Ms. Led : New Agenda
-------- SHAKE YOURSELF AWAKE - BEST OF 2007!!-------
Voted no. 3 by Three Imaginary Girls readers!!!
No. 13 in Three Imaginary Girls Staff Picks!!!
No. 7 in Sound on the Sound Local Albums of 2007!!!
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REVIEWS FOR “SHAKE YOURSELF AWAKE”
“Seattle’s political pop-punks are back in fine form” – Curve Magazine
“THE BREAKTHROUGH HIT OF THE SUMMER. To call this record dynamite would be like calling the sun a spark.” Paul W. Richardson, Nadamucho.com.
Read the feature here:
“Shake Yourself Awake is a telling album — the kind you could listen to at any given emotional moment and respond to. Awesome poppy-hooks and bouncy rhythms.” - Three Imaginary Girls. Read the full review here:
Interview with Lesli at Afterellen.com. Read the feature here
“Smashing, as always.” - Aiding & Abetting
“[Wood’s] dexterity is matched only by her capacity to turn a phrase, which tend to be straightforward, politically charged… her passion is absolutely contagious… a formidable band. ” - Shawn Telford, Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Read the feature story here
“Filled to the brim with energy, enthusiasm and emotion” – Bryan Ochalla, Lesbianation. Read the review and interview with Lesli here:
“The balance between powerful punchy pop, hints of punk and subtle rock guitars manage to showcase Wood’s vocals and launch Ms. Led into a topnotch act” – Amy Spenser, In Utah Magazine
“Ms. Led plays the kind of rock music that punches, pops and proves that the political can get personal… Ms. Led's songs resonate with the immediacy and timelessness that all good rally cries need. “ – Annie Holub, Tucson Weekly. Read feature story here:
“This Seattle four piece has grown one helluva reputation all across the U.S. for being a fantastic live show—power pop that just kicks your ass while giving you
a big ol’ kiss.” – What’s Up! (Bellingham, WA)
“an energetic and unapologetic call to action mixed with songs of personal struggle and triumph” – San Francisco Spectrum
“Another decibel-heavy slab of the pounding, politically conscious rock…” – Seattle Sound Magazine
“Shake Yourself Awake is definitely one step up on the evolutionary music chain proving Ms. Led is all grown up and ready for the big time” – Angela Jossy, Weekly Volcano (Olympia, WA)
“Turn it up, throw it down and do your best Ally Sheedy goes berserk at the high school library impersonation, and let go of inhibition” – Innocent Words
“The album has such an addictive personality to it that you are sure to find yourself singing at the top of your lungs and rockin' out like middle school kids at a Nirvana concert circa 1991. Needless to say, this is one band that seems to be on the paved road to success” – Renee Gannon, Queer-Sighted. Read the full feature here:
Q&A with Lesli Wood at
Sound on the Sound:
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".driven by taut guitar lines, rhythms that propel dancing feet and vocals that seethe with quiet intensity one moment, then suddenly ignite into barely controlled yowling the next."
Time Out New York
"Wood tackles subjects that in the hands of a lesser musician would turn into tired and sentimental clichés, but Ms. Led’s leader is a surprising success…an addictive listen from start to finish." Devil In The Woods Zine
4 Stars * * * * "The band goes for the ultra-quiet Contours breakdown but comes roaring back for one last hurrah, guitars wailing, drums falling about, and a generally good time had by all." Pitchfork
"It’s tricky to write songs about activism without sounding clichéd or preachy, but Ms. Led succeed by paring calls to action with defiantly catchy rock riffs. From the samba beat of “And Now We Know” to the blues slide on “No. No. You’re Right” to the new wave of “Keep On The Outside,” the musicianship of These Things takes a complex and creative turn" - Anna Guliani, Venus Magazine
"[Ms. Led] has solidified its identity as one of the most outspoken bands in Seattle. "These Things" leads off with inciting words about feminism and doesn't back down for half an hour. Noted producer Martin Feveyear lends suitable grit to the guitars, while vocalist Lesli Wood (also known as Roxy) swings between Corin Tucker and the keynote speaker at a political rally." - Tizzy Asher, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
“Thanks to its fast tempos, fiery feminist lyrics, hooky guitar riffs, and sweet lead vocals provided by Lesli Wood, Seattle-based Ms. Led is a welcome addition to the scene.”
