Back Issues
Winter 2010
On the cover: Janelle Monáe, who tops our annual Hot List, tells us about her otherworldly release The ArchAndroid, her early career in Atlanta, and working with Prince.
Plus:The Rest of the Hot List: Robyn, Best Coast, Interpol, Chromeo, and Dum Dum Girls; 10 Women Who Mattered In 2010; A Look Ahead to 2011, and more.
Where Is Bobbie Gentry? Our writer traces the steps of the elusive singer who seemingly vanished a generation ago.
Fashion Feature: The Kids in the Hall Brooklyn-based eco-conscious designer Tara St. James lets her summer interns take the reigns and shows us the clothes.
First Annual Photo Contest We received over 1,500 entries and asked our esteemed judges to pick five winners. Find out who took home our top prizes and see our readers' pick and editors' choices.
Essay: Status Update Anxiety One writer muses on a new type of syndrome spawned by our society's incessant collective microblogging.
On the Verge: writer-director-actress Katie Aselton, Brit & the Cavalry, racy reading events, Chris Pontius, Crafternoon at the New York Public Library, the low-power radio movement, and more.
Create: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals chocolate bars; Celentano Woodworks; the pleasures of slow-cooking, Creative Cocktail: maple-spiced buttered rum; Q&A with Mary Randolph Carter, author of A Perfectly Kept House is the Sign Of A Misspent Life; blogger Marisa Lynch of New Dress a Day; Sharon Van Etten's song-and-wine playlist; and our 2010 Holiday Gift Guide, including the best handmade gifts from across the U.S. and one easy make-it-yourself project.
Music: Heart-to-Heart: Jenny and Johnny, the Vaselines, and the Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger interview one another; JBTV Turns 25; photos from Venus Zine's Lollapalooza Lounge; Latetitia Sadier; Beers with the Band: Midnight Masses; Peaches Christ Superstar; Tour Diary: Traci Eggleston of Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band; and 6 Standout Ladies to Watch: Brooke Fraser, Pearl and the Puppets, Violetness, Trixie Whitley, Lauren Pritchard, and Lisa Ices
Culture: Michaela Conlin of Bones; Nicole Krauss' Great House and other book reviews, Underwood Stories in Sound, 5 Hot Video Bloggers, and must-see winter films.
Style: Style Idol Sharon Little, makeup shopping with Justin Tranter of Semi Precious Weapons, the best mini makeup palettes and toolkits, peppermint-y products, and shoe designers Marais USA.
Album Reviews: New releases from Sufjan Stevens, Elliott Smith, Marnie Stern, The 1900s, Clinic, Belle & Sebastian, Liz Phair, the Pipettes, and more.
Call & Response: Former Sleater-Kinney frontwoman Corin Tucker answers your questions
VZ Rewind: We look back at our 2005 feature and 2007 cover story on M.I.A.
Fall 2010
On the cover: Zoe Kravitz, the young woman of many talents, talks about her work on the big screen, small screen, her band Elevator Fight, and her many influences.
Plus: Venus Zine Crowns the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll! Find out who came forward to claim our crown and hold court with Elvis. Plus, see who our industry insiders and readers picked.
On the Verge: Tamzin Merchant, Versant, 3-D home theater goods, Sarah Blasko records in Stockholm, and Mark Ronson's solo effort.
Create: DIY apple cider jelly, ginger-cayenne cocktails, blogger Natalie Afshar of On the Cheap, Memoryhouse's photo journals, and fashion designer Janelle Gramling's guide to launching a one-woman business.
Music: JP, Chrissie, & the Fairground Boys, Amy Klein of Titus Andronicus, Civil Twilight, Vanguard Records celebrates 60 years, Land of Talk, Carney, and Brandon Flowers.
Culture: The new pulp fiction, Jonathan Franzen's Freedom and other book reviews, must-see fall films, and playwright Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig.
Style: Style Idol Jihae, vintage shopping with the Like, easy facial masks, and inspiration from Madewell's creative team.
Album Reviews: New releases from Arcade Fire, Superchunk, the Drums, Shakespears Sister, Jenny and Johnny, Blonde Redhead, and more.
Call & Response: Concrete Blonde's Johnette Napolitano fields your questions.
Summer 2010
On the cover: Jack White talks about his history, process, philosophy, and growing role as the head of Third Man Records. Plus, we go behind-the-scenes at Third Man and look at the label's most exciting artists, including the Dead Weather.
Plus: **SUMMER SPECIAL** Venus Zine's Ultimate Guide to Summer Reading and our Girl's Guide to BBQ.
Music: The return of Lilith Fair, the best of the summer fests, Sherlock's Daughter, Sleigh Bells, Mike Patton's Latest Project, and Broken Social Scene.
Culture: Actress Megan Boone, 8 Female Film Directors to Watch, surrealist Author Aimee Bender, and more.
Style: Style Idol Florence Welch, Wren founder and designer Melissa Coker, blogger Jazzi McGilbert, summer beauty problem solvers, and more.
