(JOiN KOSHi'S CULT OF GiRL):
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Happy October!

Thank you, ladies, for sending me your LUV and suggestions. I cherish your every email- even the "bossy" ones! The majority of you want to see more interviews, and I think you're right. My favorite part of any magazine (& believe me, I read them all) is the interviews- it's always the first section I turn to. I guess it has something to do with living vicariously, like the voyeuristic thrill you get when you're walking at night and you can see into the houses with the lights on. (Please tell me I'm not the only one who does that?!) So, this entire issue of CULT OF GiRL is dedicated to interviews with creative, interesting women making the world their own, including Lacey Love, who sheds some light on what it's like to be a part of the team supporting my favorite girl band, The Like, and where you should hang out should you ever visit her hometown of Austin, Texas, Dusty Rose, the Arizona-based poet and rock-star-in-training behind Raw Indie Press, Amanda Propaganda and Lola, who were kind enough to share some behind the scenes scoop on their entirely unique publishing house, Punkin Press, and Shannon Hurley of Don't Call Us Tori fame (if you follow the newsletter, you probably know the name and, hopefully, the music). There's going to be a lot of scrolling happening here, if you want to digest every tid bit, and you should, darn it, because these ladies have talent, something to say about what it is to be an indie girl in today's world, and special, inspiring lives. On second thought, maybe you should print this one out. Enjoy!

Peace...
Joanna DeVoe

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song." - Maya Angelou

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KOSHi LUVS Amanda Propaganda & Lola of PUNKiN PRESS...

K: Thank you, ladies, for agreeing to "speak" to CULT OF GiRL. As artists, moms, and now publishers, you are, in my book, awesome role-models, and I am so thrilled to spread the word about what it is you do. Punkin' Press is such a cute name. When I was a kid, my dad called me Punk, which was apparently short for Pumpkin. So, I happen to think it describes your business perfectly. Can you explain a little bit about what it is you do?

P: We are a D.I.Y publishing company. We write, illustrate, create and distribute unconventional children..s literature.

K: "People Flavors" is your first publication. What's it about, and for what age group is it intended?

P: People Flavors is a story about a bi-racial child. It explores why people are different colors. It is written for multi-colored, various flavored individuals and families from four to 101 years of age.

K: How..s the book doing?

P: The book sales are fantastic! We have exceeded our greatest expectations. In fact we are almost sold out of our first pressing. We are absolutely elated that school libraries in LA, NJ and NY and Canada have actually purchased our books. In fact we just shipped out a class set for third graders!

The support from punk parents is also amazing! The feedback we receive from people thanking us for creating a book that their family can relate to is one of the most gratifying feelings in the world!

K: And how are you going about finding your audience?

P: In all honesty, our audience has found us. We have a website and a Myspace account and that essentially sums up our advertising (or lack thereof). I(Amanda) also run a punk parenting group with over 1400 members, many of who have purchased a book for their punkins. Surprisingly, we also received a lot of order through word of mouth (I love my Punky Moms). Lola recently had a spread in Juxtapoz magazine and that seems to have generated interest in Punkin Press in the underground art scene.


K: I bet a lot of parents would love to get their hands on something other than the usual pink and blue children's book fare.

P: This is why we created our books and company. We were distraught with the lack of diverse children..s literature on the market, so we decided to do something about it. I guess our biggest challenge right now is getting it out to the public. We both have pretty strong convictions regarding supporting local and independent bookstores, and where our books are sold.

K: As a writer(Amanda) and illustrator(Lola) respectively, your talents fit together so nicely. What's your collaboration process like? Does one get started before the other, or do you work in tandem?

P: Lola and I keep each other in balance. She is the calm, mellow, easy going one and I am the hyper-active, erratic spazz.. Our collaboration process usually starts with discussing ideas, then I write the text and Lola illustrates as she sees fit. Everything else is decided as a partnership.

K: Los Angeles can be a very spread out and lonely kind of place, although, thankfully, there is a fairly vibrant art scene happening at the moment. Do you consider yourselves a part of that scene?

