Ellington

Bitch performs Saturday night, Oct. 8, at Hal & Mal's, along with a host of other artists as part of OUToberfest.

"What's up, Bitch?" I feel a little awkward saying this into the phone, but when revolutionary rocker Bitch pipes back with "Hey dude, not much," addressing a woman as Bitch doesn't seem such a faux pas. Bitch burst onto the music scene in 1999 as one half of the duo Bitch and Animal, claiming an adjective that others have used to hold women down for years. They wowed crowds while opening for big indie acts like Ani DiFranco with hilarious performances packed with emotion and activism. Three highly lauded albums, a couple of songs about dildos, genital manifestos and radical politics later, something has changed for Bitch.

Now solo and calling herself Capital B, all of the elements of Bitch are still in place. She's still funny and laid back, waxing easily on the telephone about her developing career. She's still ultra talented, merging her beautiful alto voice with electric violin, ukulele and bass on her new, unreleased album "Almost to the Water." And she's still political: She just finished working on John Cameron Mitchell's ("Hedwig and the Angry Inch") radical new film, "Shortbus," and her songs remain powerful assertions of the worth of both women and queers.

This weekend, she hits Mississippi as a headliner at Saturday's OUToberfest event at Hal & Mal's. The JFP caught up with her to talk a little about her latest goings-on as a musician, an actor and a queer woman.

Why did you start calling yourself Capital b?
I'm reinventing myself a little creatively, and I thought it was time for a new name. I like people calling me Bitch as well, but I'm going to release my new album as Capitol b. It makes me feel empowered. It still references bitch, but it doesn't cause every ####### to react.

What are the benefits of merging humor, music and politics?
Humor always loosens people up. If we could all laugh at the same thing, then we could understand other people a little better. There's a unifying force in humor, as well as with music, too. If you soften everyone up, then give them the radical politics, it seems like a good recipe for change.

How has your work evolved from the beginnings of your duo with Animal to the solo albums you're producing now?
I'm in a more personal place. My work with Animal was very personal, but because we were collaborating, there was a sense of throwing two things out there. My new album is much more like a diary than a show.

How'd you get involved with John Cameron Mitchell's "Shortbus?"
My girlfriend Daniela had just decided that she wanted to be an actor again. She had done that in her teens, and when she came out, she stopped acting. She figured there was no place for her. My friend Murray heard about the audition for "Shortbus," and they were looking for dykes. Murray sent in a photo of Daniela. The only photo she had was one with me on it. The casting agent wrote back and said send them both in. John knew my songs. We auditioned, and it was herstory from there. I play myself. It's a small part. There's a party scene—a very radical party, very queer and kind of wild. Daniela and I are there, as girlfriends, talking about sex with a bunch of women.

Is acting something you want to do more often?
Animal and I met at acting school. I graduated with a degree in acting, but I never acted after college. I do want to get back into it. I'm actually writing a screenplay right now.

Why do you think promoting queer visibility is especially important in a place like Mississippi?
I don't have it in my head that it's more important as far as where. Queer visibility is so important even in the "liberal" places like San Francisco. We really are everywhere, and it's important for people to be constantly reminded of that. People need to be reminded of love. Above all, love is what's going to save the day. I also think it's so important not just for queer visibility, but there's such a need for woman visibility, too. Even with our queer community, women get invisibilized by the culture.

What's something most people don't know about you?
I guess people don't know my bra size (laughs). I know how to tap dance. I tap danced at the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival with my mother on stage tapping with me.

Previous Comments

ID

63735

Comment

Everyone that shows before 7pm can put their name in a drawing to win two, round-trip tickets to anywhere in the continental US (courtesy of American Airlines). Winners must be present to win. Names will be drawn before Bitch's performance. Of course, we (Unity) will have plenty of other giveaways including OUToberfest t-shirts, pride stickers, buttons, and more! The performers will also have CDs and wares for sale and autograph. More info @ www.outoberfest.com. Also, don't forget about the interfaith service tomorrow at 11am and the Party in the Park, a family-friendly and pet-friendly gathering at Smith Park (featuring live bands). [end plug]

Author

kaust

Date

2005-10-08T07:28:57-06:00