Every week, we’ll be posting a new illustration by David Lester. The Mecca Normal guitarist is visually documenting people, places and events from his band’s 43-year run, with text by vocalist Jean Smith.
I’m always keen to assert our connection to riot grrrl. Not in a “look at me, I’m so great” way, but to make the history of those actions and associations visible. To create, document and disseminate information in the form of music and art, talks, interviews and social-media posts that inspire more action that will eventually (or sometimes quickly) create needed change.
This is the reason we called our touring classroom event How Art & Music Can Change The World. Inspiring riot grrrl is our evidence.
To be in front of young people especially, to make these connections intends to be useful. To provide hope while saying you never really know what associations will form, adding that it’s worth considering political art as one avenue of output for various reasons including actual fun.
As David Lester once wisely said, “Take something you care about and make it your life.”
“I Know A Little Bit” from Calico Kills The Cat (K, 1988) (download):