Create: Our comprehensive girly BBQ guide, a spectacular striped Jell-O creation, and easy green summer tips.
CD Reviews: Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Crash Test Dummies, Deer Tick, Stars, the New Pornographers, and more.
Call & Response: Christina Aguilera answers your questions.
Spring 2010
On the Cover: Melissa Auf Der Maur and her triple-threat solo project that includes an album, film, and comic book entitled Out Of Our Minds.
Plus: 10 of our favorite multi-platfrom artists including Beth Ditto, Blake Sennett, and Carrie Brownstein.
Style: Style Idol Ebony Bones, designer Rachel Antonoff, Kaki King's beauty routine, and more.
Music: Goldfrapp, the Mynabirds, Sharon Jones, Those Darlins, Casper Bangs, Dan Black, and more.
Culture: The Runaways and other potential Flick Chicks, Cherie Currie's memoir, Neon Angel, The Baby-Sitters Club author Ann M. Martin, and more.
DIY: Silk screening with Aussie songstress El May, a delicious cherry-blueberry galette, and must-have spring cocktail.
CD Reviews: MGMT, Fan Death, Bettie Serveert, Kate Nash, Chris Pureka and more!
Call & Response: Erykah Badu answers your questions.
Fall 2009
Cover Story: Cobie Smulders
Despite her efforts to avoid the spotlight, the How I Met Your Mother star is the brightest thing in primetime.
Plus: We rank the 100 Most Important Women in the History of Television
Fashion: Downunder Girl, Downtown Tunia Bower, bursts with city fashion all the way from Australia; Shingai Shoniwa of the Noisettes; Prep School Chic; & more!
DIY: Nadia G. of Bitchin Kitchen talks retro playlists and Stepford Wife cupcakes; A cocktail you won’t soon forget; four filmmakers talk about How To Be a Player in the motion picture industry; and how spruce up your bathroom vanity.
Penus: Why Landon Pigg, Adam Goldberg, Aaron Rose are considered some of our favorite "slashies," plus a few words from the folks who make up Of Monsters and Men, and more!
CD Reviews: Juliette Lewis, Imogen Heap, Anita Blay, Dolores O’riordan and more.
Call and Response: Diablo Cody answers your questions.
Interviews:
Thao Nguyen, Portia Doubleday, Dina Goldstein, Maggie Nelson, Faiza Guene, and more
Summer 2009
Cover Story: Ximena Sariñana
Plus:
Venus Zine's "State of the Music Industry" section
Fashion: Summertime in the city
Plus: Style Idol Micky Green, Aztec-inspired accessories, Major Brand vs. Made By Hand: Hangover Brunch, and more!
DIY, Party On: Eating in with San Francisco's Debaser DJ crew
Plus: Turning your outdoor space into a party haven, sensory-altering goodie bags, and how to take great party photos.
Penus: Chris Garneau, Tortoise, and Gorilla vs. Bear's introductory Venus Zine column.
Tori Amos answers your questions in "Call & Response"
Record Shopping with Au Revoir Simone
Dollars & Sense: Getting an art grant
She Said, He Said: 1900s vs. 1990s
Scene and Unheard: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Interviews:
Peaches
Zap Mama
Astra Taylor
Aubrey Plaza
St. Vincent
Grand Ole Party
Spring 2009
Cover Story: Evan Rachel Wood lands a spot in the “25 under 25 List” along with Lady Sovereign, Adele, Alia Shawkat, Zoe Kravitz, Ida Maria, Charlyne Yi, Gabrielle Climi, and many more talented young women.
Plus: Los Angeles Editor of Apartment Therapy throws a “Modern Woodland” styled dinner party
And: Christian Siriano: A fierce force to be reckoned with
Fashion: Welcome to the Satellite Party: Etty and Perry Farrell show off vintage glam
Plus: Style Idol Marina Diamond, produce-inspired beauty products, Sticks + Stones: earthy accessories, Major Brand vs. Made By Hand: Night On the Town, and more!
DIY Décor: Justina Goes West: Our DIY Editor transforms her new Cali digs in ten days
Plus: Stocks Up for Collectors, Alternative Living Spaces, Elemental Design Studio transforms a rental kitchen in OneRoom: Now You’re Cookin’
Interviews:
Hong Kong’s indie queen Josie Ho
Literary guru Mary Gaitskill
Emerging writer, author, and video star June Diane Raphael
Frontwoman for the Cardigans and A Camp Nina Persson
Metric’s Emily Haines
Penus: Dan Deacon, Eugene Mirman, Aziz Ansari, Wyatt Cenac, and Clark Duke
Plus: Chrissie Hynde dishes in "Call & Response"
Record Shopping with The Coathangers
Dollars & Sense: The Truth About Cats and Dogs
She Said, He Said: Beach House vs. Wavves
Scene and Unheard: Osaka, Japan
Winter 2008
Cover story: She & Him top our 6th Annual
Plus:
And: Winners of our annual Craft-off Contest, sponsored by Singer
Fashion: Echoes of Summer: With infectious single "Addicted" taking over the west coast, it's hard not to get hooked on Los Angeles newcomer, IO Echo
Plus: Style Idol Yelle; designer Abigail Lorick; accessories built for a Snow Queen; Major Brand vs. Made by Hand; Reverse Trend Forecasting
DIY Electric: Spice up your winter with these electrifying DIY projects.
