qPDX.com - Queer news, views and events for Portland » The Gossip

Portland Punk Rock Hero Beth Ditto’s “most shocking” mag cover

perrywinkle — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 20:28:27 +0000

Beth Ditto Cover image "most shocking"

Portland-based Punk singer Beth Ditto has copped the top spot on a website set out to rank the “most shocking magazine covers ever” with her naked photoshoot for the UK’s NME back in 2007.

In case you have been living in a cloud of volcanic ash, like most of Europe is currently, here a reminder.

Beth beat out Demi Moore, 9/11 WTC explosion, Janet Jackson, a woman in a meatgrinder, John Lennon/Yoko Ono, and some humping camels (that’s right! Or maybe they are dromedars?) to climb all the way to the top.

My guess is that it’s not the nudity that made people freak out – but the honest portrayal of fat and self-confidence in combination. Some people will react to that in a negative way, but hopefully people voted for her because it takes guts to go against the norm.

Go Beth for putting herself out there. We <3 you!

Best albums of 2009

alley hector — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:12:15 +0000

Lady Gaga

Many of us have been traumatized by the year 2009, and we are happy to leave the aughts behind in favor of a brand new decade. And this is probably why it has taken me so long to will myself to look back at the good times. So now, in the slow news months of late winter I am finally getting around to profiling some of last year’s best music, movies, and television.

First up, the Top 5 Gay Albums of 2009. Stay tuned for some of the last decade’s bests towards the end of the month.

5 – The Lovers – I am the west and The XX – XX

Ok, so my top 5 is really a top 7 as the 4th and 5th spots are both ties. But art-indie darlings from opposite ends of the globe deserve accolades. Portland’s Lovers have been called aurally haunting, and a big-rhythm, hook-laden, and reminiscent of the Cars and the Rentals. The UK’s XX have also had much critical acclaim with their melodic electro-symphonies.

4 – Adam Lambert – For your Entertainment and Lady Sovereign – Jigsaw

Adam Lambert does not bring to mind true originality or greatness with his Freshman release but there is no doubt that he made a huge commercial splash in 2009, bringing the gays to reality TV glory…or something. In something of an unfortunately opposite direction Lady Sovereign‘s sophomore release landed with a bit of a thud, though I thought this album was much more nuanced musically, rhythmically and lyrically than previous tracks. She’s still in my fav 5.

3 – Tegan and Sara – Sainthood

This album was not a huge departure but the lesbionic Canadian twins, Tegan and Sara continue to turn out solid pop hits and fashionista haircuts to be envied. They are continually a good time, and they continue to be inspirational to the youguns. Girl power.

The Gossip

2 – The Gossip – Music for Men

While it pains me not to put The Gossip’s newest in the number 1 spot, they were narrowly eclipsed by another favorite of mine. Nevertheless, I can never say enough good things about the local pop rock royalty and their queen, the indomitable vocal diva, Beth Ditto.

1 – Lady Gaga – The Fame Monster

Lady Gaga has burst onto the scene like no other queer performance art envelope-pusher this year. No one can deny that she has brought, the weird, the queer, the raunchy and the wonderous right into American living rooms that we hardly would have considered ready for her odd brilliance. And yet, she continues to get as more famous as she does strange. Oh yeah, and you can totally dance to her music.

No longer secret Gossip show at Mississippi Studios

alley hector — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:35:14 +0000

Local blogger Byron Beck put the word out this morning that tomorrow’s undercover dance party and Yummy Fur, Pie Ghosts, Asss show at Mississippi Studios (3939 N Mississippi Ave) will feature local sensations The Gossip in addition to the announced lineup.

Surely this news will overshadow the Glaswegian art-rock cult combo and send tickets flying, but the $5 show was already an interesting bargain. If they are good friends of the fabulous Gossip frontwoman Beth Ditto how can they be anything less? But if your heart is truly only for the iconic pop trio they should be on around 10.

