The B-Sides: Chained to the Newsletter (March 27, 2017)

This week's playlist highlights Katy Perry, Cassie, and Lianne La Havas. View this email in your browser

The B-Sides Letter Here is your link to The B-Sides Playlist #3 on Spotify! Click and enjoy. The B-Sides Playlist of the Week Love the playlist, hate it, have a comment? Let me know here. See past issues of The B-Sides on the blog or follow the composite playlist on Spotify: Composite B-Sides Playlist Chained to the Rhythm. Katy Perry’s newest single. A catchy dance song that you wiggle your butt to before realize that it's making fun of you for wiggling your butt. Reminding us that we are each “stumbling around like a wasted zombie” as we consume mainstream-ness. See music vid here. Katy worries that we are all “So comfortable, we live in a bubble / So comfortable, we cannot see the trouble.” But considering how "Turn it up / it's your favorite song / Dance, dance, dance" is the most instagrammed lyric of the song, it's definitely trolling you and you're not picking up on it. (Oh no, of course I don't mean you! You've subscribed to a pop culture / social commentary newsletter - you can't be subtweeted like a common hamster [see: the lyric video].) Part I: I love this song. I think it's actually pretty solid and fun. I also think it's incredibly important for celebrities to acknowledge the homogenizing forces they perpetuate. This feels especially true for pop musicians, who can develop their own voices in their art more than other public artists (like actors) can. With that ability/flexibility comes responsibility, at least in theory. This song reminds me of when Taylor Swift publicly called out Apple Music for not paying artists fairly. Apple Music wasn’t paying royalties to artists when users streamed their music during free trials, and Taylor wrote an open letter to Apple demanding they do better.  Both Katy and Taylor were using their public platform to comment on the status quo in their industry, calling for significant changes to be made. Katy is definitely trying to craft her lefty persona and I’m happy for her. She calls this song “purposeful pop” and showed up to the Grammy’s in a white pantsuit that had “Persist” written on it. Considering she began her career as a Christian spiritual singer, it’s a pretty amazing to witness the blossoming of her unapologetically progressive public persona. "I think we are largely in desperate need of revolutionary change in the way our mindset is,” she told Rolling Stone back in 2011. “I say this knowing full well that I'm a part of the problem. I'm playing the game, though I am trying to reroute.” Part II: I fcking hate this song. YEAH YOU'RE PLAYING THE GAME, KATY. Who the eff are you to tell me I’m a zombie, when you’re producing pop song after pop song that sound like they could be anyone’s music? Your fan base is comprised of these zombies. You love them, and you love their money. The conformist dystopia you describe in your song is precisely what pop music represents for many people who are critical of you and the pop music machine. Taylor turned her feigned concern for the little man into an incredibly lucrative contract with Apple Music. Just like her contracts with Comcast, iHeartRadio, and Target before. And by partnering with Apple Music, and still not with Spotify, she helps Apple get a monopoly in yet another industry (the industry of Taylor) (and music). Not to mention that she totally might have voted for 45 (although I still have faith she didn't...I just have to believe she didn't). Part III: Holding two truths in one hand. OK OK OK I have a complicated relationship with pop music, if you haven’t picked up on that yet.  The B-Sides Playlist #3 Bonus: "Chained to the Rhythm," Katy Perry - I broke my 10-song rule so that you can read the newsletter and listen to the song with greater ease <3 Yr welcome. "King of Hearts," Cassie - Still love her big hit "Me & U" from the early aughts and this one is gold, too. Cassie - whenever the world is ready for you to be a pop princess, I'll be here. "Make Me (Cry)," Noah Cyrus, Labrinth - Sophie M. suggested this song (thx!!), and it was already on the playlist because it's blowing up right now. (So much so that Liz H. really does NOT think it qualifies as a B-Side and she may be right.) IDK about you but I am excited about alt-Miley's budding career. Here's hoping this sister act turns out more Solange than Ali Lohan. "Drew Barrymore," SZA - SZA is, among many other wonderful things, the voice that join's Rihanna's in "Consideration" from RiRi's last album. SZA had gone through a ton of terrible events in the years before coming out with this album. She took inspiration from Drew Barrymore, whose early rise to fame was marked with scary and dangerous times, but ultimately Drew became happy and successful. John Noire writes about the song, "Drew Barrymore’s life is a great example for women who accept their mistakes as part of the journey and carry on unapologetically." And bonus: Drew herself LOVES the song!