Plus: Taking a look at Steampunk; cooking without a kitchen; and fun with LEDs
Interviews:
Ebony Bones
Chairlift
Isobel Campbell
Mad Men's Elisabeth Moss
Comic Artist Gabrielle Bell
Penus: Justin Tranter, MC Tyga, Jack's Mannequin, and Wild Beasts
Plus:
Chelsea Handler answers your most pressing questions in "Call & Response"
Record Shopping with Rachael Yamagata
Dollars & Sense: Recession Ain't No Thang
Scene and Unheard: Baltimore
Fall 2008
• Cover Story: Kid Sister: How does a Catholic schoolgirl become a hip-hop star?
• Starring: Black Kids, Lykke Li, Ugly Betty's Val Emmich, Nikka Costa, Amanda Blank, Rebecca Miller, Jena Malone and her band the Shoe
• Record Shopping With Of Montreal
• Liz Phair answers readers' questions
• Girl Talk's top 10 dance songs
FEATURES
• Coming Of Age In the Bush Administration: 20-somethings talk about how growing up during the past eight years defines them as a generation
• Hello Dream Job! How to become a professional blogger
• The Bicycle Warriors: Meet bike-crazy ladies around the country
• DIY: Paint for your body, home, and style
Summer 2008
THE HIP-HOP ISSUE
• Cover Story: Missy Elliott knows what she wants.• Starring: Erykah Badu, Santogold, MC Lyte, Yo-Yo, and the leaders of Violator Management.
• The Battle of the MCs: featuring Remy Ma, Jacki-O, Gangsta Boo, Yo Majesty, Diamond, and more hip-hop stars.
• 10 Artists to Watch: Rye Rye, Sontiago, DJ Backside, and more.
DIY AT SEA
• Stuck on land this summer but aching for ocean? Transform your crib into a beachy bungalow with our 10 tips for bringing foam to your home.
• DIY Sailor Chic: Bring out your inner sailor — even if you're not a tailor — with easy fashion how-tos that will get you in the seaside mood.
• Classic Coastal Cocktails Revisited: 3 recipes.
• Travel the world as a voluntour.
INTERVIEWS
• Zooey Deschanel sells out (venues, that is)
• Kim Gordon, the arteest
• Penus: funny dudes Paul Scheer and Derrick Brown
• New Music: Ladytron and El Perro del Mar
• Reads: Jancee Dunn and Lynda Barry
• Style Idol: Joan as Police Woman
PLUS
• Call & Response with Margaret Cho: On the eve of a TV comeback, the comedian answers Venus Zine readers' questions about sex, sewing, and politics.
• 10 of the World's Most Offbeat Music Venues.
• Carbon Neutral, My Ass: The down-and-dirty truth on putting a Band-Aid on environmental woes.
• Dollars & Sense: Young, Broke, and On the Move (Navigating New Turf With No Dough).
Spring 2008
SPECIAL ISSUE!
Greatest Female Guitarists of All Time
Joan Jett, Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein, Marnie Stern, Joni Mitchell, Kim Deal, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and 40 more.
Fashion: Style Idols
Get to know the personal style of some of music’s brightest talents, including Juliette Lewis, Kid Sister, Kate Nash, Kazu Makino of Blonde Redhead, the Lady Tigra, Girl in a Coma, Clare Muldaur Manchon of Clare & the Reasons, Kelly Ogden of the Dollyrots, and Bebban Stenborg of the Shout Out Louds.
DIY Special: Get Down to Business
We can’t tell you everything you need to know to run your own business. But we can give you a few tips, tricks of the trade, and a little advice to help you achieve your goals.
Interviews
• The Cool Kids
• Goldfrapp
• The Kills
• DJ Kayper
• author Elizabeth Crane
PLUS
• Ani DiFranco answers Venus Zine readers’ questions for “Call & Response.”
• Record Shopping with Donita Sparks of L7
• Dollars & Sense: Navigate the U.S. Healthcare System Without Going Broke.
Winter 2007
Cover story: Dita Von Teese: From small-town Michigan girl to fierce style icon, the self-made woman built her career from the Midwest up. She’s big on being her own boss, creating style on a budget, and owning her sexuality.
FEATURES & INTERVIEWS
• Continuing her streak of ambitious projects, Miranda July gives insight on releasing two books in 2007, raising funds for creative endeavors, and why she aims to make her work a 'terrifying' experience
• Jason Schwartzman: The musician-turned-actor-turned-musician goes solo with Coconut Records
• Hottt List 2007: announcing the winners of our annual reader poll ... Amy Winehouse, the Donnas, White Stripes, M.I.A., Rock Camp For Girls among the 75 winners.
• Kim Deal answers Venus Zine readers' questions.
