Jenny Woo (musician)

·1 hr 57 min·5 clips

Jenny Woo started her solo Oi project after being rejected from bands for being a woman.

Toby Morse opens the episode with a monologue about his podcast philosophy, emphasizing authenticity and sponsor alignment. He introduces guest Jenny Woo, a musician who reached out after Toby's call for more women on the show. Jenny explains she grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, and got into punk through bands like Rancid, which led her to the skinhead scene. She started her solo Oi project in 2008 after being rejected from bands due to her gender. Jenny details the origins of skinhead culture, tracing it to 1960s Caribbean music in England and its evolution into various political factions like SHARP and RASH. She critiques modern skinhead scenes for lacking real anti-racist action despite symbols. The conversation shifts to challenges in music scenes, with Jenny describing sexual harassment female musicians endure, such as unwanted touching during photos. Toby and Jenny discuss diversity in hardcore, citing Turnstile as a positive example. Jenny talks about her multiple bands, including The Choices and Rebel Rule, and her experiences touring in 64 countries, including risky gigs in Russia. She shares how motherhood transformed her, making her more fearless in her career. The episode ends with Jenny reflecting on her husband's support and the invisible labor women often provide for musicians.

As heard by us

A candid music conversation about unwanted touching and the limits of scene safety.

Toby Morse's conversation with a female musician takes a familiar hardcore-scene phrase, safe space, and makes it more specific: who actually gets to feel safe once a show is underway?

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Why you'd press play

Press play when you want a musician's candid account of how unwanted touching can follow women into gigs, merch tables, and tour life.

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