P: I(Amanda) concur, Los Angeles is the land of sprawling strip malls and palm trees. The art scene is more Lola..s circuit..

K: Is that how you found each other?

P: Actually we are outlaw sisters of sorts..

K: I love that there's this new generation of women
redefining motherhood, kind of redefining it for themselves. You both seem to personify this new guard, tattoos and all! So please share... How does one manage to balance an artistic, punk sensibility with being someone's mommy and making ends meet?

P: I(Lola) feel very fortunate that I..m in a position where I can stay at home. Working as an artist is very scary (especially as a single mother), but I was birthed with this imagination so I can only take full advantage of my situation. We're very lucky to be doing what we love, while raising our children.

As for balancing motherhood with art and life, I(Amanda) think that comes into play everyday.. Lola is fortunate enough to work from home, and I am fortunate enough to work with my child. As for punk sensibility? Hmmm... that is something I definitely lack. I do think Lola has a tad bit of it though..

As for the tattoos and piercing, all I can say is that defending ourselves based on preconceived notions about our parenting based only on our external appearance is something we have both been battling since pregnancy. Here is a great place for that old adage "never judges a book by its cover" (unless, of course, it is illustrated by Lola!).

K: Lola, you've been developing quite a name for yourself as a painter around town, after having lived here a relatively short time, and your star is clearly on the rise. I love your signature creatures, for lack of a better word, and your name seems to be popping up every time I turn around. What's your secret?

P: Oh no secret! Extremely lucky is what I like to think. L.A. houses a plethora of highly talented artists, and I am so very lucky to be showing my work along side them. I like to think people have taken to my work because it..s interesting and confusing.. cute yet strangely odd. I wake up everyday thankful that I can paint full time and raise my girls. How crazy a thought!

K: Amanda, you're also an artist and your bio says you're in school completing a masters degree in education with a "focus on alternative paradigms". What do you mean by alternative paradigms? And will that come into play in terms of the kind of teacher you're planning to be? If, in fact, that's what you're planning to do next.

P: In the context of pedagogy, I am drawn to the alternative models of education such as the Waldorf approach to schooling (which is an arts integrated method). It is the polar opposite of the conventional educational system in America today. Right now I am working at a "Waldorf inspired.. public charter school where my son has just started kindergarten. I am not sure what I am going to do after I complete my masters degree.. I have always wanted to write a REAL history book for students that is an accurate portrayal of history, as opposed to most of the texts found in classrooms today that focus on the conquests of dead white men.

K: Is there another book in the works for Punkin' Press? If so, when should we start to look out for that?

P: Book two is almost complete. Think a Dr. Suess inspired punky tale about tolerance and diversity! We are aiming for its release in January 2007.

K: Thanks again for shedding some light on your sweet lil biz and beautiful lives. Peace and much LUV to you both!

(Buy your copy of People Flavors at http://www.punkinpress.net or check out Lola's paintings at http://www.lolastrangeart.com)

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KOSHi LUVS Shannon Hurley of DON'T CALL US TORi...

K: Hi & welcome Shannon Hurley, musical mamma extraordinaire... I have mentioned you in the newsletter many times, but this is our first official "interview". It's about time! I originally met you at the end of 2004 when I was putting together the compilation cd, L.A. WOMAN : SONG BOOK ONE. I found you through your awesome girl-power organization, DON'T CALL US TORi, and you helped me land some of the best artists on the disc like Beth Thornley, Darcy Fray, and yourself, of course. Your song, "Garden Path", is often mentioned as a favorite. Can you tell us a little bit about what DON'T CALL US TORi is and how you came up with the idea in the first place?

S: "Don't Call Us Tori" was originally designed to be a single show. I met Steve Leavitt, my partner, at the Derby where he came to see my show. He was playing keyboards for another artist and we decided to book a night of female artists at the Westwood Brewery. We were coming up with crazy names (other names on the list included "Pianos on Fire" and "Lots of Vaginas") but "Don't Call Us Tori" really resonated with the other artists.

K: So many incredible ladies have played DON'T CALL US TORi shows. I think you're doing a huge service to the L.A. music scene and women in general. How do you find the performers, and who among them have put on the most memorable sets?