• NEW MUSIC: Sally Shapiro, Ingrid Michaelson, and the 1900s
• Marjane Satrapi: The comix artist animates the Iran revolution with the film version of her award-winning book, Persepolis.
PLUS
• DIY special on upcycling: Convert an old sweater into a snazzy dog pull-over; Revamp your leftovers: turkey stuffing becomes nouveau arancini and more.
• Craft-off Contest winners! They've got all kinds of ideas for DIY gift ideas that cost $15 or less.
• Record Shopping with the Go! Team
Fall 2007
M.I.A.: With big love for her mama and her signature punk approach to dance music, is she the modern girl next door or the most exciting thing since riot grrl? We’re convinced she’s both.
INTERVIEWS
Juliette Lewis answers Venus Zine readers' questions • Debbie Harry • Rilo Kiley • Reno 911's Kerri Kenney-Silver • Ferraby Lionheart • Brother Reade • Office • The Lovely Bones author Alice Sebold • artist Kara Walker • Broken English director Zoe Cassavetes
PLUS
* DIY special section: 15 innovative ways to use paper
* "What Happened to Revolution Girl Style Now? With the 21st century well into its first decade, it’s time to take a look at where we’re at in the music industry — and what it means for women"
* Record Shopping With Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
* Style Idol: Gogol Bordello front man Eugene Hutz goes commando
* “Not Such a Goodyear for the Ladies: Landmark Supreme Court case could change gender discrimination suits”
Summer 2007
Cover story: Björk: Although she doesn’t consider Volta a political album nor herself a feminist, we’re certain about this: Björk is one of the most creative, innovative artists of our time. How does the Icelandic avant-gardist remain a pop icon? Because people yearn to understand her.
INTERVIEWS
Tori Amos • Patti Smith answers Venus Zine readers' questions • Spoon • Noisettes • Lavender Diamond • St. Vincent • Pipettes • Oscar-winning film editor Thelma Schoonmaker • author Lydia Davis • DIY designer Susan Cianciolo
PLUS
* Venus Zine’s Guide to Summer: The who, what, and when on our favorite festivals
* Summer DIY projects: Convert your old yoga pants into a bikini; turn a water bottle into a fan; make fizzy bath bombs
* Record Shopping with Be Your Own Pet in Nashville
* "Cleaning Up the Music Industry: Record labels, musicians, and festival producers show how putting their energy into going green not only benefits the environment but the bottom line profits too"
* Scene & Unheard: Bangkok’s music scene
* Meet graffiti artists Fafi and Swoon
* Style Idol: The Willowz’s Jessica Reynoza
* Sounds: Reviews of new albums by White Stripes, Keren Ann, Shapes and Sizes, Mary Timony Band, and Shannon Wright. Plus: Tegan and Sara review their new album, The Con
Spring 2007
Cover story: Feist. Three years after the release of her critically acclaimed Let It Die, the Canadian singer talks about the breakup that heavily influenced her breakthrough album. Still taken by her last collection of songs, we need no reminder of the chanteuse’s seductively disarming ways. On her latest release, The Reminder, Leslie Feist shows she no longer needs to cover other people’s music — her own material is plenty strong.
INTERVIEWS
Yoko Ono • Lily Allen • Deerhoof • Blonde Redhead • CocoRosie • Clap Your Hands Say Yeah • Andrew Bird • Ted Leo • Gina Torres • Sarah Polley • The Ponys
PLUS
* Record Shopping with Bloc Party
* the male pill
* MySpace stars: Meet the new e-famers
* Mad Lit with Bookslut’s Jessa Crispin
* In Sassy We Trust: Release of How Sassy Changed My Life book triggers us to get nostalgic for one of the most important teen magazines
* punk rock yoga
* Sounds: reviews of new music by Electrelane, Lucinda Williams, Midnight Movies, Arcade Fire, Maria Taylor, and many more
Winter 2006
Cover story: Cat Power: Chan Marshall sank to the bottom and has risen up. Way up. Meet the new queen of indie rock.
