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Louise Distras

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Louise Distras
Distras in 2012
Distras in 2012
Background information
GenresAlternative Rock, Punk Rock
OccupationsSinger, songwriter
InstrumentsVocals, Guitar
Years active2012 – present
Websitewww.louisedistras.com

Louise Distras is an English singer, songwriter and musician from Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

Early life

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Louise Distras was born in Wakefield, a city in the North of England, in 1987.[1] She taught herself to play the violin and guitar, the latter by skipping school and listening to Nirvana's "Bleach". She ran away from home during her teenage years, finding solace in songwriting and guitar-playing.[2][3]

Career

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2012–2015: Early career and Dreams from the Factory Floor

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Louise Distras began performing live in 2012, starting in pubs and at open mic nights. She met Anne Scargill, who inspired her to write for women, leading to her first single "The Hand You Hold" released on YouTube on International Women's Day 2012, which garnered media attention from The Guardian, The Independent, and BBC Radio 1.[4] In 2015, she released her debut album "Dreams from the Factory Floor" and toured America, Canada, Scandinavia, and Europe, opening for bands like The Damned, Buzzcocks, Stiff Little Fingers, and Television.[5] Music journalist John Robb called her "the most important protest singer we have" in a review on the Louder Than War website.[6]

2016 – 2019: Rising profile and "Street Revolution" EP

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In 2016, Louise Distras released the single "Aileen" through Kerrang!, indicating a shift in her musical direction.[7] Kerrang! magazine recognised her as a "Star of 2017", describing her as "the most exciting voice in UK punk." "Aileen" received radio play from BBC Radio 1's Huw Stephens,[8] Radio X's John Kennedy,[9] and KROQ's Rodney Bingenheimer and was included in the "Hugs for Chelsea" benefit album, which was featured by Rolling Stone.[10]

Throughout this period, Distras toured the UK and Europe with The King Blues[11] and performed at the Punk Rock Bowling Festival in Las Vegas.[12] She headlined the Nick Alexander stage at Frank Turner's Lost Evenings Festival in London and made a second appearance at Glastonbury Festival, invited by Billy Bragg.[13]

In 2018, she announced work on her second album and released the music video for "Land of Dope and Glory", directed by MTV VMA-nominated Lewis Cater, which she described as "inspired by Black Mirror" with a dystopian aesthetic, in an interview with Loudersound.[14]

In 2019, Distras released the "Street Revolution" EP, which was well-received by Kerrang!, who praised her vocal capabilities. The title track "Street Revolution" was highlighted by Radio X's John Kennedy and listed among DJ Gary Crowley's top tracks of the year.

During this time she also performed in Germany, opening for bands like The Subways, The Interrupters, Dead Kennedys, and Dropkick Murphys[15], and contributed as a guest on The King Blues' album "38 Minutes".[16]

2020–2022: Covid 19 and creative pause

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Distras announced via social media that the release of her new album was delayed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the music industry. She also mentioned experiencing online abuse during this period.

On 4 November 2022, she released a new single titled "Black Skies", featuring a spoken-word introduction by Steve Ignorant of Crass.[17]

In an interview with Backseat Mafia, Distras disclosed that she resorted to crowdfunding for her upcoming album since she never received payment for sales from her debut album "Dreams from the Factory Floor".[18]

2023: New album Beauty After Bruises

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On 27 January, Louise Distras released the single "Girl in the Mirror" and announced her second album, Beauty After Bruises, which was released on 28 April via Ministry of Love Records. She described the album as, "I don't want to make music that's a space for the best, glossy version of myself so Beauty After Bruises is about the ugly truth. This album is messy just like me and it's about honouring the parts of myself that I looked away from."[19]

Beauty After Bruises was recorded at 25th Street Studios in Oakland, California, with producer Ross Peterson, who has been Grammy-nominated for his work with artists like Bruce Springsteen and Elle King. The album was mixed by Stephen Street, known for his collaborations with bands like The Smiths, The Cranberries, and Blur. Notable guest musicians on the album include Mick Talbot of The Style Council and Dexys Midnight Runners on keyboards, and Gunnar Olsen of Puscifer on drums.

Reviews of the album were generally positive. Louderthanwar described Distras's contribution to punk music, stating, "Punk is about attitude and Louise has enough for the whole of Yorkshire. Her voice was always emotional but now it's more introspective, more mature and distinctive. With less shouting, she has become a voice to be heard."[20]

Clash magazine praised the release, noting, "Wakefield's underground heroine Louise Distras is at her best on new album Beauty After Bruises," and described it as "a hugely endearing return from a massive talent."[21]

Artistry and style

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Louise Distras's musical influences include Nirvana, with their 1989 debut album Bleach being her favourite. Her earlier influences encompass a wide range of artists such as Bee Gees, Queen, ABBA, Sex Pistols, Whitney Houston, Oasis, and Lydia Lunch.[22]

Distras has incorporated elements of the classic 1977 punk rock aesthetic in her work, particularly evident in the music videos for "The Hand You Hold" and "Shades of Hate". [23]

Personal Life

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Louise Distras labels herself as a "soft working class feminist," her identity deeply rooted in her Northern English background. She has championed feminist issues, notably by supporting the Russian punk band Pussy Riot in 2012.[4]

In 2015 she gave a performance with Mick Jones of The Clash and Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols at London's Coronet Theatre. The event was a fundraiser for the London Fire Brigade, held in memory of Joe Strummer.

