Beyonce once sang: “All the women who are independent throw your hands up at me.”
Now, more than ever, we are seeing women “throw their hands up” while at the forefront of all things: politics, sports, music and art. Remember it wasn’t until 1920 that women were allowed to vote.
Now we have women coming upon the threshold of presidential office, vice-presidential candidates with eyes set on the White House and women as the supreme innovators in arts and music. Enter Siren Nation.
Siren Nation Women’s Music and Arts Festival has come to make its home in Portland. The festival stretches from Nov. 3-9 and features the music, art and film of local female artists, as well as many from around the country.
According to their Web site, “Siren Nation’s mission is to inspire and empower women of all ages to create their own art and to highlight the many achievements of women in the arts. Siren Nation promotes and showcases the original work of women artists by creating year-round performance, exhibition and educational opportunities.”
It is from this mission that they have culled the two nights of music at the Wonder Ballroom, which will be featured in this year’s festival (Nov. 7 and 8). On Friday, Nov. 7 acts will include The Trucks, Northern State, Lisa Papineau, The New Bloods and Tahoe Jackson. Saturday will feature Amelia, Laura Veirs, Laura Gibson, Scout Niblett and Felina’s Arrow.
Siren Nation’s vision, as stated on their Web site, upholds this principle of individuality amongst the mechanisms of collective betterment: “We envision a society where gender plays no part in determining an artist’s potential for success, for being heard or for being seen.” With this in mind, it is easy to see why a performer such as Scout Niblett would be chosen to be a part of this festival.
Scout is somewhat of an anomaly. Her music often sounds like a voice in an empty, dark room listening to the beats of the outside world and creating vocals around them.
At times striking chords with Cat Power, at other times Joanna Newsome or even CocoRosie, there is no doubt that this independent spirit is making some of the most original music currently being produced by man, woman or other.
The Vanguard was fortunate enough to pose some questions to Scout Niblett this past week about her music and involvement in the festival.
Alex Huebsch: How did you get involved with Siren Nation?Scout Niblett: They just asked me if I wanted to play and I said yes.
AH: What does being a part of this all-women series mean to you as a woman?SN: Not much. I don’t believe in seeing yourself as a woman artist as a genre helps at all as a human being. I actually think by identifying yourself within any box–racial, anatomical, religious, etc.��–can narrow your experience of yourself and others. I prefer to view myself as a human expressing myself.
AH: What does it mean to you being able to see more women at the forefront of politics? E.g. A woman getting so close to the presidency, the possibility of a woman vice president, etc.SN: Well following on from above, I like to consider politics as I do everything else. That is, what inspires me? And I am never really bothered by what the anatomy of a human being is. The thing I pay attention to is, what seems to be the state of their soul? Male or female.
AH: What do you think music can do that politics can’t?SN: Well I can’t ever remember dancing or crying or feeling personally empowered or healed whilst listening to a presidential speech.
Siren Nation Festival$25 for all-access wristbandWonder BallroomNov. 7, 8 p.m.The Trucks, Northern State, Lisa Papineau, The New Bloods, Tahoe Jackson
Nov. 8, 8 p.m.AmeliaLaura Veirs, Laura Gibson, Scout Niblett, Felina’s Arrow