Six years ago, musician Dana Jade learned about female genital mutilation (FGM) and became adamant that she could do something to help. Clit Rock was born. Now working with international anti-FGM campaigner Leyla Hussein, the duo are putting on the 10th event to raise money for a safehouse for girls in Kenya at risk of FGM.
Why did you start Clit Rock?
I saw something, probably a documentary or something in the news about FGM (female genital mutilation) and I was publicly screaming about how angry it made me. I said maybe someone should do a music event or something to raise awareness and they could call it Clit Rock. That was the end of 2011.
You’re raising money for Kepsteno Rotwo (Abandon the Knife), a charity co-founded by Domtila Chesang. What made you decide to support her?
Here we are at 2017, with the 10th event and we’ve raised money for Daughters of Eve, Integrate Bristol, Agnes Pareyio, and now Domtila (Chesang, co-founder of Abandon the Knife). Leyla let me know that’s she’s trying to build a safehouse for girls and I thought yes, sounds great.
The night is known for billing women or women led bands. Who’s playing?
The opening act is an acoustic singer called Rose Red and the Butterflies. Then we have Art Trip & Static Sound which is punk, a very formidable DIY punk led by Melodie Holliday (manager and mother of two members of Skinny Girl Diet). I love that we’re getting diversity in ages among all the other diversities that happen organically at this night. The headliners are an all girl rock band called The NYX and then we have DJs until 3am, so pace yourself.
Women in rock bands get most of the credit for leading the fight for equality. Are there musicians from other genres that sound like protest to you?
Can you have a night about women and not play a lot of Queen Bey? She’s come out really firmly on our side and strongly as a feminist and I just think she’s priceless and I’m so happy to be alive in this era of Beyoncé. You’ve got to go from ***Flawless into M.I.A. and other types of political music but also you sometimes just want to dance so there might be some fluff in there. There’s definitely some Spice Girls.
FGM is a sensitive topic. How does it go down at club night?
Let me take this moment to assure you that we don’t get together every few months and cry for five hours. Yes, it’s about raising awareness of very serious issues but it’s also a celebration of how far we’ve come as women, as feminists and on this road to equality. So many activists show up at this night and oh my god they need it. They really let their hair down and have a good time because you have to balance your life with some joy and celebration in the long marathon of a fight. I hope it’s a renewal and something to rejuvenate the warrior spirit to keep going towards revolution.
Clit Rock is on Friday 30th March at Zigfrid von Underbelly of Hoxton, London. You can buy tickets here: All profits will go to Kepsteno Rotwo. Prepare for the night with a playlist curated by Dana, with picks from FGM survivors Hoda M Ali and Leyla Hussein.
