Carole Pope

Carole Pope Singer/Songwriter, Feminista, Author, Anti Diva. Carole Pope is the original rocker who continues to shake the foundations of complacency. Her music and her writing attract people interested in a jolt of reality from a woman who speaks her mind on feminism, safe-sex advocacy, and cultural awareness. The anti-establishment and counter-culture performer has been recognized by the music industry with three Juno Awards [the Canadian Grammy], several independent music awards and ...

Carole Pope Singer/Songwriter, Feminista, Author, Anti Diva. Carole Pope is the original rocker who continues to shake the foundations of complacency. Her music and her writing attract people interested in a jolt of reality from a woman who speaks her mind on feminism, safe-sex advocacy, and cultural awareness. The anti-establishment and counter-culture performer has been recognized by the music industry with three Juno Awards [the Canadian Grammy], several independent music awards and a Genie Award [the Canadian Oscar]. Rough Trade, the band which Pope fronted, received four Gold and two Platinum records which include the two # 1 hit singles of "High School Confidential" and "All Touch", the latter charting longer than any Beatles' single in Australia. Known for their sexual lyrics and on-stage provocations, Rough Trade ushered Canada from the punk movement of the 1970s to the new wave sound of the 1980s, and vaulted themselves into the international music scene. With their stage presence and lyrics, Rough Trade jolted Canadian culture out of its provincial state and into a mature dialog. In recogition of their influence, Rough Trade was inducted into the Canadian Indie Hall of Fame in 2007. Recognition for Carole Pope from fans includes invitations to several Pride Events from the lesbian/gay communities of various cities, an award from the Toronto Pride organizers as well as an unexpected accolade from Maya Angelou. Sharing a flight with the author in early 2000, Pope was speechless when Angelou made a point of telling her that, "You're very brave to do what you do." To say that Pope has paved the way is an understatement. During the 1986 filming of Rough Trade's final concert, several established performers commented on how Pope's bravura stage presence opened doors for women in rock as well as establishing greater acceptance for self-expression. In Pope's 2001 autobiography, "Anti Diva" [Random House], she applies her wicked lyrical wit to her own life and offers a no-holds-barred look at her adventures - from her love affair with Dusty Springfield to touring with David Bowie; from playing the Womyn's Festival to singing opera in R. Murray Schafer's "Patria"; from starring with drag queen Divine in the stage play "Restless Underwear" to a special engagement in "The Vagina Monologues". Pope owns any stage on which she stands. As a solo recording artist, her recent CD "Transcend" and the earlier "Radiate" confirm her place in the evolution of the alternative/new wave music of the eighties from which she first made her mark with Rough Trade. Pope's solo cover of the band's early hit "High School Confidential" for the "Queer as Folk" soundtrack introduced the rocker to a new generation. Pope's other film score contributions include the cult classic "Cruising", Atom Egoyan's "The Adjuster", Jeremy Podeswa's "The 5 Senses" and the soundtracks of "The L Word" and "Trailer Park Boys". Pope currently resides in New York City. Her autobiography "Anti Diva" [Random House] has been optioned for a film and is currently in development. Her third solo recording will be released later this year. Pope also appears, alongside Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper and Moby, in the soon-to-be-released film about rock star vampires entitled "Suck", which will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Keep up with Carole's latest projects on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/carolepope