In this episode of Femmecult Radio, I interview writer, filmmaker, artist and all around effective troublemaker, Jex Blackmore. She is well known for her confrontational performance art pieces which are usually held in civic spaces. Her work addresses the links between moral religious rhetoric, sexuality, and political policy.  [Religion] is a powerful form of manipulation where even the act of questioning is deemed sinful and something you can be condemned to an eternity of punishment for. It has a profound effect on the capacity for people to be curious, and inquire and challenge the established power structure. From Femmecult Radio Episode 018, Interview with Jex Blackmore “Sanctions of the Cross” was a response to an anti-choice protest held at a Planned Parenthood location in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Good Friday. The procession was a testament to the burden of oppressive mandates endured by women who are forced to consider the religious opinions of the legislature while making personal family planning decisions. (from www.jexblackmore.com) She has often been the target of protest by the Catholic Church for her outspoken and confrontational work. She has also been called a tireless crusader for bodily autonomy, in that her work seeks to interrogate oppressive social institutions and ideas that undermine reproductive rights, and the freedom of women to choose what happens to their own bodies. She has been featured in many publications including TIME, Vanity Fair, Washington Post, NPR, Cosmopolitan and Salon, and was featured in the 2019 documentary “Hail Satan?” Her reproductive rights advocacy has ranged from disrupting anti-choice rallies to debating the Westboro Baptist Church and her recent exhibition in Detroit, “Sex Militant”, was listed as one of the best art exhibitions of 2019 by the Chicago Reader. …you have this systemic oppression of people who are not...

DJ Shiva is an techno artist with 2 decades of experience behind the decks and many quality releases to her credit on labels including Dystopian Rhythm, 611 Records, Different Is Different, Translucent, Gynoid Audio, and Chroma. Known far and wide as a tastemaker to reckon with, she runs the bi-monthly SubTerror Radio show, which is moving into it’s fifth year hosting the top names in techno from all over the world. We got a chance to speak with her about how she began so long ago, and what continues to inspire her dedication to this art form. Always outspoken and insightful, she also shares her thoughts and experiences on the electronic music industry and what is helping and hurting its progress in terms of leveling the playing field for all artists, especially women. In the podcast we’ll share bits and pieces of her music including her latest release on Detroit Underground under the moniker .noncompliant. Please join us for this fascinating conversation.   Connect with DJ Shiva online. Twitter: @djshiva https://www.facebook.com/djshivamusic/   Tracklisting used in podcast: DJ Shiva – In Bloom .noncompliant. – Airless Spaces .noncompliant. – Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum .noncompliant. – Ailed/Delia DJ Shiva – Whomp Rat Kroman Celik – Krater (DJ Shiva Remix)...

Patti Schmidt, curator for MUTEK electronic music festival, talks about the politics surrounding raising the visibility of women in electronic music.

Today is an important day to celebrate women and their contributions to this world. So many women have inspired me along the way and have made me who I am today. When I was younger, it was Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth and Bjork who taught me that I could realize my dreams in music. That I too, could be punk rock and DIY and do things on my own terms.

Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth comments on the necessity of the feminist voice in politics surrounding the recent imprisonment of Russian punk band Pussy Riot’s Nadezhda...

I just had to share this video with you all. A priest of the Catholic Church talks about how Hell is just an invention- that it’s not real after all! I’ve been thinking this all along, especially after taking a philosophy of Western religion class in college where I learned how the Bible was edited throughout the ages to suit the church forefathers’ (patriarchy’s) agenda. It’s very damaging because in many cases they have put words in God’s mouth. Perverted translations and interpretations through the years have also changed the original meaning and wisdom of the ancient texts. Hell was invented as a political tool of fear to keep the people subdued and submissive, lest they destabilize the power of church leaders. I’m glad the cat’s finally out of the bag! Maybe American/World politics will start to improve as the veil of ignorance begins to lift. Hell exists on Earth no question, in the form of war and the evil principalities that reign supreme, not in some otherworldly fire pit. Watch the video!...