Bitch is an enigma. Probably due to her name of choice, even Google finds it hard to track her. Whether Bitch is screaming through a megaphone or playing the ukulele, when you see Bitch, time stops.
The lesbian, freak, virtuoso, is a legend among LGBT women, including Ani DiFranco, whom Bitch recorded and toured with.The singer/songwriter also caught the attention of John Cameron Mitchell (director of Hedwig and the Angry Inch), who cast her in the indie fave Shortbus. Bitch will perform tomorrow night at the Colony Theatre as part of the Out in the Tropics festival. We spoke her about her music and the LGBT community. Check the cut for more Bitch as well as her "Pussy Manifesto" video, complete with hand puppets.
New Times: How would you describe your music?
Bitch: Fierce, theatrical, and surprisingly tender, electric violin rock.
Do you consider yourself an LGBT musician or a musician that happens to be LGBT?
A musician who happens to be lez. But because of our society and how that is considered an "other," my career has been held by the LGBT community
What has been your favorite city to play in so far?
Ooh...so many to pick from! I love to tour in Europe, probably because it is different than what I am used to in the U.S. Some cities that strike me as fun to play -- Miami, Columbus, Ohio (yes, Ohio), Seattle, Florence, and Stockholm.
How do you feel about LGBT performing arts festivals, such as Out in the Tropics?
I am happy and proud that we have activated to create space that offers visiblity to our very diverse, very talented community.
When I first heard your name, I thought "bitch: babe in total control of herself." Why'd you take on that moniker?
I named myself Bitch in an effort to take back a word that is derogatively used to describe so many women who generally are just speaking their minds and not being demure and "polite."
Name three bands or musicians you would love to tour with.
Iva Bittova, Tegan and Sara, The Killers.
Do you get a lot of questions about your fashion sense?
(Laughs) Not enough! I love color and love to be colorful. My fashion sense is part of my politic: that we must all search for what makes us free, regardless of what boring colorless life our slave-minded culture tries to sell us.
Bitch is bringing it to the Colony Theater (1040 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach) on Friday at 8 p.m. as part of the LGBT performing arts festival, Out in the Tropics. Tickets cost $15 to $20. Visit fundarte.com.
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