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palehound 061719.jpg

Palehound

Photo by Bao Ngo

News
Palehound Is Learning To Love Herself palehounds-ellen-kempner-learning-love-herself

Palehound's Ellen Kempner Is Learning To Love Herself

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On her third studio album, 'Black Friday,' the Boston-based singer/songwriter goes deep on what it means to love yourself—and mean it
Rachel Brodsky
MusiCares
Jun 17, 2019 - 4:54 pm

Ellen Kempner, a.k.a. Palehound, wants to talk about bodies. To clarify: not "body positivity," which the Boston-based folk-pop singer/songwriter calls "condescending" and "ineffective."

Instead, Kempner, who has recently released a heartfelt third studio album, Black Friday, is more interested in the idea of body acceptance, starting with her own.

The 25-year-old hasn’t always had an easy time talking about her body, which she acknowledges is different than that of your prototypical, waif-thin indie-rock performer. Grappling with her appearance has been a tricky journey for Kempner, who has also struggled with anxiety, depression and the decision to come out as a queer woman, which she did in 2017.

While her previous album, 2017's Dry Food, showcased an honest conversation around sexual identity, Kempner stares down her vulnerability on Black Friday, which ties in themes of self-loathing, the aforementioned acceptence (of herself and others), love and relationships, and radical personal change. A sweetly strummed single called "Aaron," for example, is a gentle ode to her long-term partner, who came recently came out as trans. Speaking to Fader about the track, Kempner said, "I was watching [my partner] have this allegiance to his body and really commit to himself, even though it was really hard and painful. That inspired me also to be like, what can I do to exhibit the same amount of self-love?"

Kempner sat down with the Recording Academy to offer more insight into Black Friday, her not-always-straightforward path to building self-esteem, and how Lizzo gave her an unexpected boost of confidence.

Congrats on Black Friday. Would you tell me a bit about how you arrived at the name, as well as the reasoning behind obscuring your image with a yarn mask on the cover?

I thought that that concept [of "Black Friday"] worked best for being the name of the album because what, to me, it represents is like, the holiday—It's not really a holiday, I guess. It's just kind of like this really kind of dark portrait of us all competing with each other for things, like material things that we're told we need to be happy and successful. And that theme of competition with other people and everyone wanting the same thing and most people not being able to get that thing.

Just that longing that we all have for the same things: to be "happy" and "successful" in life.

That's kind of unrelated to the yarn. The yarn mask is its own thing. I had it commissioned by my friend, she goes by "GAUDMOTHER." 

One of my biggest obstacles as a musician in this industry, in this world, is just the kind of pressure, especially as a girl or like a femme person, the pressure to be sexy and the pressure to be an image like that's also crucial, it's as crucial as the music in some ways.

And I have battled a lot of discomfort, and a lot of self-hate as a result of being in this business. So I was thinking, how can I represent that? And then I was thinking, like, well, I would love to be confident enough to put my face on an album cover. Which I see a lot of people do, but I'm not confident enough to do that. So I commissioned a mask of my face.

Yeah, you got me thinking about why people gravitate toward indie-rock circles to begin with, starting in, say—to use my own experience—high school. Indie-rock once felt like a place for misfits to seek refuge. But hey, even that circle has its own standards of traditional beauty! Kind of ironic.  

So, so heavily, yeah.

I wonder, what was the first time that you felt that paradox?

Immediately. It was immediate. I was 19 when I started playing shows as Palehound. And you know, when I started I was younger, I was thinner. I was by superficial standards, "hotter." And I definitely felt that pressure immediately, even in the D.I.Y. scene.

My first tour I got really sick, like mentally. I gained a lot of weight, basically. This was in my first year of playing, it was my first tour. That's when I noticed it. I noticed, in general, less engagement with people, and less engagement from, in a way that I was used to before. I don't know, it's really hard to explain. It's really just a feeling. And that's when I was like, “Oh f**k.” And I felt it. I felt resentment towards my body, and I felt the disinterest coming from people because of that. Like, there was a tangible shift, once I gained weight, basically. Where there was a certain kind of support and attention that I wasn't getting anymore.

