Just got this from Jessica Hopper, offering screeners, but also, as it says at bottom, first three eps are already streaming, with a new one about to drop:
Hello music writer buds, strangers, ex-colleagues--I spent the better part of the last year directing and producing Women Who Rock, a four-part docuseries for EPIX/Amazon, spotlighting women's artistry and their innovations in music. It's four hours of delineating matrilineage, working through the last 70-ish years of popular recordings, from Bessie Smith on up to Syd.
It stars Mavis Staples, Chaka Khan, Rickie Lee Jones, Nona Hendryx of LaBelle, Nancy Wilson of Heart, Pat Benetar, Sheryl Crow, Shania Twain, Joan Jett and few dozen working artists including Tori Amos, Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads, Kira from Black Flag, Jayne County, Merry Clayton, Syd, St. Vincent, Sarah McLachlan, Alice Bag, Yola, Susanna Hoffs, Kelis, Allison Wolfe of Bratmobile, Kathleen Hanna, Sheila E, Nite Jewel, Kate Pierson of B52s, FeFe Dobson, Debora Iyall from Romeo Void, Margo Price, Star Amerasu, Tegan & Sara, Bethany of Best Coast, Aimee Mann, Jody Watley... it's a real cavalcade.
AND ALSO!? Some of your co-workers/mentors/critical faves: Ann Powers, Suzy Exposito, Ayana Contreras, Holly George-Warren, Danyel Smith, Andrea Warner, and Julianne Escobedo-Shepherd all weigh in with their deep expertise. PLUS! Ramona Gonzalez of Nite Jewel outlines the history of women screaming in music! Sheila E talks about building her own studio! Nona talks about being mentored by Nina Simone! Chaka Khan talks about Joni pulling her back from the brink! Shania gets emotional talking about Taylor Swift! A lot happens!
Gendered canons are weird, as we likely all agree, but I tried to make something that was really about what these women endowed to each other, their relationships to each other's work. To put the lie to competitive mythology. And to also have a discussion of punk that isn't centered on Henry Rollins memory of events. Modest and, perhaps, predictable goals.
I hope you enjoy it.
...& the first 3 episodes are streaming on EPIX and Amazon now.
They will hook you up with whatever you need.
Episode 4 airs this Sunday.
Best --
Jessica H.
― dow, Thursday, 28 July 2022 02:08 (one year ago) link