Track Of The Day: Petrol Girls – ‘Baby, I Had An Abortion’

Having received acclaim from the likes of Kerrang!, The New York Times and BBC 6Music, for pertinent, powerful offerings such as ‘Touch Me Again’ and ‘No Love For A Nation’, GIHE faves Petrol Girls have now shared a colossal new single.

Highlighting the truth that everyone should have access to an abortion, without shame, ‘Baby, I Had An Abortion‘ oozes a brutal, unapologetic honesty, propelled by the gritty, seething force of Ren Aldridge’s vocals. A no holds barred attack on the pressures on those with a womb to procreate, and the shame they are made to feel for terminating unwanted pregnancies, the track races with a swirling, frenzied energy as the fiercely impassioned refrains of “Shame Shame Shame!” and “Baby, I had an aborition and I’M NOT SORRY!” blast out with a commanding sense of urgency.

An immense, empowering statement reflecting on Aldridge’s own experiences of having an abortion in 2018 (having found out she was pregnant the morning that the Eighth Amendment was repealed in Ireland), ‘Baby, I Had An Abortion’ offers a poignant ode to bodily autonomy. A raging cacophony fuelled by a riotous catharsis that emits both joy and anger; urging us to fight against the confines of this damaging patriarchal society and heinous pro-life laws, whilst also recognising that abortions – although often traumatic – can come with a sense of relief and happiness, and our access to them is something to be celebrated.

Of the track, Aldridge explains:

“(‘Baby, I Had Abortion’) is first and foremost intended for upsetting pro-lifers on demonstrations. The ‘Shame Shame Shame’ lyric is totally a Game of Thrones reference, and the whole idea is intended to ridicule pro-lifers’ attempts to shame us for exercising our bodily autonomy. I wanted the song to have party vibes because I feel like abortion… can be something to celebrate. I wanted to put something joyful about abortion out into the world.“

Petrol Girls will be raising money for Abortion Without Borders with this release. They’re a network of organisations that fund and support people in Poland to access abortion in neighbouring countries or at home with pills. Abortion laws were further tightened in Poland last year making it only legal in extremely limited circumstances.

Catch the incredible force of Petrol Girls live on their run of UK dates next month. Tickets and info here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Martyna Wisniewska

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Track Of The Day: King Hannah – ‘All Being Fine’

Having been massive fans of Liverpool duo Hannah Merrick and Craig Whittle – aka King Hannah – for a couple of years now, we’re extremely excited to hear about the release of their debut album later this month. And, with acclaim from the likes of The Guardian, Stereogum and Brooklyn Vegan already under their belts, it seems as though this year is going to see big things for them.

Taken from the album, latest single ‘All Being Fine‘ is a beautifully atmospheric offering. Flowing with an eerily captivating energy, as jangling hooks and sparse beats accompany Merrick’s trademark rich, sultry vocals, it builds with a dark, iridescent splendour, drenched in a subtle, swirling scuzz. Oozing a gritty, spellbinding allure akin to the likes of PJ Harvey, this new track showcases King Hannah’s own unique, majestic grace and exquisite ability to create soundscapes with a truly compelling ethereal power.

Directed by Whittle, watch the sunny new video for ‘All Being Fine’ here:

I’m Not Sorry, I Was Just Being Me, the upcoming debut album from King Hannah, is set for release on 25th February via City Slang. Pre-order here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Katie Silvester

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Introducing Interview: BITCH

With her epic new album, Bitchcraft, released today via legendary label Kill Rock Stars, queer electro-pop artist Bitch prides herself on being “like Joni Mitchell set to a click track… It’s neon pink, in your face, ready to hex you with its brilliance.” Having shared stages with the likes of Ani DiFranco and Indigo Girls, Bitch has now moved from the hustle and bustle of New York City to a log cabin in the woods, where she’s found time to properly delve into her art and write the songs for the new album.