Announcing the winners of our 4th annual Hottt List, including Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Morrissey, Sufjan Stevens, Toni Collette, and Kill Rock Stars Records
INTERVIEWS
Joanna Newsom • Regina Spektor • Peaches • Brazilian Girls • Love is All • Matt & Kim • The Blow • The Shins • Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos dishes on his first book, Sound Bites • Fur screenwriter Erin Cressida Wilson • St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves author Karen Russell
PLUS
* Record Shopping with Ladytron
* Mad Lit with Mary Gaitskill
* Meet the winners of our 2nd annual Holiday Craft-off Contest
* Le Tigre’s Johanna Fateman opens Seagull salon
* R.I.P. Sandy West: The Runaways' drummer rocked hard and died quietly
* Scene & Unheard: Brighton, England
* "Type Dirty to Me: My job as a spammer"
* "Me So Horny: A scientific experiment in aphrodisiacs"
* How to get a book deal
* Courtney Love's "Dirty Blonde" book
* Cooking with Veruca Salt
* Style Idol: the men of Fred Flare
* Sounds: reviews of new music by Lady Sovereign, Miho Hatori, Isobel Campbell, Lily Allen, and the Slits
Fall 2006
Cover story: fashion designer Anna Sui
INTERVIEWS
Scissor Sisters • Erase Errata • The Thermals • actor Freddy Rodriguez • My Brightest Diamond • Emily Haines • author Francesca Lia Block • “Lost Girls” comic artist Melinda Gebbie
PLUS
* End of an era: an ode to Sleater-Kinney
* Girls with guns
* This is not a diet: a look at the pro-anorexia phenomenon
* Cooking with the Ditty Bops
* Record Shopping With Puffy AmiYumi
* What’s Your Sign? with Juliana Hatfield
* Mad Lit with “This is Not Chick Lit” editor Elizabeth Merrick
* Reviews of new albums by Yo La Tengo, Xiu Xiu, the Decemberists, Nina Nastasia, the Knife, and many more
Summer 2006
Cover story: Amy Sedaris is stranger than fiction
INTERVIEWS
Joan Jett•Sonic Youth•The Fiery Furnaces• Dresden Dolls•Tilly and the Wall•Shonen Knife•Pretty Girls Make Graves•Ellen Allien + Apparat•Curtis Sittenfeld•Dorothy Allison•Built By Wendy’s Wendy Mullin
PLUS
* Guerilla drive-ins
* Yard sales 101
* Biz of DIY: advice on how to take your business to the next level
* Theo Kogan teaches how to make your own record
* Record Shopping with the Rogers Sisters
* Retro Fetish: Are the Slits making a comeback?
* Sex Bomb: designer Jonathan Adler
* Relationship Rundown: David and Cassie Berman of Silver Jews
* Penus: Murs, the Walkmen, Phoenix, and Antony tell us about the best $10 they’ve ever spent
Spring 2006
Cover story: Neko Case
INTERVIEWS
Margaret Cho• Mates of State• Built To Spill’s Doug Martsch• Beth Orton• The Gossip• Jessica Abel• The Grates• “Friends With Money” director Nicole Holofcener• Babes in Toyland’s Kat B’Jelland• “Waking Life” illustrator Divya Srinivasan
PLUS
* Record Shopping With Mommy and Daddy
* Scene & Unheard: Los Angeles
* Whatcha Watchin? with Suffrajett front woman Simi
* What’s Your Sign? with Chloe of Smoosh
* Decorating with punk shui
* “Stag Party!” Venus readers write about their love for being single gals
* Sex Bomb: “Hairstyles of the Damned” author Joe Meno
* How to make your own perfume
* Convert a pillowcase into a shrug
* Cooking with Town and Country’s Liz Payne
* Biz of DIY: Handy tips for keeping your books straight come tax time
* Style Idols: Beckerman sisters
Winter 2005
Cover story: Lady Sovereign
INTERVIEWS
Jenny Lewis • Todd Oldham • Sinead O’Connor • Celebration • Judy Blume • Digable Planets' Ladybug Mecca • Michelle Phillips for “Retro Fetish” • Margaret Brown, director of “Be Here to Love Me: A Film About Townes Van Zandt” • Mr. Lif for “Sex Bomb”
PLUS
* Hottt List 2005: announcing the winners of our annual readers’ poll. Sleater-Kinney, Miranda July, M.I.A., and Beck top the lists.
* On groupies: The Donnas, the Like, and Annie talk about their biggest fans
* “Record Shopping With” Princess Superstar
* “Relationship Rundown”: author Michelle Tea & MC Katastrophe chat about what makes their partnership work
* “About Place”: Check out Sub Pop Records’ new office space
* DIY: announcing the winners of our first Holiday Craft-off Contest
* “Style Idols”: Weird War’s Ian Svenonius and Michelle Mae
Fall 2005
Our 25th issue and going strong!
