BY NATASIA LANGFELDER
Lesbian.com

Melissa Ferrick is a singer/songwriter who hit the music scene hard in the 90’s after opening for Morrissey. Ferrick found early commercial success and won over a large fanbase. The loyalty of her fans allowed her to move successfully to indie labels and eventually start her own label, Rock on Records. Ferrick has been an out lesbian throughout her entire career, often speaking candidly about her love life in interviews and in her lyrics. She’s also performed with many queer rock/folk ladies, including Tegan & Sara, k.d. Lang, The Indigo Girls and Ani DiFranco, to name a few.

Ferrick has released 12 studio albums and now she’s back with another- her eponymous album was release on July 31st, and the vinyl is set to be released this month. Ferrick, who is known for her rigorous tour schedule, is already back on the road promoting her album. But luckily, we got to sit down with her for a few moments to discuss her latest musical outing.

Melissa, how did you discover music was your passion and how did you decide to pursue it as a full-time career? 

I’ve been studying music since I was 5 (first on violin) and so it feels a lot like music chose me. There was a time in 1996, after Atlantic Records had dropped me, that I did make a decision to do this music thing. I was 26 and it felt like a really big and real commitment to my innermost self at the time. Probably more so than being 20 and getting signed to a major label.

This record was completely a solo effort- why did you decide to go that route? 

The songs and the budget demanded it. My fans partially funded this album and the overwhelming response was to have me record it myself at home. My fans generally tend to prefer me on my own, without filter and without a lot of production. So since this group of songs was more subtle and personal, I agreed that the recording process should be as well.

How did you motivate yourself? 

Ha, deadlines….deadlines …deadlines. I have always worked well under pressure, I find it energizing I really like having goal’s set this helps me A. Get there and B. Keeps me focused on the way.

This record has been discussed as a ‘new beginning.’ How does Melissa Ferrick (the album) represent a new beginning for you? 

It’s a starting over putting records out independently on my own label; it’s back to basics in the recording process, no click tracks, old school 16 track machine, and analog outboard gear. One takes on everything. It’s a real performance record. That is how I got started and what I excel at – performance, the immediate, the moment and the moving on from that.

What is the tone of Melissa Ferrick? What themes run through it and what message do you want your fans to take away from it? 

The tone is immediacy, introspection and a peace with where I am. The theme that runs through it is probably “coming to understanding.” As far as a message I want people to take form it? Hmm, I’m not sure, I don’t really think too much about what other people should take from things, I leave that to them.

You’ve been in the music industry for a long time and have toured with amazing artists, such as Ani DiFranco, Tegan & Sara, k.d. Lang and the Indigo Girls, tell me your craziest “tour story.”

Having diner with k.d.Lang was pretty awesome and watching her run a sound check was literally one of the most mesmerizing things I’ve ever seen musically. She is a pro. She is in her own league. I believe k.d.Lang is one of the greatest singers alive and will stand the test of time to be revealed as one of the “Great’s.” It was a complete honor to stand on stage before her.

What’s the best thing a fan has ever mailed/thrown on stage at you? 

When I started on the Morrissey tour when I was 20, his fan’s would throw flowers onto the stage at him, as the tour continued and his fan’s started cheering me on I would occasionally get thrown a flower and this certainly made me feel loved and appreciated. It’s usually preferred if the flowers are thrown near me though not AT me

What advice would you give to aspiring singer-songwriters? 

Give it your all for five years. If more people are coming to see you play after five years than in the first two years and you’re still enjoying the performances then go for a another five years. This is job, take it seriously but enjoy your responsibilities. Show up on time, play our heart out, be kind to the folks you meet, and don’t complain on stage. This job takes effort, tenacity, and guts – it’s not for the weary.

For more Melissa visit www.melissaferrick.com

The post Interview with Rock Artist Melissa Ferrick first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Since the first time I heard Tegan and Sara back in 2001, their music has always had a place in the soundtrack of my life. Their songs are emotional and sometimes full of angst, but always have an infectious melody and hook. I go through phases with music where I listen to one artist obsessively, sometimes for weeks. Lately, Tegan and Sara has been my go to. Recently, a friend asked me about my favorite songs and it was very hard to narrow down, so I decided to make a top 10 list.

10. Hell (Sainthood, 2009)
Tegan Quin has said that she wrote this song about her neighborhood in Vancouver, which the Vancouver Sun called “Four Blocks of Hell.” It also has a theme of unrequited love about a girl that she eventually got. The melody gets stuck in my head and won’t let go. This song is great when you need the perfect loud, angsty song tinged with aggression.

9. My Number (This Business of Art, 2000)
The angst of wanting to give yourself completely to another, but wanting to make sure they aren’t going to break you is the primary theme of this song. Just give them your number and worry about the consequences later! You’ll never know if you don’t make that leap of faith is the song’s advice.

8. How Come You Don’t Want Me (Heartthrob, 2013)
After getting the number, eventually there’s a break-up in so many cases. This is a song about the end of a relationship. Tegan and Sara write about matters of the heart and breakups a lot. This song can fit into many people’s lives. Sometimes, it stings when you see your ex with their new girlfriend and you think, “You left me for that? Are you serious?” I highly recommend pairing this listening with the Lesbian Breakup Cocktail *.