S: I find artists in lots of different ways. I find them by word of mouth, scanning calendars for L.A. venues, and searching MySpace. I look for singer-songwriters who have a little buzz going on about them. The most memorable sets include Corrinne May, who has a voice like warm honey. She is incredible, and she is a major superstar in Singapore. Recently, she knocked Rob Thomas off the charts over there.
Also, Marina V is an incredibly emotive performer, with beautiful melodies and stories behind each of her songs.

K: I love that some of the showcases are webcast live on Indie Airplay. That way everyone outside the area can enjoy them too. Have you ever thought about putting together a kind of "Best Of..." cd or dvd to sell to the fans?

S: Absolutely, Joanna. We are working on a CD compilation of music of our "Don't Call Us Tori" artists. We actually stalled a bit last year because we were waiting for some of our artists to record their new material. But now we have so many songs that we may have to put out a double disk!

K: You've also worked quite a bit as a session musician and have toured for other artists, which has allowed you the opportunity to open for acts like the Black Eyed Peas and Gwen Stefani. Besides putting some cold hard cash in your pocket, the touring experience must be pretty inspiring. How'd you like it on the road? Do you have any good stories you'd be willing to share?

S: A good girl never shares the best secrets. Here's a little tidbit though: We shared a backstage dinner with the Black Eyed Peas, and let me tell ya, Fergie can really put it away.

K: Are women like Fergie and Gwen Stefani among your influences? You definitely have that pop-thing in common.

S: Madonna is a big influence on me. Not alot of people believe it, but she has been a strong songwriting presence ever since her "True Blue" days. I love when performers take control of their own artistic world! More recently, I've been drawn to Leona Naess...for her sad/beautiful songs. That combination will get me every time.

K: When did you first realize that you might have a gift for music, and when did you decide to make a career of it?

S: I picked up trombone in 5th grade...and went all the way to a bachelor's degree in performance with it. Then I sold it to some guy in the Brian Setzer Orchestra and fell in love with the piano.

K: You write and play piano so beautifully. Your style is dreamy and ethereal but quite grounded at the same time. Did you go to school for music composition and all that good stuff?

S: Well, as I mentioned, I went to school for trombone, but in the practice room I found myself laying down my horn and going to the piano to practice Kate Bush songs I had learned to sing. I had a terrible time in school because I can't sight read. I basically end up memorizing everything I learn to play. It must be a form of musical dyslexia... But one thing I did very well was aural skills. I knew intervals and chords like no one else.

K: Do you play any other instruments?

S: I just bought a penny whistle, so ask me in three months.

K: As a solo artists, your second full-length EP, "Sunrise", is getting some very nice reviews, which are entirely deserved. Do you enjoy being indie or are you hoping to sign to a label at some point? I know the promotional work alone can be pretty taxing, often for little financial reward.

S: If the right situation came along, I'd sign with a label. I'm finding that more than anything, I'm getting interest from the film and tv crowd. So I'd like to keep writing and recording, and having a label behind me might facilitate that.

K: Your music has been getting some play on Indie 103.1, which is so exciting, because, with DJS like Steve Jones from The Sex Pistols, Rob Zombie, and Danny Masterson, it's one of the most popular stations in town. For those of us living in Los Angeles, can you give some details like when we should listen and how we can request one of your songs?

S: The best thing way to request songs from my EP "Sunrise" is to call 1.877.900.1031. Indie 103.1FM has a show called "Dead Air" on Sun. nights from 8-10pm...Sometimes it's hard getting through, but if you do, I really appreciate it!!

K: When and where is the next DON'T CALL US TORi show? Do you know who's on the lineup yet?

S: The next DON'T CALL US TORI show is Sat. Oct. 28th at 8pm at Karma Coffeehouse (1544 N. Cahuenga, Hollywood, CA 90028). Melissa Chester, Jaime Wyatt, Tracy Johnson, and Katrina Parker are all on the bill. Of course, if you're not in town, you can listen live at Indie Airplay)

K: Well, hopefully, some of us Angelenos will make it out for that. The rest will have to get their Hurley-fix
online. Please keep us posted on the next album, and thanks so much for hanging with CULT OF GiRL. We LUV you!