Cover story: Ana Gasteyer: The former SNL star gets Wicked
INTERVIEWS
New Pornographers • Sons and Daughters • Franz Ferdinand • Eugene Hutz • Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard • Devo bassist Jerry Casale • Stiffed • New Buffalo • New England Roses • be your own PET • New Black • Alison Pill • Christine Vachon • Stephanie Leonidas • Aimee Bender
PLUS
* Craft Shopping With Out Hud
* pirate-themed fashion
* "What's Your Sign?" with former Bratmobile frontwoman Allison Wolfe
* "Our Bodies, Ourselves": We asked leading women in the s3x industry how their professions affect their personal lives
* Relationship Rundown: Married hip-hop duo Apsci discusses pros and cons of mixing business with pleasure
* RIP Anne Bancroft
* "Recipes That Rock": Cooking with Mirah, the Decemberists, Swords, Viva Voce, the Quails, and other musicians
* The Biz of DIY: Show customers why you're so money with inexpensive marketing tips
* Style Idol: Eighty Twenty shoe designer Ce Ce Chin
* Reviews of new albums by Broadcast, Deerhoof, CocoRosie, Princess Superstar, the Like, and many others
Summer 2005
Featuring special coverage of Portland's music scene
Cover story: In the woods with Sleater-Kinney
INTERVIEWS
Sarah Vowell • Miranda July • Electrelane • Vashti Bunyan • Amy Ray • The Raveonettes • The Go! Team • Stephen Malkmus • Sufjan Stevens • Saul Williams • Magneta Lane • Psalm One
PLUS
* DIY: How to make an urban jungle
* DIY: How to start your own business
* "Sex Bomb": TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe
* "Cooking With" the All Girl Summer Fun Band
* "Style Idol": Bobby Birdman
* Rock N Roll Camp for Girls
* "Record Shopping With" Aqui
* "Whatcha Watchin" with Maggie Estep
* "What's Your Sign?" with Kristin Hersh
* "Where You At?": Anchorage, Alaska
* Arteests: leading lady tattoo artists
* Drinking wine with Donna Dresch
Spring 2005
INTERVIEWS
Sarah Silverman • M.I.A. • Mary Timony • Bloc Party • Bright Eyes • Pit Er Pat • Martha Wainwright • Har Mar Superstar • Pony Up! • The Tiny • Von Iva • Main Squeeze Orchestra • Ana da Silva • In the Drink author Kate Christensen • The Cramps’ Poison Ivy
PLUS
* Feature story: “Love your job? How’d you get to where you’re at now?”
* Free Fiona organizers fight for Fiona Apple’s right to release an album
* RTX’s Jennifer Herrema gets a horoscope chart reading
* spring DIY projects
* How to give yourself a nice haircut
Winter 2004
Year-end wrap-up: Hottt List 2004 issue
INTERVIEWS
Joanna Newsom • Marianne Faithfull • Low • Nancy Sinatra for “Retro Fetish” • “Sideways” actress Sandra Oh • Solex • Yuka Honda • Neotropic • author Michelle Tea for “Politics Get Personal” • Al Franken & Sondre Lerche for “Penus” • directors Ruth Leitman & Agnes Jaoui • Hawkes Harbor author S.E. Hinton • Vetiver’s Alissa Anderson for “Style Idol”
PLUS
• Venus readers vote for their favorite music, films, and DIY superstars of 2004
• “Cookin With Venus”: The Fiery Furnaces put pizzazz into their pizza
• “Babes in Rockland”: Musician moms like Sleater-Kinney’s Corin Tucker talk about why they choose to take their toddlers on tour
• Devendra Banhart, the Gossip’s Brace Pain, and other creative men tell us which female artists have inspired them most.
• “Record Shopping With” Shoplifting
• “Whatcha Watchin” with Anna Waronker
• “Sex Bomb”: New York Times columnist Krugman can crunch our numbers any time
• announcing the winners of Venus’ first photography contest
Fall 2004
The Shaking-Stuff-Up issue
Interviews
Le Tigre • Rilo Kiley • Pam Grier • Tegan & Sara • "Politics Get Personal With" Ani DiFranco • Kimya Dawson • Juliette (Lewis) & the Licks • Rogers Sisters • Martina Topley-Bird • IQU • Regina Spektor • Scream Club • Autolux • Ted Leo • The Faint • Wolf Eyes • Marjane Satrapi • Mink Stole • Debra Granik • Euzhan Palcy • "Style Idol" Mira Billotte • "Arteest" Ida Pearle
Plus
• "Record Shopping With" Gravy Train!!!!
• "About Place": Kate Pierson's vintage fantasy motel
• "Whatcha Watchin" with Melt-Banana
• "Retro Fetish" with Tura Satana
• "Sexy" section featuring Tristan Taormino, pubic-hair stencils, and sex-shop shopping
• "Where You At?" Pittsburgh
• an always-lovely DIY section featuring instructions on how to make a clock out of a record, "Cookin With" the One AM Radio, Jenny Hart's "Stitch-It Kit," and many other crafty superstars
• Jean Grae, Ian MacKaye, Electrelane's Mia Clarke, and Metric's Emily Haines tell you why they're voting (or why they're not)
Summer 2004
Interviews
Janeane Garofalo • Tracy + the Plastics • Sonic Youth • Deerhoof • Shannon Wright • Mum • Mirah • The Butchies • Bebel Gilberto • Melissa Auf der Maur • Lali Puna • Jolie Holland • Call And Response • We Ragazzi • Judy Greer • Anne Reid • Rebecca Walker • Dita Von Teese • Beastie Boys • John Cameron Mitchell • Unicorns • French Kicks
Plus
"Farewell to Mr. Lady Records" • "Whatcha Watchin?" with Miranda July • "Record Shopping With" Mahjongg • "Style Idol": Enon's Toko Yasuda • "Where You At?" featuring Las Vegas • Arteests: Alison Elizabeth Taylor & Maya Hayuk • D.I.Y. section featuring designer Kim Johnson of Johnson; Cybelle; "Store Of the Ish": NYC's Forward; Qylaar; latch-hook artist Whitney Lee; Seattle's Wired Women; CraftyChica.com's Kathy Cano Murillo; Cut + Paste; Cherry
Spring 2004
INTERVIEWS
Von Bondies • Carrie Brownstein • Stereolab • Blonde Redhead • Casual Dots • actress Jena Malone • CocoRosie • Joanna Newsom • Camera Obscura • Les Baton Rouge • Lisa Gerrard • Dani Sicilano • Audra Kubat • Mascott • OOIOO • Mr. Airplane Man • Fannypack • United States Of Electronica • Sandra Collins • Sticks And Stones • "Arteest" Amy Davis • 90 Day Men • TV On The Radio • The Walkmen • Q And Not U • Ian Svenonius • writer Danyel Smith
PLUS
* Fashion featuring Le Tigre, Young People, Mates Of State, Miho Hatori, and Chantal Claret of Morningwood
* A 12-page D.I.Y. section featuring Glitterlimes, Rosie Thomas' handmade bags, iHotto.com, San Francisco's Needles & Pens, Chickfactor publisher Gail O'Hara, Detroit distro company Submerge, audio magazine The Relay Project, Majland, JKAT Jewelry, chef-artist Clare Crespo, and Breech (the band that raised $7,000 to record their album by selling homemade baked goods).
