Music Crush: The OTHER Gossip Girl

The Gossip rocks. In case you're afflicted with memory loss or severe hearing impairment, you know who I'm refering to. The Gossip has been one the it-bands for quite some months now. The trio, now turned quatuor, has been shaking the rock planet with irrestible disco-punk tunes. It's blunt and sweaty. It's uncensored and induces irrepressible jumping/shouting/complete loss of control.

Loss of control.

As any self-respecting Gossip aficionada, I attended last monday's gig in Paris (my 20th concert, or close). And it stroke me once again how much people tend to focus solely on the incredibly talented Beth Ditto. Granted, she is an uncompromising punk version of Aretha Franklin, so talented and magnetic it hurts. There is no questioning that. However, I would like to pay tribute to the OTHER Gossip Girl. The awesome drummer Hannah Blilie. Hannah seems like the quiet type, in spite of the hoarse and heavy beats emanating from her bright blue drum set. Hannah has an enigmatic smile stuck on her face when she effortlessly throws overwhelming rythms at our ears. Hannah as a charming smirk and a pierced lip . Hannah has A LOT of very sexy tattos on her arms and chest (I have not been able to document other body parts...). Hannah is very sweet and accessible (she patiently signed posters for hordes of hysterical fans, when she just wanted a quiet smoke at the back of the venue). Hannah is the coolness incarnate. Hannah is very cute, bordering on insanely hot, especially with short, none-blond hair..See for yourself :

Enigmatic smirk. Sexy tatts.
Sweet. Cool.

Insanely hot.

But back to the music. There are not enough female drummers around. Not enough gay ones (not every girl with drumsticks is gay. No). Not enough gay female TALENTED drummers. In my humble musical opinion (ear), Ms. Blilie is really worthy of more praise than she gets. Albeit wiping dry her armpits, face, chest mmmm droool *thud* Where was I ? Ah yes, so. Without breaking a sweat, the lovely Hannah delivers a clever mixture of disco, rock and pop beats that will, on their own, turn people into muppets on crack. I witnessed how a crowd, patiently waiting on a set change, went completely beserk over a drum soundcheck (Eurockéennes de Belfort, July 5th). She can be simple and efficient. Yet she will deliver chiseled, elaborate drumlines with her arms folded (see Heavy Kross or Are U that somebody !). She's awesome and The Gossip wouldn't sound half as great without her. There. I said it. Hannah ROCKS.

Last time I checked, Ms Hannah had a girlfriend (ok my info is a bit outdated - more or less a year old- but couples come and go, don't they?). Still. In case that changed, Hannah, call me...

[Thanks M.Robert Gil for the pics]