Zoey 101's little brother? Great q, I haven't thought about him in years! His name is Paul Butcher, and he is now a hottie and a singer. And, according to MTV News, "Zoey 101 star Paul Butcher’s new song has a powerful message." So, lol.   If you've been keeping up w the Remy Ma / Nicki Minaj fued, I hope you've heard Nicki's answer to Remy's diss track. She released "Regret In Your Tears" and I love it. It's unsurprisingly awesome, but surprisingly chill. Keeps her on higher ground IMHO. What do you think?

Logan B. says: "I think Hannah should be more honest about how her knowledge of basketball players and sports figures." Ok Logan you are right. You're also my boyfriend, and so you know that I actually do know who Steph Curry is, even though I acted like I didn't in the last letter. #Caught #Whoops  Rebecca E. shares: "Twitter rec: @AudreLordeLorde" AND IT'S AS AMAZING AS IT SOUNDS. Molly W. shares: "I like 'Chained to the Rhythm' because I can dance at a party and think about how capitalism is screwing us over at the same time!"  Sounds about right. This is, like, the story of The B-Sides. Uch I need to lie down. (Molly also recommends watching the music vid [link above] because there's some more explicit social commentary in there about the US and our past/present/future.)   Alright everyone. What do you think about this week's letter? What confuses you about pop music? What is your favorite underrated pop song? Why is Rita Ora so underrated? Etc. Reply to this email, email listentothebsides@gmail.com, or comment on insta. Share the love with your friends! Help us grow this lovely endeavor. Tell yr Friends!!! You all (mostly) subscribed to this newsletter because a friend gave you some GR8 advice to do so. Share the wealth: tell more friends! Can you think of 3 people who would be into The B-Sides? Forward them this email and tell them to sign up here: bit.ly/the-B-Sides  Insta Love Follow on Instagram! This helps people find out about The B-Sides.   Feedback Give me feedback on my newsletter and playlist. Fill out this very short form to help me plan for future playlists and letters. And of course, send any tip n' ideas this way! Click here. Tweet Forward Share And there you go! See past issues of The B-Sides at thebsidesletter.blogspot.com. With love, Hannah Zoe // The B-Sides

Playlists so far:

Mega Playlist !!

Update: I am compiling the playlists in one mega playlist on Spotify! Follow it here.

Got an idea for an upcoming playlist/commentary/song/feeling? Email me at listentothebsides@gmail.com.

Xo,
Hannah Zoe // The B-Sides

The B-Sides - 2nd Letter (March 13, 2017)

This week's playlist highlights Ella Henderson, JoJo, and Alex Newell. View this email in your browser

The B-Sides Letter Ok I don't want to overpromise but for real this newsletter is CHOCK FULL of some seriously amazing ~content~ so plz just be prepared. Here is your link to The B-Sides Playlist #2 on Spotify! Click and enjoy. Here's another gift for you: a remix of New Romantics (Taylor Swift) and I Really Like You (Carly Rae Jepsen)! Enjoy, luvs. (And thanks, Harry!) Love the playlist, hate it, have a comment? Let me know here. Let's talk about Kesha and JoJo. Many of you might know a bit of the reason why Kesha's straight shot to super-stardom was abruptly quieted. Much has already been written about it - see here for a good breakdown. But basically, Kesha was fucking exploited. Content warning: sexual assault Kesha was under contract to produce music with Sony, and specifically with Dr. Luke (of "Party in the USA," "I Kissed a Girl," "Since U Been Gone," and other pop hits fame). It had been clear for a few years that he was incredibly controlling of her. In 2014, she filed a lawsuit stating that he was abusive, and that he sexually assaulted her. He was controlling her and her career. She wanted to get out of her exclusive contract so that she could make music - not with him. But it turned into a huge shitshow with countersuits and injunctions (see link above) and slut-shaming and victim-blaming and last year she lost her fight. She is still under contract with him, and can't make new music at all. She dropped her charges against Dr. Luke this past August, saying that she was exhausted and weighed down by unhappiness. I KNOW. And then, well, it only got more complicated recently as they each allege that the other owes them millions (you can guess which side I believe) (Kesha's). Emails confirming Kesha's claims have surfaced. The only bright spot in this is that a lot of other artists and celebrities spoke up in support of her, which I obviously loved. But this is a terrible story...sorry.... (On a lighter note, did you know Kesha is brilliant and amazingly talented? There is so much more to this queen.) But wait. This didn't just happen to Kesha. Versions of this story have happened to countless other musicians, namely female artists. This happened to JoJo. Yes, JoJo! We LOVED JoJo back in the day, when she was a child prodigy who was more insightful about love and heartbreak at 13 than any of us ever will be. And damn those vocals!! But then she disappeared. I only learned recently that she didn't disappear - she was hidden. She was stuck in a terrible contract situation with her record company. They made it impossible for her to release her third album, and because she had signed a seven-album contract with them (when she was only 12), she couldn't get out of it, or make an album with anyone else. She couldn't release anything from 2006-2016, when she finally sued them and won. TEN years! Full(er) story here and here. But this story actually has a happy ending for the #FreeJoJo movement - our girl is free. She came back on the scene in 2016 with a mixtape and then finally her album. I gotta say, I am SO HERE FOR IT and for her. She is amazing. Listen to the whole album (Mad Love.) and see for yourself. And follow her on social media; she's the most fun. Both Kesha and JoJo are on today's playlist. I highlighted "Old Flames" because it's a cover of a Dolly Parton song that was originally written by Kesha’s mother. ️  I highlighted JoJo's song with Alessia Cara because it's  and because I love Alessia. And one day we'll #FreeKesha and all the fuckin Dr. Lukes of the world will pay. Sigh... Here, again, is your link to The B-Sides Playlist #2! (And you can also click the pic of the playlist at left.) "New Obsession," FRANKIE -Shoutout to Aaron for suggesting FRANKIE! She is touring with Daya and I'm loving them both right now. "Old Flames..." Kesha - This is a cover of a Dolly Parton song that Kesha's MOTHER wrote! "Greedy," Ariana Grande - Her whole album Moonlight is an absolute gem, and this one will get you singing at the top of your lungs in inconvenient places. I think this song is about to blow up and won't be a B-Side for long. So, you're welcome basically. "Ghost," Ella Henderson - Ok - help me out. Is this a B-Side? I LOVE this song and can't tell if people actually know it or not. Email me back if you know it or don't...I'm genuinely curious. Either way it's a jam. "Nobody to Love," Alex Newell - This is a cover of the hook from Kanye’s “Bound 2” (which samples Ponderosa Twins Plus One) turned dance jam. For the few of you who watched “Glee” or “The Glee Project,” the artist is Unique/ Alex from the last season!!