* Papa M's "Random Top 8 List" for the "Penus" section
* "Style Idol" featuring Paz Lenchantin of A Perfect Circle and Zwan
* Loads of music reviews including Ani DiFranco's "Educated Guess," Jucifer's "Warbird" EP, TYKO's "A Long Way From One To Zero," Electrelane's "The Power Out," and Now It's Overhead's "Fall Back Open."
Winter 2003-2004
INTERVIEWS
Natasha Lyonne • Emmylou Harris • Belle & Sebastian • Metric • Azure Ray • Rufus Wainwright • David Cross • Denali • The Handsome Family • Rachael Yamagata • Bobby Conn • Siouxsie Sioux of the Creatures • Eleventh Dream Day • Maria Bello • Tilda Swinton • Bora Yoon • Rhian Benson • Isobel Campbell • The King Cobra • Smoosh
D.I.Y.
* safeclothes.com
* smallthingsdesgins.com
* the Austin Craft Mafia
* Seripop
* Henrietta Fahrenheit
* Pander Zine Distro
* the winners of the Venus T-shirt design contest
* and a recipe for fortune cookies.
PLUS
* The Hottt List 2003: the Results Of the First V enus Reader Poll
* Record Shopping With TRS-80
* Quilting With Karla Schickele
* A Day At Tease-O-Rama
* "On the Road" With stellastarr* & the Raveonettes
* Sexxxy: "So I'm Dating a Musician: the Ups and Downs Of Dating the Guy Or the Girl In the Band"
Fall 2003
FEATURING INTERVIEWS WITH …
Peaches • PRETTY GIRLS MAKE GRAVES • Erase Errata HOLLY GOLIGHTLY • Joan Baez • DRESSY BESSY • Enon • BROADCAST • Ursula Rucker • MORCHEEBA • Kaki King • SCOUT NIBLETT • Trailer Bride • ELLEN ALLIEN • Sasha Bell • CLIENT • Leona Naess • THE DISHES • Papas Fritas • SLUMBER PARTY • Shelby Lynne
PLUS…
* "Not At All New Pornographers": Neko Case, Jucifer’s Amber Valentine, and Glass Candy’s Ida No report mixed reactions on Playboy’s sexiest indie women poll
* "On the Road" with Nina Hagen
* "Shout-Out" to the Avengers' Penelope Houston
* XXL "Penus" section featuring Blur, the Stills, Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard, and Senor Coconut's "Random Top 10 "
* Bands Against Bush
* Onewoman'sonlinedatingexperience.com
* FILM: Gilmore Girls actress Shelly Cole grooves to the beat of a different part in the film Prey for Rock and Roll
* FASHION: "Sole Obsession": Eight women open up their closets to show off their phenomenal shoe collections
* CASE BY CASE: Janet Weiss and Sam Coomes of Quasi tell you who to vote for (or, rather, who not to vote for) in the upcoming presidential election.
Summer 2003
COVER STORY: "Phair Game": Exiled from Chicago and its “seriously-hardcore-music-critic-type” community, Liz Phair explains why it’s taken five years to release an album and why it’s a bitch to be an adult.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES: White Stripes • Yo La Tengo • The Gossip • Trachtenberg Family Slideshow Players • Nina Nastasia • Goldfrapp • Miz-Korona (of 8 Mile) • Monade • All Girl Summer Fun Band • Evan Dando (for "Penus") • Glass Candy and the Shattered Theatre • Sweet Heat • The Children's Hour • Natacha Atlas • Lisa Germano • The Sounds • Les Nubians • Desparately Seeking Susan director Susan Seidelman • author ZZ Packer • skateboarder Peggy Oki
PLUS: Venus readers & writers dish on the best sex they've ever had • "I've Got the Picnic Disease" summer fashion • "R.I.P. Nina Simone" • previously unpublished fiction by Shelley Jackson • loads of reviews (Cramps, Sonic Youth, Dressy Bessy, New Pornographers, Yoshimi & Yuka, T-Love, Essential Logic, Essex Green, and many others) • Rock Camp For Girls • "About Place" feature covering big-time lady record collectors
Spring 2003
COVER STORY: a 6-page interview with Cat Power by Stephanie Trong
ADDITIONAL FEATURES INCLUDE: Rainer Maria, the Kills, DJ Colette, Bettie Serveert, Kristin Hersh, Magda, Cr•me Blush, Susie Ibarra, Dinky, Via Tania, Lizzie West, Scene Creamers, Nikola Lutz, Electric Indigo, authors Emma Forrest and bell hooks, Cynthia Plaster Caster, the Pontani Sisters, director Penelope Spheeris, screenwriter Deedee Cheriel, and Voices in the Wilderness pioneer Kathy Kelly.
