JD Samson: Full Life Interview

In this oral history, JD Samson discusses growing up in Ohio, coming out at 15, and their early foray into political art. Samson talks about her life long commitment to activism and art, which fueled their major in Feminist Experimental Film. Samson explores the question of whether they consider themselves to be more of a visual artist than musician, and ultimately answers that they are both a multimedia artist and primarily a visual artist. Samson details how she joined their first band Le Tigre, working with Kathleen Hanna and Johanna Fateman, and why the band eventually dissolved. Samson openly talks about being gender queer while being perceived as falling within the binary in the music industry, citing examples of being perceived as a woman or as a man. They outline other projects they’ve been a part of or started including Dykes Can Dance, New England Roses, and prominently, MEN. Samson continuously returns to the idea of what art is and how they have spent their life making art. The interview concludes with her thoughts on maintaining relationships while in a band, feeling stuck in musicianship, and the category of women in rock.
About JD Samson:
“Gender Outlaw,” visual artist, producer and DJ, Samson was a member of Le Tigre from 2000-2006 and founded MEN in 2007. She has collaborated with Peaches, the Gossip, Christina Aguilera and most recently, feminist punk collective Pussy Riot and co-founded the performance art group “Dykes Can Dance.”
Learn more at: WomenofRock.org
JD Samson interviewed by Tanya Pearson for the Women of Rock Oral History Project on January 6, 2015, in Brooklyn, NY
Filmed and edited by Sophia Cacciola
The Women of Rock Oral History Project is a collection of digital interviews and written transcripts, housed at the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College-one of the oldest women’s history archives in the United States. Started by Tanya Pearson in December, 2014, WOROHP documents the lives and careers of women in rock whose work and careers have been underrepresented or omitted from rock journalism and historical scholarship. With a collection of publicized and accessible primary source documents, the Women of Rock Oral History Project seeks to facilitate a more comprehensive, inclusive, and accurate cultural history.
#rock #punk #interview #music #history

[@mlmn3080]

Every time someone acts like non-binary people just sprang forth a couple years ago, I always think to myself "Weird. Because I remember JD Samson being more than a couple years old"

[@bluestars3046]

Fr

[@cabezadeante]

I am a gay man, and I've always had a crush on JD. They are so smart and attractive, they made me realize from a young age that gender and sexuality have NEVER been binary.

[@HeresaBanana]

lol 'they' she's literally a woman

[@lindalinda0316]

After watching this, I have a crush on her now too 😍...

[@buscolaluna]

sameeee

[@neeliwilson9771]

JD is such an inspiration 😊💞

[@crabstick250]

Jd seems like such a sweetheart. Very talented!

[@mianoel24]

Want to see so much more of you :)

[@m.b.garcia4640]

Our lord and savior, JD Samson. The children at Clive Davis are so blesst

[@eldridgedeets]

I met JD in 2011 while on tour with her band MEN... My older brother took a picture of us... I was giving her a bikini kill button but she said she can't take it & told me to keep it ❤

[@Droidzi]

Right at the end -
Interviewer: "You're not going to cry are you?" (ed: not sure why they we're so fixated on this)
JD: "leave it to the lesbians"

[@AlonsoDoce-ok1zs]

I LOVE You brother gracias por la Gorra de Calvin Klein en Granada Spain . eres Genius !! ❤Indigo azul . te quiero . 😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@Salmon_skn]

I always thought JD Samson and Orlando Bloom favored.

[@k1ttiesaves]

She’s so pretty omg

[@danielthomas6932]

JD

[@k1ttiesaves]

FRR

[@tracyannemcnew1502]

Just saying the words " I love you " ..it doesn't seem like it is enough ..I want to show it..its been a long time coming and frankly showing it is just necessary ...take a risk ..live a little ..laugh a little..

[@bronsondeliac2625]

I always thought she was a dude 🤨🤩

[@MothGirl007]

Nope.

[@bronsondeliac2625]

@@MothGirl007 do you crave lämp?

[@professorFloyd]

The music she makes is great but why do you have to bring homosexuality in this ? frankly I don`t give a shit what she/he considers her/his self.

[@mariabobia69]

that very clearly isnt true

[@SeedsForBrains]

if you actually listened, her queer identity was what got her to connect with the music scene/community she is in right now. not to mention this interview is literally about her life, which includes her sexuality and gender expression.

[@professorFloyd]

@@SeedsForBrains please take your medicine, you are not making any sense

[@cal8796]

@@professorFloyd the music samson makes is intertwined with identity. the music is inherently queer.

[@SoporVK]

Nobody cares what you give a shit about. It’s not about YOU.