"How we failed to protect Kesha," Jezebel "We R Who We R" by Kesha (to remind yourself what a wonderful free spirit she is <3) Get tickets for JoJo's tour!!! (She's coming to DC right around my bday...just saying) Aaaaaand have you heard Lorde's new singles?? I'm obsessed! While we're on the subject of iconic, powerful women, here's one of my favorite videos of ever: Stevie Nicks singing an early version of "Wild Heart" backstage She is literally a queen! The pure joy in this video is so infectious. It starts in earnest around 0:22.

Nina says: "also aaron carter supported trump and then rescinded his support, what's up with him?  "also, what would a modern version of aaron carter's 'that's how i beat shaq' look like? zedd singing 'that's how i beat steph curry'? i don't know, i don't know who zedd is.  "obviously lindsay lohan is a leftist but where does hillary duff fall politically? did you know her piece of shit hockey player husband is a violent abuser? i'm sorry to end with that. here's wilson phillips." I feel you Nina, thank you for your brutally honest questioning. Honestly I am still trying to figure out who Steph Curry is, but there was a reference to him on "Side To Side" by Ariana ft. Nicki so I am learning that he is talented and important. Speaking of, I love Hilary (one "L," never forget) and will support her through almost any bad decisions including but not limited to getting roped into weird incest drama. I will not, however, support her in any Conservative efforts - that's where I draw the line - so please continue to investigate and let me know what you discover. What's on your mind? Email listentothebsides@gmail.com or comment on insta. Share the love with your friends! Help us grow this lovely endeavor. LAST CHANCE: Still time to be entered into The B-Sides lottery! Step 1: Send the sign up page to your friends. bit.ly/the-B-Sides  Step 2: When they sign up, make sure they write your name in the section on how they heard about The B-Sides! That's how you get an entry into the lottery. Step 3: For each person that you get to sign up, you’ll get 1 entry into a lottery to win either one of these Drake swag prizes (earrings or a key chain).  OMG how amazing <3 If 15 people to sign up through you, you'll get an even bigger prize... Step 4: I'll choose a winner soon over Instagram. And the B-Sides community will grow and grow! Insta Love Follow on Instagram! This helps people find out about The B-Sides. Feedback Give me feedback on my newsletter and playlist. Fill out this very short form to help me plan for future playlists and letters. And of course, send any tip n' ideas this way! Click here. And there you go! See past issues of The B-Sides at thebsidesletter.blogspot.com. With love, Hannah Zoe // The B-Sides Copyright © 2017 The B-Sides, All rights reserved.