JD Samson Interview
I remember the girls from Le Tigre DJed at Revolver back in 2004, but I don’t think they’ve been in Miami since then (I may be wrong). Coincidentally that was around the same time when Ladyballs was blowing up a Churchills. 7-8 years later we’ve decided both Ladyballs and JD Samson (from Le Tigre and Men) needed to return. I can’t give you much info about Ladyballs yet other than “Coming soon” but I can tell you they’ll both be back tomorrow night at The Vagabond (and it’s also my birthday).
If you’re wondering who the hell JD Samson is you might have been living under a rock for the last 12 years…
“… the stage name of Jocelyn Samson, a member of the feminist electropunk band Le Tigre. Samson grew up in the Cleveland suburb of Pepper Pike, Ohio and attended Orange High School. She came out as a lesbian at age 15. She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 2000 with a degree in film.
Samson joined Le Tigre in 2000 as a replacement for Sadie Benning after working as the band’s projectionist. She is also a member of the band The New England Roses and a member of electro-punk artist Peaches’ live band, The Herms with Radio Sloan and Samantha Maloney. In 2006, Samson collaborated with Junior Senior on the song “Can I Get Get Get”.
Here’s a little less Wiki style insight:
You’ve had a long musical career for someone your age, you’ve been part of Le Tigre, The Herms, The New England Roses, Peaches’ live band and Men. What have been some of the most gratifying career highlights? Maybe an unforgettable performance, realizing how many people love your music, or having the opportunity to meet someone you’ve always looked up to?
Most of my gratifying moments have had less to do with music and more to do with activism actually. Its been wonderful to have made such an impact on Queer kids all over the world. Somehow my body was in the right place at the right time, and being visible became part of my political force. I’m lucky to have been able to speak my mind, support the causes that interest me, and try to make the world a better place. All while jamming to some pretty incredible music. Playing at big festivals is always amazing. Especially when you remember that your lyrics are different than everyone elses. There’s just something about singing “i’m gonna fuck my best to get a little tiny baby” to a crowd of 10,000 people. pretty amazing.
You once wrote an article for the Huffington post about how you became a lifer in the music industry. If you could do it all over again would music still be your career choice?
I feel very lucky to have had the life I have. I never thought I would leave the United States, and I have been able to travel all over the world and meet such incredible people. I don’t think I would change a thing about my life so far, except maybe to have believed in myself a little bit more. I’m part of so many other industries besides the music industry so that feels like just one aspect of my career. I am truly lucky to have that kind of diversity for sure.
What impact do you feel any of your bands have made on feminist music since the early 2000s? (Could be local, national, or international – anything big or small)
I think Le Tigre came at a time when feminist music was turning from being angry to being positive, and enjoying ourselves while protesting our equality. So I don’t know how that makes us instrumental. I just think we had the perfect recipe for what feminists and allies needed at the time. The energy was incredible though and I will never forget how alive it felt.
What was it like coming out in Ohio at such a young age? Have you ever considered mentoring young LGBT kids who look up to you?
Ohio was actually a lot better than it seems it could have been. My family was supportive (after a couple of months…) and my friends were really pretty much not surprised. ha. i had a community of other queer kids that I found at the freak gathering spots. to be honest it was pretty awesome. I would LOVE to mentor young LGBT kids. That’s a great idea.
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