WATCH: SPIDER – ‘America’s Next Top Model’

Taking aim at her critics via abrasive riffs and candid lyrics, London-based, Irish musician & producer SPIDER has shared a video for her latest single ‘America’s Next Top Model’. Written in response to the backlash she received, and the whitewashing she witnessed on popular online platforms, SPIDER chooses to thrive in the face of adversity on her new track.

Born and raised in Dublin, SPIDER harnesses the strong feminine energy of the arachnid she’s named after in order to explore her own emotional resilience. Creating music provides her with an outlet for her most unfiltered thoughts, with her genre-blending debut mixtape, C.O.A. (Coming Of Age) (2022), establishing her narrative of growth and self-autonomy. Now, with ‘America’s Next Top Model’, SPIDER has channelled her vitriolic energy into another gritty, empowering anthem, which acts as a defiant cry for better black representation in alternative music scenes.

“I started ‘America’s Next Top Model’ after a conversation with my friend Earl Saga about how safe music can feel right now,” SPIDER explains about the context of her new track. “We found it really interesting that in a time where artists have the most freedom to make the most opinionated art, it sometimes feels as a collective like we are shying away from it.” These thoughts are reflected in the accompanying visuals for ‘America’s Next Top Model’, which feature SPIDER expressing herself without fear, surrounded by characters who personify the online voices who are attacking her artistry.

“The video is about my own experiences online, and accepting the fact that if people already feel the need to get rid of me, that means that I’m doing something right,” she continues. “I’m asking the people who target the content of minority creators, ‘why the fuck are you so scared?’ People don’t feel the need to silence something that’s not making an impact. So while it hurts and it’s confusing and it’s scary and slightly scarring, it’s only an indication that the message is being received. I hope ‘America’s Next Top Model’ stirs that revolutionary spirit, and is a big hit of confidence for those who need it.”

With the release of her cathartic, necessary new anthem and a homecoming show at The Road To The Great Escape Festival in Dublin on May 9th, it seems that SPIDER is going from strength-to-strength, and she has our full support!

Watch the video for ‘America’s Next Top Model’ below.

Follow SPIDER on Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: GIHE on Soho Radio with First Timers Fest (06.02.23)

Tash and Kate were back on Soho Radio’s airwaves playing loads of new music from some of their favourite female, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ artists! Mari offered some of her “musical musings” too. The pair enthused about the eclectic mix of tracks on the playlist, including Circe, Ritual Forms, ALT BLK ERA and Spring & I.

They were also joined in the studio by Charlie and Mel from First Timers Fest. The London-based DIY community of musicians and activists believe that having access to creating and playing music should not be a privilege, it should be a joyful and social experience that empowers everyone. Charlie and Mel elaborated on this ethos, and shared details of the upcoming workshops and gigs that First Timers are hosting this year. You can find out more information and apply to play 2023’s festival by clicking here.

Listen back to the show below:

 

We’ll be back on Soho Radio on Monday 6th March, 12-2pm!

Tracklist
Le Tigre – Deceptacon
Jadu Heart – Sway
Phoebe Troup – Worm Dance
Boygenius – Emily I’m Sorry
Ritual Forms – Down
CIRCE – Undone
Aby Coulibaly – Weekdays
Sylvan Esso – Echo Party
Grandmas House – Desire
Piss Kitti – I’m Jammed
ALT BLK ERA – Rockstar
Jennifer Evans – Very Fond
Karen Jonz ft. CSS – ET
Kara Delik – Strange Attractor
M(h)aol – Therapy
Spring & I – I Hate Your Money
Softcult – Dress
**Interview with Charlie & Mel from First Timers Fest**
adults – all we’ve got // all we need
Coi Leray – Players
t l k – Serenia
ARXX – Ride Or Die
Death Valley Girls – Sunday
Frankie Rose – Anything
HL Grail – OTD
Emily Mercer – Soft Place
Me Rex – Jupiter Pluvius
Destiny’s Child – Girl

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LISTEN: GIHE on Soho Radio Highlights Of 2022 (13.12.22)

Tash and Kate were back on Soho Radio’s airwaves for one final time this year, playing some of their favourite tracks that were released in 2022 by female, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ artists! They enthused about the eclectic mix of tracks on the playlist, spoke about their favourite gigs of the year and named their No.1 album of 2022 at the end of the show. Mari also offered some of her end of year “musical musings” including tracks by ARXX, Fraulein, Petrol Girls and Blonde Maze. There’s a few alternative Christmas tracks thrown in for fun, ’tis the season after all!