The Gossip

Similar news:

Unlike

Afresh with new album The Gossip returns to Portland Saturday

alley hector — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:05:38 +0000

The Gossip

The excitement was palpable when Southerners turned Portlanders The Gossip started to really make it big with their last release Standing in the Way of Control. It’s hard to believe that was three years ago. In the interim frontwoman Beth Ditto has become a spokeswoman for chub love and queer rights and culture, appeared naked on the cover of two magazines, started her own plus-size clothing line, and in general burst onto the international stage as a powerful, innovative and inspirational rock goddess.

With this year’s release of Music for Men there is no doubt that the world is has heard the bold and beautiful voice of Ditto and is responding in a big way. Saturday they bring the sound home for those of us who have been appreciating the no-nonsense flamboyancy for a decade.

The new album, technically released this fall, has been sweeping the scene since its online release last June. Showcasing Ditto’s strong Arkansas vocal chords as prominently as ever, Music for Men, remains fresh and nuanced. The first single Heavy Cross sends it’s message of vulnerability through a beat-driven rock melody that balances the need for strength perfectly with the our need for community. The varied tempo and intensity of guitarist Brace Payne‘s riff echo the sentiment with aplomb. And it is clear the song has resonated worldwide, as I recently heard the track in a tiny bar in Playa del Carmen.

The Gossip's album artwork for new release 'Music for Men' featuring hot dyke drummer Hannah Blilie

The newer Love Long Distance is a more personal and delicate ballad expressing a soulful diary entry without the overuse of minor chord progressions. Its melancholy is balanced well with the brightly bobbing balloon characitures on skates in the video.

There are also plenty of more hidden gems such as the brazenly gay anthem Men in Love and the working class champion Dimestore Diamond. And the 80s synth-pop intro of Four Letter Word pays homage to the genre without repeating it completely.

In fact the only small misstep of Music for Men is the unfortunate lyrical choice of the line “Emotions are making me sad” on For Keeps. It is a small mistake I’m willing to overlook for this intensely personal peek into Beth Ditto’s psyche. Besides, words hardly matter when listening to her compelling siren’s call.

When the power-trio takes the stage at the Wonder Ballroom (128 NE Russell) this Saturday the 24th their natural energy will be boosted tenfold with a diverse all ages audience that has the energy of tweens in combination with the memory of longtime fans.

Openers, Men, and BoyJoy (featuring frontman Seth Gottesdeiner aka DJ Girlfriends) are perfect queer compliments, playing very different forms of danceable music.

Art school avant-garde rockers Men features former Le Tigre member JD Samson in addition to Michael O’Neill and Ginger Brooks Takahashi, with contributions from Johanna Fateman and Emily Roysdon. Fueled by the combination of dyke electro-dance and esoteric art-rock, Men should have no problem getting audience members moving. And their name makes them perfect Gossip tour partners.

Smaller local outfit, BoyJoy, should also have even the most reticent toes tapping with their sexy dancer-heavy pop. Gottesdeiner is adept at swaying skillfully and sexily while not sacrificing a note of his rich and beautiful voice. A pop star in the making if I ever saw one.

Similar news:

Unlike

The Gossip on Jimmy Kimmel

alley hector — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:48:55 +0000

We all thought they blew up with the last album but yesterday’s release of “Music for Men” has really propelled The Gossip into the spotlight. I even heard them in a club in Mexico. And in case you missed it last night here they are performing “Heavy Cross” on Jimmy Kimmel.

New music video for The Gossip’s “Love Long Distance”

alley hector — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:02:59 +0000

I’m not exactly sure what balloon-headed, unitard-wearing, rollerskating has to do with love, but the video for the Gossip’s most recent release “Love Long Distance” (from the brand-spanking new album Music for Men) is charming and wonderful nevertheless. It’s worth watching for the keytar alone, but really the animated floating heads of Beth Ditto, Brace Payne and Hannah Blillie are ridiculously cute.

Love Long Distance

Similar news:

Unlike

Infomercial for The Gossip’s new album plus MP3 download

alley hector — Thu, 28 May 2009 21:05:13 +0000

The Gossip’s upcoming album Music for Men has a rather confusing title but this infomercial should explain it all.

And if you like what you see lend an ear to their first single “Heavy Cross.” You can download the MP3 or check out the music video below.

Similar news:

Unlike