FEATURED INTERVIEW: CHURCH OF GIRL

CHURCH OF GIRL is not an actual religious institution. The founders, Chris and Mary Ann, met and fell in love while studying the social construction of reality, the infiltration of the medical model into unexamined facets of our culture, the relationships between youth culture and identity constructions and the revisited ways that fashion was being informed by popular music. Church of Girl is the outgrowth of their creative passions -- and a way of contributing to a broad and loosely based community of female artists, musicians and entrepreneurs with roots in DIY girl culture. How did Church of Girl Radio start? DJ Boy: We started Church of Girl Radio in August of 2000 after returning from Ladyfest, where we spent our honeymoon. We came back to Portland so inspired by all the music and art we experienced. Radiogirl: I'd say we were beyond inspired, we were in LOVE! Ladyfest was an incredible experience for both of us. The manifestation of the DIY ethic made Ladyfest absolutely infectious. During Sleater Kinney's set on Saturday night, Corin Tucker made the comment, "What you take from Ladyfest is up to you". We took that to heart. DJ Boy: Exactly! And the purpose of Church of Girl became clear. We already had the URL, churchofgirl.com, and built a site focused on lady made music, art and creativity. We thought that all these great independent artists and musicians could use a free resource to promote their work. In order to promote female and female fronted bands, we recognized the benefit of an internet radio station. We did some research and found Live365, which at the time was offering free disk space and bandwidth for anyone wanting their own internet radio station. So, at that point Church of Girl Radio was born. Our first day on the air was August 22, 2000. Radiogirl: The bonus is that it has also become a way for us to express our own creativity, too, and work together on an awesome effort, and meet a lot of amazing people along the way! What inspires you? DJ Boy: I am inspired by individuals who have the courage and strength of character to live their lives how they want in both thought and expression. It's really hard to follow your dreams in this society; you deny yourself many cultural rewards in the process. This is especially true for artists; only a few will actually make it and be able to sustain themselves solely on their art. One of the reasons artists don't make it is lack of exposure. That's where Church of Girl Radio comes in. These bands fight hard to make their dreams come true and we want to give them exposure and hopefully improve their chances. Radiogirl: I look at the actions of women like Miranda July, when she was "Big Miss Moviola". She started this chainletter tapes initiative, and gave her time and effort to help promote independent female filmmakers. Her effort gave a home to independent, sometimes proletariat art. There are so very many incredible women and men making fantastic music and art! That, in and of itself, is inspiring. But probably nothing is more rousing for me than getting a new CD in the mail from a band we have never heard before, putting it in the player and being moved by what I hear. These are like moments of complete clarity in a perpetually hazy world. And on a more random note, those unexpected & oddly beautiful actions, visions and random daily juxtapositions are continual sources of weird inspiration for me. Can you tell me a little about your musical influences? DJ Boy: My influences are eclectic, running the gamut from Country, Electronic, Punk, Metal, and on and on. This is reflected in the different play lists featured on CoG Radio. It's interesting when you talk to people about Women's Music. Many people equate women's music with "whiny" folk singing. We like challenging the stereotype by showcasing as many different genres of female artists as possible. Radiogirl: Music has always been a part of my life! From my fisher price record player, my first concert, and now Church of Girl! Growing up, I was surrounded by people obsessed with sounds, too. My grandfather sang & played upright bass in a country-swing band, my dad had hundreds of records - my older brother was a drummer & music was always playing in the house, in the car.. I have always enjoyed a lot of different kinds of music too and have never been able to name a favorite genre. Like DJ Boy, my tastes have always been eclectic. Have you ever been in a band? Radiogirl: Not unless you count playing the flute from 6th - 10th grade! My appetite for sound is rather voracious though; I listen to music all the time, and am lucky to get new music every week! DJ Boy: I've always been a lover, not creator of music. One of the great things about Church of Girl Radio is all the avenues it has opened up for us as music lovers, as fans.