Women Write Women’s Experiences in Music
Austin Convention Center, Friday, March 19Iggy Pop announcing he has to take a piss, then doing so inches from where you’re standing. Getting French-kissed by 91-year-old Bill Monroe. Being threatened with bodily harm for being in the audience of the music you love. Being given “the test” to make sure you know your stuff. Having false information about your sexual experience with a rapper declared in print. Would any of those things have happened to esteemed male music journalists like Dave Marsh, Lester Bangs, or Jon Savage? Probably not, the female writers on this late afternoon panel concurred. Why not give up? As rock writer Amanda Petrusich said, “It was the best way to get closer to this thing I loved.” Along with Holly George-Warren, Laina Dawes, Jessica Hopper, and Jaan Uhelszki, the writers spoke candidly of their careers to explain how they came to be among the most respected music journalists working today. Covering everything from heavy metal to rock & roll, the panelists discussed how challenges still endure for women journalists. We’ve come a long way, baby? The answer might not be a resounding “yes,” but no matter. They’re going to keep on loving and writing about music till last call.
This article appears in March 19 • 2010.