Girlfriends Magazine
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On June 12th, 2007, Ms. Led return with their highly-anticipated new album, Shake Youself Awake. With an impassioned political message, the album is an energetic and unapologetic call to action mixed with songs of personal struggle and triumph. Recorded at legendary London Bridge Studio and mixed and mastered by Grammy-award winning producer, Kramer (Urge OverKill, Low, Galaxie 500), Shake Yourself Awake is Ms. Led's follow-up to 2004's politically charged and critically acclaimed album These Things We Say.
Written over a span of 2 years, Shake Yourself Awake is singer/songwriter/guitarist Lesli Wood's strongest and most eclectic songwriting to date - varying from the punk rock energy on tracks like "New Agenda", to the 60's girl group stylings of "Up to the Old Tricks". Wood's lyrics are a fearless examination of social issues, personal vulnerability, and empowerment, backed with unmatched urgency from bassist, Matt Menovcik, guitarist Peg Wood, and drummer, Steph Hasselman.
For Wood, the album is her most personal work, inspired by her own challenges and her battle with Multiple Sclerosis, while maintaining an active career in music and completing law school. "I have dealt with being told what I can and can't do on so many levels. Having MS, I was told that I wouldn't be able to continue playing music," says Wood. "I was told to slow down, rest more, maybe giving up parts of my life. We always put so many restrictions on ourselves. We make excuses bout stability, money relationships, careers. Who says you can't do what you want?"
Ms. Led's refusal to compromise - politically or personally - is evident in the band's passion and conviction throughout Shake Yourself Awake. In the call to action of "New Agenda" Wood sings, "We've got to educate, communicate, organize, criticize, demand to know why, unify, rectify." And the self-assured lyrics of "Have it All" remind us, "Everyday is opportunity to make waves and everyday is your chance to try and make change."
Ms. Led's first two albums quickly sold out of their first pressings. All the while, the band has maintained their DIY ethic and built a dedicated following. Often referred to as a "must-see live show," Ms. Led have become recognized not only for their political edge but also for their catchy, even danceable, songs and their infectious energy and raw emotion.
The group has toured with such acts as The Gossip, 50 Foot Wave, The Avengers, The Thermals and The Reputation and has played at such prestigious festivals as the Bumbershoot Festival, Ladyfest, and the Capitol Hill Block Party. In support of Shake Yourself Awake, Ms. Led will bring their high energy live show to the masses with a national tour in summer 2007.
2004's These Things We Say garnered rave reviews nationwide and was described by Punk Planet as "sharp-as-a-tack power pop that barely takes time to breathe." Produced by Martin Feveyear(Mudhoney, Queens of the Stone Age), the album was voted one of the top Overall Albums of 2004 by KEXP listeners, reached 8 in the Top Northwest Albums of 2004, and was included on the Best of 2004 charts for the Seattle Weekly, Three Imaginary Girls, and John in the Morning.
--------- Notable Performances----------
Chop Suey, Seattle with The Cliks
Dante’s, Portland with The Reputation
Seattle Pride Festival with The Gossip
Crocodile Café, Seattle with 50 Foot Wave
Emo’s, Austin with The Thermals
Ladyfest Austin with The Butchies
Bumbershoot Festival, Seattle
Crocodile Café, Seattle with Imperial Teen
--------- Discography----------
(titles found under the name "lesliwood"):
2001 Flying Sidekick (A Benefit for Home Alive) features “This Is What We Get” (Broken Rekids)
--------- Discography----------
(titles found under the name “Ms. Led”):
2002 “3 Songs Under The Boot” EP (Fish the Cat Records)
2002 “Afternoon In Central Park” (Fish the Cat Records)
2004 “These Things We Say” (Fish the Cat Records)
2007 “Shake Yourself Awake” (Fish the Cat Records)
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View Ms. Led's EPK
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