Wow,  yeah. And what was that like for you to realize?

It hit hard. I started panicking. That's when my anxiety [took off]. I mean, I've had really bad anxiety my whole life, but that's when I started having panic attacks and I started being super-conscious about what I ate, and my body. I tried dieting and all these things that just were not working.

Because the depression and anxiety that had been instilled in me, it was hard for me to keep a routine, to lose weight. And it started kind of spiraling for me, a little bit. I was feeling like my body was getting in the way of my dream. There were people that I was playing shows with who were these kind of beautiful, thinner girls that I was watching getting opportunities that I would've wanted to get. I wasn't necessarily competitive in that way. But I think I started seeing things like that and it started really getting in my head, you know?

Of course. Why does now feel like the right time to engage in a conversation about this?

Yeah, in the last album cycle I talked a lot about my queerness for the first time. But I really was not ready to talk about my body that way yet. I, like, had this idea that, oh maybe people won't notice my body if I don't say anything about it. Which is ridiculous. My fear is that if I said anything about it then people would notice.

I don't know, it's just a weird thing. So in a way, over the past few years it's been really bad. My anxiety. And on the last album my anxiety about my body was pretty bad, and I was pretty, you know still kind of intently trying to lose weight in this way that was not healthy. Not in a method that wasn't healthy, but the intention behind it wasn't healthy.

And then basically why I started talking about it, decide to want to write songs about it and talk about it on this record is that I kind of just decided that I don't want to change my body anymore and I don't want to have this battle the rest of my life. You know, with myself, and I kind of basically have tried to embrace self-love a lot more.

You mentioned earlier that you've previously addressed queerness in your music, which you again weave into Black Friday, specifically on "Aaron." Given the song’s subject matter, I wonder if you and your partner have bonded over the idea of feeling uncomfortable in your bodies?

I'm glad that you're asking about my partner because the theme of the album at the end of the day is all of us and our bodies. It doesn't have to be specifically for fat people. It could be for anyone who feels any discomfort about their body that has been placed upon them by this structure, this hellscape that we're all living in.

I hold monumental privilege in my body. I don't have to worry about being killed for how my body looks. Many, many people in this country do [have to worry about that], and in this world do.

But anyway, my partner, yeah, he's trans, and he came out to me about a year before he came out to everyone else. So there was a year that was when I was recording this album, that the two of us were having these really heavy conversations about him and what it meant for him to come out, and what he needed to do to feel happy in his body and if it was worth all of the risks. Like social risks, I mean. Not medical, or anything.

I love him so much, and I adore him and his body so much, and he adores me and my body so much, but we hated ourselves. And so we would just have these really sh*tty conversations where we're like, “Why are you with a person like me?”  

That actually inspired the song "Bullsh*t." It’s about having the same conversation where you're just trying to put yourself down while raising the other one up. And over all that time it really made both of us think about ourselves and our bodies. And, why do we hate each other so much?

And so it led to a lot of conversations about changing our bodies and how him changing his body is the absolute right thing to do, if that's what he wants to do. He can take testosterone, he can get top surgery. But for me changing my body and losing weight would be the unhealthy thing. So just talking about our situations that way, and adapting and becoming comfortable in your skin and what that means, really, in two very different contexts.

That’s wonderful that you have such a strong support system in each other. Feelings of self-doubt and insecurity can so easily manifest in being treated like garbage by emotionally abusive partners.

Totally. And that's why so many sh*tty bros joke about going after insecure girls, you know?

Definitely. You know, I also really latched on to the lyric "I think I’m due for another sh*tty tattoo." What significance does body art hold for you?

Oh, yeah. It's really funny ‘cause people have been asking me about that song. But that's kind of to me like the joke song from the album. I try not to write poppy, yucky stuff like that. Last year I got like a bunch of stick-and-pokes for the first time, and some tattoos, and I kind of was finding myself do it in this way that it just made me love my body more. It was so great to have control over my body that way. To be like yeah, I'm making this stupid decision to get this stupid thing tattooed on my ankle, but that's really empowering. And that feels really good, you know? And it kind of was like yeah, I had to kind of like make sure I wasn't getting too many tattoos at a certain point ‘cause I could see how it could get addicting for that reason.

Yeah, that song is about the euphoria I felt when I found a way that I could take ownership of my body.

It’s been heartening to see pop culture engage more actively in a conversation about representation, whether it’s to do with diverse body types, sexuality, gender identity or racial background. For example, when we see shows like Hulu’s Shrill, or hear Lizzo's music, does this create a sense of optimism in you? That society is ready to acknowledge and showcase our differences in a more nuanced way?

Well, even though our approach is really different and our music's really different, Lizzo has been monumentally inspiring. I’ve been following her for years. She's been giving me so much. You know her new album is like this joyous celebration of her body, and this really firm allegiance with it that she has is just really, really badass and cool. I've watched people’s reactions to her to see how that goes for her. If she gets a lot of hate, if she gets love. So that was really cool to see someone achieve more than I would've thought someone could in that position. I guess I underestimated myself through underestimating her, to some extent.

Laura Jane Grace On Getting Sober And Living In The 'Tranny' Postscript

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Alice Cooper

Photo: earMUSIC/Rob Fenn

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MusiCares Person Of The Year Performers Announced alice-cooper-yola-john-legend-more-honor-aerosmith-musicares-person-year

Alice Cooper, Yola, John Legend & More To Honor Aerosmith At MusiCares Person Of The Year

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Gary Clark Jr., Foo Fighters, H.E.R., Jonas Brothers, Emily King and John Mayer will also perform at the annual tribute gala benefitting music people in need
Nate Hertweck
MusiCares
Dec 16, 2019 - 7:00 am

Get ready for a night to remember as the first wave of performers have been announced for the 2020 MusiCares Person of the Year tribute concert honoring Aerosmith. GRAMMY Award-winning artists Gary Clark Jr., Foo Fighters, H.E.R., John Legend, and John Mayer, past GRAMMY Award nominee Alice Cooper and current GRAMMY Award nominees Jonas Brothers, Emily King, and Yola join the performance lineup for the annual tribute concert on Jan. 24, 2020 in Los Angeles.

Aerosmith Named 2020 MusiCares Person Of The Year

Leading this stacked lineup through renditions of songs from Aerosmith's catalog of hits will be musical director Greg Phillinganes. Additional guest performers are still to be announced.

Back in October, Aerosmith made a surprise announcement onstage during their Park MGM Las Vegas residency, Aerosmith: Deuces Are Wild, revealing the big news that they will be honored as this year's MusiCares' Person of the Year. The four-time GRAMMY-winning group is being recognized for their considerable philanthropic efforts over five decades and undeniable impact on American music history. Through the years, Aerosmith have shown support for a number of charities around the world, including Steven Tyler’s Janie’s Fund.

The MusiCares Person of the Year tribute — celebrating its 30th anniversary — is one of the most prestigious events held during GRAMMY Week. Proceeds from the event provide essential support for MusiCares and its vital safety net of health and human services programs, ensuring music people have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.

The Person of the Year gala will begin with a reception and silent auction offering an exclusive and unparalleled selection of luxury items, VIP experiences and one-of-a-kind celebrity memorabilia for bidding guests. The reception, along with a silent auction sponsored by Delta Air Lines — the official airline of Person of the Year — will be followed by a gala dinner sponsored by AEG, tribute concert featuring renowned musicians and other artists, and the award presentation.

GRAMMY Week culminates with the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. The telecast will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

For MusiCares Person of the Year ticket information, please contact  personoftheyear@musicares.org.

READ MORE: Aerosmith To Be Honored As 2020 MusiCares Person Of The Year

ASCAP TuneUp Logo

Courtesy Photo

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ASCAP Launches New Wellness Program: TuneUp ascap-launches-comprehensive-wellness-program-tuneup

ASCAP Launches Comprehensive Wellness Program: TuneUp

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MusiCares joins the first-of-its-kind initiative as a strategic partner to provide recovery-focused support groups across the nation
John Ochoa
MusiCares
Dec 11, 2019 - 1:47 pm

ASCAP, the U.S.-based performance-rights organization (PRO), has launched ASCAP TuneUp, a new comprehensive wellness program for its members. The first-of-its-kind initiative aims to "meet the evolving wellness needs of music creators" by focusing on their physical and mental well-being to bolster the "creativity, life balance and longevity" of ASCAP members, according to an official press release from the organization announcing the program.

The newly launched TuneUp, which confirms ASCAP as the first U.S. PRO to focus on its members' physical and mental well-being, will offer various benefits and services focused on innovative wellness services, recovery support, wellness events and content initiatives.

Under the program's wellness services, TuneUp offers ASCAP members access to and discounts on apps and services supporting mental health, mindfulness, exercise and nutrition via several strategic partners, including Aaptiv, an audio-based fitness app; BetterHelp, an online counseling platform; Daily Burn, an app-based health and fitness platform; Motiv, a fitness and sleep tracker; and Shine, a self-care app.

Read: Meet The Real Ironman: Michael McDonald To Race On Behalf Of MusiCares

As part of its recovery support program, ASCAP TuneUp is partnering with MusiCares, The Recording Academy's charitable arm and nonprofit organization focused on the health and welfare of the music community, to launch recovery-focused support groups across the nation, in addition to a digital support group. Additionally, MusiCares is also serving as an official advisor on ASCAP's recovery and mental health programs.

ASCAP TuneUp will also host wellness events in multiple U.S. cities throughout the year, with the inaugural events series launching at ASCAP's New York City headquarters on Jan. 6, 2020. ASCAP is hosting wellness events in Los Angeles and Nashville next year, in addition to a dedicated wellness programming track taking place at the 2020 ASCAP Experience in Los Angeles next April.

On the content side, ASCAP is launching a new wellness-focused initiative, which includes #WellnessWednesday, a cross-platform social media campaign featuring advice and inspiration, as well as wellness activities from ASCAP members. As part of the content initiative launch, the organization recently debuted a bonus episode of its new "VERSED: The ASCAP Podcast" program, featuring an interview with ASCAP Chairman Of The Board and President Paul Williams discussing recovery and wellness as related to music creators.

Read: The Evergreen Career Of Paul Williams

The programs and services offered via ASCAP TuneUp are based on the findings from an annual extensive research survey ASCAP launched and commissioned this year. Dubbed "The US Music Creator Wellness Study," the inaugural report found that music creators: experience health and wellness needs that significantly exceed those of the general population; do not feel they have good access to wellness services; and are almost a third more likely than the general population to feel that their wellness has a major impact on their career, among other findings.

Learn more about ASCAP TuneUp via the organization's official website.

Aerosmith To Be Honored As 2020 MusiCares Person Of The Year

GRAMMYs

Michael McDonald

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Michael McDonald Crushes IRONMAN, Fundraising Goal michael-mcdonald-crushes-ironman-musicares-fundraising-goal-20-years-sobriety

Michael McDonald Crushes IRONMAN, MusiCares Fundraising Goal & 20 Years Of Sobriety

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"Somewhere deep inside, a seed was planted that finally came to bloom," McDonald said, reflecting on his inspiring journey to the IRONMAN
Ana Monroy Yglesias
MusiCares
Oct 15, 2019 - 1:15 pm

On Sat., Oct. 12, music management veteran Michael McDonald did something he would've never imagined possible in his earlier years as tour manager: complete the IRONMAN race on the 20th anniversary of his sobriety.

And the accomplishment was much bigger than McDonald himself; he raised over $394,000 for MusiCares, where he is Chair Emeritus, and the IRONMAN Foundation. His original fundraising goal was $150,000.

"I vividly remember watching the Kona IRONMAN World Championships on television and crying because I was too hungover to fathom the level of dedication, perseverance, and athleticism," McDonald explained.

"Somewhere deep inside, a seed was planted that finally came to bloom," he added in a press release.

In his training for the big race, McDonald clocked in an impressive feat of athleticism, biking over 3,000 miles, running over 800 and swimming 69. This year not only marks McDonald's impressive first IRONMAN and 20 years of sobriety, but also his 50th birthday, as well as the 30th anniversary of MusiCares, whose addiction services helped him get clean.

"Crossing the finish line in Kona was one of the greatest honors of my life. I am overflowing with gratitude towards all my donors and the IRONMAN Foundation for giving me this once in a lifetime opportunity," he recently said.

Read More: Meet The Real Ironman: Michael McDonald To Race On Behalf Of MusiCares

Donations came from Mick Management, the Brooklyn-based music management company McDonald founded, VEGA, ROKA, Brooks Running, Cervélo Cycles, Live Nation, Music That Moves and other orgs and individuals. GRAMMY-winning musician Leon Bridges, who is represented by Mick Management, also generously donated $75,000.

In his fundraising efforts, McDonald joined TEAM IMF, IRONMAN Foundation's fundraising team. The remaining funds are donated to the Foundation, which works with change-making organizations in race communities, including the Kailua-Kona region, where the World Championship is held.

To learn more and support about the work MusiCares does to assist and empower the music community in-need, please visit grammy.com/musicares.

Aerosmith To Be Honored As 2020 MusiCares Person Of The Year

GRAMMYs

Aerosmith 

Photo: Zack Whitford

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Aerosmith Named 2020 MusiCares Person Of The Year aerosmith-be-honored-2020-musicares-person-year

Aerosmith To Be Honored As 2020 MusiCares Person Of The Year

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The four-time GRAMMY-winning band will be celebrated at the 30th anniversary GRAMMY Week gala benefiting music creators and professionals in need
Nate Hertweck
MusiCares
Oct 4, 2019 - 4:54 am

Last night Aerosmith made a surprise announcement onstage during their Park MGM Las Vegas residency, Aerosmith: Deuces Are Wild, revealing they will be honored as the 2020 MusiCares Person Of The Year. The 30th anniversary benefit gala and tribute will take place on Jan. 24, two nights before the 62nd GRAMMY Awards. Watch Aerosmith deliver the surprise news here:

Aerosmith Named 2020 MusiCares Person Of The Year

In the midst of celebrating 50 years as a band, Aerosmith will be recognized for their considerable philanthropic efforts and undeniable impact on American music history. Over the years, Aerosmith has shown support for a number of charity organizations around the world, including MusiCares and vocalist Steven Tyler’s own philanthropic initiative Janie’s Fund, which supports young women who’ve suffered the trauma of abuse and neglect.

"MusiCares has been saving lives for 30 years," said Deborah Dugan, President/CEO of MusiCares and the Recording Academy. "The Person of the Year gala is the pinnacle of the essential work that MusiCares is doing year-round, and it’s truly magical in the way that it unites and galvanizes our community and inspires others to take action on their own. As we continue to expand our services to people in need, we are thrilled to pay tribute to one of the most beloved bands of all time. Aerosmith has walked the walk when it comes to raising funds to impact music people in recovery. It is sure to be an amazing evening."

One of the most prestigious events held during GRAMMY Week each year, the MusiCares Person of the Year gala will begin with a reception and silent auction of luxury items, VIP experiences, and one-of-a-kind celebrity memorabilia. Following the gala dinner, Aerosmith will be honored with a tribute concert featuring renowned musicians and other artists and the Person of the Year award presentation.

Proceeds from the gala will provide essential support for MusiCares' year-round initiatives to provide a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need.

For more information on 2020 MusiCares Person Of The Year gala, please contact MusiCares at 310-392-3777 or personoftheyear@musicares.org. The 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 26, 2020. The telecast will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

7 Things We Learned About Dolly Parton At The 2019 MusiCares Person Of The Year Celebration

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