

For Best Breakthrough Video:
Bat For Lashes- "Daniel"
Yeah Yeah Yeahs- "Heads Will Roll"

The VMAs will premier live Sept. 13 at 9pm ET.To vote for these ladies and some other talented acts as well as their videos, go to MTV.com

-Ang xoxo

My Rocker Musical Influences

Growing up in this crazy city, I've always been surrounded by music. It's such a wonderful part of me that I could never do without. But the type of music that rocked my world for most of my life wasn't rock. The rough head-bangin tunes of rap and hip-hop were a major influence in most of my young life. Then there was also the soulful sounds of R & B and the hip-jerking vibes of soca and reggae that strongly influenced my musical yearning ears.

All this music had my heart spinning in an urge for a taste of what each had to give. But then there was this one genre that I felt I needed to pay more attention to. Rock made major points with me during my teen years. It took me to another world from what I was used to and I liked it. It was something that I could truly connect with during my grim days and even gave me some confidence. Yet, I felt alone in this connection. Most of my peers were into the musical influences of my younger years. It had me wondering “Don't people listen to rock in Brooklyn?” It was always the latest Jay-Z song bumping through car speakers rather than the latest Evanescence song. My rocker ears felt alone at home.

Yet, after going off to college and gaining a little experience in the frigid north country was when I got to go through rock music with others. I got to explore the musical depths of the rock genre by seeing it come alive. Yes! Now I can live in a world of many musical tunes and not feel alone anymore. Where were you fellow rockers? Y'all left me hangin' for a while. But now I'm happy to dwell in this musical bliss in my home of Brooklyn and at school upstate too. Although, one thing I'd like to hear more in rock is more female sounds in today's mainstream music. It's there, but it's not loud enough. In some genres, women voices are heard and they are screaming their heads off. Rocker femmes keep doing your thing. The rock world would definitely be better with your musical tunes added in a bit more. Heh, a lot more.

-Tiffany