More Than A Muse

This week we got to dive into a very underrepresented area of the arts and its influence on political protest. Throughout history, dance has been used as a tool for political power and protest, even though it's also been laced with controversy and sometimes outlawed in countries and communities (even today). We talk about a myriad of cultures and societies that have been influenced by this politic...

Today on the Podcast, Stauney introduces us to Josephine Baker. Often referred to as "The Black Venus" or "The Black Pearl" she was a Paris showgirl with a shocking routine that took the world by storm (often joined on stage by her pet cheetah Chiquita). She also was an accomplished actress (the first black woman to star in a major motion picture), a singer, and a American Civil Rights activist, s...

This week, we're doing a full pop culture (specifically pop music) episode, diving right into a Guardian article "Billie, Lorde, Lizzo: has being a female pop star in 2021 become unbearable?"  and talking all about recent talk and trends in the music industry, where we think it's headed and controversy that has risen up against the music labels, or the pop stars they represent. We also talk about...

For this month's bonus book episode, we briefly go over the book expounding on the Riot Grrrl movement, "Girls to the Front" by Sara Marcus, and the impact it made on us this month before we are joined by two wonderful guests! We had the absolute pleasure of talking to the co-founders of Grrrl Music, Kelsey, and Ashley. With an organization named after the iconic punk riot grrrl music movement, it...

This week we're talking about the jazz instrumentalist, Lillian Hardin Armstrong. Often referred to as the "First Lady of Jazz," she was mostly known for her connection to her husband, the famous Louie Armstrong. However, with a very impactful career and jazz presence long before Louie, she is worthy of the deep dive this episode provides. We also dive a little into the potential conspiracy surrou...

TW: We are discussing mental health, mental disorders, unfair medical practices that basically qualify as torture, and other topics that are more adult and serious. We also briefly mention suicide and eating disorders. We don't focus too much on them but they will be mentioned, so if you don't want to listen, we completely understand! This week we're talking about the comparison between Camille Cl...

This week we're talking all about the sculptor Camille Claudel. Most famously known for her love affair with her mentor Auguste Rodin, she is frequently overlooked and underrepresented. With a long legacy of art overshadowed by her lover, a large amount of critiques who declared her on no unnecessary terms, a pure genius, and a tragic end due to an unsupportive and unloving family, she truly is th...

In November 1918 Amy Beach (aka Mrs. H. H. A. Beach) wrote an article for Etude magazine titled "To the Girl Who Wants to Compose." In this episode, we dissect the article and talk about technical skills and how that relates to art, education, taking your art seriously, different types of music classification that Beach outlines, and her best advice on how to compose. This is a great episode that...

This week Sadie introduces us to Amy Beach, the American music Composer. First widely known for her piano performance, and then later her compositions, with a vast library of works, Beach was definitely not underrated during her lifetime (although history loves to overlook her now). We discuss the nuances of relationships back then, roles of women in society, the idea of "being one of the boys" an...

Surprise!!! In honor of the Olympics we’ve been spotlighting some of female artists behind the Olympics on our Instagram This week. We figured since we already had those three mini-pods recorded, we’d throw them together on here for you! We’re talking about Bonnie Cashin, the designer behind American sportswear and the first designer of Olympic uniforms, Deborah Sussman, the graphic designer behin...

For our July book, we read "More Than a Muse: Creative Partnerships that Sold Talented Women Short" by Katie McCabe. In this episode, we discuss the book, the different industries, and art movements, and toxic partnerships! Whether or not you've read the book, this is a super fun discussion that you'll all enjoy! Want to check out some of our favorite books? Check out our booklist  Follow Us on In...

In this episode, we talk about The Riot Grrrl Movement, which was the culmination of feminist punk rock music in the nineties. We dive into the reasoning behind the movement (including the toxic world of punk pre-riot grrrl), the bands and zines that started it all, and the lasting effects it had on the future of alternative music. Riot Grrrl Started Girl Power Article JSTOR Article NY Times Artic...

