I Thought I Heard You Speak, Audrey Golden
I Thought I Heard You Speak, Audrey Golden
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I Thought I Heard You Speak
Women at Factory Records

Author: Audrey Golden

Narrator: Audrey Golden, Ebony Jonelle, Jessica Joslin

Unabridged: 16 hr 52 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: White Rabbit

Published: 05/04/2023

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included

Synopsis

Factory Records has become the stuff of legend. The histories of the label have been told from many perspectives, from visual catalogues and memoirs to exhibitions. Yet no in-depth history has ever been told from the perspectives of the women who were integral to Factory's cultural significance.

The untold history of Factory Records is one of women's work at nearly every turn: recording music, playing live gigs, running the label behind the scenes, managing and promoting bands, designing record sleeves, making films and music videos, pioneering sound technology, DJing, and running one of the most chaotic clubs on the planet, The Haçienda.

Told entirely in their voices and featuring contributions from Gillian Gilbert, Gina Birch, Cath Carroll, Penny Henry and over fifty more interviewees, I THOUGHT I HEARD YOU SPEAK is an oral history that reveals the true cultural reach of the label and its staying power in the twenty-first century.

About Audrey Golden

Audrey Golden is a writer based in New York with a focus on music, culture, cinema and politics. She has been a regular contributor to Louder Than War since 2019 and manages Louder Than War Radio where she is a weekly presenter. Audrey has interviewed a wide variety of musicians and writers, such as Ana da Silva of The Raincoats, Brix Smith, Mark Lanegan, Dee Pop of Bush Tetras, Kathy Valentine and Belinda Carlisle of the Go-Go's, and Graham Massey of 808 State. She loves punk and post-punk and holds a Ph.D. in literary studies from the University of Virginia.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Julia on July 18, 2023

For anybody interested in this particular part of popular music history, this book makes an important argument that comes backed by heaps of evidence: Far from the mythologized view of Factory Records as primarily the work of three men, there were women in nearly every role. Musicians, DJs, accounta......more

Goodreads review by Sam on September 03, 2023

Good that this exists but it really, really needed a lot of editing. As it is, way too long and repetitive.......more

Goodreads review by Stephen on June 13, 2023

Many will be familiar with the Factory Records story, of Gretton, Erasmus, Hannett, Saville, Sumner, Hook, and the multifaceted, charming, infuriating Tony Wilson. What’s missing? The women of Factory Records, of whom there were dozens. Golden’s book seeks out these women, hitherto completely airbru......more

Quotes

The book I've been waiting for my entire adult life. A wonderful and fresh retelling of a time and a place that has never been significantly seen or heard from the perspective of women. Unfolding like a detective story bringing forth all the complex evidence, these fascinating, insightful, fun testimonies of what it was like to be connected to Factory are beautifully woven together. The range and power of the unleashed individual voices takes on a collective strength, becoming a fantastic roar: we were there all along and we will not be forgotten

I Thought I Heard You Speak is not simply an essential addition to Factory Records' archive of books, films, and exhibitions, it is recommended reading. Period

I was really pleased to talk to Audrey about my memories of working with New Order and Factory Records. I think it's really important that the story of Factory Records includes and recognises the contribution of several women right from the start to the legacy that continues today'

An important book on the women pivoting around the Factory/Manchester scene

In an industry that primarily dismisses or conveniently forgets the vast contributions of women, I am delighted that this book exists. Bravo Audrey Golden. Thank you for bearing witness

In the past, the mantra has often been to mythologise, printing the legend rather than the truth. This is why Audrey Golden's I Thought I Heard You Speak: Women At Factory Records had to be written to readdresses the imbalance. In years to come, it will be looked upon as one of the most important books written about the Factory organisation, maybe even the final word Louder Than War

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