PLUS: "About Place" with Dame Darcy; "Penus" features include Matt Sharp (formerly of the Rentals and Weezer) and Slug of Atmosphere; "On the Road" with Stereo Total; D.I.Y. features on San Francisco's Aquarius Records and cool designers like Andrea Forever, Niko, and Blissen; "Too Cool For School" fashion; and pooploads of music reviews (MC Lyte, the Thermals, Aislers Set, Ani DiFranco, Pram, Deerhoof, Laika, Adult., and many others). This issue is soooo loaded. 96 pages, glossy, full color.
Winter 2002
COVER STORY: Aimee Mann
OTHER INTERVIEWS INCLUDE: Ladytron, Sahara Hotnights, Jean Grae, the Quails, Sing-Sing, DJ Rekha, the Bangs, Miss Kittin, Dot Allison, Lora Logic, Sheila Horne, Carol Kaye, Gore Gore Girls, Northern State, Lo-Hi, designer Christian Joy, Siouxsie drummer Budgie (for "Penus"), Thrill Jockey Records' Bettina Richards, and the sisters behind Evil Twin Publications
PLUS: a national street-fashion shoot, "On the Road" with Cursive, JD Samson's lesbian calendar, the Glamazons, power-shopping for sex toys, and a load of music reviews (Bjork, Tori Amos, Milemarker, Mum, etc.)
Summer/Fall 2002
Cover story: A six-page interview with Sleater-Kinney talking about their 2002 release, One Beat, and their years together and progression as a band.
Other interviews include the Breeders, Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth, Yoko Ono, Ari Up, Beth Orton, Neko Case, Lydia Lunch, Princess Superstar, Smokey & Miho, Grandmaster Flash (for "Penus"), filmmakers Brett Vapnek and Nicole Holofcener, and many others. It's also the special "Venus Does Fashion" issue.
Spring 2002
COVER STORY: Tanya Donelly's comeback
OTHER INTERVIEWS INCLUDE: Mary Timony, Tweet, Mirah, the Anomalies, Call And Response, Beth Hirsch, Adult, Shannon Wright, Sharon Cheslow, and America's oldest music journalist, Jane Scott
Winter 2001
Cover story: Le Tigre (full-color section)
Additional Interviews: ESG, Bis, Solex, The Need, Amy Ray on running Daemon Records, Kelly Hogan, Sarah Dougher, Mystic, Jenny Toomey. Specials: A 13-page section covering Ladyfests in 2001 plus an update on Ladyfests 2002 (tons of photos, stories, and profiles of bands that performed at Ladyfest Midwest Chicago); a film "ladyfesto" by filmmaker Sarah Jacobson; Chicks With Flicks; a D.I.Y. section covering women in the recording industry; tons of music reviews; books and zine reviews; many more surprises.
Aug - Nov 2001
INTERVIEWS WITH: Quasi (Janet Weiss and Sam Coomes), Stereolab's Laetitia Sadier, Tracy + the Plastics, White Stripes drummer Meg White, k. (Karla Schickele of Ida), Lovetta Pippen of His Name Is Alive, Rebecca Gates (formerly of the Spinanes), Thug Murder, the Hissyfits, Wanda Jackson, and Slumber Party.
PLUS: A D.I.Y. section featuring interviews with Built By Wendy's Wendy Mullin and the founders of Toys in Babeland; tons of music reviews (Shannon Wright, Lucinda Williams, Erase Errata, and many others); zine reviews; hot letters; a tree-stump artist; etc., etc.
Spring 2001
Winter 2000-2001
INTERVIEWS WITH: Mascott, Barbara Manning, Damon and Naomi's Naomi Yang, Chicks on Speed, Birdie's Deborah Wykes, Tami Hart, Girlhero comic maker Megan Kelso, Cowboy Junkies' Margo Timmins, and punk photographer Roberta Bayley.
OTHER STORIES: "Where You At?," a lengthy section in which women from around the world tell you about their living situations; DIY feature on Queen Bee's Rebecca Pearcy; Dope Label feature on Five Rue Christine Records; zine reviews, music reviews (Pram, Rainer Maria, PJ Harvey, and tons others); lots of other stuff (this is the thickest issue yet).
Issue #33
