Listening Woman
(Interview with singer/dancer Katie McShane)
What was it like growing up and being good at guitar or into music? Did you feel singled out because you were a girl? Were you in other rock bands? What were they called?
Growing up I felt most comfortable in an orchestra, or at home where I played with my brother & sister. I was always terrified to perform though. My male friends had ska bands on Long Island and I would travel around with them, probably living vicariously through them. Playing cello with my friend Paul ended up being the most positive part of my musical youth. Finally, it’s my friends in Boston who unknowingly empowered me to ascend the stage.
Where does the band name Listening Woman come from? is it based off the crime novel or something else?
Yeah, Listening Woman is definitely a reference to that novel though the reference stops there. So maybe it’s actually a reference to the way the band works, grabbing from anything. At least, that’s how my mind works and that’s definitely how I created the first batch of songs. Billy suggested the name to me, and I tend to trust his ideas. Listening Woman was supposed to be a one-show band, but we ended up liking it so much that we kept going.
What do you write about lyrically? is it more about the sounds and timbral aspects of your voice rather than the concept or story behind the words or a little bit of both?
That’s a good question. In newer material I’ve been thinking more about timbre and how to use the voice in terms of register. In the past I was just “going intuitive” both with singing and writing words (taking from stream of consciousness material). In some of our newer material several people have chosen to use text from Billy’s poetry to create lyrics. In both cases, once we get a song together I think the lyrics & music set up a world or story which is particular to each track.
How do you guys write songs? Is it collaborative? Is it all composed or do you improvise?
It’s a mix of people bringing in specific ideas and the band coming up with ways to make things work as a group, so yes it’s collaborative. Things tend to be thru composed with the assumption that we will play in an improvisatory way.
Is there a certain style you would like to emulate with your bands? Influences?
I think in each song there are a lot of different styles we’re trying to emulate simultaneously. But in terms of cohesive models, that doesn’t work for this group because we write based on whatever we get inspired by or interested in individually, and that changes too.
Favorite famous fem performer? Why?
I like M.I.A. a lot, for her music, her clarity and her execution of bold ideas. I’m also a fan of Akiko Yano. You can see her playing in this video with YMO:
Favorite non-fem performer? Why?
Maurice White. Incredible commitment, master of the stage, and an amazing band leader.
What would you like your audience members to listen to when they get home later after the show that they may not have heard
That’s difficult. Maybe “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme!” by ABBA?
What made you decide to start the fem-identified showcase? I know why its important but I just want to hear your side of the story?
I had to prove to myself that it was possible to consistently have shows where every performer was identifying female. I was playing lots of shows where I was the only lady, and I felt like I was being put on display. I had to challenge that feeling. Now, there’s something special about getting together for the fem showcase because there is a community who comes out every month to share the experience.
What are the bare bones details about the showcases?
The showcase is a $5 show that happens on the first Tuesday of every month at the Midway Cafe in JP (on hiatus until September). This year it’s been held together by a core group of players who I call on to present their various projects – Brittany Karlson, Wendy Eisenberg, Carrie Furniss, Adrienne Arditti, Evan Raczynski, Angela Sawyer, and more – and players that I reach out to blindly in hopes of welcoming them into this show community. My goal in the next year is to get the word out! Fem showcase is already looking for performers for the “fall season”. If anyone reading this is interested in performing, they should send a note to Fem Identified Showcase on Facebook!
Who have been some notable exciting people you have put on shows for with your fem-identified showcase?
I was super excited to have Twins of El Dorado from NYC on the showcase in March. I seriously admire Kristin’s musicianship, and was very happy to put on a good concert for her project.
What is Lungbasket recordings? Have you ever thought of starting your own record label? Do you have a favorite label?
Lungbasket Recordings is a label co-run by Alec Watson and Ethan Parcell, who are both currently based in Chicago. I am actually about to start my own label, I’m gonna be announcing that soon. OSR is the only label I’ve had any interaction with other than Lungbasket and that’s been a positive experience.
Can you tell me more about this label you’re going to be announcing?
Sure, my new label is mostly going to support Boston-based artists. The first set of forthcoming releases includes new albums from Particulars, Lichen, One For, Secret Rodg, Billy McShane, and a tape of EKP remixes. This label is not exactly tied to the fem showcase but I will be looking to put out fem showcase performers on the label. I’ll also be looking to present books and artwork, in addition to musical projects.
What can we expect to see next and when?
Listening Woman is going on a small New England tour around the Skull Pop Fest, which includes Cloud Become’s Your Hand’s Record Release show on Saturday June 18th in NYC, and other shows in Portland, Burlington, and Western Mass. Our second full-length album Getting Mystic will be released in October on OSR. A music video will drop very soon in support of that.
We’ll be on a big tour at the end of this summer in support of our new album – in the Midwest and on the Southeast coast – so people can look out for that. We’ll be touring with special edition pre-releases of the album and a ton of original artwork. Other than that we’re already working on music for a third album.
If you could take on another persona what would it be?
Jen Webber, Wedding Planner