ABOUT this week’s guest:
photo credit: Chloe Aftel
This week our journey into the 90’s continues with guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Corin Tucker, who many of you will know from her band with Carrie Brownstein, Sleater-Kinney. But before Sleater-Kinney, there was heavens to betsy which Corin formed with her friend from middle school, Tracy Sawyer during Corin's freshman year at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Inspired by seeing riot grrl pioneers Bratmobile and Bikini Kill perform, she and Tracy started heavens to betsy in 1991, and put out their first cassette in 1992. Kill Rock Stars released their sole studio album in 1993, called Calculated, and after a huge amount of fast success, they disbanded in 1994. But their impact has not been forgotten. In fact both the New York Times and Rolling Stone included heavens to betsy in their essential riot grrl lists. Now, as women’s rights, trans rights, and LGBTQ rights are being threatened and dismantled, and the urgency to address bodily autonomy, safety, and equality is being felt everywhere, Corin and Tracy have released their first project since 1994: baby’s gone, a 16-track mission statement comprising a never-before-heard demo tape plus the 1993 These Monsters Are Real and the 1994 Direction 7” recordings. Not only that, but heavens to betsy have reunited and are now out on tour! We caught up with Corin Tucker a couple weeks ago, just before the tour launched, and as we have her birthday to celebrate this week on November 9th, this felt like a perfect moment to welcome back Corin Tucker as this week’s SHERO in the Spotlight.
CHECK OUT THIS WEEK’S SHEROES RADIO HOUR PLAYLIST ON QOBUZ: