The band includes bassist Kathi Wilcox (of Bikini Kill), keyboardist Kenny Mellman (of Kiki & Herb), drummer Carmine Covelli, and guitarist Sara Landeau (who Hanna met through Girls Rock Camp).
In December 2010, the Julie Ruin previewed a performance at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, New York.
In 2012, the Julie Ruin released the song "Girls Like Us," featuring queercore artist Vaginal Davis, as a free download as part of a series inspired by the book Real Man Adventures by T. Cooper.
The band's first album, Run Fast, was released on September 3, 2013, by Dischord Records. The first track, "Oh Come On," was released in June of that year.
The band's second album, Hit Reset, was released on July 8, 2016, by Hardly Art Records. The first track "I Decide" was released on April 11, 2016.
http://thejulieruin.com/
Kids In NY
The Julie Ruin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
there’s still a lot to say
and performance art in the alleyways of Chinatown
what’s a downtown artist anyway?
they’re making art that blurs the line between can would should and can’t
the dancers from the dance follow the bass
and starting bands with broken amps and rusted old mic stands
all the kids know this must be the place
they love it here and they’re not gonna go
it’s so expensive now that they always get hardcore
they’re shutting down Fifth Avenue screaming “No more war!”
there’s still a lot to say
instead of sitting ‘round talking ‘bout how it used to be before
nostalgia’s so passé
clapping their hands so fucking fast and cutting each other’s hair
let your hands and feet follow the bass
they’re making art that’s less crystal fucking clear and more full on dare
all the kids know this must be the place
they love it here and they’re not gonna go
it’s so expensive now that they have to get hardcore
from the train to the deli to the coffee shop
past the beauty salon and the parking lot
up the stairs by the bus near the hardware store
on the bench in the sun with their headphones on
they love it here and they’re not gonna go
it’s so expensive now that they have to get hardcore
they love it here and they’re not gonna go
it’s so expensive now that they have to go hardcore
The Julie Ruin's song Kids In NY is a tribute to the creative energy and passion of the young people who flock to New York City to pursue their dreams. The lyrics describe the various ways in which these kids express themselves and build their communities, from creating feminist fanzines to making performance art in alleyways to starting bands with whatever resources they can find. The song celebrates the DIY spirit of these young artists and activists, who are unafraid to blur the lines between different forms of expression and to challenge the status quo.
The chorus of the song declares that "they love it here and they're not gonna go," despite the challenges and high costs of living in the city. The repeated phrase "it's so expensive now that they have to get hardcore" suggests that these kids are willing to fight for what they believe in, even if it means struggling to make ends meet. The song closes with a description of the everyday rituals that make up these kids' lives, from riding the train to hanging out in the park with their headphones on, reinforcing the sense of community and togetherness that runs through the entire song.
Line by Line Meaning
they’re making feminist fanzines in Bushwick right now
Some people in Bushwick are currently creating fanzines that support feminism
there’s still a lot to say
There are still many things that need to be discussed and addressed
and performance art in the alleyways of Chinatown
There are individuals who are performing art in the back alleys of Chinatown
what’s a downtown artist anyway?
The artist is questioning the true definition and meaning of a 'downtown artist.'
they’re making art that blurs the line between can would should and can’t
These individuals are creating art that challenges and blurs conventional limitations and boundaries
the dancers from the dance follow the bass
Dancers are following and responding to the beating of the music
and starting bands with broken amps and rusted old mic stands
They are initiating new bands even with old or broken equipment
all the kids know this must be the place
Young individuals are aware that this specific location is the place to be
they love it here and they’re not gonna go
The individuals have great affection for the area and do not intend to leave
it’s so expensive now that they always get hardcore
Due to the high cost of living, they have to be tough and determined to survive
they’re shutting down Fifth Avenue screaming 'No more war!'
People are protesting and halting the operation of Fifth Avenue by yelling 'No more war!'
instead of sitting ‘round talking ‘bout how it used to be before
They do not want to reminisce about the past, but rather take action now
nostalgia’s so passé
The concept of nostalgia is outdated and irrelevant
clapping their hands so fucking fast and cutting each other’s hair
They are clapping quickly and cutting each other's hair in a celebratory manner
let your hands and feet follow the bass
They encourage others to let the music guide their movements
they’re making art that’s less crystal fucking clear and more full on dare
Their art is less obvious and more daring and challenging
from the train to the deli to the coffee shop
They move around from the train station to delis to coffee shops
past the beauty salon and the parking lot
As they walk they pass by a beauty salon and a parking lot
up the stairs by the bus near the hardware store
They climb up some stairs next to a bus and a hardware store
on the bench in the sun with their headphones on
They sit on a bench in the sun with their headphones on
Contributed by Austin K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@madi8249
Def one of my fav songs from them
@harryrocks44
i identify a lot with the kids there're talking about, except i don't live (yet) in new-york. we're in this kind of new wave of feminism that grows and improves everyday because of our special internet base that is tumblr! seriously i would never have guessed that our talks on the web could have so much impacts on people in real life, this is powerful and greatly satisfying, watch out society! ^-^
@psychedeliccarrie5921
Seriously love her vocal style
@KellyJean0
i loves this
@kervyazuro2673
I love the tune but mostly the meaning to this song btw I'm a male feminist
@buzzawuzza3743
I know exactly what she's singing about and it's true