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typicalgirls - [TypicalGirls] The Women's Liberation Music Archive - Press Release

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Subject: Typical Girls: Women in Punk/Post-Punk/Underground Music (Circa 1975-1980s)

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  • From: "Deborah M Withers" <mail AT debi-rah.net>
  • To: <typicalgirls AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [TypicalGirls] The Women's Liberation Music Archive - Press Release
  • Date: Sat, 30 Apr 2011 11:34:33 +0100

THE WOMEN’S LIBERATION MUSIC ARCHIVE

Feminist music-making from the 1970s and 80s

Press release for 1st May, 2011

An exciting new online resource is launched today: the Women’s Liberation
Movement Music Archive, at http://womensliberationmusicarchive.wordpress.com
This project documents the bands, musicians and musical projects that were
part of, or influenced by, the great burgeoning of cultural creativity
generated by the Women’s Liberation Movement (WLM) of the 1970s and 80s.

During this era, women’s music, film and theatre groups, visual art,
literature, performance art, street theatre and other activities
proliferated, fusing artistic activities with politics to develop and express
feminist ideas. Feminist bands and musicians were not solely about providing
great entertainment but embodied a world-changing commitment to putting
politics into practice and advancing women’s rights. Challenging sexism and
stereotyped gender roles, their lyrics and style reflected the values of the
WLM. They were a vital and integral part of the movement, yet are often
omitted from or marginalised by the media and historical accounts. Many
operated outside the commercial mainstream or alternative circuits – or
indeed were oppositional to them – and are not widely known about. Most were
self-funded, grassroots groups who worked on a shoestring and many were
unable to create lasting material.

Concerned that this part of women’s history is at risk of being lost, Archive
Co-ordinators Dr Deborah Withers and Frankie Green believe the achievements
of these music-makers should be mapped and celebrated. This work-in-progress
collection comprises testimonies and interviews, discographies, gigographies
and memorabilia including photographs, videos, recordings, flyers, press
clippings and posters, plus links to ongoing women’s music-making and
feminist activism. The project is an independent, voluntary and (as yet)
unfunded venture. Funding possibilities and a safe eventual home for the
physical archive are being investigated.

All women who were involved in women’s music – as solo artists, in bands, as
DJs, MCs, in distribution networks, recording studios, photographers,
journalists, events organisers, etc – are invited to contact and contribute
to the project.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT wlmmusicarchive AT gmail.com




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