It’s a song that takes us back to the 1990’s. An era when Calvin Klein ads were rampant, Kate Moss was muse, supermodels were prominent, and third-wave feminism was symbolized with The Spice Girls’ slogan of “Girl Power.” But ’90s aesthetics was one of little tolerance for women of all shapes, colors and sizes, and the aftermath of this culture would leave generations of women affected.
During the same time and in direct opposition, the grunge subculture emerged and it is is here where Palehounds’ “Worthy” really resonates. The grunge rock genre was after all one of introspection and self-doubt; themes carried in Ellen Kempner’s lyrics. The modern twist? The push for body positive ad campaigns and female diversity in both the fashion and political world has allowed the younger generations to embrace what makes them physically unique and have an open dialogue about this with a more sympathetic audience.
Ellen Kempner is a symbol of her generation, one that doesn’t hide the fact that beauty aesthetics still exist, but one that voices insecurities, explores the realms of human connection and finds hope in love and acceptance. In true indie rock fashion, the music video for “Worthy” is devoid of all the manicured glitz and glamour that could so embody the ’90s and in turn is self-reflecting, conceivably ordinary and certainly symbolic.
Perhaps the emotional inspiration behind the song is agonizing, but at the end of the day, and of the video, the message of love and partnership is healing. This single is off Palehound’s new album, Black Friday, due out June 7. Their national fall tour with Big Thief begins in October.
Photo: Shervin Lainez
National Fall Tour Dates
# = w/ Big Thief
10/11: New York, NY @ Webster Hall #
10/12: Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground Ballroom #
10/13: Boston, MA @ Wilbur Theatre #
10/15: Montreal, QC @ Le Tulipe #
10/16: Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre #
10/17: Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre #
10/18: Chicago, IL @ Metro #
10/19: Madison, WI @ The Sylvee #
10/21: Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue #
10/24: Portland @ Crystal Ballroom #
10/25: Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theatre #
10/26: Seattle, WA @ Moore Theatre #
10/28: San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore #
10/30: Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory #
11/01: Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom #
11/02: Albuquerque, NM @ Sister #
11/04: Austin, TX @ Stubb’s #
11/05: Dallas, TX @ Trees #
11/07: Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse #
11/08: Saxapahaw, NC @ Haw River Ballroom #
11/09: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer #
11/10: Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club #
11/11: Columbus, OH @ Athenaeum Theatre #
Girl Underground Music 
It’s a song that takes us back to the 1990’s. An era when Calvin Klein ads were rampant, Kate Moss was muse, supermodels were prominent, and third-wave feminism was symbolized with The Spice Girls’ slogan of “Girl Power.” But ’90s aesthetics was one of little tolerance for women of all shapes, colors and sizes, and the aftermath of this culture would leave generations of women affected.
During the same time and in direct opposition, the grunge subculture emerged and it is is here where Palehounds’ “Worthy” really resonates. The grunge rock genre was after all one of introspection and self-doubt; themes carried in Ellen Kempner’s lyrics. The modern twist? The push for body positive ad campaigns and female diversity in both the fashion and political world has allowed the younger generations to embrace what makes them physically unique and have an open dialogue about this with a more sympathetic audience.
Ellen Kempner is a symbol of her generation, one that doesn’t hide the fact that beauty aesthetics still exist, but one that voices insecurities, explores the realms of human connection and finds hope in love and acceptance. In true indie rock fashion, the music video for “Worthy” is devoid of all the manicured glitz and glamour that could so embody the ’90s and in turn is self-reflecting, conceivably ordinary and certainly symbolic.
Perhaps the emotional inspiration behind the song is agonizing, but at the end of the day, and of the video, the message of love and partnership is healing. This single is off Palehound’s new album, Black Friday, due out June 7. Their national fall tour with Big Thief begins in October.
National Fall Tour Dates
# = w/ Big Thief
10/11: New York, NY @ Webster Hall #
10/12: Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground Ballroom #
10/13: Boston, MA @ Wilbur Theatre #
10/15: Montreal, QC @ Le Tulipe #
10/16: Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre #
10/17: Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre #
10/18: Chicago, IL @ Metro #
10/19: Madison, WI @ The Sylvee #
10/21: Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue #
10/24: Portland @ Crystal Ballroom #
10/25: Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theatre #
10/26: Seattle, WA @ Moore Theatre #
10/28: San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore #
10/30: Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory #
11/01: Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom #
11/02: Albuquerque, NM @ Sister #
11/04: Austin, TX @ Stubb’s #
11/05: Dallas, TX @ Trees #
11/07: Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse #
11/08: Saxapahaw, NC @ Haw River Ballroom #
11/09: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer #
11/10: Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club #
11/11: Columbus, OH @ Athenaeum Theatre #
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