S: Thank you Joanna!!!!!

(Buy a copy of Shannon's self-titled debut EP or her
follow up, "Sunrise", at http://shannonhurley.com and be sure to check out DON'T CALL US TORi at http://dontcallustori.com)

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KOSHi LUVS Lacey Love...

K: Hello and a warmest Welcome to the lovely Lacey Love. We're so happy to have you! First things first, I have to ask... is Lacey Love your real name? It's very sweet and slightly pornographic.

L: I wish my real name was Lacey Love, even if it meant I sounded like a porn star, but it's actually a very endearing nickname my husband gave me a couple of years ago. Now its been transformed into my unofficial artist name.

K: As anyone following the CULT OF GiRL newsletter knows, The Like is my favorite band and semi-obsession. You've recently been recruited to do some promotional stuff for them, including running your own Myspace page in support of these rockinest girls. How'd this come about?

L: I sent a message Myspace-style, asking if they needed promotional help in the US. I was surprised when Tennessee sent me a message saying that that would be "LOVELY". She gave me their assistant at the time's email and her own. From that point on, Michelle(the assistant)sent me promotional ideas/jobs.

K: Do you spend much time interacting with their fans? I'm sure you get the random Myspacer confusing your very adorable page for the official thing. What's the most interesting comment you've received so far?

L: I do know a guy who travels cross country to see them live. As far as being mistaken for them, it happens, only online though! But i havent gotten an angry livid fan yet. Even a few personal friends of the girls have mistaken me for them, and they were super nice about it. Guess I need to stop being so creatively awesome at designing my Like Myspace page. Who are we kidding? That is impossible!

K: The Like consists of three super young and gifted female musicians, Z. Berg, Tennessee Thomas and Charlotte Froom. Their songs are so fresh and their videos and fashion-sense unmatched in the department of cool, but what really gets me is the live performance. They are, without a doubt, the read deal. What is it that first attracted to you the group?

L: I first read about them in a Teen Vogue article. They had such amazing taste in music: BOB DYLAN, SEX PISTOLS, NICO...and I thought, "how wonderful! These girls are from sunny California and yet they were pale porcelain dolls donning wispy vintage lace dresses. I love when people defy stereotypes. Soooo...I Myspaced them and obsessively listened to the three songs they had posted on the site. Since I'm a starving artist, I did this for awhile until my b-day rolled around and I had an excuse to go by the album.

K: I always call them my three-way girl crush, but the truth is I want to be Z! My fiance has a big ol' crush on Froom. He'd never admit it to me, but it's like soooo obvious. Must be the thigh-high boots. Do you have a favorite?

L: Yes! They are h-o-t-HOT! Maybe it's the hotpants? I definitly know a guy or two- maybe a few girls too- who have a crush on Charlotte. Z is amazingly smart as well as stunningly gorgeous. She has this sultry demeanor both onstage and off that makes you just melt. Tennessee is adorable. She drums barefoot and only in minidresses by Charles Anastase. She told me he just sends her dresses now! Lucky girl, considering he is quite a groovy designer.

K: You just got to design the flyer for their recent show in Austin. That must of been a hoot. What did you come up with? And how was the show?

D: Michelle sent me a picture, header, and the pertinent information for the flyer. In the end it was slightly revised, but it was very rewarding to see my designed flyer at the club that night. I was like, "Hey! I so did this!". I didn't get to disperse flyers around town due to the passing of my great grandmother, but I was pleased with the turnout regardless.

Musically, the show was spot on! You really appreciate The Like's musical talent after seeing them live. It's like, "Holy shit! These girls rock!" not to mention their captivating stage presence. Z performs "Too Late" with such sex appeal that i almost covered my hubbies eyes, and during their cover of the Sex Pistols "Submission", Tennessee showcased her screaming abilities. She later told me that she was livid because a band had turned down touring with them because...get this...they're girls! "The One" is my favorite song on the album, and the next video. I had heard there was a new version so I was psyched to hear it. Charlotte adds a bass line giving the already solid song a musical facelift.

