Link: REVIEW: Journey of Grandeur – By: Christopher Hedden
To many of you, the name Jessica Allyn won’t sound even remotely familiar, probably not to quite a lot of you in fact. That aside, Ms Allyn is a relative newcomer to the music scene, residing in New York City and playing live around the local area there for the most part. In 2009, she released an…
The time has officially arrived!
“Delusions of Grandeur” was released on March 25th worldwide. It is now available on iTunes (almost everywhere), Amazon.com, and many more.
If you want the music, and documentary you can buy the special combo pack at:
http://jessicaallyn.bandcamp.com
It’s only $11 and you get the full length digital download, plus a document including a link and password to get your digital copy of the documentary “Noises from the Basement: The Making of Delusions” by our very own Jason Foulke.
So you’re getting a lot of great stuff for a small price. Pretty great!
So if you like it – tell your friends! Keep the art love alive!
If you buy it via iTunes or Amazon – please leave a review/rating.
This started as a little status trivia game I started playing on Facebook out of sheer boredom. But, people actually enjoyed it – so for a week I kept it up. One fact a day, the finale was today. Here it is – the older posts are archived at the bottom. Enjoy.
Upon diving into the deep end of this sappho-historical journey through Hollywood – I found a lot of bullshit.
I wanted to find something really juicy for my last post. Most of the stuff I came across seemed to be just rumor, with little to no truth behind it.
I was not going to malign someone’s name, or legacy by spreading lies. The earlier posts were very clearly stated as being “alleged”, except for the photos and video. That being said, I have found a few bits of film, and photos from the 1930 and 1940’s that have a lesbian undertone. Along with a fact or two.
Thank you for indulging me. xx
Now we begin..
1 – Billie Holiday reportedly had a long-term relationship with Tallulah Bankhead
2 – (And I do not know why this is in Espanol)
The Painted Veil (1934) Greta Garbo and Cecilia Parker (as her sister Olga) shared a lesbian kiss. It was disguised, due to restrictive Hays Code just put into effect, as an intense series of multiple kisses between sisters on Olga’s wedding day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejob3uQ6z4c
3 – MAIDS IN UNIFORM (1931) (Student/Teacher Kiss)
The film’s status is ultimately pro-lesbian; there is also the very unaddressed act of pedophilia between teacher and student.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5z-onlgF7s
4 – “My father warned me about men and booze, but he never mentioned a word about women and cocaine.” – Tallulah Bankhead
5 – Agnes Moorehead (Endora on Bewitched) was rumored to have bedded Debbie Reynolds. Paul Lynde outed them (which is ironic in itself…)
6 – Joan Crawford was a kinky bi-sexual. Another theory behind her feud with Bette Davis was that Joan stole the love of Bette’s life away, and married him to get back at her turning down Crawford’s sexual advances. To quote Crawford (in response):
“Franchot isn’t interested in Bette,” she said, “but I wouldn’t mind giving her a poke if I was in the right mood. Wouldn’t that be funny?”
7 – Noir film star Lizabeth Scott’s career took a halt due to the rumors flying around that she was a lesbian.
8 – In general, it was easier for women to appear as ‘just girls having fun’, such as when Janet Gaynor and her lover, Mary Martin, went on holiday.
9 – Marlene Dietrich once explained that it was romance she craved, not sex. In fact, she preferred impotent or gay men.
10 – Marlene Dietrich acted as Edith Piaf’s bridesmaid, after their affair.
The early posts (archived):
March 7, 2010:
Joan Crawford once attended a party for Tallulah Bankhead and briefly upstaged her, making a begowned grand entrance dusted in gold glitter. Tallulah stormed off, but later re-emerged on her balcony, stark naked with gold glitter in her pubic hair, announcing “Guess who just went down on me?”
March 8, 2010:
Sewing Circle Fact of the Day: Marilyn Monroe & Joan Crawford..? According to Monroe: “We went to Joan’s bedroom… she had a gigantic orgasm and shrieked like a maniac. Next time I saw her she wanted another round. I told her straight I didn’t much enjoy doing it with a woman.” Joan totally hated Marilyn after this …- and totally went on a shit talking spree. I looooooove it!
March 9, 2010:
Sewing Circle Fact of the Day (EXTREME): If this list is even HALF true – my head will explode! I mostly love this for the interview with Barbara Stanwyck at the end.
http://www.zimbio.com/70+BISEXUAL+ACTRESSES+NAMED/articles/2/Barbara+Stanwyck+made+top+Bisexual+list
March 10, 2010:
SCFOTD: This scene between Greta Garbo and Elizabeth Young was permitted, but the heterosexual love scene was cut. This was PRE-morality clause.
http://www.garboforever.com/Bilder/Film-Pic/Queen_Christina/Queen_Christina-113.jpg
March 11, 2010:
SCFOTD: Edith Piaf was one of many of Marlene Dietrich’s female lovers (allegedly). She once said, “In Europe it doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman. We make love
with anybody we find attractive”.
“I am at heart a gentleman.” – Marlene Dietrich
http://www.youtube.com/…watch?v=jO0h190oboE
http://www.gaydarnation.com/images/GNImages/GN_marlenedietrich9_9.jpg
Later on…
These accusations are absurd. Bette Davis & Katharine Hepburn were straight! Trust me, if they were of the sapphic persuasion I would have found a way to bring them back to life, and invite them over for “tea”.
However, I do know that good ol’ JC (Joan Crawford) made a pass at Bette once. Bette totally shot JC down, and it is rumored to be one of the reasons for their long time feud.
Re: Hepburn’s sexuality
It’s hard to believe. There is a part of me that still has hope of a secret lesbian romp between her and another actress, but sadly I have not found such evidence. She had several love affairs (all men). The most famous (“secret”) affair obviously being with Spencer Tracy.
There is one women named Laura Harding who was Kate’s best friend, and there is a rumor they may have been more than friends. But, it leans towards Kate being Bi, not lesbian. And, I really don’t think there is much truth to this rumor. She was just raised around strong women, and turned into one herself. Her Mother was a passionate Suffragette.
Extra:
Is this ad seriously suggesting that women use Lysol as a “cleanser” for their naughty bits?
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/raim0007/gwss3307_fall2007/1950s%20lysol.jpg
Noises From The Basement: The Making of Delusions:
Written by: Jason Foulke (Drummer & Director of “Noises From The Basement”)
If you’ve been following me on twitter (@DemonScars) or really anywhere you have probably seen me talking a lot about a documentary lately. This documentary is “Noises From The Basement: The Making of Delusions”. It chronicles the making of the album “Delusions of Grandeur” by my band Jessica Allyn (@JessicaAllyn). It is meant as an accompaniment to the album itself, a little extra if you will, but it is far more than some lazy bonus material you’d find on a major label release.
First let me tell you a little bit about myself for the Jessica Allyn fans who don’t know me. Besides being the drummer for Jessica Allyn, I have worked in the film industry in some capacity for the last 9 years. I now primarily work as a Script Supervisor (when I can find work that is) and have been involved in many wonderful films. I learned to edit in a full Avid suite while interning for Robert Richter, a wonderful documentarian who has been nominated twice for Academy Awards, once for the Sundance Grand Jury Prize, and an Emmy winner. Many years later I got a chance to co-edit, co-direct, and co-produce the critically acclaimed feature documentary “Poultry in Motion” for Troma Entertainment along with Andy Deemer. That documentary is currently available on both the “Poultrygeist” dvd and Blu-ray as well as the Direct Your Own Damn Movie!box set (if you rent “Poultrygeist” the doc is on disc 2). I also edited 3 of the deleted scenes that can be found on those discs. So I have some experience with documentary filmmaking (as well as a lot more non-documentary filmmaking which isn’t on topic here).
This new documentary shows the challenges of recording a full album with no money in a basement on Long Island, the bulk of which happened over about a month. It features a ton of funny bits but also doesn’t gloss over the hardships. Mostly it’s upbeat though and will hopefully have you laughing. As I said it is really meant to accompany the album, and so it includes all sorts of stuff you might find interesting if you happen to like the album and the band. You get to see the writing process (complete with original e-mails between the band and raw demos of some songs), the way we figured out how to record drums with no prior knowledge and with the equipment we had and with a drummer who never recorded (me), various takes of songs including comparing versions, what various songs are about and the thought process going into what we wanted out of them, early drafts of Sylvia K’s wonderful album artwork, and what I think fans will really like most: lots of individual tracks. So for example you can hear what just the drums on some songs sound like, or just the guitar, or some strings, and of course Jessica’s raw vocals.
Of course if you haven’t discovered the music of Jessica Allyn yet, the documentary is still entertaining and hopefully informative as well.
As this is a music focused documentary I wanted the sound to be as true as possible to what was heard in the room. So besides adjusting some levels so the drums don’t suddenly blow out your speakers and someone talking doesn’t have you straining to hear, the audio is unadjusted and is very close to what you would actually hear if you were hanging in the basement with us. Also I kept things real. This isn’t reality show “real”, it’s all very honest. No one is made to look better or worse than they really were, myself included. I’m thankful that I have wonderful bandmates in Rob (@RobMJ) & Jess who let me show this honesty (and let me film them all the time).
Also at about a 47 minute running time you get a lot for your money. So I hope I’ve given you some insight into this documentary and all the cool stuff in it (actually you have no idea how much cool stuff, how about a techno remix of one of our songs?) and that you’ll check it out. Right now the album is set to be released with a downloadable version of the documentary on Band Camp March 29th. You’ll also be able to pick up a dvd version at shows and we’ll be selling a hard copy dvd/cd pack as well. So check it out.
The 2nd Annual: Night of Immoral Self-Indulgence is descending upon us!
Come out and help celebrate my descent into senility at our show on 4/2 at:
Tommy’s Tavern,
1041 Manhattan Av
Brooklyn NY
Friday
April 2, 2010
Doors at 9pm (Show at 10pm)
$5 at door
with:
This Way to the Egress (www.myspace.com/egressthisway)
Jacob (of the band Jaybird): (www.myspace.com/jaybirdfolk)
It’s going to be a great show – don’t miss out!
Come drink, and dance with us!
*Dance party to follow after show! (Where I will be DJing.) There might be cake, there might be glitter, and much much more!
FOR MORE EVENT DETAILS:
http://www.facebook.com/jessica.allyn?ref=profile#!/event.php?eid=336368878080&ref=ts
We’ve been hiding away finishing up our 2nd album “Delusions of Grandeur”. Well, we’ve finished! And the album will be out sometime at the end of March!
And, guess what! We’ll be playing all the new material at this awesome show!
Come down, have a tiki drink, listen to some musique!
We haven’t played a show since December – let’s see those pretty faces!
We go on at 9pm
it’s Free*
21+ (Sorry wee ones! I love you.)
RSVP to the event, let us know you’re coming!
*CONTEST: Name the dvd/documentary that will go along with the album release. It focuses on the making of the album. And we wanted the title to be different from the album. The dvd will be a part of a special package, and will cost a little extra if bought with the album.
I will narrow down the 5 best titles, and then the boys and I will vote for the one we will use.
The winner will receive the album+doc when we release it on pre-order. Before anyone else.
*If you win, and are already on the pre-order list. I will work something special out for you.
The deadline for title submissions is February 20.
All submissions can be made via Twitter @JessicaAllyn
or by email: JessicaAllynMusic@gmail.com
If sent by email, make sure subject line reads :TITLE CONTEST
With your name, title submission, and Twitter name if you have one.
The single of “Number Nine” from the upcoming album “Delusions of Grandeur” is up now!
We think it’s pretty epic. We think you’ll like it. Maybe even love it.
Take a listen… while you’re downloading your free copy of the “Mother Goddamn” B-side, download a copy of the single for “Number Nine” for a $1 !!… tell your friends.
http://jessicaallyn.bandcamp.com/track/number-nine-single
Ask me anything http://formspring.me/JessicaAllyn I answer ALL questions asked.
“Goodbye” A new tune I started working on yesterday. Very different from the usual stuff I put out. Never wrote a song on piano, so I’m kind of proud of myself.
*I do not actually know how to play piano. Do not judge to harshly.
