EPISODE 41 - “Perfect too” with Blood Lemon
SHOW NOTES:
This one is for the prog-rock girlies! The business of being in 2 bands. Is it Boise or Boy-see. Getting to know your new bandmates. Getting unglued to our phones. Passive vs Active participation in our lives. Are we post- post-riot girl yet?
Honorable mentions:
Failure
Shiner
Earth
The French Tips
The Breeders “Do ya love me now?”
SHOW LINKS:
“Perfect Too” music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpWnffTaMm8
Finn Riggins
Marshall Poole
Mostly Muff
Purring Mantis
Tea Day Blogs (@teadayblogs)
The Prids
Social Change Now book: https://www.deepaiyer.com/home/social-change-now
SHAWNA’S LINKS:
shawnapotter.com
Making Spaces Safer: https://www.akpress.org/making-spaces-safer-book.html
https://www.youtube.com/@shawnapotter
https://www.cameo.com/shawnapotterwow
SHOW SCRIPT:
Welcome to But Her Lyrics...the show where we delve into the political lyrics of songs I like, songs I wrote, or topics that I think should be a song. I’m Shawna Potter, singer and lyricist for War On Women - and your host. I really like the song we’re talking about today! It’s from a newish band called Blood Lemon, it’s called “Perfect Too” and it’s a modern take on that idea that capitalism tries to make you feel bad about yourself so that you buy more shit. A feeling I remember wrestling with when reading 17 magazine in junior high, and one I still wrestle with, it’s exhausting! its methods are much more sophisticated and ever present because of our reliance and perhaps addictions to our phones and social media. It’s a constant struggle to have good healthy self esteem, especially if you’re part of any marginalized or under-represented group, But if we’re going to stress about it, at least we get to talk to Melanie Radford, bass player and singer, lyricist for Blood Lemon, and current member of Built to Spill, fuck yeah - because she has such a soothing voice y’all! I’m gonna throw this out there - Do not listen to this when you’re sleepy! And I’m embarrassed to admit how often I unconsciously matched her energy and got a little asmr-y, but who knows, maybe that means this will be my most popular episode yet. Up first:
PATREON
Sending love to Patreon Recruits: Pupcakes and Pawstries, Ronnie Navarro, Nick M, Melissa P, and my Meatheads: Ben, Isaias, Russel W, Byron, Bob VV, Pete, and Stephan K. if you’d like to support me or my work, please consider gifting a Shawna-specific Patreon membership to a friend if you think someone else would be interested in what I do, or upping your monthly membership amount, which you can do at a discount if you buy it annually instead of month to month. And don’t forget about any special benefits your specific membership tier gets. I might owe you a virtual call. Or a guest list spot, so reach out if WOW is coming to your town. Pitch over, let’s get into this interview!
INTERVIEW TIME
[transcript otw]
OUTRO:
Here’s to not catering to others, being true in your art, and listening to Earth often. Thank you Melanie for letting me get to know you a little bit.
Keep listening to hear Blood Lemon’s song "Perfect Too," in full. before “perfect too” plays, I want to leave you with a phrase that I find strangely comforting. you are not ugly, you’re just poor. I’ve seen this sentiment around online for years, not sure of it’s origin, but somehow it’s validating to know if I had all the money that these rich fucking celebrities have, I could look like them, too. They are not innately better people than me or you, they just have money. And I find it much more productive and realistic to be mad about inequitable wealth distribution than my crooked nose, my cellulite, my belly, or whatever else capitalism is trying to tell me to change that day. So fuck them, you’re awesome the way you are, and hopefully I’ll see you offline at one of our shows on tour with Helmet. byeeee
You can support this podcast by liking my youtube channel, and sharing, subscribing, and reviewing But Her Lyrics... Wherever you get your podcasts - it’s free and it helps. To find episode transcripts, or to find out more about what I do, my book, my trainings, my patreon, head to shawnapotter.com
To learn about all things WOW, head to linktr.ee/waronwomen - we do have shows coming up all over the US and Canada, so please come say hi if I’m coming to your town.
You can also find me on Cameo!
If you haven’t already, subscribe to my Patreon and tell me who I should interview next!
thanks for listening.
PERFECT TOO Lyrics:
I see the world for you
You see it different from how I do
I've heard it all before
Through your screen time
An open door
Rip and rip apart yourself
Listen to nobody else
I'm here to tell you what is sin
Self-indulge in self destruction
Stretch marks run down your thighs
Stomach is out and hips too wide
We'll take your wits from you
And profit from all you do
Rip and rip apart yourself
Listen to nobody else
I'm here to tell you what is sin
Self-indulge in self destruction
What's the matter with you?
Aren't you perfect too?