Out Artists on the Rise
Team Gina’s expressive brand of rap combines their shared experience as children of the ’80s, and their love of all things pop.
The Seattle-based duo of Gina Genius, 27, and Gina Bling, 26, audaciously sample Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back,” simultaneously referencing My Little Pony, and themes from the queer rights movement.
“We’re synthesizing all the elements of pop culture that we grew up with and mashing them up to create something new,” Genius. “We’re also trying to bring a perspective that’s kind of utopian—we want to represent the perfect queer paradise that doesn’t exist yet, that maybe exists at our shows.” Components? “Well, there’d be really great outfits,” muses Genius, giggling. “And really great dance moves.”
While Gina Bling is a Seattle-born former “musical theatre junkie,” Genius, who hails from D.C. via Brooklyn, is a former folk singer. The beat-heavy duo, who met in 2006 at a Scream Club show, sport matching attire (think booty shorts, wristbands) when they break it down every first Friday at Seattle’s Wild Rose bar. Their debut CD, gina gina revolution, was released this year by Crunks Not Dead and Don’t Stop Believin’ Records.
The two giggly femmes, who just finished touring with MondoHomo Dirty South, share one other love: butch girls. Hence these memorable lyrics from their Sir Mix-sampled track “Butch/Femme”: “I like butch girls and I cannot lie/You other femmes can’t deny/When a butch walks in all the femmes wanna fuss/’Cause it’s like one of them and thirty of us.”
For more on Team Gina, visit myspace.com/teamgina. –Melody Wells
Hip-hoppers to country crooners, this year’s up-and-comers are here, queer and ready to entertain
Malcolm Rollick
When singer/songwriter Malcolm Rollick recalls performing with musician Kimya Dawson (formerly of The Moldy Peaches), her face lights up. Kimya, she believes, inspired her to be honest in her work.
Honest is the best way to describe Rollick’s music. She prefers improvising; spontaneity feels most genuine. “When I’m improvising,” says Rollick, “I can say things I don’t have the guts to say otherwise.”
Music has always been a substantial part of Rollick’s life. She recalls a childhood filled with music—family members bringing out their guitars and playing folk songs on holidays. In 2003, Rollick graduated from SUNY Purchase with degrees in both music and literature. “When I hear someone bring literature into their music,” she laughs, “I’m totally geeked out and excited.”
As an out musician who wants to express herself without being pigeon-holed, Rollick has respect for indie musicians that care about the music, not about the musician’s personal life.
“I’ve been lucky enough to work with a lot of indie-rock artists,” Malcolm says. “If you can sing, they want to work. No one wants to talk about who you’re sleeping with.”
“All the stuff I’ve been working my ass off for is coming down the pike now,” Rollick says. “A lot of responsibilities come with that.” Among those responsibilities is the completion of her second album, which she hopes to finish before the end of the summer. Beginning on August 16th, she will tour from Michigan to Durham, North Carolina, and will eventually tour the U.S. Be sure to look for her in your city.
Go to malcolmrollick.com for more details. –TM
