Grass Widow

Grass Widow
Grass Widow in 2008
Grass Widow in 2008
Background information
OriginSan Francisco, California, USA
Genres
Years active2009 (2009)–2013 (2013)
Labels
Past members
  • Lillian Maring
  • Hannah Lew
  • Raven Mahon
WebsiteGrass Widow

Grass Widow was an American indie rock band from San Francisco, California.[1] Their music has been described as discordant and lo-fi,[2] and connected to the post-punk roots of the members of the band.[3]

History

Grass Widow was formed in San Francisco in 2007, by former members of the band Shitstorm.[3] Hannah Lew played bass, Raven Mahon played guitar and Lillian Maring played the drums, with all three members sharing vocal duties.[2] The band mentioned in interviews their intentionally collaborative creative process,[4] and their focus on sustainability in their music careers, opting to tour for only two weeks at a time to stay connected with friends and family.[2] Songs were created together in their San Francisco practice space and all members contributed equally to the work of the band.[5]

The band's self-titled full-length studio album was released on Make a Mess in 2009. It was followed by an EP on Brooklyn label Captured Tracks.[6]

Their second album, Past Time, was released on Kill Rock Stars in 2010. Their third album, Internal Logic was self-released on their own label, HLR, in 2012.[5]

Members of the band were often asked about the fact that the band is all-women and about their feminism, and have responded with a quote from Gina Birch: "And you ask me if I’m a Feminist? Why the hell would I not be?!"[7] They cite influences like Neo Boys and Kleenex, they also note The Move and The Kinks as a major source of inspiration.[8]

In 2012 they supported The Raincoats on tour.[9]

The band dissolved circa 2013, with members moving on to pursue other projects.[10][11][12][13]

Their namesake term grass widow, shared across Germanic languages, is of various shared meanings tied to abandonment, but now often refers to a divorced and/or promiscuous woman, or a wife whose husband is away.[14]

Discography

Studio albums

  • Grass Widow (2009, Make A Mess Records)
  • Past Time (2010, Kill Rock Stars)
  • Internal Logic (2012, HLR label)

Other Releases

  • Grass Widow (2009, Captured Tracks)
  • Milo Minute 7" (2011, HLR label)
  • Disappearing Industries (2012, HLR label)

References

  1. ^ Merry, Stephanie (May 19, 2023). "Grass Widow, a band in perfect harmony". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Merry, Stephanie (November 9, 2012). "Grass Widow, a band in perfect harmony". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 29, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  3. ^ a b Colville, Liz. "Grass Window: Past Time". Pitchfork (album review). Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  4. ^ Vail, Tobi. "Grass Widow [band]". The Believer (interview). Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  5. ^ a b "Grass Widow interview: "Our own internal logic"". Dummy. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  6. ^ Knaebel, Nate. "Grass Widow Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  7. ^ "Grass Widow". Interview. Lady Bang Beat. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  8. ^ "Grass Widow". Kill Rock Stars. Archived from the original on October 3, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  9. ^ Thompson, Erin K. (March 16, 2012). "The Raincoats – March 21, 2012 12:00 am". Seattle Weekly. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  10. ^ Canino, Gary (October 6, 2015). "Cold Beat [band]". BOMB Magazine (interview). Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  11. ^ Fortune, Hether. "On figuring out how to do whatever you want". The Creative Independent (interview). Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  12. ^ ":::::::: by Wet Drag". Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  13. ^ "Bridge Collapse: Wilderness/Blockbreaker". Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  14. ^ Harper, Douglas. "grass widow". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved February 2, 2025.

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