EP: Stef Fi – ‘Girlhood’

A poignant reflection on grief, growth, and grappling with the repercussions of a racist world; Stef Fi has shared her debut EP, Girlhood, via Sistah Punk Records. Best known as the vocalist & guitarist of black feminist punk band Big Joanie, Stef Fi (aka Stephanie Phillips) has shared four alt-punk tracks that provide “sketches of a girl” resisting hate, and trying to find hope in the harshest of realities.

Mellow opener ‘What Remains’ broods with quiet intensity, setting the pensive, yet resistant tone of the EP. “Open wide and swallow divine” Stef directs, over steady beats and ominous guitar riffs. Her punk attitude breaks through on following track ‘Nowhere’. The quiet, uncertain lyrics of the verses contrast well with the distorted riffs and defiant words in the chorus.

“This town will be the death of me”, muses Stef on the eponymous ‘Girlhood’. The song was inspired by the footage of police attacking a young black girl at a Texas pool party in 2015. Extrapolating on what the victim may have felt, Stef delivers the line “I had spoken then I saw, I knew it was my time to fall” with calm resignation and maturity, powerfully contrasting with the violence the young girl experienced. It’s a jarring listen, but one that’s delivered with care and gentility.

‘The Garden’ closes the EP, with its rolling riffs, rumbling percussion, and more of Stef’s yearning vocals. Despite being rooted in inequality, Stef Fi’s Girlhood is a considerate, tender offering that showcases her talent as a songwriter, and as a woman who is dedicated to spotlighting the struggles of others.

Order your copy of Stef Fi’s debut EP on bandcamp. Follow her on Twitter for more updates.

Photo Credit: Nick Paulsen

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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#ThrowbackThursday: GIHE w/ Indian Queens 16.11.17

Due to the current lockdown/coronavirus situation, we’re unable to make it in to the Hoxton Radio studio to broadcast our live new music show from 7-9pm for the foreseeable future.

We have plenty of past shows to share with you though! We’re going to start sharing some #ThrowbackThursday sessions, so you can still enjoy 2 hours of new music, and chats with some of our favourite artists each week.

Today, we’ve picked our November 2017 show with Jennifer O’Neill from Indian Queens. The band are set to release their debut album God Is A Woman tomorrow (3rd April) via Cool Thing Records, so we thought now would be a great time to re-visit our chat with Jen.

Music highlights from Bikini Kill, Average Sex, Gold Baby, MALKA, Edits and…Jennifer Paige #crush

Listen back to the show here:

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LISTEN: BLÓM – ‘Meat’

A cathartic, riotous exploration of objectification and self autonomy; BLÓM‘s latest track ‘Meat’ is a raging cacophony of distorted guitars, vicious vocals and relentless percussion. Lifted from their album Flower Violence, which is set for release on 1st May via Box Records, the track is accompanied by a striking set of visuals, directed by Stuart Walkinshaw.

Self-described as “three qt punks playing pure radge shit; with female, trans and non binary members”, BLÓM are known for their blistering tunes that tackle inequality, and explore issues surrounding mental health and gender identity. On ‘Meat’, the band – along with Walkinshaw’s guidance – have taken live recordings of the song and mixed and mastered it to full fury levels for their upcoming album.

Watch the video for ‘Meat’ below, and follow BLÓM on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Dream Nails – ‘Kiss My Fist’

An aural uppercut to those who antagonize the LGBT+ community, punk witches Dream Nails have shared their latest track, ‘Kiss My Fist’. Lifted from their self-titled debut album – due for release on 4th September via Alcopop! Records – the single is a riotous stand against homophobic violence.

“You fear us more than we fear you” vocalist Janey defiantly chants, after several ripping choruses and poignant verses that highlight the hypocrisies often prevalent in homophobic behaviour. The band penned the track days after they saw the news that queer couple Melania Geymonat and Christine Hannigan, were attacked by a group of teenagers for refusing to kiss on a London bus in 2019.

Guitarist Anya Pearson speaks poignantly about how the news affected her: “As a queer woman, I live in fear of violence every day because of my sexuality and the way I look…In the UK anti-LGBT hate crime has surged in the past five years. On the one-year anniversary of the [attack against Melania & Christine], we are releasing ‘Kiss My Fist’ in honour of all the queer people of this world trying to get from A to B without getting beaten up. Our message to homophobes and transphobes is clear: ask us to kiss again, and we will eat your brain”

We stand in solidarity with Dream Nails, and urge you to do the same. Listen to ‘Kiss My Fist’ below, and follow the band on Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit: Marieke Macklon

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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