By 2019, she had become an ambassador for Musicians Against Homelessness, collaborating with key figures like Jon Sparkes of Crisis, Alan McGee, Shaun Ryder, and Neville Staple from The Specials, to fight homelessness through a campaign at the Houses of Parliament in London.[24]

Views On Gender:

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In 2023, Louise Distras shared her views on the relationship between gender identity and biological sex, sparking public discussion.[25] As a result of these statements she faced professional consequences, including being dropped by her booking agency, cancellations from music venues where she was scheduled to perform, and her music being taken down from the streaming platform Bandcamp.[26]

Discography

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Albums

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  • Dreams from the Factory Floor, Street Revolution Records, CD/DD, 2013, Pirates Press Records, LP, 2015
  • Beauty After Bruises, DD, CD, LP, Ministry Of Love Records Department 2023

Singles/EPs

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  • "The Hand You Hold", DD 2012
  • "Shades of Hate", DD 2012
  • "Stand Strong Together", DD 2013
  • "Love Me the Way I Am"/"Bullets", 7", DD 2014
  • "Bullets", DD 2015
  • "Aileen", CD, DD 2016
  • "Outside of You", DD 2017
  • "Land of Dope and Glory", DD 2018
  • "Street Revolution" EP, CD, DD 2019
  • "Black Skies", DD, Ministry Of Love Records Department 2022
  • "Girl in the Mirror", DD, Ministry Of Love Records Department 2023
  • "Factory Girl", DD, Ministry Of Love Records Department 2023
  • "Truth in Your Lies", DD, Ministry Of Love Records Department 2023
  • "Love & Money", DD, Ministry Of Love Records Department 2023

Compilation appearances

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  • "Aileen" on Hugs for Chelsea, DD, 2016

Collaborations

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  • Paradise by The King Blues, 38 Minutes CD, DD, 2019
  • Boomer and the Severed Goats Head by The King Blues, 38 Minutes CD, DD, 2019
  • Black Skies by Louise Distras featuring Steve Ignorant, DD, 2022

References

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  1. ^ Bindel, Julie (3 October 2023). "Does Billy Bragg Have A Woman Problem?". Unherd. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Louise Distras: "Punk rock saved my life!"". Loudersound. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Punk Party". The Chronicle. Retrieved 4 October 2023 – via Press Reader.
  4. ^ a b "Have Pussy Riot sparked a new wave of grrl power?". The Guardian. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  5. ^ "Louise Distras announces Shepherd's Bush Empire show". Skin Back Alley. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  6. ^ Robb, John (29 August 2013). "Louise Distras 'Songs From The Factory Floor'". Louderthanwar. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  7. ^ McMahon, James (23 September 2016). "Louise Distras Premieres New Single, Aileen". Kerrang.
  8. ^ "LOUISE DISTRAS – New single 'Aileen' airs on BBC Radio 1 with Huw Stephens / John Kennedy Radio X / Alex Baker Kerrang! & more – Martian PR | National Radio & Television Promotions (U.K)". October 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  9. ^ Louise Distras | Interview + Live Session | RADIO X, retrieved 14 July 2022
  10. ^ Blistein, Jon (16 May 2017). "Tom Morello, Thurston Moore Contribute to Chelsea Manning Benefit Compilation". Rolling Stone.
  11. ^ Stevenson, Will (13 February 2017). "The King Blues & Louise Distras Live Review @ Manchester Academy 3". Rocksins. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  12. ^ Matview, Emily (9 January 2016). "The Bronx, JFA, Strung Out and more round out PRB 2016 lineup, 3 day passes now on sale". Punks In Vegas. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  13. ^ "Glastonbury Festival 2017 Lineup". Glastonbury Festivals. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  14. ^ Edwards, Briony (13 April 2018). "Louise Distras unveils new video for Land Of Dope And Glory". Loudersound. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  15. ^ "Dropkick Murphys". Citadel Music Festival. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  16. ^ The King Blues - 38 Minutes, 1 July 2019, retrieved 27 December 2024
  17. ^ Ray, Mark (6 November 2022). "Louise Distras: Black Skies – Single Review". Louderthanwar. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  18. ^ Callen, Andi. "News: Louise Distras – First new music after 3 years". Backseat Mafia. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  19. ^ Ray, Mark (31 January 2023). "Louise Distras: Girl In The Mirror – Single Review". Louderthanwar. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  20. ^ Ray, Mark (21 April 2023). "Louise Distras: Beauty After Bruises – album review". Louderthanwar. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  21. ^ Murray, Robin (22 May 2023). "Louise Distras Looks Inwards On New Album Beauty After Bruises | News". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  22. ^ Norris, Mike (15 February 2019). "022 - 'BLEACH' WITH LOUISE DISTRAS". Podnose. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  23. ^ "BBC CWR – The Godiva Festival, Godiva Festival: Backstage with Louise Distras". BBC. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  24. ^ louderthanwar (28 October 2018). "Musicians Against Homelessness create special event in the House Of Lords". Louder Than War. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  25. ^ Bindel, Julie (2 October 2023). "Does Billy Bragg have a woman problem?". UnHerd. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  26. ^ StructureCMS; theamericanbeat.com. "TERF is the New Punk: Woke Bandcamp Removes British Musician Louise Distras". The American Beat. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
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