Kim Gordon - why she won't call herself a musician

In this excerpt from Overheard with Evan Smith, former Sonic Youth band member and author of Girl in a Band, Kim Gordon explains why she's never considered herself a musician.
This episode was recorded February 28, 2015.
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[@shughy1]

She's right though, musicians are people who are much more polished at playing instruments and know the theory, whereas the indie and punk band scene is very amateur sounding, that's why it sounds so raw and full of energy.

[@scratch5191]

I was thinking exactly the same thing before you did. Don't touch me I'm punk rock

[@Cespinozas]

Listen to late period Coltrane he brakes that barrier , specially in albums like the sun ship Coltrane shows pure energy and punk

[@nickzinc9695]

listen to math rock and eat your words. Punk is merely a style and just because one can throw out leads like Malmsteen doesn't mean that's the style they choose to express themselves through. If you bleed music, you are a musician, despite evidence of any monetary gain or recognition

[@shughy1]

@@nickzinc9695 not true, to be a musician takes skill and craftsmanship, punk is unskilled, mostly basic power chords, all musicians can play punk but not all punk players can be a musician

[@byallmeansmoveataglacialpa2557]

@@shughy1 all musicians can play punk? i disagree. punk doesn't just mean yelling into a mic and playing power chords it goes deeper than that. it's attitude, it's energy, it's a mindset. some people don't have that in them. you can't play punk and be a part of the establishment for instance.

[@deniseshaharkrivosh]

Kim is incredible, no matter how and what she creates

[@paulelliott3220]

Interesting There's no question she wasn't the most proficient bassist But, there's no doubt she could play and she was an integral part of the band I think of her as a musician, a writer, and artist. She's Kim Gordon !!!!

[@bobbybobbinson]

THis is a really good interview

[@brandonromes9673]

Gosh she’s such a great bassist and an artist as a whole, I obviously am only aware of her bass playing but geez even with that art of playing an instrument, she takes it to a whole other level and strikes such a strong impact on the bass and I consider her a better bass player than a lot of musically trained bassists just by the way she approaches it and her craft I consider her very underrated as a bass player but also understand why she doesn’t consider herself a musician and why she isn’t talked about as much as she should be when it comes to bass playing or amazing bass players

[@gushingcloud303]

This interviewer really tries to put words in her mouth. He needs to chill out, he’s too heavy handed.

[@DavidBurton1978]

I agree up to a certain point but even though I love Sonic Youth and Kim, I also believe she is not a particularly enthusiastic talker and seems to be tired/bored at times here.

[@crush3095]

how does she make you love her so much

[@JodiGilar]

The greatest Kim ever..

[@elgiron5600]

@Karis Crimsonn Ever so slightly? Nah

[@elgiron5600]

@Karis Crimsonn Yes, I know this. Deal is a better singer and bass player. Ms. Gordon, I still love you.

[@andyisdead]

No, that's Kim Fowley

[@nickhanlon9331]

SY was more than the sum of its parts. The thinking behind the dynamics and thier sounds was what set them apart. I consider Mark Knopfler the last genuine guitar hero and he peaked in 85. Ditto SRV.

[@suhijo]

I thought at first by the thumbnail it was Allison Janney

[@segaboy70bf]

15 steps radiohead

[@GIj349]

Kim has always had something that inspired the major filthy parts of my body and at the same time the major parts the most pure connected to my soul.

[@jameskeyes9112]

She has a sexuality and magnetism that just draws you in when she is on stage. There is nobody else in the music business that can do what Kim does.

[@Obviousthrowawayaccount]

No wave spirit haha

[@pajamasflannel]

Think of electricians - it takes more than changing light bulbs to be one. Since the ‘60s many pop/rock/punk/band members can only change light bulbs.

[@sexobscura]

think of London - small city - dark in the daytime

[@buddhistpriest1357]

She’s a musician/producer/front woman. It’s what she profession is when paying taxes.

[@sexobscura]

*Not a musician..... huh.... she played most of the instruments on Sonic Youth albums*

[@messimelancia5941]

sexobscura nop she didnt, Lee ABS thurston did

[@scratch5191]

Wait I thought it was because she's not one. Does she refer to herself as a cat in the dark and who will be your uber.

[@scratch5191]

Girl? She hasn't been a girl in centuries!!

[@standinsilence]

LOL!!

[@scratch5191]

Stop with the lies. I mean, where does it stop with you? You have a few people disappearor . You do press being coy and hard as nails while always missing the beat. You can hear her say anything but, don't listen. The fact of the matter is that she was a woman desperate for a fix and would step over her six children to get it. How do I know? I'm number two. Hi mom. It's me. Your child Flateuencia.

[@moa3813]

Why are you so obsessed with her?

[@AlexanderKnollwood]

The last lines killed me 😂.

[@scratch5191]

She needs to soften up. She looks like she's on the ferry to providence town Massachusetts for women's week or a lpga award ceremony.