K: As a poet, collage-artist, writer, journalist, musician and vintage clothing enthusiast, you must have loved putting your artistic skills to good use for the cause. You've also contributed to Raw Indie Press and Nuezine.com. Where are you going with all this? Do you have a master plan, or are you just going with the Renaissance Woman flow?

L: I never want to lose my creative self in a job or career I'm not happy with. Luckily, my husband is supportive of whatever I do, which is very inspiring. Right now I feel as if I am at the beginning of SOMETHING. I'm fortunate enough to be meetig new people who are generous enough to include me in their own creative endeavors.

K: You live in Austin with your husband, right? The indie scene is suppose to be pretty happening out there- lots of crafty ladies and groovy music. If we should ever head your way, what local hot spots do we need to check out?

L: I do live in austin with my husband and my pets/children, Sophie and Lux. I love the creative atmosphere and the dog friendly environment, not to mention the style savvyness. It's prety groovy to live in a town where the motto is "Keep Austin Weird" and...The Like like playing here so that can't hurt the town's rep much.

Some hot spots???? New Bohemia on South Congress aka "Soco" has an enormous vintage collection crammed albeit organizationally into a rather small pocket of space. Parts And Labor is a showcase of self made products, and it's conveniently connected to New Bohemia. You should also take a walk down "the drag" (across the street from UT) and check out the vintage shops there like Blue Velvet. It has a super cool revolving mannequien in the display window!

Some music venues... Emos and Elysium are my favorites. Elysium has an 80's night, which I love.

K: I'm hoping we'll get a chance to collaborate on something soon, but, in the meantime, what's next? Are there any Lacey Love extravaganzas in the works?

L: Well, Dusty Rose and I are gathering stories for Raw Indie Zine issue number two. I'm continuing my guitar lessons and just exercising my creative muscles every opportunity I get. You know, an extravaganza would be fun. I could invite people to Austin, and we could picnic in Zilker Park while reading poetry or listening to a wandering guitar player(there's lots of those here). Who's with me?

(Visit LACEY LOVE at http://www.myspace.com/laceyrichtergonzalez & check out Nuezine at http://nuezine.com)

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KOSHi LUVS Dusty Rose...

K: Hello Ms. Dusty Rose. I'm so excited to get this chance to pick your massively creative brain. Your online zine, Raw Indie Press, is indeed very raw and lovingly handmade, which gives it an authentic, grungey feel. I know you were in like the 3rd grade when the Seattle music scene and heroine-chic were setting the fashion tone, but that whole vibe seems to have really lingered over the years. Is grunge one of your inspirations?

D: I love Grunge. Not the whole dark and druggy side of it. That is a misconception. That whole genre..s initial intent and attitude was to rawk hard and to be silly. I like those who can be serious & deep, yet simplistic & silly. I guess that..s because that..s the kind of person I am. It..s funny because I was too young for the whole scene and 10 years later I am a huge fan.. a little late, I know, but to me that
generation presented an art form that creatively captured a power & emotion greater than any other movement. I wish today it was like that, but it is not.. everything is too media driven. Individuality and intensity is lost. There is too much goin on out there that is polished and pushed. I hate the fact that my twenty-something generation is losing out on revolutionary creative movements.

K: You have a real passion for serious rockers like Elliot Smith, Kurt Cobain, and Patti Smith, which strongly comes across in everything you do. In fact, Raw Indie Press really emphasizes rock and roll. Are you a musician yourself? Do you play any instruments?

D: I love rockers from back in the day, especially from the 60..s and 90..s, because they were(are) poetically beautiful both through image & lyrical _expression. They are indeed major influences to my work, them and the beats, who were also a major influences to the rockers. Everything I do in life has to be poetically beautiful. I would love to be able to play music, I love distortion and the intensity an instrument can make. I do fiddle around with the guitar, but I have a long way to go. Id rather make it as a writer, then rawk hard on the side for fun. I could make an awesome chic rawker, I have been asked to come jam with some people, but I hide away because I can..t sing and can only play chords.. its all about the ..tude anyways. Maybe some day. Who knows? I..d have to grow some balls and talent first.

