Louise Distras

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Louise Distras
Background information
GenresAlternative Rock, Punk Rock
OccupationsSinger, songwriter
InstrumentsVocals, Guitar
Years active2012 – present
Websitelouisedistras.com

Louise Distras is an English musician, singer and songwriter from Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

Early life

Distras was born in Wakefield, a city in the North of England, in 1987[1]. She taught herself to play the violin at an early age and later learned to play guitar by "bunking off school and smoking cigarettes"[2][3] and listening to Nirvana's debut album Bleach. In a 2019 interview with The Chronicle she said "The reason why kids do it is because they feel so desperate that living on the streets or sleeping on a stranger’s floor is better than being at home, and that was the case was for me. So I ended up staying with a lot of dangerous people in dangerous situations, who did ultimately take advantage of me. Being able to escape into song-writing is what got me through."

Career

2012–2015: Career beginnings and Dreams from the Factory Floor

Distras started playing live in 2012 holding her first shows in pubs, open mic nights and punk co-ops. She uploaded her first song 'The Hand You Hold' to YouTube on International Women's Day picking up media attention from The Guardian,[4][5] The Independent, and BBC Radio 1. She was invited by Billy Bragg to perform on the Leftfield Stage at Glastonbury Festival who tweeted "Maybe we'd have done better at Eurovision if Louise Distras had been our entry?" In 2015, she released her debut full-length album 'Dreams from the Factory Floor’ and performed across America, Canada, Scandinavia and Europe, opening for The Damned, Buzzcocks, Stiff Little Fingers and Television.[6] Music journalist John Robb called her "the most important protest singer we have" in a review on the Louder Than War website.

2016 – 2019: Nu Punk and Street Revolution EP

In 2016 Distras premiered her new serial killer themed single 'Aileen' via Kerrang![7] as a taster for her new material and embarked on a UK and European Tour with The King Blues.[8][9] Blending Northern Soul and Power Pop 'Aileen'[10] marked a change in musical direction for Louise. The track received radio support from Huw Stephens (BBC Radio 1),[11] John Kennedy (Radio X)[12] and Rodney Bingenheimer (KROQ). It also featured on the Hugs for Chelsea[13] benefit album for transgender whistle blower Chelsea Manning. The compilation premiered on Rolling Stone[14] and also featured Michael Stipe, Tom Morello, and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth.

Distras also performed on the main stage at Punk Rock Bowling Festival[15] in Las Vegas, NV and headlined the Nick Alexander stage of Frank Turner's Lost Evenings Festival at The Roundhouse in London. Against the backdrop of the UK general election and #Grime4Corbyn[16] campaign, Distras announced two Punk and Grime collaboration shows under the banner of Nu Punk[17][18][19] which were promoted by Live Nation.

Kerrang! named Distras a 'Star of 2017' saying "Louise Distras is the most exciting voice in UK punk right now!" and she performed at Glastonbury Festival[20] for a second time.

In 2018 Distras announced she was working on her second album with producer Ross Petersen (Bruce Springsteen, Elle King, John Mayer) and drummer Gunnar Olsen (Puscifer, Miley Cyrus, Bruce Springsteen) in Oakland, California. Loudersound premiered the music video 'Land of Dope and Glory',[21] an intense and compelling conceptual performance piece directed by MTV VMA nominated director Lewis Cater. "It's inspired by Black Mirror and looks like Crass joined forces with Barbie to create a dystopian TV channel," said Louise.

In 2019 she released the 'Street Revolution EP' and received more praise from Kerrang! who said "Louise Distras has the kind of voice that could charm the paint from a car". The title track 'Street Revolution' was immediately championed at Radio X being made John Kennedy's ‘X-posure Hot One’ and named as one of DJ Gary Crowley's top tracks of 2019 who said "Street Revolution is a song for our times. It leaps out of the radio".

She also played concerts in Germany, supporting The Subways, The Interrupters, Dropkick Murphys and appeared as a special guest on the new King Blues album 38 Minutes.

In an interview with She's A Punk podcast[22] Distras said she was experiencing mental health issues[23] as a result of being homeless. She later revealed she was adding finishing touches to her new album at Damon Albarn's (Blur, Gorillaz) Studio 13 in West London.[24]

2020–2022: Covid 19 and Cancel Culture

In a post on social media, Distras stated that her new album release had been pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the music industry[25] and was being subjected to online abuse.