TW: We discuss sexual abuse and mental health including suicide in this episode. In this episode, we dive into the lives of the two famous sisters of the revolutionary Bloomsbury Group, Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell. Woolf as many of you may know, is a famed author known for her many novels and writings, along with her many love affairs with women. Her older Sister Bell is less known but still c...

Romance Novels are continuously referred to as "trashy" books and are probably the most controversial genre in literature. But why is that? Although there may be a slew of reasons we give ourselves, in reality, it's mostly sexism. In this episode, we dive into the history, stigma, criticism, and praise surrounding the romance novel genre, and all the reasons we should love them for what they are,...

In this Episode, Sadie introduces us to the little-known Loie Fuller (also known as Louie Fuller or Loïe Fuller), a pioneer for modern dance, theatrical lighting, and began the discussion and advocacy of artists owning their art. We dive into the little that is known of her life, her creation and the performance of the Serpentine Dance, her many imitators, and more. We also dive a lot into the tri...

For our June book, we read "Fangirls: Scenes from Modern Music Culture" by Hannah Ewens. In this episode, we are joined by Emily from The New Nine, to discuss the book, fangirls, the future of fangirls, and the music industry! Whether or not you've read the book, this is a super fun discussion that you'll all enjoy! Check out Emily's interview with Hannah Ewens here Follow @thenewnine9 Follow Us o...

We've all heard of the Starlets from the Hollywood Golden Age and they've reached a level of icon that is completely unheard of and unmatched even today. However, do we know about their lives? Do we ever consider the nuances of the way they're perceived? In this episode, we dive into the lives of four of the world's biggest stars, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Doris Day. We also...

This week, Stauney shines a light on the immensely underappreciated Sonia Delaunay. Her story isn't just captivating due to her engaging personal life and delightful partnership, but also because she spearheaded the Orphism art movement, setting the stage for the evolution of abstract art. Stauney and Sadie discuss beyond her artistic contributions where Delaunay made her mark as a versatile desig...

In this episode, Stauney and Sadie dive into the history of textile design and designers from the medieval ages (and earlier) up to the famous Bauhaus School program. We also talk about the implications of craft vs art, high vs low art, and how sexism has seeped into our very definitions of art itself. Here are some of the articles referenced: https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/textiles-the-art-...

In this week's episode, Stauney delves into the life and achievements of Julie Andrews. From her Broadway beginnings to iconic roles in Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, and her awards, she stands out as a significant figure in entertainment. Beyond her film presence, there's much to explore about her personal journey. Stauney and Sadie cover her life, accomplishments, movie roles, books, healt...

We couldn't help ourselves. Here's a whole episode dedicated to our thoughts on Olivia Rodrigio's debut album "Sour." We talk through each song, our favorites that we've had on repeat, her musical influences, our hopes for her future releases and career, and the impact this debut album is already having on our culture and society. I've you've been listening as much as we have, you don't want to mi...

In this episode, we discuss the popular and classic romance author, Jane Austen. We dive into the mysterious history of the woman herself, the publishing of her novels during her life, and post-humorously, as well as a little about the movies and books themselves, and why Austen is able to claim such notoriety now as an author and taste-maker for the turn of the century. Want to check out some of...

In this episode, we're talking all about the common tropes of women in television and movies. From the cool girl to the manic pixie dream girl, we talk all about these different tropes, how they've evolved, what makes them sexist or empowering, and more. Check out the youtube channel "The Take" for their trope playlist Film Theorists High School Musical video  Want to check out some of our favorit...

This week, Sadie spotlights the incredible country/pop artist Patsy Cline. Despite her tragic early death in a plane crash, Cline's enduring legacy has significantly shaped the landscape for future country/pop musicians, especially pioneering the path for women in country music for generations. Stauney and Sadie explore her early life, the remarkable determination she showed in launching and susta...

In this episode, Stauney walks through her project on Artistic Inspiration and the different theories and facets throughout history that contribute to our ideas about art and the source of inspiration. Follow Us on Instagram @morethanamuse.podcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .