Kim Gordon, of Sonic Youth fame, is exploring her abrasive side with a new solo album produced by Justin Raisen. She opens up about her split with Thurston Moore and feeling like an outsider in NYC's art scene. Plus, she reminisces about touring with Neil Young in the '90s.
Kim Gordon's latest solo album showcases a unique blend of spoken-word vocals and trap-style beats, reflecting her musical evolution.
Kim Gordon's journey as an artist is marked by personal challenges, influences from hip-hop, and a desire for more beat-driven music.
Deep dives
Kim Gordon's Musical Evolution and Collaborations
Kim Gordon discusses her latest solo album, sharing insights into her musical evolution and collaborations with producer Justin Raisen, known for work with Drake and Lil Yachty. Gordon reflects on her past experiences, such as touring with Neil Young in the '90s, and explains how her latest album embodies a unique blend of spoken word vocals and trap-style beats.
Kim Gordon's Creative Process and Inspirations
Gordon delves into her creative process for her solo album, revealing how she collaborated with Raisen to incorporate hip-hop-inspired beats and sound elements. She shares her influences, including '80s and '90s hip-hop tracks, and explains how her limited vocal range led her to focus on rhythm and beats to shape her music.
Kim Gordon's Unconventional Solo Career
Despite her background in bands like Sonic Youth, Gordon never planned to embark on a solo career. She recounts how her collaboration with Justin Raisen and her desire for more beat-driven music led her to create a solo album that defies traditional norms, opting for abrasive and disruptive sounds.
Kim Gordon's Personal and Artistic Growth
Gordon's journey as an artist is intertwined with personal challenges and growth. She reflects on her experiences as a mother, her struggles to find her place in the music and art scenes of LA and New York, and how those experiences shaped her artistic identity and influenced her memoir 'Girl in a Band'.
At 70 years-old, Kim Gordon—the former bassist and founding member of Sonic Youth—is just now making the most abrasive music of her career. She just dropped her second solo album, The Collective, with producer Justin Raisen, who’s previously worked with artists like Drake, Lil Yachty, and Charli XCX. Kim’s spoken-word-like vocals on The Collective are the perfect accompaniment to Justin’s distorted trap-style beats.
On today’s episode Leah Rose talks to Kim Gordon about her latest solo album, as well as her memoir, Girl In A Band, that detailed her split with ex-husband Thurston Moore. Kim also delves into why she always felt like an outsider in New York City’s thriving downtown art scene. And she recalls Sonic Youth’s storied tour in the early ‘90s opening up for Neil Young.
You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Kim Gordon songs HERE.