Huge love to everyone who’s tuned into our shows this year. Thank you for your support. We’ll be back on air in January 2023. Take it easy until then! x

Listen back below:

 

Tracklist
Poly Styrene – Black Christmas
Alien Chicks – Woodlouse
Jadu Heart – Freedom
Sudan Archives – Selfish Soul
Tomberlin – happy accident
Brimheim – Favorite Day Of The Week
Charlotte Adigery, Bolis Pupil – ceci n’est pas un cliché
Jockstrap – Greatest Hits
O Hell – I Watch The Women
AGAAMA – Blackbox Oracle
Maria Uzor – Cockstrutter
Nilufer Yanya – Midnight Sun (Sampha remix)
Noga Erez – Nails
meet me in brooklyn – Yaya Bey
Brutus – Victoria
Big Joanie – Happier Still
Problem Patterns – YAW
Porridge Radio – Back To The Radio
Jenny Moore’s Mystic Business – Woman Is A Word (Please tag f__choir insta)
Joe Goddard – Gabriel
Trills – Feels Good
Ethel Cain – Gibson Girl
Phoebe Troup – says the thought to the feeling
Ailbhe Reddy – Shitshow
Petrol Girls – Baby, I Had An Abortion
Fraulein – Drag Behind
ARXX – The Last Time
Blonde Maze – Forever Sun
NAMELESS TWIN – My Eyes Went Black
The Joy Formidable – My Beerdrunk Soul Is Sadder Than A Hundred Dead Christmas Trees

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LISTEN: GIHE on Soho Radio with Seraphina Simone 19.10.22

Tash and Kate were back on Soho Radio’s airwaves playing loads of new music from some of their favourite female, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ artists and Mari offered some of her “musical musings” too. They enthused about the eclectic mix of tracks on the playlist, with Kate finally admitting to Tash that she listened to one of her (many) previous new music recommendations: the excellent Alewya.

They were joined by Seraphina Simone live in the studio for a catch up too. Seraphina shared the inspiration behind the tracks that form her latest EP, Milk Teeth, the joy and confidence she’s experienced whilst recording and touring as part of SELF ESTEEM’s band, and she spoke about her excitement for her upcoming performance at Paper Dress Vintage for the Great Escape Festival’s ‘First Fifty’ showcase.

Listen back below:

 

Tracklist
Alanis Morissette – All I Really Want
Sleater-Kinney, Courtney Barnett – Words and Guitar
070 Shake – Cocoon
Alewya – Let Go
Softcult – One Of a Million
Brutus – What Have We Done
Jon Hopkins, Kelly Lee Owens, Sultan + Shepard, Jerro – To Feel Again/Trois
Sonnee – Leave The Water Still
Teri Gender Bender – Saturn Sex
Miss Grit – Like You
Helen Ganya – young girls never die
Jockstrap – Greatest Hits
Sudan Archives – Selfish Soul
Ma Rainey – Prove it On Me Blues
Seraphina Simone – Milk Teeth
**Interview with Seraphina Simone**
Sylvie – Too Much Time To Think
Midwife – Sickworld
DEWEY – Another Woman
The Hyena Kill – Dare to Swim (ft. Stefanie Mannaerts)
Jemma Freeman & The Cosmic Something – Easy Peeler
Ghost Car – Selfish, Spoiled
Maria Uzor – Solitaire
Roller Derby – Only You
Tomberlin – Happy Accident
NAMELESS TWIN – My Eyes Went Black
Bikini Kill – Rebel Girl

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