Velle
Is it harder to be taken seriously as pure musicians when the band promotes a focus beyond just their music (i.e. feminism, sexuality, etc.)?

Johanna Fateman
I think it's harder for women in general to be taken seriously as musicians! Le Tigre is rarely asked about technical or even aesthetic issues in regard to our music. In our case we are generally asked questions about politics and feminism -- which is definitely preferable to being relegated to "lifestyle" pieces and being asked only about fashion, cosmetics and personal relationships, which is what most female musicians in the public eye endure.

The press has occasionally pigeonholed Le Tigre as merely "feminist rock" or "lesbian rock". Does that upset or concern the band? Do you embrace that label or try to steer away from it?

We embrace the words "feminist" and "lesbian" because they connect us to a community and to a marginalized history of art-making and political struggle. Call us crazy, but we believe that taking pride in these words doesn't reduce our potential to reach a wide audience or limit our artistic scope!

Do you think it's ok to be labeled as feminist/political/lesbian rock, because that ideal is so important to you as people as well as to your music?

Well it's better than being called "electroclash." hahaha

As Le Tigre becomes increasingly popular, are there ever any discussions about becoming more socially accessible?

We've never discussed changing the content of our music or how we present ourselves in order to fit into what might be considered more accessible to mainstream audiences, but we have made an effort to make our music more sonically accessible. We set out with our new album "This Island" to make a more pop-sounding, dance-able album -- not as a compromise, but because that's where we wanted to go with our music and because we've grown as producers and song-writers.

Your shows often incorporate video and costume. Is the ideal rock show an overall artistic experience? Music, ideas, politics, visual art all rolled into one performance?

We've always felt free in Le Tigre not to fit the traditional mold of a "rock band." When we're putting together our live shows we draw from a lot of different things -- feminist, video art and media activism, slumber-party choreography, and punk minimalism.

Whenever my friends have talked about Le Tigre, I've noticed that the discussion mainly consists of heterosexual women wanting desperately to have sex with the three of you. What do you think makes your band so sexy to straight women? (all I'm saying is they don't seem to feel this way about Ani Difranco)

We're flattered. Can we get some phone numbers?

It seems like you guys are part of a strong artistic community. What does it consist of? How much pull does it have on the music you make?

We've been touring with some incredible bands that we feel a sense of artistic community with -- like Tracy and The Plastics, Peaches, Chicks On Speed, Lesbians On Ecstasy, Will Power, and Gravy Train. But we are also fueled by feminist work in the realms of performance, visual art, and writing. I think we are lucky to live in New York City where there is so much going in terms of radical art. We love the art journal LTTR and the gallery PARTICIPANT INC.

What has changed for women in the music industry since you've started?

Not much. Definitely there is a huge and strong DIY/underground feminist scene putting together great shows, tours, and events (like the many Ladyfests in cities all around the world) but in terms of "the industry" things still suck. Le Tigre has recently played a couple of larger festivals (we just got back from the Big Day Out tour in New Zealand and Australia) and we are always one of a very very few female acts on the bill. There are almost no female bands or female voices on alternative rock radio etc.

Is the move toward happier, electronic, dance music a hard one for your core riot grrl fans?

No our core fans like to shake their asses!

Is making happy music the ultimate political statement? Openly enjoying a world that tries to shut you out?

It's definitely a political statement for women and queers to party, and to create public spaces and public events that reflect radical values.

How would you advise young girls who want to be politcally active? Is it a different atmosphere with Bush's re-election and the current threats on so many women's rights?

Do what you love and what you are good at. When you put your passion and talent in service of political struggle you are less likely to burn out and you are more likely to build something amazing.