Accelerated Culture Podcast: Episode 70 Summary Title: Shakespeare's Sister’s “Hormonally Yours” (1992)
Release Date: July 19, 2025
Hosts: Lori & Scott Free
Podcast Description: As a 2024 Webby Honoree for Best Indie Podcast, Accelerated Culture delves into the often-overlooked facets of music history. This episode explores the seminal album "Hormonally Yours" by Shakespeare's Sister, examining its creation, impact, and the intricate dynamics between its creators.

1. Introduction

Lori welcomes listeners to Accelerated Culture, setting the stage for a deep dive into Shakespeare's Sister's 1992 album, "Hormonally Yours." Scott shares recent concert experiences, providing a personal touch before transitioning to the episode's main focus.

2. Background of Shakespeare's Sister

[05:33] Lori:
Lori introduces the album "Hormonally Yours" as one of her favorites from 1992, emphasizing its personal significance and the feminist undertones embedded within the music.

[07:00] Scott Free:
Reflecting on past comments, Scott admits that although he didn't expect to be familiar with the band, some songs on the album sounded familiar upon deeper listening.

3. Formation and Evolution of the Band

[09:58] Scott Free:
Scott elaborates on the backgrounds of the band members, highlighting Siobhan Fahey's transition from the pop trio Bananarama to forming Shakespeare's Sister with Marcella Detroit. He discusses Marcella's extensive musical history, including her collaborations with Eric Clapton and Bob Seger.

[10:25] Lori:
Lori shares insights from Dave Stewart's memoir, "Sweet Dreams Are Made of This," detailing the personal lives of band members and their creative collaboration.

4. Creation of "Hormonally Yours"

[16:53] Lori:
The name "Shakespeare's Sister" is dissected, revealing its origins from a Smiths song inspired by Virginia Woolf's "A Room of One's Own." The band’s visual aesthetics and the dichotomy between Siobhan's contralto and Marcella's soprano are discussed, emphasizing their complementary vocal dynamics.

[27:48] Scott Free:
Scott recounts the unique production process, including recording at George Harrison's home, Friar Park, underscoring the band's connections within the music industry.

5. Track-by-Track Analysis

a. Goodbye Cruel World

[36:37] Lori:
The episode delves into the opening track, "Goodbye Cruel World," analyzing its lyrical content and the music video inspired by classic Hollywood films like Sunset Boulevard.
Notable Quote:
"Goodbye, Mr. A." [40:36] – Lori interprets this as possibly referencing a personal relationship, adding depth to the song's narrative.

b. I Don't Care

[46:27] Scott Free:
Scott shares the behind-the-scenes story of writing "I Don't Care," inspired by Edith Sitwell’s poetry, highlighting the song's quirky and upbeat nature despite its darker themes.

c. Are We in Love Yet?

[62:13] Lori:
This track is examined for its funky tribute to 70s funk, with attention to Marcella's exceptional guitar work.
Notable Insight:
Lori relates the song to her personal experience of realizing her vocal range, finding empowerment through the album.

d. Emotional Thing

[66:57] C:
The lyrics and musical composition are explored, noting the contrast between the verses and the chorus, and the song's influence from artists like Eric Clapton.
Notable Quote:
"I don't have to tell you where I'm coming from if I leave my catsuit on." [70:03]

e. Stay

[71:27]
"Stay" is highlighted as the album’s standout single, analyzing its production by Chris Thomas and its success on the UK and US charts. The corresponding music video’s metaphysical themes are discussed.
Notable Quote:
"If this world is wearing and you're thinking of escape I'll go anywhere with you." [71:40]

f. Black Sky

[79:50] C:
Scott and Lori dissect "Black Sky," drawing parallels to the Madchester scene and Marcella's standout guitar performance.
Notable Quote:
"Come on, tune into the night." [81:13]

g. Trouble With Andre

[82:38] C:
The lyrical narrative is explored, interpreting it as a personal roast against a friend named Andre.
Notable Quote:
"The trouble with Andre is he's a liar." [84:18]