Fusing together a driving, gritty energy and sizzling synths, alongside soulful, emotion-strewn vocals, we’re huge fans of the empowering sounds of Bitch and the poignant messages reflected in her writing. So, we caught up with her to find out more about the album, what inspires her, her thoughts on the music industry today and what’s next for Bitch…

Hi Bitch! Welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hi!  Thank you so much!  I’m a violinist, singer, poet and popstress. I love to wear wild clothes and express myself visually as well as sonically.  

Are you able to tell us a bit about how you initially started creating music?
I grew up tap dancing since I was three (my Mom ran a tap dancing school in our basement). I saw the violin on Sesame Street when I was four and begged my parents for one, and have played ever since. I was a very shy kid, but looked up to very wild and performative artists, like Prince and Cyndi Lauper. I started writing poetry at age eleven, and at some point my musical world collided with my lyrical world and I started writing my own songs. 

I love the fizzing electro-punk energy of your tracks, but who would you say are your main musical influences? 
Thank you!  For this album, I would say early Sinead O’Connor, early Cyndi Lauper, Peaches, and Imogen Heap. 

Your wonderfully titled album Bitchcraft is out today! Are you able to tell us a bit about it? Are there any particular themes running throughout the album?
I’m super excited about Bitchcraft and can’t believe it took me nine albums to find an album title that is so PERFECT! Bitchcraft definitely has themes of climate change, being a woman in this male-dominated world, and good old-fashioned heartbreak. 

Do you have a favourite track on the album? And if so, why?
Lately, my favourite track is ‘Pages’. I think it’s because I re-wrote it, after I chose it for the album. I really crafted it – I pushed myself to a new place on a writing level and I still get excited when I hear it. 

How have you found recording and promoting an album during these strange times?
A lot of work, and also very joyous.  I feel like a lot of us realized during the pandemic how much we need art. So I have felt the process of it has been very celebrated by my friends, family and fans in a way that I have not felt before. 

How do you feel the industry is for new artists at the moment? And, as a queer artist, do you feel much has changed over the last few years in its treatment of female and LGBTQIA+ artists?
I can’t imagine being a new artist now, in the days of streaming and social media. I feel so lucky that I had the life experience of being a road dog, gaining fans by coming through their towns and giving them a good show. I do think things have changed for queerness in music lately. I have always been an out musician, but it feels way more accepted and normalized now and, dare I say, even sometimes an advantage? I still feel like women in music are subject to a TONNE of misogyny, within the gay community too, and it feels like there is still so much work to be done in giving women the spotlight, the mic, more women on lineups, etc. If I had a nickel for queer events that have NO women on the line-up I’d be as rich as Oprah. 

As we’re a new music focused site, are there any other upcoming artists or bands you’re loving right now that you’d recommend we check out?
I love my label mate Logan Lynn’s new album! Also: Be Steadwell, Shaylee, Tubafresh, Ry Lucia, Gustaf.  

In addition to the album release, what does the rest of the year have in store for Bitch?
I will be touring all year, have written a one-woman show of sorts. And will hopefully be planning a trip to the UK – my family is there and I love touring there!!

Bitchcraft, the new album from Bitch, is out now via Kill Rock Stars.

Photo Credit: Dana Lynn Pleasant 

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Track Of The Day: Bas Jan – ‘Sex Cult’

Having released their new album, Baby You Know, today, London experimental collective Bas Jan (founded by Serafina Steer and featuring members of Jenny Moore’s Mystic Business and Jarv Is) have previously received acclaim from the likes of Marc Riley at BBC 6Music and Mojo Magazine, and charmed crowds at festivals such as Green Man and Doune The Rabbit Hole.

To celebrate the new album’s release, the band have shared a striking new video for lead single ‘Sex Cult‘. Reflecting on society’s attitude towards polygamy and dating apps, the track offers a glistening cacophony propelled by a quirky energy and captivating allure. Flowing with jangling hooks and flourishing harmonies, it radiates a celestial joy as crystalline voices come together in unity to create a soundscape that sparkles with a vibrant euphoria.

Directed by Jack Barraclough, and with costumes/collages by Andrew Kerr, you can watch the colourful new video here:

Baby You Know, the new album from Bas Jan, is out now via Lost Map Records.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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