The statistics are staggering. 1 in 4 women have been raped, 1 in 10 men have been raped. 29% of female students, 10% of men students and 28% of non-binary students have been sexually assaulted. These are the stats called out at the beginning of the Official Video for "Asking For It" by alt rock / punk outfit M(h)aol (based between Dublin, London and Bristol) but this is the thing, rape and sexual assault is woefully under-reported so I figure that those numbers are likely 30% higher (if not more).
Rape culture is so ingrained in America that in 2016 we elected a fucking President who has been accused of rape multiple times, once by his own wife in court filings. In 2020, the indie rock / punk scene in America was shaken nearly apart by countless allegations of grooming and sexual abuse, record labels fractured or evaporated all together. Not only did bands apparently behave worse than ever but the scene itself didn't take care of each other. Festivals like Coachella seemingly didn't give a fuck either turning a blind eye to countless reports of teenagers being groped, so much so, that some referred to the festival as Gropechella. Some girls took to wearing back packs not to carry items but to use them as a barrier against creepy men who would delight in rubbing against them. We have a serious disturbing problem in America and in the world at large.
Because of this I take joy when artists call this behavior out from stages. AND I take joy in politico punk songs like "Asking For It" that holds up a mirror. As press notes indicate this song [is an intensely raw and personal song that has developed over the years. It was the first thing singer Róisín ever wrote to try and process some of her experiences and feelings around r*pe culture]
"I wrote it initially in 2016 then revisited it in 2020. I was shocked by how much internalised victim blaming there was in the lyrics. I rewrote it, then we recorded it and it was released to raise money for Women's Aid in 2021. The album version is a lot angrier than the 2021 one and almost satirical insofar as it's highlighting how ludicrous the notion of anyone 'asking for it' is."
"I wrote it initially in 2016 then revisited it in 2020. I was shocked by how much internalised victim blaming there was in the lyrics. I rewrote it, then we recorded it and it was released to raise money for Women's Aid in 2021. The album version is a lot angrier than the 2021 one and almost satirical insofar as it's highlighting how ludicrous the notion of anyone 'asking for it' is."
"Asking For It" with it's bawdy bass lines, feral drumming, in your face vocal aesthetic and squealing guitar lines / eruptions feels exquisitely raw pained and unrelenting. Press notes share underlying themes of the Official Video as directed by bassist with added input from Róisín. [So many times the subject matter has been treated with a complete lack of respect for how triggering, traumatic and long lasting an event like this can be for a victim, and here the band wanted to highlight the resources and services that are available.]
AND
[Zoë says, "This has been the most difficult video I’ve made for M(h)aol to date. There’s so much power and emotion in Róisín’s lyrics and performance, so we worked really hard to create a responsible and sensitive portrayal of this experience she’s conveying, do it justice and make people care."]
[Róisín adds on the video, "I think lots of media and cultural depictions of r*pe can be retraumatising. We wanted the video to be cathartic rather than traumatising. We both wanted to offer resources and highlight services that are available to survivors. The quotes in the video highlight the change in the song too, over the years it became a much more hopeful one."]
[Zoë finishes by saying, "I hope watching the video inspires compassion and empathy in people. I think it’s important to open channels of communication around sexual assault in a way that validates a victims traumatic experience and shows a path towards a more hopeful and supportive healing journey. I think empathy is paramount in trying to build a better world."]
[Róisín adds on the video, "I think lots of media and cultural depictions of r*pe can be retraumatising. We wanted the video to be cathartic rather than traumatising. We both wanted to offer resources and highlight services that are available to survivors. The quotes in the video highlight the change in the song too, over the years it became a much more hopeful one."]
[Zoë finishes by saying, "I hope watching the video inspires compassion and empathy in people. I think it’s important to open channels of communication around sexual assault in a way that validates a victims traumatic experience and shows a path towards a more hopeful and supportive healing journey. I think empathy is paramount in trying to build a better world."]
M(h)aol (pronounced male) is comprised of Róisín Nic Ghearailt (She/Her), Constance Keane (She/Her), Jamie Hyland (She/Her), Zoë Greenway (She/Her), and Sean Nolan (He/Him).
"Asking For It" is from the band's debut album "Attachment Styles" out February 3 via TULLE Collective.
-Robb Donker Curtius
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM - PRESS NOTES:
https://twitter.com/mhaolmusic
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3YQdlHhWbhvV46g0bDtaFN
https://mhaol.bandcamp.com/track/bored-of-men
https://www.instagram.com/mhaolmusic/
Gracing the cover of Spotify’s Hot New Bands multiple times, and based between Dublin, London, and Bristol, M(h)aol (pronounced male) are formed of Róisín Nic Ghearailt (She/Her), Constance Keane (She/Her), Jamie Hyland (She/Her), Zoë Greenway (She/Her), and Sean Nolan (He/Him).
Following the release of their critically acclaimed EP Gender Studies they gained a spot in the NME 100, as well as support from The New York Times, Rough Trade, BBC6 Music, So Young, Gigwise, Hot Press, The Irish Times, The Line Of Best Fit, and more.
M(h)aol have been hand selected by Shellac, and Gilla Band to support, and performed at Latitude, Green Man, Primavera, and End Of The Road Festivals. They were recently announced for SXSW next year and will be touring for Independent Venue Week.
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