Carla J Easton and Blair Young’s film focuses on the best girl bands from Scotland, asking why they’re lesser known than their male counterparts, and why this is still happening in today’s music industry. Easton herself, ex- Teen Canteen and now a solo artist, narrates the film.
It’s a heartfelt look at more obscure artists like sixties pop duo The McKinlay Sisters, who toured with the Stones, to five minute polka dot pop icons Strawberry Switchblade, whose hit single is the documentary’s title, through to postpunk like The Ettes, Sunset Gun and Sophisticated Boom Boom, and nineties artists emerging through the indie DIY scenes like Lung Leg, Pink Kross, Hello Skinny and Sally Skull.
Through examining the highs of camaraderie and sisterhood, as well as finding your tribe, to the more troubling aspects of women not getting accepted in big festival lineups; attempts at marketing the women in inappropriate ways, and sexual assault and misogyny, this is a nuanced film which recalibrates female voices in music with a witty, engaging fanzine aesthetic of peppy visuals and intelligent ex-band members.
Even as late as the 2010s, it seems that artists like The Hedrons, who were slated for success and had toured toilet circuits and big festivals worldwide, were refused a major record deal because, to their chagrin, they were informed,”you’re of the age where you might get pregnant”. Truly, it beggars belief, but dinosaurs still stalk the industry.
Ultimately though, there’s still hope for female and non-binary musicians looking to break through in Scotland. Hen Hoose, run by artist and producer MALKA, provides a platform for both, as well as the organisation Amplifi, who run club nights in Edinburgh.
Its an emotional, but ultimately celebratory film with a lot to say for newcomers and fans alike. All hail these bold Scottish queens.
Hit The North 