K: You say that poetry is your form of rock and roll, and I happen to feel the same way. Charles Bukowski is more punk than anything on the radio right now. What poets have shaped you the most?

D: In the 50..s poets such as Kerouac, Ginsberg, and Burroughs carried that rebellious image as a rock star with their attitudes towards life, poetry, music, drugs, sex, liberation, etc. In fact, they were major influences to the Beatles, Jim Morrison, Bob Dylan, Grateful Dead, Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Kurt Cobain, The Clash, Sonic Youth, R.E.M, U2. The Beastie Boys, etc. To me something that is really ROCK, is unrefined, uncensored, and unlimited..and written _expression is the best form of art that offers such freedom. I try to read a little of all poets, depends what mood I am in. JIM MORRISON, who studied along side Lawrence Ferlinghetti, was an amazing poet, before he was a rocker. I love AMERICAN NIGHT. If I am in bitter girl mode, I read PLATH or HOLE/BABES IN TOYLAND lyrics. If I'm in simplistic slap-jack modes I read Kerouac, Leonard Cohen, and Nick Cave. Baudelaire, Rimbaud, Ginsberg, Cummings, and Burroughs are some of my faves, because they offer nitty gritty fascinating tastes for the bad girl that all good girls have
inside (hee hee).

K: Your work is really wonderful. I especially like "Crushed" and think the title "Everything Is Ugly Except You" is a poem unto itself. When and why did you start writing?

D: Why thank you. I heard somewhere that you always become what you were good at when you were little. I..ve always enjoyed writing poems. In fact in fourth grade I won a district poetry contest. I grew up taking Honors English classes, but fell away from writing when I decided to play sports. I went to a conservative highschool, so playing sports allowed me to release any emotion trapped inside on the court. It was fun, but not enough. It wasn..t until college that I decided to break free from the ..jock status.., which I hated, and started actually living and experiencing
life. That..s when I began to write again after experiencing new places, new people, and new things.

K: As a fellow poet, I have to point out the obvious... there is no money in this! Do you have a day job? Are you going to make a career of publishing? Jane Pratt did alright with Sassy and then Jane magazine. Maybe you will do something like that?

D: No one wants to publish poetry these days unless you are already famous (ex: Billy Corgan, Leonard Cohen, Alicia Keys, Patti Smith, etc.); And unless you speak in highly educated tongues. No one wants simplistic charm and sloppy ramblings coming from a ..nobody... My manuscripts have been rejected a few times now, but I don..t care.. that..s the business. I still continue to write whatever comes to me in whatever form in hopes that someday I..ll have poetic collections like BUKOWSKI (what an animal!) on the shelves, marketed for gen x & y. Publishing is a bitch though (can I say that?). Its hard to choose which work to send, who to send it to, and how to send it, which is why journalism is my back up plan- like Chuck Klosterman. He wrote for SPIN magazine, and became a popular rock n roll novelist. I..d like to write for a magazine, then become a popular rock n roll poet.

K: You are a pretty active Myspacer. In fact, that's where you host your zine. Is that how you find contributors? There are some very interesting characters involved like King Bee and Lacey Love.

D: I chose Myspace, because it was the obvious choice when it came to networking. It is hard enough to be a voice in this creatively busy world, so Myspace offered a free and easy way to do that. RAW INDIE PRESS began as a spin off to my own personal page, because I wanted a way to promote the people & things out there that I fancy. Art, music, and writing culture are so diverse & overabundant these days, it..s hard to know what..s really hip and cool. Everything is so celebrity oriented and commercialized- it drives me nuts. I wanted to bring back that late 80..s early 90..s black and white zine aesthetic, that innocence of all that is rawkin, without being too glossy or too what I like to call ..snob-journalism... And by doing this, I have met some normal yet extremely unique characters along the way."

