Mixing in Feminism

Abstract

This article argues that music is a meaningful resource within feminist and queer communities that supplements traditional modes of activist work and political commentary. To do so, it analyzes guest-curated playlists for feminist- and queer-oriented multimedia sites Bitch Media and Homoground by offering thick description of a representative playlist from each site's archive in order to interpret their political motives. Such mixing practices represent playlists' civic engagement in two ways. First, they demonstrate fan identification through producers' efforts to assemble feminist critiques from music by recording artists who represent various eras and genres and identify as female, queer, and/or people of color. Second, it indicates digital media's potential for community-building.

Disclosure statement

The author declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Notes

^[1]Sassy's influence on Bitch magazine also manifests in the publications' shared personnel. For example, Andi Zeisler was an intern at Sassy before co-founding Bitch.

^[2] sari uses plural pronouns as a means of self-identification in the post that accompanies “Don't Talk to Me.”

^[3] Chicago's status as a dance music hub is beyond this article's purview. Several Chicago-based deejays and clubs receive credit for developing house and originating footwork, a subgenre that grew out of breakdancing. House, like Chances Dances, is also associated with queer club culture (Sheffield; Yenigun and Glasspiegel; Raymer; Hoffman).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alyxandra Vesey

Alyxandra Vesey is a feminist media scholar who uses industry and production studies approaches to explore the relationship(s) between gender, labor, and music. Her dissertation analyses identity and music-based intermediary practices in post-network television. Her work has appeared in Feminist Media Studies, Cinema Journal, Studies in French Cinema, and Saturday Night Live and American TV. She is also an editor for Antenna and The Velvet Light Trap.