h. Moonchild

[85:32] C:
"Moonchild" is analyzed for its ethereal composition and references to Wagner's Tristan and Isolde, emphasizing the album's conceptual ties to Catwomen of the Moon.
Notable Quote:
"I looked at the world from another star." [86:18]

i. Catwoman

[90:33] C:
The titular track is dissected for its thematic connection to the B-movie inspiration, with an emphasis on its campy yet profound lyrical content.
Notable Quote:
"Peace for the wicked, no rest for the good." [81:37]

j. Let Me Entertain You

[93:51] C:
Although identified as one of Lori's least favorite tracks due to its lyrical simplicity, the song's musical echoes to artists like Depeche Mode are acknowledged.
Notable Quote:
"Flowers of faith and hope, I stand." [94:22]

k. Hello?

[96:35] C:
The closing track is praised for its haunting and beautiful composition, contrasting with its single version's bombastic production.
Notable Quote:
"Life is a strange thing, just when you think you've learned how to use it, it's gone." [99:29]

6. Band Dynamics and Hiatus

[102:21] Lori:
The conversation shifts to the tensions that arose following the disproportionate success of "Stay." Lori cites an interview from Classic Pop where Marcella Detroit discusses feeling sidelined, leading to communication breakdowns.

[105:56] Scott Free:
Details emerge about the public fallout during the 1993 Ivor Novello Awards, where Siobhan Fahey delivered a contentious acceptance speech, exacerbating the rift between her and Marcella.

[106:14] Lori:
The episode recounts how personal struggles, including Siobhan’s battle with depression, culminated in the band’s hiatus shortly after their peak success.

7. Reunion and Legacy

[108:20]
Lori and Scott discuss the eventual reconciliation between Fahey and Detroit after 26 years, leading to their 2019 reunion tour and the release of a comprehensive box set in 2020.

[109:59] Scott Free:
The hosts highlight Shakespeare's Sister's enduring influence on contemporary artists like Grimes, Sky Ferreira, and Charli XCX, emphasizing the band's pioneering role for female duos in the music industry.

Notable Quote:
"There weren't many other female duos doing the sort of things they were doing." [109:59]

8. Conclusion

Lori and Scott reflect on the emotional and musical journey of "Hormonally Yours," underscoring its personal impact and lasting significance. They tease the next episode, which will explore Stereo MC's album "Connected," promising another rich analysis.

[110:31] Scott Free:
Scott commends the episode's exploration, noting it was uncharted territory but thoroughly enjoyed it.

[111:08] Lori:
Lori expresses gratitude to listeners and encourages them to stay tuned for future episodes.

Selected Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [05:59] Scott Free:
  "You know, this is all kind of new to me."

• [13:04] Lori:
  "They really fell for each other."

• [15:25] Lori:
  "I knew I didn't want to be a solo artist."

• [27:48] Lori:
  "It's Shakespeare's sister; it's not the Smith song."

• [33:33] Scott Free:
  "Hormonally yours just made me see that I can sing."

• [42:02] Scott Free:
  "But make no mistake, this was Siobhan and Marcella's band."

• [45:34] Lori:
  "This track feels like a sisterhood of another kind."

• [70:34] Lori:
  "The beauty of this song is haunting."

• [76:08] Scott Free:
  "The band's dynamics started to unravel creatively."

• [102:21] Lori:
  "Having my own manager caused communication problems."

• [105:44] Lori:
  "That shit was not cool at all."

• [110:23] Lori:
  "They were pioneers for female duos in the music industry."

Final Thoughts

Episode 70 of Accelerated Culture offers an exhaustive exploration of Shakespeare's Sister's "Hormonally Yours," blending historical context, personal anecdotes, and detailed musical analysis. Through Lori and Scott's dynamic hosting and insightful commentary, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the album's creation, its cultural impact, and the personal struggles that shaped the band's trajectory. This episode not only honors the legacy of Shakespeare's Sister but also underscores the enduring influence of their music on subsequent generations of artists.