Molly Neuman Riot Grrrl Collection
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Abstract
Molly Neuman is a musician, writer, and artist who was active in the Riot Grrrl movement from its inception. The Molly Neuman Riot Grrrl Collection contain correspondence, zines, photography, and documentation pertaining to Molly Neuman, her connections with the Riot Grrrl movement, and her involvement with the band Bratmobile.
Biographical Note
Molly Neuman is a musician, writer, and chef who was active in the Riot Grrrl movement from its inception. The term "riot grrrl" was first coined in a zine co-written by Neuman and her friend Alison Wolfe while the two were studying at University of Oregon. Their collaboration on this zine--called "Girl Germs"--lead Neuman and Wolfe to form Bratmobile, a feminist, punk-influenced band, with Erin Smith. Both Neuman and Wolfe eventually transferred to Evergreen College in Olympia, Washington where they become more involved with the Riot Grrrl movement.
Bratmobile was primarily active from 1991-1994, releasing two albums on the record label Kill Rock Stars and releasing songs on various other compilations/split 7" records during that period. After the band disbanded, Neuman went on to be a part of several other bands including the Frumpies and the PeeChees, the latter of which featured her ex-husband Chris Appelgren. Bratmobile reunited briefly in 1999, eventually touring with the Donnas in 2001, whom Neuman was managing at the time. Bratmobile released two albums after reforming, 2000's "Ladies, Women and Girls" and 2002's "Girls Get Busy".
Neuman was a partner with Appelgren at Lookout Records, a label which produced albums by acts including Green Day, Avail, and Pansy Division. In 2005, Lookout discontinued releasing new projects and Neuman began her own small label, Simple Social Graces Discos, releasing several records including the Delorean, the Two Tears and her own band, Love or Perish. In 2006, she joined the team at eMusic and continues to work there as Senior Director of Artist and Label relations.
In 2009, she graduated from the Chef's Training Program at New Yorks Natural Gourmet Institute. Following graduation, Neuman opened Simple Social Kitchen, a personal chef, catering and culinary instruction company based in Brooklyn, NY. She is currently working on a program aimed at creative people and health in the effort to connect all her passions.
Sources:
www.killrockstars.com www.eastbayexpress.com www.allmusic.com www.simplesocialkitchen.com
Arrangement
The collection remains in original order for the most part, except in the case of Series II and III, where some materials where placed into chronological order as appropriate.
A majority of the photographs were collected into albums by Molly Neuman and their original order has not been altered.
Scope and Content
The Molly Neuman Riot Grrrl Collection contains materials pertaining to Neuman's life between 1986-2002 (bulk 1988-1996). A majority of the collection is comprised of personal correspondence and journals that document Molly's participation in the Riot Grrrl movement, her experiences in various bands including Bratmobile, and her creative output as a filmmaker, photographer, and writer. Some materials pertaining to Neuman's later involvement with Lookout! Records and her management of The Donnas are also included. Items in the collection range from 1986-2002, with the bulk from 1988-1996.
The collection is organized into five series:
Series I: Correspondence contains personal correspondence received by Molly Neuman between 1986and 2002, including fan mail for Bratmobile and zine submissions.
Subseries A: Alphabetically Filed Correspondence
Subseries B: Miscellaneous Unfiled Correspondence
Series II: Zines, Notebooks, and Papers contains original zines, Molly's personal notebooks/diaries, press clippings pertaining to her musical career, and uncategorized papers collected in the course of her studies and travels.
Subseries A: Zines and Zine-related
Subseries B: Notebooks
Subseries C: Miscellaneous Papers and Documentation
Series III: Photography contains photographs of Bratmobile, creative and academic work by Molly Neuman, and other visual artifacts.
Subseries A: Loose Photos and Negatives
Subseries B: Photos, Slides, and Negatives in Binders [as arranged by Neuman]
Series IV: Realia contains t-shirts created as merchandise for the PeeChees, a band Molly Neuman was in from 1994-1998.
Subseries A: T-shirts
Series V: Media contains film created by Molly Neuman, as well as video and audio items owned or made by Molly.
Subseries A: Film
Subseries B: Audio and Video
Subjects
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open to researchers. Please contact the Fales Library and Special Collections, fales.library@nyu.edu, 212-998-2596.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright (or related rights to publicity and privacy) for materials in this collection was not transferred to New York University. Permission to use materials must be secured from the copyright holder. Please contact the Fales Library and Special Collections, fales.library@nyu.edu, 212-998-2596.
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Identification of item, date (if known); Molly Neuman Riot Grrrl Collection; MSS 289; box number; folder number; Fales Library and Special Collections, New York University Libraries.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Audiovisual and born-digital materials have not been preserved and may not be accessible to researchers.