It’s encouraging to see that a standout Live On KEXP performance video can still have a meaningful influence on a band’s trajectory. This year Angine de Poitrine surged to festival-dominating viral status, largely thanks to their KEXP session. It’s hard to imagine a comparable surge for Vancouver noise-rockers PISS, whose sound is perhaps too raw and confrontational to pull in that many listeners. Yet since their KEXP clip went online earlier this month, there’s been a noticeable uptick in chatter about PISS, and the reasons are clear. It’s a bracing, magnificent performance, and frontwoman Taylor Zantingh delivers a fiercely heroic turn. You should really watch it.
PISS undertook that KEXP session because their exceptionally impressive debut full-length you made me / skin on linen is due to arrive in a few months. We’ve showcased early tracks including “time loop at hot slit” and “blocking a scene you can’t remember.” Yesterday, PISS released another new cut—(deep breath) “Rote Zora. ‘Resistance is Possible.’” Emma, No. 6, June 1984, pp. 39-41. It might be the first song I’ve encountered that uses a bibliography citation as a title.
The track erupts in a clangorous frenzy. In the quieter sections, Taylor Zantingh speaks with emotion yet calm resilience about the “scare-away effect” faced by “non-autonomous, non-radical women” when resisting sexual violence. In the louder moments, she bellows, “How can I make you understand?” Eila Vallevand directed the video, a mixed-media protest montage. Check it out below.
you made me / skin on linen is out 10/30 on Sub Pop/Paper Bag.
