For more information contact:

Anna Giuliani
512-422-0193
angussimon3242@...
Kim Francis
k_francis@...


New Austin, TX-based Music & Activism Website To Launch in Feb. 2005:
www.girlstownproductions.com

January 19, 2005, AUSTIN, TX: In February 2005, Texan activists and
music lovers have a new website to check out for album & live show
reviews, event calendars, weblogs, current news and features on
bands and community activities that focus on the Austin community
and beyond: www.girlstownproductions.com. The first "issue" will
feature reviews of new albums by Ms. Led, Smoosh, Manda & The
Marbles and The Octopus Project among others, an interview with new-
wavers Frausdots, and an interview with Executive Director of NARAL
Pro-Choice Texas Kae McLaughlin.

www.girlstownproductions.com is the brainchild of Anna Giuliani and
Kimberly Francis, DIY gals, feminists and long-time music lovers.
Their decision to create a site that combines music and activism
grew out of their past involvement with art, music and film festival
Ladyfest Texas. The name for the site was inspired by one of
Francis' favorite movies, Girlstown (dir. Jim McKay, 1996). It also
seemed to fit with the Ladyfest-based philosophy of countering the
typical "boystown" of indie rock and punk rock.

"Music is a natural conduit for activism. It draws people together
and is an ideal forum for personal and political expression,"
explains Giuliani. "Plus, you get to rock and drink beer!" Francis
adds, "We wanted to continue to work towards some of the goals we
set out to accomplish with Ladyfest, such as supporting a community
of artists and musicians that don't always get the local press that
they deserve. We wanted to establish a central location where
people can read about music, what's happening in Austin and
progressive politics."

Giuliani has written for the St. Louis Riverfront Times, Austin-
American Statesman, Venus, Bitch and http://www.rocket-fuel.com and
is on the Board of Directors for NARAL Pro-Choice Texas. Seattle-
transplant Francis is currently pursuing her PhD in Sociology from
the University of Texas-Austin. Giuliani prefers Sierra Nevada and
Duvel, while Francis likes a nice glass of Guinness. The website
will be created by Nick Aster's 646 Industries with Moveable Type.

Bands should send CDs & singles to Girlstown Productions @ 7915
Brockman; Austin, TX; 78757 for consideration and should feel free
to email with news, upcoming shows and events.



###