Spotlight On: SLEATER-KINNEY

ABOUT this week’s podcast guest + radio hour featured interview:

This week I am beyond thrilled to bring you a conversation with two SHEROES of SHEROES, Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker, the co-founders and leaders of one of the most influential indie rock bands of the last three decades: Sleater-Kinney. Born out of the riot grrl and punk scene in the pacific northwest, Carrie and Corin formed Sleater-Kinney in Olympia, Washington in 1994. First, as a side project outside of their respective bands, Heavens to Betsy and Excuse 17. On a trip to Australia, they recorded their self-titled debut album as a trio with Carrie and Corin on vocals and guitars, and Australian drummer Lora McFarlane on drums, and released it on queercore label Chainsaw Records in 1995. By their second release, Call the Doctor, in 1996, Sleater-Kinney was gaining critical acclaim, and was a side project no more. The following year, Dig Me Out became Sleater-Kinney’s Kill Rock Stars debut, and saw the addition of drummer Janet Weiss, who would be the longest-term drummer for the band thus far. Across their first decade and seven albums, Sleater-Kinney became instant legends, and hugely influential. Their sound, their progressive political, feminist, as well as personal lyrics were rebellious, brave, and inspiring. Following their tour in support of their 2005 seventh album, The Woods, Sleater-Kinney announced an indefinite hiatus in 2006. During the years that followed, Corin formed a solo project and released two albums as the Corin Tucker Band. Carrie formed a band called Wild Flag and released an album, and in 2011 began her television series with Fred Armisen, Portlandia, which ran for eight seasons through 2018. Finally, the day we all hoped would come, arrived in 2014. Sleater-Kinney announced their return. No Cities to Love came out in 2015, followed by a live album in 2017. The Center Won’t Hold followed in 2019, and was produced by another SHERO, St. Vincent. This would be the final album with Janet Weiss. Carrie and Corin self-produced their next album, Path of Wellness, which arrived in 2021. And now, Sleater-Kinney is back with their incredible eleventh album, Little Rope, which saw songs already written and in progress of being recorded find a new level of urgency and emotional depth following the sudden death of Carrie's mother and stepfather in a car accident. The result is an album that resonates on every level, and sonically reaches new heights. Carrie's guitarwork, Corin's voice, the dynamic range of sound, all delivers with intensity, and joy, as only Sleater-Kinney can. It's an honor to welcome Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker as this week’s SHEROES in the Spotlight.

A condensed version of this interview is featured on the SHEROES Radio hour this week. Here’s what else you’ll hear:

New music from:
Adrianne Lenker
Beyoncé
Beth Gibbons
Norah Jones

SHERO Birthdays: 

Regina Spektor - 2/18
Rhiannon Giddens - 2/21
Nina Simone - 2/21