An Interview with the DJ Team : MEN

Born from the fabulous trio LeTigre, MEN is an amazingly popular electronica/new-wave/punk act known for its highly political lyrics, dealing with issues of feminism and community. Bluntly, MEN is a DJ team like no other. Mixing social commentary, raw sounds and fresh licks. MEN is an experience that will make you sweaty on the dance floor-then thinking and humming for hours. ASSOCIATED CONTENT jawed with JD Samson and Johanna Fateman, the women behind MEN.

ASSOCIATED CONTENT: With only women members, why call the group MEN?
JOHANNA FATEMAN: First of all, for all the jokes that we find endlessly entertaining: "MEN are DJing tonight. MEN have been topping the charts for weeks," etc. I think the best humor underscores what is pathetic about our culture. . . In this case the enduring exclusion/tokenization of women at all levels of the music industry. It also serves as a reminder to demand what we deserve. After all, we're MEN!

ASSOCIATED CONTENT: What was the motivator to go from LeTigre to MEN?
JOHANNA FATEMAN: It's hard to explain exactly how these things happen. Le Tigre has
been on an extended hiatus and JD and I were both doing remixes...JD was DJing a lot, and then we started DJing together. Then we were in an airport together and decided on a name: MEN! We did some mash-ups and remixes as MEN, and then we thought it would be more interesting to write new songs. So we started working on original tracks. It was an unplanned occurrence that we cultivated.

ASSOCIATED CONTENT: What does MEN say that LeTigre doesn't? Or vice-versa?
JD SAMSON: MEN say no a lot. And, they ask for more money when they want it. They also ask for Reeses Peanut Butter cups and grape juice on the rider.