The Gossip

Gossip
Gossip in Portugal, 2007. L-R: Brace Paine, Beth Ditto and Hannah Blilie.
Background information
Origin	Olympia, Washington, U.S.
Genres	Indie rock, dance-rock, garage rock (early)
Years active	1999–2016
Labels	Back Yard, Kill Rock Stars, K, Columbia (current), Dim Mak (former)
Associated acts	Le Tigre, The Blood Brothers
Website	www.gossipyouth.com
Past members	Beth Ditto Nathan Howdeshell/Brace Paine Hannah Blilie Kathy Mendonça

Gossip was a three-piece American indie rock band formed in 1999 in Olympia, Washington. For most of their career, the band consisted of singer Beth Ditto, multi-instrumentalist Brace Paine and drummer Hannah Blilie. After releasing several recordings, the band broke through with their 2006 studio album, Standing in the Way of Control (2006). A follow-up, Music for Men, was released in 2009. The band played a mix of post-punk revival, indie rock, and dance-rock. Their last album, A Joyful Noise, was released in May 2012.

Gossip was formed in 1999 in Olympia, Washington, with vocalist Beth Ditto, guitarist Nathan "Brace Paine" Howdeshell and drummer Kathy Mendonça. All three were originally from Searcy, Arkansas; Mendonça moved to Olympia to attend Evergreen State College and Howdeshell and Ditto followed. Howdeshell and Mendonça had been in bands together in Arkansas. The band coalesced when the three members were roommates in Olympia.

In 1999 the independent record label K Records released Gossip's first recording, their eponymous debut EP, The Gossip to coincide with the band's tour with Sleater-Kinney. The band played at the first Ladyfest in Olympia in August 2000 and was included in Time Magazine's article on the festival.