Lady Power
New Darwin band The Ovulators may have performed just two gigs so far, but their third one is set to be a ripper.
THEY’RE SUPPORTING Canberra’s Glitoris for the Darwin leg of their national tour with friends The Epi(c)phannys. We had a chat with the band’s leading lady Kate Boston Smith.
How did The Ovulators form?
I’ve been playing in bands in Melbourne for the last 10 years, and when I moved to Darwin, I knew I wanted to start a band. I’m an art teacher and love teaching but really need my own art practice as well.
The band came together so beautifully. And the members are legends – one of the best collections of musos I’ve ever worked with. As a group, their energy and connection is amazing. And that can be hard to find in a band.
How would you describe your style?
Garage, rock and blues, really. We’ve got some big anthems in there. It’s fun, hot and sweaty, with lots of jumping around. We also have some more reflective bluesy stuff as well. There’s a focus on contemporary life dynamics related to relationships, love, lust, and longing.
Okay, we’ve been dying to know – what inspired your band name?
My last main project in Melbourne was called Modesty, but it was layered with irony and power, and I wanted something like that again but better. I was at The Rails with our bassist Annie and another friend, and we had to start promo for our launch gig – but we had to figure out a name first!
My fave topic at the moment is ovulation – when I ovulate, it’s the most intense, wonderful, powerful, energising and creative time, and I don’t think we talk about it enough. I did some research and discovered it’s this intuitive ancient window where we become heightened and empowered. I think we need to talk about it more – to create dialogue. That’s why we’re called The Ovulators.
Despite only being around for a few months with just two live gigs under your belts, your band's been handpicked to support Glitoris on their national tour – that must feel pretty great?
It’s incredible. It’s been so wellreceived – even more than I could’ve dreamt of or imagined. Glitoris have such a good energy and we’re all really excited to support them. I saw them in Melbourne and they were just phenomenal!
What do you love most bout this International Women’s Day gig?
The power, the connection, the energy and the messages. Things are changing but there are still ideas and concepts and attitudes that need to be shifted. The best thing is watching younger women and people, trans, queer – however one might identify – at these gigs, and seeing these messages transfer into the art they make. It’s about opening conversations and making it a normal part of our dialogue. It’s about what you can say, how you say it, and what’s not okay anymore.
What are some of the challenges you think female musicians face today?
Exposure. Visibility. As in, come to our gig! Our gigs are about 80% women, but where are the men?
Even on big line-ups, we know this – where are the women in headlining positions? Even though they’re phenomenal, they’re still invisible.
If you could give young artists some advice, what would it be?
Make your own. Band, art, shows, just do it! Collaborate with people and share it, don’t wait. Get your voice out there – people are interested and don’t want to hear things they’ve heard over and over.
Glitoris: Slut Power Tour 2020
With The Ovulators and Epi(c)phannys
WHEN SAT 7 MAR | 7.30PM
AT DARWIN RAILWAY CLUB
COST $21.50
INFO facebook.com/glitorisband
Photo: Gabby Lyons (photographer), L-R Dan Sivan, Ryan Lucas, Boston Smith, Annie Brown and James Evans
