Louise Wener, the impossibly cool frontwoman of Sleeper and author of 'Different for Girls,' shares her vibrant journey through the 90s music scene. She candidly discusses appearing on Top of the Pops, the absurdities of band life, and the pressures of navigating sexism in the industry. With humor, she reflects on memorable moments, like supporting REM and the chaos of rock stardom. The conversation dives into the nostalgia of school days and the joys of being a rock star the second time around, adding a delightful twist to her musical legacy.
Richard Herring shares insights about his upcoming tour, encouraging fans to attend for an entertaining experience across various cities.
Louise Wener discusses the challenges women faced in the 1990s music industry, highlighting societal expectations and media mischaracterizations of female artists.
The conversation explores the complexities of fame, illustrating how pressures influenced Wener's career trajectory and her eventual artistic liberation.
Deep dives
Upcoming Tour Announcements
Richard Herring announces the launch of his tour titled 'Can I Have My Ball Back' starting on February 25th, with performances scheduled across various cities including Tring, Canterbury, Bath, Exeter, Dublin, and Belfast. He encourages listeners to attend his shows, emphasizing the fun and entertainment they can expect. Additionally, updates are provided about other events in his podcast series 'Rahulastapa,' highlighting upcoming guests and urging fans to purchase tickets before availability runs out. Herring expresses gratitude towards supporters and mentions the necessity of ticket sales for sustaining the podcast.
Retro Rollista Episodes
The podcast introduces a new series called 'Retro Rollista Mondays,' where old videos and episodes from Rahalastapa are being uploaded to YouTube and shared weekly. This initiative allows audiences to revisit past recordings and appreciate the evolution of the show while engaging with notable guests from previous seasons. He mentions that fans can support this endeavor by becoming monthly badgers, which helps keep the podcast financially viable during challenging times. Herring looks forward to the positive feedback on these nostalgic episodes.
Musical Inspirations and Experiences
The episode features an engaging discussion with Louise Wenner, who shares her experiences in the music industry during the 1990s and reflects on her influence as a female artist. The conversation highlights the challenges and perceptions women faced in music and how Wenner's boldness in addressing sexuality was sometimes mischaracterized by the press. Wenner opens up about her past aspirations and the impact of success, including how the narrative around female musicians was often burdened by societal expectations. Together, they acknowledge the significance of musical heritage and the necessity of authentic expression.
Reflections on Fame and the Music Industry
Herring and Wenner delve into the complexities of fame and the music industry, discussing the effects of success on personal well-being and artistic integrity. Wenner shares a particularly candid moment about how the pressures of fame shaped her career trajectory and personal relationships within the band. They explore the notion of being artistically liberated as time passes, with Wenner expressing newfound confidence in her songwriting abilities after a long hiatus. Their dialogue sheds light on the often-unseen struggles artists face behind the scenes.
Unconventional Humor and Personal Anecdotes
Herring injects humor throughout the episode with lighthearted anecdotes and playful banter, even relating his dreams involving a tiny rhinoceros. He discusses the quirks of nightmarish dreams that often lead to morning surprises for his wife and shares amusing thoughts on writing and performing. This humorous approach allows listeners to connect with the lighter side of life amidst profound reflections on the music industry. Wenner joins in, contributing her own light stories, which enhances the conversational atmosphere of the podcast.
#350 Docking - Richard had written an actual joke and been dreaming of tiny animal attacks, plus performing music in quite an unusual way. His guest it arguably a more accomplished musician - it’s the impossibly cool and talented Louise Wener.
They discuss the similarities of their experiences of school and the 90s, what it’s like to appear on Top of the Pops (and the impossibility of both of them getting on the show), writing your own reviews, the sexism of the music industry, stealing Blur’s cheese and why being a rock star is better the second time around.