Tune-Yard's Merrill Garbus' Spark Is Ani DiFranco's Not A Pretty Girl

05/14/25 • 41 min

What album shaped Tune-Yards’ Merrill Garbus as both an artist and a person? Ani DiFranco’s Not a Pretty Girl.

In this episode of The Spark Parade, Merrill joins host Adam Unze to reflect on the raw, political, and poetic power of DiFranco’s groundbreaking 1995 album.

They explore how the record helped her find her voice, challenged traditional ideas of femininity and artistry, and set the tone for Tune-Yards’ fiercely original sound.

Whether you're a longtime fan of Ani, Tune-Yards, or just looking for creative inspiration, you’ll find something to spark your imagination here.

Highlights include:

The lasting influence of Not a Pretty Girl
Ani DiFranco’s impact on feminist songwriting and DIY culture
How Merrill found artistic freedom in Ani’s boldness
The power of music to unlock identity and creative purpose

The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What album shaped Tune-Yards’ Merrill Garbus as both an artist and a person? Ani DiFranco’s Not a Pretty Girl.

In this episode of The Spark Parade, Merrill joins host Adam Unze to reflect on the raw, political, and poetic power of DiFranco’s groundbreaking 1995 album.

They explore how the record helped her find her voice, challenged traditional ideas of femininity and artistry, and set the tone for Tune-Yards’ fiercely original sound.

Whether you're a longtime fan of Ani, Tune-Yards, or just looking for creative inspiration, you’ll find something to spark your imagination here.

Highlights include:

The lasting influence of Not a Pretty Girl
Ani DiFranco’s impact on feminist songwriting and DIY culture
How Merrill found artistic freedom in Ani’s boldness
The power of music to unlock identity and creative purpose

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

Ok Go front man Damian Kulash's Spark Is Fugazi's Repeater

Damian Kulash, lead singer and guitarist of OK Go, joins Adam for an unforgettable conversation about the album that changed his life: Fugazi’s landmark 1990 release Repeater.

Damian shares his teenage memories of discovering Fugazi in the heart of the Washington, D.C. punk scene and how Repeater gave him a blueprint for making music that was raw, political, human, and totally accessible. From DIY shows in churches to five-dollar ticket prices and all-ages gigs, Fugazi’s ethos left a permanent imprint on him — and helped shape his approach to music, art, and live performance.

We get deep into:

The power of seeing music made by real people, in real time
How Repeater became a gateway to punk, DIY ethics, and artistic empowerment
The surprising parallels between Prince and Fugazi
Why the D.C. hardcore scene was a “religion” for creative kids
How that same mindset lives on in OK Go’s genre-bending videos and music

Whether you're a lifelong Fugazi fan or just discovering the magic of Repeater, this one’s a wild, inspiring ride.

About Repeater:

Released in 1990, Repeater is the debut full-length album by legendary post-hardcore band Fugazi. Combining punk aggression with experimental songwriting and a fiercely independent ethic, the album set a new standard for underground rock. It remains one of the most influential records of the 1990s.

About Damian Kulash:

Damian Kulash is the frontman of Grammy-winning alt-rock band OK Go, renowned for their groundbreaking music videos and inventive pop-rock sound. OK Go’s commitment to DIY creativity and visual storytelling has earned them a global fanbase — and it all traces back to the raw power of bands like Fugazi.

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Julia Wolf's Spark Is Twilight

Singer-songwriter Julia Wolf joins Adam to talk about her love for Twilight — the blockbuster film that defined a generation.

In this episode, Julia opens up about how Twilight helped her through her teenage years, why she connected so deeply with Bella Swan, and how the intense emotions of first love, heartbreak, and identity shaped both the story and her own life.

We also explore the iconic performances by Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, the film’s distinctive visual style, and the cultural impact of Stephenie Meyer’s vampire romance saga.

Whether you were Team Edward, Team Jacob, or just obsessed with the Twilight soundtrack, this conversation dives deep into what made the series unforgettable — and how its legacy continues to inspire artists like Julia today.

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.