On April 28th, peach|melba will release Worst Trimester, a song first featured on the iconic queer Netflix minidoc Sperm Donors Wanted.
With blistering lyrics delivered at a rapped pace, the riot grrrl duo explore the gender politics of pregnancy, in their trademark style of both members singing every word together over minimalist bass guitar and driving drums reminiscent of Beastie Boys and Lambrini Girls.
The LA / UK indie punk duo peach|melba write, record and mix everything themselves and say they “swear on your mother’s life to release a new song every six weeks until world peace has been fully achieved.”
The band told us via email that the band actually formed because of the previously-mentioned documentary, which they were asked to do the music for.
“I had a heap of punk songs i’d written over the years that never fit any project and so I hired a friend of mine to help and this became the band which is now releasing songs every six weeks. I’ve been in several bands and it’s always had political messages and this one is no different. Actually I think this one is more stark than any of the other bands I’ve written for because the format is so direct for this band and the music is by far the most simple I’ve ever made.”
“Really one of the key roles my music has always played is alienating people that I dont want to spend time with and getting people into a room that I do want to spend time with. This is super political because I am trying to create space both physically and mentally that people can inhabit where they can speak about their dreams. And since we are living in a world that is mostly a few rich people’s imagination, this act is political as fuck.”
Follow peach|melba on Instagram and to catch their regular song releases, at least until the world is bit better of a place.
Image retrieved from Mehdi Yarrahi’s YouTube profile.
Flogging, or lashing, is strictly prohibited under intenrational human rights laws. That did not stop Iranian authorities from carrying out the brutal punishment against Mehdi Yarrahi, the Iranian musician, who in 2023 released the song Roosarito – and was consequently arrested for “acting unlawfully.”
We covered Yarrahi’s arrest back in 2023 and we are deeply saddened to learn about the punishment which was carried out last Wednesday, 5 March 2025.
Yarrahi originally released “Roosarito” (Farsi for “your headscarf”) on the one-year anniversary of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” human rights movement in Iran.
Yarrahi commented on the punishment on his X profile, saying, “I am ready to receive the sentence of 74 lashes, and while I condemn this inhuman torture, I make no request to cancel it.”
News of the torturous punishment has caused outrage by many, such as like Novel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi who called it “a whip on the proud, resistant women of Iran.”
While this hopefully, and soon, concludes the harrasment and oppression Yarrahi has had to endure, other Iranian artists are still imprisoned for their music, like Shervin Hajipour, and others are either in hiding, have disappeared or worse.
While women should be celebrated everyday, on the 8th of March every year we celebrate them more than normal. According to Tora Woloshin, a multi-talented artist from the US, it’s also important to celebrate all the shapes and sizes of women’s bodies.
We here at Shouts – Music from the Rooftops! are very happy to share an exclusive premiere of Woloshin’s new single, Different Booty, an empowering song which champions body positivity while addressing the unrealistic standards put on women around the world.
Halldór Kristínarson: Your new single ‘Different Booty’ is set for release on March 8 th 2025, which is International Women’s Day. Can you tell us a bit about what motivated you to create this song of empowerment?
Tora Woloshin: As women, a lot of us (I can’t speak for us all but the majority) are demeaned and objectified in the patriarchal society; and with that, comes a huge insecurity with our bodies: the idea of having large breasts and butts, flat stomachs, straight small noses, perfectly slanted eyes, large lips etc; is what women in America are made to feel they need to look like to be loved or accepted by men. This song is telling women to love the skin you’re in and accept yourself. The right person will love you for who you are: express yourself and be body positive.
HK: As in many industries, just by being a woman means that doors get closed and hurdles get put in place, always making it more difficult to reach a goal. As someone who has been a performer since the age of 4, what has your experience been in the arts industry, as a woman and what do you hope to achieve with your art and your music?
TW: I have experienced a lot of sexism for sure. It’s pretty much all there has been. Denying me because I’m a woman or even worse…a woman of color…with tattoos…and small boobs…I’m screwed. lol
“I believe that the promotion of one-sided politics is not to be mixed with art. So my fine-line stands to promote positivity and attempt to make the world a better place through my music and art.” – Tora Woloshin
HK: Women’s rights is not the only issue close to your heart, for you have also created an organisation that plans on creating a safe haven and a sanctuary for animals. How did that project come about and how is it going?
TW: The non-profit for animals came about a long time ago. It started with my umbrella non-profit called REV Motion Movement. This company’s purpose is to house multiple rescues for animals, children, water, and homeless. One of the organizations under REV is “The Rescue Series”: a documentary TV show and magazine (that never happened…yet) I was in production back in 2015; going around to different foster-based animal rescue organizations and following them around for a day with a camera and interviewing them. I also sat with some of their animals and bonded, creating short videos and photos to promote their adoption. The series began to eat at my wallet and I need to hire a non-profit lawyer or grant-writer to help apply for grants to get funding for the project. Same with another section under REV, P.S. Rescue Mission. A mission where I acquire large amounts of land and build a conservatory. But that is the road in the future.
HK: How important is it for you to use your artistic talent and your voice for either human or animal rights? What is your take on the connection between art and activism?
TW: I believe that the promotion of one-sided politics is not to be mixed with art. So my fine-line stands to promote positivity and attempt to make the world a better place through my music and art. Just like the Beatles promoted peace, I will too. That is my life’s work and what I am here to do is to bring people together to see the good and be the good.
HK: What is on the horizon for you, what projects do you have coming up?
TW: Aside from ‘Different Booty’ I have a lot going on this year and you must follow along on social media otherwise, you’ll miss something. From shooting music videos, touring with a reggae band, an album, and a possible Holiday album with a music movie to go with it; explaining the loss and growth many can relate to and the feelings that come with the change during the holidays.
HK: Thank you so much for participating. Anything else you’d like to shout from the rooftops?