K: You focused on book reviews for your second issue. I'm so glad to see that in this technology-drenched day and age, some folks still actually read paper! Will you be developing Raw Indie Press into an off-line publication soon? I can totally imagine your scribbly mag next to the weeklies in the corner of some hipster coffee shop.

D: It is expensive to print and, at times, wasteful. If I can find a company out there that prints with recyclable papers and could print issues for a low price, I..d totally be for it. I have had many people interested in my debut issue and have sent many hard copies on paper/ cd with a response that was great. I would love to go nuts and just throw my lil fanzine into the hands of all, but realistically I can..t. Therefore, I offer online printable versions for viewing pleasures. As far as continuing issues, Issue 2 is in the works, and as long as there is boredom (meaning me being bored - hee hee) and people interested in contributing and participating, then I shall continue on..

K: Is there an art-scene in Scottsdale, Arizona? What do you do for fun?

D: There is a very small art scene here in Scottsdale/Phoenix. And I mean very small. There are two venues that I absolutely love. ARTONE gallery in Scottsdale (where my mother used to hail her artwork) and Modified Arts. These places offer art that is fresh, textural, vibrant, and youthful. Modified Arts is a house in Phoenix with a few pieces on the walls & a wooden stage where badass local bands such as The Necronauts rock out all night. Id have to say watching the Necronauts, drinking Malibu & pineapple juice, and chilling with a small group of friends is my ultimate fun.

K: Where and when should we look for the next Dusty Rose installation?

D: Right now I am working a collection of framed mixed media collages with my poems, and I am continuing to search for small independent publishers to help with a few project ideas of mine. As far as RAW INDIE, I hope to have issue number two by November 1, depending how busy I am. I have some new writers on board to help out the production process.

K: Thanks so much for taking the time for CULT OF GiRL. We wish you much LUV & unbelievable future success!

D: Thank you very much! Much love & luck to you too, fellow lady poetess.

(Check Out Raw Indie Press at http://www.myspace.com/rawindiepress & Dusty Rose's original work at http://www.freewebs.com/theindiepoet")


"If we could sell our experience for what they cost us, we'd all be millionaires." -Dear Abby



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Anyone who knows me or reads my CULT OF GiRL newsletter is aware of the fact that I have a deluded fantasy of becoming the fourth member of The Like... maybe a favorite groupie or pathetically inept roadie? Something like that. My infatuation came to a head June 29th when I caught their live act at The Roxy on the Sunset Strip. OMG did they ever blow my mind. My fiance is a bad-ass, slightly, if unintentionally, sexist guitar god-rock snob, and even he was impressed. These girls can lay it down. Every song is better than the last. The fashion is unique and captivating, as are Charlotte Froom's long long legs and delicate bass-plucking. But, for me, the star of the show is the worship-inducing sex goddess Z. Berg, fronting the band on lead guitar with a warm, husky vocal. That night she wore a rust baby doll with boots and bright red lipstick and sat on the side of the stage during the opening act, letting her minions paw her ratty hair and tell her how fabulous she is. Turns out, it was just her 20th, and when some friends brought out balloons and a cake, we all busted into a hearty rendition of Happy Birthday while she blushed and kicked at the floor. Aw shucks! One oddity was the presence of Angeleno club kid and style maven extraordinaire, Cory Kennedy. I'm not sure what she was doing on stage, eyeing the audience, sucking a lollipop, and looking for all the world like a doped-up, grungey version of Liv Tyler does Lolita, but I can't say it hurt the experience. Obviously, I've seen her name pop up here and there and have wondered what all the hype is about, but, I have to say, in person, it's easy to understand. As annoying as it is, Ms. Kennedy is strangely captivating in a Kate Mossy kind of way and, try as you may, it's hard to look away. Anyway, I'm going to post some clips from the night here so you can relive this groovy night in rock history with me...

What i Say & What I Mean


June Gloom


The One


Happy B-Day Z

Early NO DOUBT doin' JUST A GiRL on Conan

BRAZiLiAN GiRLS live & nearly naked

HOLE does MiSS WORLD

.."I want every girl in the world to pick up a guitar and start screaming"

-Courtney Love