mp3 premiere: "When Men Explain Things To Me" - Ellen Siberian Tiger

words: Julia Gray

If you’ve never listened to the furiously feminist Ellen Siberian Tiger, “When Men Explain Things To Me” is a perfect introduction. Having transformed from a guitar/drum duo to their present day punk vibe with a grand 7-piece orchestration and folk album in between, relentless feminism has remained at the core of the Philly-based indie rock trio. While their last EP, Red Blooded Woman, embraced a softer approach, this new single grabs male privilege by the, ahem, throat. “When Men Explain Things To Me” is a battle cry for mistreated and misidentified individuals, alluding to Rebecca Solnit’s feminist essay of the same name. “Back up, don’t touch me,” front/boss woman Ellen Tiberio-Shultz belts over dynamic guitar riffs that remind me of old Paramore or Panic! At The Disco’s (epic) A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out. In Schultz’s words, it's “intended to be a place for people who've been treated badly based on their real or perceived gender to feel less isolated in their experiences, to let out some of the anger they might feel, and maybe to smile a little at the sarcasm.” Listen and indulge your rage.