Du Blonde
“Black Flag”
Welcome Back To Milk
WOW. Beth Jeans Houghton, better known as Du Blonde, is something else. What she is, I’m not quite sure, but I know I LOVE HER. This is the most interesting singer I’ve heard from for a long time. What made her become Du Blonde? In her own words.
It started at the V&A. Two years ago, in the cavernous final room of the ‘David Bowie Is…’ exhibition, Beth had an epiphany. “When I was a kid, my idea of being a musician came from all these big characters – Bowie, Bolan, Beefheart” she says. “I had this moment in front of all these chapters of his life: this is what I want to do and I haven’t done it for all of these years. All this stuff that was really important to me in the beginning, all of the creativity, emotional expulsion, I’d just lost all of that. It was such a sad moment, but also good – because you can’t change it unless you realize.”
Du Blonde is making a statement, and is making it big time. I’m coming along for this ride. She is tremendous, following her own bath. In ways she is similar to artists like Nina Hagen, Diamonda Galas, and Juliette Lewis (yes, the actor: she’s kicks too). Again, to quote Du Blonde:
“What am I pissed off about? In no particular order: the free wheeling judgment of faceless accusers online, every man and his dog giving me advice on how to live my life, what to wear, what not to say, how to write songs. Being asked if I’m on my period in business meetings. Being told to ‘just deal with’ misogyny. It’s clear that the message for young girls, in music, business and relationships, is still ‘shut up, do what you’re told and be thankful’.”
Amazing that Du Blonde has to fight that same old fight that Poly Styrene, Patti Smith, Ari Upp, and Sleater-Kinney fought and thought they won. She also reminds me of PJ Harvey. Her new CD is out soon. Here is the track list:
Welcome Back To Milk tracklisting
Black Flag
Chips To Go
Raw Honey
After The Show
If You’re Legal
Hunter
Hard To Please
What Is It LikeMr. Hyde
Four In The Morning
Mind Is On My Mind (featuring Samuel T Herring)
Isn’t It Wild
DU BLONDE – UK TOUR
3 Jun 2015 – BRIGHTON GREEN DOOR STORE
4 Jun 2015 – LONDON 100 CLUB
5 Jun 2015 – LEEDS BRUDENELL SOCIAL CLUB
6 Jun 2015 – BRISTOL LOUISIANA
7 Jun 2015 – NOTTINGHAM THE BODEGA
9 Jun 2015 – MANCHESTER DEAF INSTITUTE
10 Jun 2015 – GLASGOW BROADCAST
11 Jun 2015 – NEWCASTLE THE CLUNY