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Taking Stock of GIRLStock 2003

VIV's Lucy Sparrow Talks with creator Maei Thomas

Last summer I found myself rocking at a warehouse event right in my backyard. In July of 2002, local musician and singer/songwriter Maei Thomas put on the first 'GIRLStock,' a stellar event featuring the musical, artistic, and literary talents of several local women including the bands KINDNESS and Glitter Mini 9, Jackie Strano of the Hail Marys, Shar Rednour and Richelle Donigan, Carol Robison, Misty Hecht, Roxxie Rosen, Alegria Sonata Barclay, Billie and Erica Dudley, Trixie, Elin Christopherson, Alex Woodham Powers, Sarah Chase and others.
Maei Thomas is a woman whose power lies in not only what she says, but who she is. She exudes confidence and puts on charm as easily as her hat. It was a pleasure to interview her right here in Oakland, which is Voice is Venom's backyard…

LS: What made you create such an event and why?
MT: GIRLStock came to me in April of 2002. It was as if I had been "called" to create a warm and supportive venue for women performers and artists to share their work. By getting the word out that this body of work exists, I hoped these artists would have more opportunities to get their work shown. While I possess a bachelor's of art in music history and theory, I don't work in this field because I have not found a way to do so while surviving financially - but I remain hopeful. GIRLStock is my way of assisting those who create art to illuminate additional paths of survival as well as a means of staying in touch with one of the communities I hold most dear. GIRLStock is about diverse communities coming together to celebrate women in the arts. It raises the awareness of other critical organizations that seek to improve the quality of womens lives - artists or otherwise. GIRLStock is about investing in women who dare to dream, and who dare to act on those dreams.

LS: Tell me about this year's event.
MT: This year the Women's Cancer Resource Center (WCRC) of Oakland will receive the majority of the proceeds from this event. I'm thrilled that the executive director, Mary Tunison, of the WCRC will be addressing GIRLSTock attendees on both nights at 7:00 p.m. with information about her organization as well as some important information about the state of women's health around cancer issues.
This year GIRLStock 2003 is truly fortunate to have Katherine Chase, formerly of Kindness, grace the stage as a newly reincarnated act called Kitty Rose. And Cha Levias, formerly the drummer of GM9 will be showing a sampling of her brilliant fine photographic images. The talent roster for GIRLStock 2003 continues with the Lisa Hayle, a chillingly powerful songwriter and performer, and Jolie of Lotusdog, bringing an electrified acoustic set to the stage. In addition to the artists I've already mentioned, the list of hot women performers and artists for 2003 includes writers Carol Robison, Misty Hecht, Pony, Allison DeLauer and Amrah Johnson; Singer/Songwriters Jamie Jenkins, Joan Pez, Pickin' Trix (a girl guitar pickin' duo), Marca Cassity, Reba Hasko (vocalist/pianist); Bands include The Lactators, The Amplifidelics, and Bitesize; DJs are Sarah B, DJ Eclat and The Reverend Leslie Abraham. Artists are Carla Mathis, Jennifer Waicukauski, Alex Powers and Sarah Chase. And of course, the always electric and effervescent Richelle Donigan will dance. GIRLStock 2003 takes place at the new SF women's bar, Cherry Bar. I was talking about GIRLStock 2002 to club owner Mariah in January of this year when she asked in a matter of fact tone, "Why don't you do GIRLStock at Cherry Bar this year?" Again, 1,000 thank you's to Mariah for her enthusiasm, and for offering her beautiful venue.

LS: Do you have a 'five year plan' or vision for this event - of say - epic or national proportions?
MT: I am not yet wed to making this an annual event as it does take quite a good deal of time, effort and energy to corral everyone who is needed to bring it to fruition. My ringing cell phone reminds me of the number of "to do's" I have yet to complete for this year's endeavor. GIRLStock is a week away and I am eager to create a wonderful and exciting event for all involved, as well as a successful benefit for the Women's Cancer Resource Center. Having a full-time job and other interests can make it challenging at times. And having said all that, I am already thinking about who I would want to "corral" for GIRLStock 2004...(wink wink)

LS: What kind of interest and support would you need for this to grow?
MT: In business, word of mouth is really the best advertising one can get. Thus I am very appreciative of your taking time out of your busy schedule to interview me, and I am most thankful to the hosts of Voice is Venom for posting this interview on THEIR critical women-in-the-arts site. Thank you - really - support can be beautiful.

LS: In your lifetime how (if at all) have you seen the role of women in popular music change?
MT: Ah geez, let me think...in my lifetime, I've seen the likes of Melissa Etheridge burst into the old boys rock 'n roll network to establish herself as a force to be reckoned with on an international level. I have also seen women who formerly were "wed" to a male-dominated group come into their own in the recording industry...again, the lists could grow very long here but take for example Tina Turner, separating from Ike; Madonna separating from Jelly Bean Benitez (her ex-boyfriend), Chaka Khan separating from Rufus; and Annie Lennox separating from The Eurythmics. I firmly believe that as women grow more business saavy and financially independent in our culture, the arts community similarly evolves. While these may not be the best examples, they are real and they show that women artists ARE learning to better illuminate their paths for survival. I want to be a part of this evolution on a local scale.

LS: Do you think the Bay Area is any better or worse for women in music than other major metropolitan areas?
MT: Making it in music or anything, I feel, is really about hard work, opportunity, luck and exposure. Some would say that unless you're in Los Angeles or New York areas, you're wasting your time in the arts. Others would beg to differ. I think that the tried true ingredients for success - hard work and perseverence - combined with luck, even out the playing field, regardless of your geographical location. We have the internet now, and many more less-expensive ways to record, duplicate and distribute our own music and art than ever before. As I said earlier, dare to dream - dare to make it happen, wherever you are, regardless of your resources. You might not get exactly what you want when you want it, but you will eventually get results.

Go out and enjoy the results of Maei Thomas' hard work and drink up the talent of GIRLStock 2003!

Maei Thomas

"GIRLStock is my way of assisting those who create art to illuminate additional paths of survival as well as a means of staying in touch with one of the communities I hold most dear. "

Print out the
GIRLStock2003 Flyer

Women's Cancer Resource Center (WCRC) of Oakland

"GIRLStock is about investing in women who dare to dream, and who dare to act on those dreams."

"GIRLStock is a week away and I am eager to create a wonderful and exciting event for all involved, as well as a successful benefit for the Women's Cancer Resource Center."

"...women artists ARE learning to better illuminate their paths for survival. I want to be a part of this evolution on a local scale."

"... I think that the tried true ingredients for success - hard work and perseverence - combined with luck, even out the playing field, regardless of your geographical location."