On 4 November (Mischief Night), Distras released her new single 'Black Skies' which featured a spoken word introduction from Steve Ignorant of Crass. [1]

In an interview with Backseat Mafia, Distras revealed she had to crowdfund her upcoming new album as a result of never being paid for the sales of her debut album 'Dreams from the Factory Floor'.[26]

[27] She is outspoken against censorship of working class artists saying "Social media is the toilet of the internet" and "Cancel Culture is just mind games for the middle classes".[2]

2023: New album Beauty After Bruises

On 27 January Distras announced her long-awaited return in 2023 with her first single 'Girl in the Mirror' from her second album 'Beauty After Bruises' to be released on 28 April via Ministry Of Love Records.

Distras stated "I don't want to make music that's a space for the best, glossy version of myself so Beauty After Bruises is about the ugly truth. This album is messy just like me and it's about honouring the parts of myself that I looked away from."

'Beauty After Bruises' was recorded at 25th Street Studios in Oakland, California with American Grammy nominated producer Ross Peterson (Bruce Springsteen, Elle King) and mixed by the English music producer Stephen Street (best known for his work with the Smiths, the Cranberries and Blur). Guest musicians include Mick Talbot (The Style Council / Dexy’s Midnight Runners) on keys, and Puscifer drummer Gunnar Olsen on drums.

'Beauty After Bruises' was released on 28 April. Louderthanwar said "Punk is about attitude and Louise has enough for the whole of Yorkshire. Her voice was always emotional but now it’s more introspective, more mature and distinctive. With less shouting, she has become a voice to be heard."[28]

Clash Magazine said "Wakefield’s underground heroine Louise Distras is at her best on new album ‘Beauty After Bruises’" and "‘Beauty After Bruises’ is a hugely endearing return from a massive talent."[29]

ANR Factory described the album as "Johnny Marr-esque jangle-pop melodies, the colourfully kaleidoscopic hues of the Psychedelic Furs, Manics-reminiscent lyricism and a fiery pinch of 90s pop energy, Beauty After Bruises, from Louise Distras is a triumph of candour-instilled innovation."

In an interview with Vocal Media Distras criticised Ireland's new hate speech laws saying "I have a lot of questions, especially surrounding Ireland's new hate speech laws which I think are totally nebulous, completely subjective and wide open to exploitation" and "we should all be able to speak without being policed and told what we can and can't say about our own lives." She said that as an artist "it's totally paradoxical, especially in an industry which is built on freedom of speech and artistic expression."[30]

Artistry and style

Distras's biggest influences include Nirvana, citing their 1989 debut album Bleach as her favourite album.[31] Some of her earlier influences include Bee Gees, Queen, Abba, Sex Pistols, Whitney Houston, Oasis and Lydia Lunch.

She incorporates elements of punk rock into her work as well as the classic 1977 punk rock aesthetic, notably in the music videos 'The Hand You Hold'[32] and 'Shades of Hate'.[33] She is also known for retaining her thick Yorkshire accent during interviews[34] and makes no attempt to sing in an American accent.

Onstage she often wears Converse trainers, Dr. Martens, Fred Perry shirts and punk inspired jewellery, such as earrings designed by Vivienne Westwood.[citation needed]

Activism

Distras describes herself as "a soft working class feminist rooted in a Northern working class upbringing" and has written for fanzines citing Ariel Levy's Female Chauvinist Pigs as one of her biggest influences. In 2012 she supported the Russian feminist band Pussy Riot during their trial in an interview with The Guardian[35] after posting a viral video to YouTube[36] which encouraged her fans to raise awareness of the imprisoned band.

In 2013 She appeared on the BBC Radio 1 documentary "Make Some Noise"[37] and John Pienaar's BBC Radio 5 show Pienaar’s Politics to discuss the role of protest songs in modern music.[38]

In 2015 Distras auctioned 'Dreams from the Factory Floor' vinyl test pressings on eBay and donated the funds to California non-profit human rights organisation Justice Now, and promoted their anti violence and gender justice message on her US tour. Justice Now co-ordinated an art project based around 'Dreams from the Factory Floor' lyrics, where people in the Central California Women's Facility (the world's biggest women's prison) illustrated copies of her songs 'The Hand You Hold' and 'Love Me The Way I Am'. The finished art pieces were displayed at various events throughout the year.

Later that year she performed alongside Mick Jones (The Clash) and Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) at London's Coronet Theatre to raise funds for the London Fire Brigade in Joe Strummer's memory, and appeared live on Channel 4 news to discuss the closing of Kellingley Colliery in Wakefield with poet Matt Abbott and Channel 4 News presenter and Europe editor Matt Frei.[39]

In 2016 she teamed up with Grrrl Movie director Vega Darling[40] and Huffington Post journalist Sydney Chase to make "Real Outlaw",[41] a short DIY film that explored the lyrics behind 'Aileen'. It provided a commentary on the recent US presidential election, rape culture, sex workers, LGBT rights and the power of the riot grrrl movement.

In support of her 2019 Street Revolution EP, Distras performed across the UK and mainland Europe in partnership with Musicians Against Homelessness to raise funds for Crisis charity whilst road testing tracks from the forthcoming new album. She also joined Jon Sparkes (Chief Executive of Crisis), Alan McGee, Shaun Ryder and Neville Staple of The Specials at the Houses of Parliament in London to campaign against homelessness.[42]

In September 2023, Distras was interviewed by the Daily Mail for an article about women who claimed that they had been cancelled due to their views on trans people.[43] On X, formerly Twitter, Distras wrote "I'm in the @MailOnline today with these brilliant courageous women! I don’t care if people think I’m transphobic, if men wanna claim to be women there's always gonna be a clash when it comes to defending our hard-won rights."[44]

Discography

Albums

  • Dreams from the Factory Floor, Street Revolution Records, CD/DD, 2013, Pirates Press Records, LP, 2015
  • Beauty After Bruises, DD, CD, LP, Ministry Of Love Records Department 2023

Singles/EPs

  • "The Hand You Hold", DD 2012
  • "Shades of Hate", DD 2012
  • "Stand Strong Together", DD 2013
  • "Love Me the Way I Am"/"Bullets", 7", DD 2014
  • "Bullets", DD 2015
  • "Aileen", CD, DD 2016
  • "Outside of You", DD 2017
  • "Land of Dope and Glory", DD 2018
  • "Street Revolution" EP, CD, DD 2019
  • "Black Skies", DD, Ministry Of Love Records Department 2022
  • "Girl in the Mirror", DD, Ministry Of Love Records Department 2023
  • "Factory Girl", DD, Ministry Of Love Records Department 2023
  • "Truth in Your Lies", DD, Ministry Of Love Records Department 2023
  • "Love & Money", DD, Ministry Of Love Records Department 2023

Compilation appearances

  • "Aileen" on Hugs for Chelsea, DD, 2016

Collaborations

  • Paradise by The King Blues, 38 Minutes CD, DD, 2019
  • Boomer and the Severed Goats Head by The King Blues, 38 Minutes CD, DD, 2019
  • Black Skies by Louise Distras featuring Steve Ignorant, DD, 2022

References

  1. ^ "Louise Despina DISTRAS personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  2. ^ TeamRock (11 May 2017). "Louise Distras: "Punk rock saved my life!"". loudersound. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  3. ^ Friswell, Sean (31 January 2019). "Interview With 'Louise Distras'". 3songsandout. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  4. ^ Petridis, Presented by Alexis; Yates, Kieran; Wyse, produced by Pascal (4 May 2012). "Music Weekly podcast: The Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  5. ^ "Have Pussy Riot sparked a new wave of grrl power?". The Guardian. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  6. ^ skinbackalley (10 July 2014). "Louise Distras announces Shepherd's Bush Empire show". Skin Back Alley. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Louise Distras Premieres New Single, Aileen". Kerrang!. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  8. ^ Stevenson, Will (13 February 2017). "The King Blues Live Review From Manchester (January 2017)". Rock Sins. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  9. ^ Harris, Charlie (10 February 2017). "The King Blues Live Gallery from Nottingham 2017". Rock Sins. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  10. ^ "Louise Distras – "Aileen" (Louise Distras)". The Big Takeover. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  11. ^ "LOUISE DISTRAS – New single 'Aileen' airs on BBC Radio 1 with Huw Stephens / John Kennedy Radio X / Alex Baker Kerrang! & more – Martian PR | National Radio & Television Promotions (U.K)". Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  12. ^ Louise Distras | Interview + Live Session | RADIO X, retrieved 14 July 2022
  13. ^ "Hugs for Chelsea: benefit for Chelsea Manning, by Hugs for Chelsea". Hugs for Chelsea. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  14. ^ Blistein, Jon (16 May 2017). "Tom Morello, Thurston Moore Contribute to Chelsea Manning Benefit Comp". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  15. ^ Matview, Emily (9 January 2016). "The Bronx, JFA, Strung Out and more round out PRB 2016 lineup, 3 day passes now on sale". Punks in Vegas. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  16. ^ "Grime4Corbyn artists step back from new campaign for Labour". The Guardian. 10 November 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  17. ^ louderthanwar (28 June 2017). "top 10 nu-punk bands :Punks still not dead! a wave of new bands who bring a new energy to the old form". Louder Than War. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  18. ^ Interviews, Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews &; ClashMusic (22 June 2017). "Louise Distras: Punk's Not Dead". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved 14 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ "Nu-Punk (or how the Force Awakened)". www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  20. ^ Digital, Pretty Good. "Glastonbury Festival – 2017". Glastonbury Festival – 22nd–26th June 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  21. ^ Briony Edwards (13 April 2018). "Louise Distras unveils new video for Land Of Dope And Glory". loudersound. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  22. ^ "Self Preservation with Louise Distras". She's a Punk. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  23. ^ Twitter https://twitter.com/louisedistras/status/1474009603881025545. Retrieved 14 July 2022. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  24. ^ Twitter https://twitter.com/louisedistras/status/1231283176527613953. Retrieved 14 July 2022. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. ^ Louise Distras – Louise Distras – Let The Music Play | Facebook | By Louise Distras | Let the music play 🎸 (and new album update) UK – https://saveourvenues.co.uk USA – https://nitolive.org/resources/take-action Music Venue Trust |..., retrieved 14 July 2022 {{citation}}: External link in |title= (help)
  26. ^ "News: louise distras – first new music after 3 years". Backseat Mafia. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  27. ^ Twitter https://twitter.com/louisedistras/status/1546848844863922177. Retrieved 14 July 2022. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  28. ^ Ray, Mark (21 April 2023). "Louise Distras: Beauty After Bruises - album review". Louder Than War. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  29. ^ Interviews, Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews &; Murray, Robin (22 May 2023). "Louise Distras Looks Inwards On New Album 'Beauty After Bruises' | News". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved 23 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ "Louise Distras - "No More Leather Jackets"". Interview. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  31. ^ "Episode 22: 'Bleach' with Louise Distras". My Classic Album with Mike Norris. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  32. ^ Louise Distras – The Hand You Hold [Official Video], retrieved 14 July 2022
  33. ^ Louise Distras – Shades of Hate [Official Video], retrieved 14 July 2022
  34. ^ "BBC CWR – The Godiva Festival, Godiva Festival: Backstage with Louise Distras". BBC. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  35. ^ "Have Pussy Riot sparked a new wave of grrl power?". The Guardian. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  36. ^ louderthanwar (18 August 2012). "Louise Distras comments on the Pussy Riot verdict..." Louder Than War. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  37. ^ "BBC Radio 1's Stories: Make Some Noise". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  38. ^ BBC Pienaar's Politics with Louise Distras (Interview), retrieved 14 July 2022
  39. ^ Louise Distras – Channel 4 News: Kellingley Colliery, artist views, retrieved 14 July 2022
  40. ^ "Vega Darling". IMDb. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  41. ^ Real Outlaw – A Commentary on Rape Culture and the Riot Grrrl Movement, retrieved 14 July 2022
  42. ^ louderthanwar (28 October 2018). "Musicians Against Homelessness create special event in the House Of Lords". Louder Than War. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  43. ^ Foster, Jill (21 September 2023). "Meet the ordinary women who are being CANCELLED by the trans lobby". Mail Online. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  44. ^ "https://twitter.com/LouiseDistras/status/1704773616821317898". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 26 September 2023. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Louise_Distras&oldid=1177241230"