One of the most outspoken groups in American music are set to return soon, and Gossip singer Beth Ditto has spoken exclusively to ClashMusic about their new album ‘Music For Men’.
Scenester favourite ‘Standing In The Way Of Control’ may have launched them into indie-dance stardom, but The Gossip’s roots extend back into the rock underground. A product of the ever searching Oregon music scene, the band benefited from their liberal background.
As an openly lesbian singer with a punk band, Beth Ditto came in for a fair amount of criticism from those around her. Responding in kind, the singer has a reputation for cultivating a confrontational persona, but as she insisted to us that may not be justified.
“I’m not angry. No, I always think that people think that women in music are always angry. I’m not angry. Rock ‘n’ roll music made by men is so much more over-the-top aggressive than when a women says ‘you’ and they’re screaming it, it’s like, ‘Oh my God!’ I’m like, ‘Have you heard rock music made by men?’ I always think that’s really interesting…”
“I don’t feel angry at a person. There’s a lot of warnings – I think it’s like I’m warning myself a lot. I think I’m talking to myself a lot. I talk to myself a lot!”
Gossip recently played a storming set at Radio 1’s Big Weekend, and are just completing a massive UK tour. Titled ‘Music For Men’ the band’s new album is their first in three years, and also notably their first recorded entirely for a major label.
“I think people who are really down are really gonna think it’s funny, or they’re really gonna get it. It’s really ironic, but it’s really true; I think the idea of making a feminist record for men is really cool. Because we already know that we’re oppressed – men need to know that we’re oppressed” claims Ditto.
Continuing the singer stated that “I wanted it to be a hit in Ibiza. I wanted it to be gay like that. It means a lot of things, but it’s also just kind of funny. Originally the cover of the record was going to be Nathan with a top hat on and a monocle, but he wouldn’t do it. I really wanted him to do it. I was like: ‘It would be so great’.”
Click HERE to read exclusive excerpts from the interview, which is due to be published in the forthcoming issue of Clash Magazine!
Gossip are set to release their new album ‘Music For Men’ on June 22nd.