1.5 Sweet Tea Vodka (because all lesbians drink tea)
3 Unsweetened cranberry juice (for bitterness and the UTI)
Salt rim (for the salty, salty tears)
On the rocks (just like the relationship)

7. This is Everything (Under Feet Like Ours, 1999)
This song is about giving yourself completely to someone, about putting everything you have into the relationship, and it not being reciprocated. Loving someone can make you very vulnerable, and sometimes you can suffer. Ultimately, she just wants to love “without aching”. Don’t we all?

6. You Wouldn’t Like Me (So Jealous, 2004)
For me, this song is all about self-doubt and being afraid to show someone the real you. Maybe you lost yourself in your last relationship, maybe your heart was broken. In order to love again, you need to move past this and learn to trust someone else.

5. I Know I Know I Know (So Jealous, 2004)
This is a song about emotional distance. It’s a song about two people who love each other, but their love is fading. You don’t want to give up, so you try to hang on and work things out. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t.

4. Back In Your Head (The Con, 2007)
This song is all too familiar for me. It’s about getting too comfortable and complacent in a relationship. It’s about wanting to get that passionate love back that was there in the beginning and not being able to. (see song No. 8)

3. Call It Off (The Con, 2007)
The relationship is not working. You’re miserable and you decide to break it off to save yourself. You know it’s the right thing to do, but you start second guessing and wondering if it’s the right thing. We’ve all been there.

2. Nineteen (The Con, 2007)
This song is about many things. It is about being young and in love, and all the agony that goes along with that. It is a song about heartbreak and distance. When you’re 19, everything seems so big. Every emotion is taken to an all new level and this song is a perfect mix of angst and heartbreak. It is completely relatable.

1. Closer (Heartthrob, 2013)
This song is pure pop perfection. It’s all about you and your crush taking it to the next level and making that jump to getting physical. Just grab her and get closer already!

What songs would be in your top 10? Tell us below in the comments!

*Lesbian Breakup Cocktail courtesy of Dreidl.

Heather Smith is the creator and producer of Rubyfruit Radio, a podcast featuring the best in female artists.

The post Top 10 Tegan and Sara tunes first appeared on Lesbian.com.

BY HEATHER SMITH

You’ve filled your phone with the latest Melissa Etheridge, k.d. lang, Indigo Girls, Brandi Carlile, and Tegan and Sara. So that’s it? You think you’re all set in case there’s a spontaneous queer music party on the next block? Not even close. While those more mainstream artists certainly have their place in the lesbian music collective, the multitude of new artists is growing by the day and the level of talent isn’t lacking. Don’t get overwhelmed. I’m here to get you started with a look at five artists that are sure to expand your listening horizons. Whether you’ve got a broken heart or you want to dance around, there is something for everyone on this list. Your ears will thank you.

Meshell Ndegeocello
Meshell Ndegeocello has always pushed the envelope with her music. From blurring the lines of musical genres by incorporating rock, jazz, R&B, funk and hip-hop into her sound to writing songs about provocative topics like race, sex, politics, religion and feminism, Ndegeocello, over the course of the last 20 years has consistently put out some of the most authentic and honest songs possible.

She has a new album called, “Comet, Come To Me” coming out in June. Here is one of the new tracks, “Conviction.”

Mal Blum
With quirky, self deprecating lyrics along with perfect melodies, it’s easy to connect with Mal Blum’s music. Her 2013 release “Tempest In A Teacup” manages to show vulnerability and be funny at the same time. It’s this characteristic that has given this album earworm status for me. It also helps that she is friggin’ adorable.

One of my favorites off the album is “Valentine’s Day (Let’s Stop Cheating On Each Other),” which highlights Blum’s sense of humor.

Allison Weiss
Allison Weiss’ “Say What You Mean” is full of songs that say the things you wish you could say, but you just can’t find the words. Weiss does this without an overabundance of analogies and platitudes. The songs lament about broken hearts, but over a catchy beat with completely relatable scenarios.

The skill with which Allison Weiss is able to articulate the angst over a broken relationship without sounding depressed is quite a feat and even if you’re not in the midst of a breakup, the album says something and remains fresh. This album has been in a constant rotation for me since it came out last spring, even though I was not suffering from a broken heart. Weiss is, however, saying some of the things I wish I had during my last breakup.

Check out this acoustic version of her song “Making It Up” from her latest album “Say What You Mean”.

Hannah Thomas
Georgia girl Hannah Thomas can’t be pigeonholed. Part rock and part country, she brings an energy to her music that cannot be contained. She’s been touring and writing relentlessly since she was 16, kicking ass and taking names along the way. I think that her talent truly shines when she performs live, so if you get a chance to see her perform, take advantage of it.

One of the highlights from her last release, “Goodbye On Wasted Time” is “Watch Out For the Deer,” a fan favorite that makes hanging out in a parking lot sound like a hell of a lot of fun.

CocoRosie
Sisters Bianca and Sierra Casady, form the core of this group whose music has been described as “freak folk” and “New American Weird.” Their sound, at first listen can sound a bit baffling, but the more you listen, the more haunting and lush it sounds.

What I love about CocoRosie is that they pay no mind to what they think others might want to hear and are doing this for themselves and seemingly, loving every minute of it. I had the chance to see them in New York knowing very little about them. My first thought was that it was a cacophonous spectacle. Then I really listened to them and paid attention to the layers of their sound and saw it for it’s beauty.

Check out “After the Afterlife” from their latest release, Tales of a GrassWidow.

Heather Smith is the creator and producer of Rubyfruit Radio, a podcast featuring the best in female artists.

The post Five musicians you need to know first appeared on Lesbian.com.