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Beth wants you to believe in yourself, know your strength and embrace the word Fat - with a capital F. She took a break from touring with the Gossip to talk to us about their smokin' hot new album and what it's like to rock plus size in a straight size world. We call it punk, soul, clash. Blondie isn't so much my jam, but I like Heart a lot. I actually recorded Standing in the Way of Control on Ann Wilson's vox mic she used during Dreamboat Annie. Who would you say is your biggest musical influence?Poly Styrene, Kathleen Hannah, Mama Cass, Nina Simone, Mary J. Blige. Who do you see your music appealing to?Fat radical punks who are sick of feeling outnumbered and alone, people who want to reach out, make change and feel connected. On your album, Standing In The Way Of Control, a lot of the lyrics are really powerful. They seem to be about recognizing your inner truths and finding strength in yourself - especially in the track, Fire With Fire. Do you have any words of advice on finding that inner truth and strength?Trust yourself enough to know that you have power and influence. People (i.e. people at your school, people at your work, on the street), they want to make you feel powerless. But if you just take that feeling of fear and hold it in your brain and think, turn it around -- say when your alone, out loud, to yourself, "I am strong, I matter," -- then whenever those people or bad thoughts, like, "I'm not pretty enough or smart enough or cool enough," then you'll be able to talk yourself out of those feelings. I am also a strong believer in adopting role models that speak to you. Like me and Mama Cass, y'know? One of our favorite tracks is the last one, Dark Lines. It's soulful and haunting - a bit sad, really - but a terrific way to end the album. When you set out to make the record, did you purposely choose tracks that would be upbeat and encouraging and other tracks that would be haunting like that? Was there a balance in mind? How did you choose what was recorded?Thanks. Dark Lines was written in the studio, almost entirely improv. Most of what happens in the Gossip is completely accidental. When the song was finished, we all knew immediately the only place it fit was in the end. How did you each get started in music?Nathan was super into Sonic Youth. From them came other punk bands, most of which were self-taught. That's how Nathan got the idea to teach himself. I always sang, always. Hannah grew up near Seattle where there were plenty of shows to go to. She was around lots of music. She took lessons and played drums. How did the band come together?Nathan and I met in Arkansas, got totally sick of that place, moved out to Olympia with our old drummer Kathy, and there we started a band. Where are you all from? Nathan - Portland, OR Europe, Australia, the UK, all over the US. What was your favorite venue?I love Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco and Emo's in Austin, TX. Are you touring now?You better believe it!! How exhausting is the music lifestyle?Four to six months out of the year, it gets exhausting! But then you have tons of time to relax. Mostly we miss our sweethearts. Do you see yourselves as role models? Not so much. But people say very wonderful, sweet things and it makes me feel like I'm a part of something... Have you found that being plus size is an obstacle in the music business?Of course, because I've seen people with 1/2 the talent (not to be an egomaniac) become millionaires, when I hear on TV that this or that person has to lose some weight to get this role or this deal. How do you overcome obstacles like that?I have a rad community of Fat people, one way I overcome it is to embrace the word FAT! I love that word. I talk to people about my body. I get after people who say negative things about their bodies or Fat people. Has it been a struggle for you in any other parts of your life?OF COURSE! People, kids, can be so hateful to all kinds of people for all kinds of reasons that make no sense at all!! So, elementary school was harsh, but like I say I just pretended I was Miss Piggy or Glinda the Good Witch of the North. How did you first hear of Torrid?My friend Nomy Lamm, who was sort of a Fat-positive mentor for me, she said, "They even have rad skirts that fit me," and I remember her saying one skirt she wore everyday. She gave me the web address. Do you shop with us?[Shoot] yeah! Apple bottoms! You've got a great look. Any style ideas you can share? 1. Yes! Never meet Kelly Osbourne! She'll steal your haircut! Tour! Tour! Tour! Do you have any advice for us on how to achieve goals?Don't think about anything too much, because then you'll have time for second thoughts, and those are only inhibitions. Believe in the power of you. Any other words of advice for the Torrid girls?Be proud of yourself and just know that even if you're the only chubby girl in your school or whatever, there's an entire world of us just waiting to swap clothes and have pig outs who know how truly beautiful and amazing you are!! Stay big!! |
We love your sound! It's a little bit punk, but almost reminiscent of Heart, or The Motels, with a little Blondie thrown in. At the same time, though… it's very unique, very hot. How would you describe your music and your genre?