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SEXISM GOES POP: CHVRCHES' LAUREN MAYBERRY HITS BACK AT SEX TROLLS, SINEAD O'CONNOR TAKES MILEY CYRUS TO TASK
It's been a rough week for two of pop music's rising stars; Lauren Mayberry of CHVRCHES, our cover stars from last month's extended interview (and, in fact, a former contributor to The Skinny), and Miley Cyrus. They occupy different ends of the spectrum in terms of fame, outlook, fanbase and approach. Both artists have dealt with their respective scandals in different ways, but what they have in common is that they have been judged purely on the fact that they are female; evaluated by their looks, rather than their talent.

Everywhere you look this week there are battle lines being drawn, statements being made, and rights being defended. If nothing else, it's been inspiring to see the media's (and fandom's) preoccupation with young, beautiful women challenged – and to see two outpoken female artists defend the right of women to be judged on their work, and not their looks.

First came Lauren Mayberry's eloquent and uncompromising essay, speaking out against the trollish behaviour of some of her online followers. In a guest piece for The Guardian, she blasted the behaviour of some of her male fans, who posted unrepentently misogynistic comments on her band's social media pages. "I do not accept... that it is all right for people to make comments ranging from 'a bit sexist but generally harmless' to openly sexually aggressive," Mayberry commented. "Objectification, whatever its form, is not something anyone should have to 'just deal with.'"

Mayberry has always said that CHVRCHES were "born on the internet," but like Grimes, it seems she has had to suffer the negative consequences of that rather too often. "Maybe the men – and I'm sorry, but they are all men – sending the notifications of impending unsolicited 'anal' bothering don't realise it will actually be me who reads the emails – or maybe they don't care either way," she writes. "But in order to get to the messages from people who genuinely wish to share something with the band, I must filter through every condescending and offensive message we receive." She confesses that some of this vile material even brought her to tears, but resolved to fight back: "Why should I cry about this? Why should I feel violated, uncomfortable and demeaned? Why should we all keep quiet?" 

As if proof is needed that this debate will continue to rage, have a read through the comments on the original article, where you'll find everything from expressions of disbelief that this has to be pointed out in 2013, to yet more misogynist rubbish being defended on the grounds of freedom of speech. Then, a few days after Mayberry's eloquent rant, Sinead O'Connor weighed in with a response to comments from Miley Cyrus, in which the former Hannah Montana star had cited O'Connor as an influence. In an open letter on her website (which has now crashed – read the letter in full here), she offers some maternal advice to Cyrus, pointing out the myriad ways in which she has allowed hereself to be exploited.

"The music business doesn't give a shit about you, or any of us," writes O'Connor. "They will prostitute you for all you are worth, and cleverly make you think its what YOU wanted … and when you end up in rehab as a result of being prostituted, 'they' will be sunning themselves on their yachts in Antigua, which they bought by selling your body and you will find yourself very alone."

Cyrus has now hit back, posting images of old tweets from O'Connor, appearing to mock her for her bipolar disorder and sometimes controversial behaviour (such as ripping up a photo of the Pope on stage). The BBC reports that O'Connor has threatened to sue Cyrus if she does not delete the tweets. In a second letter, published on her Facebook page, she says: "You ought apologise for joining those who mock and humiliate women who have been too nice frankly, to manage the music business without sensibly losing their minds. Cease behaving in an anti-female capacity. You will become the victim of it shortly."

The row, along with Mayberry's comments, and the eloquent posts from Grimes' Tumblr earlier this year, have shone a light on the blatant sexism, sexual exploitation and casual misogyny apparently still rife in the music industry. Whether it's former child stars being exploited, up-and-coming artists being objectified, or women in pop having to suffer aggressive come-ons online, one thing is clear: something needs to change.

What do you think can be done to combat sexism and misogyny in pop culture? We may be opening a can of worms here... but let's talk it out in the comments below. [Item by Bram E. Gieben, Staff Writer for The Skinny]

JOIN NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS FOR A SPECIAL FILMED GIG
Nick Cave is working on a new 'drama documentary' entitled 20,000 Days On Earth, which will see the singer reunite with Murder Ballads collaborator Kylie Minogue and others. On Nov 3, he will play a special one-off gig at Koko in London, to be recorded for the film. Fans can enter a ballot to win tickets for the show on Monday (7 October). To be in with a chance of making a cameo in this very special film, visit Nick Cave's site now!

NEW VIDEOS: FUCK BUTTONS, TORO Y MOI, THAO & THE GET DOWN STAY DOWN, FOREST SWORDS, TIM HECKER
The new video from Fuck Buttons is directed by the band's Andrew Hung, and features both band members gurning and doing their best screwface for the camera. The results are, frankly, quite terrifying. The 12" single of Brainfreeze is released on 7 October. Read our recent interview with the duo here.

Toro Y Moi's video for standout track Rose Quartz is a masterclass in having fun with paint. Here's our interview with Toro Y Moi from January this year.

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down have a new video out this week – the band are about to embark on a European tour, stopping at Shipping Forecast in Liverpool on 20 November, The Apollo in Manchester on 22 November, and Glasgow's Broadcast on 26 November. The single Holy Roller is out 2 December.

The first video from Forest Swords' lush debut album Engravings (reviewed here) was unveiled this week - it features a scene which could be taken from some nightmarish Grand Theft Auto-inspired dream, as a half-naked man contorts himself into awkward shapes on twilit LA streets.

And finally, a new video from experimental ambient composer Tim Hecker, taken from his new album Virgins (reviewed here), out 14 October. 

COMPETITION: PERFORM LIVE WITH TRICKY
Not up for the Nick Cave concert draw? Then maybe this is more up your alley – Tricky is offering fans the chance to perform live with him on a forthcoming tour. On his website, the seminal Bristol singer, producer and rapper has posted a track from his Soundcloud, asking aspiring artists to record a vocal contribution, to be judged by Tricky himself and collaborator Francesca Belmonte. Find the track below, and enter the competition here!  

CROWDFUNDING: WARP WAVEFORM SCREENPRINTS, NEW ALBUM BY THRASH (EX-THE ORB)
A quick mention for two fascinating crowdfunding campaigns: the first is from artist Alex Szabo-Haslam, and showcases the striking artworks / infographics he has made, inspired by early Warp releases. "Each poster visualises soundwaves generated by some of my favourite bleep, techno and rave tracks," he writes. "Using traditional, hand-pulled, silkscreen printing processes each waveform is lovingly crafted into a limited edition A2 print, signed and numbered by me." Get involved here.

The second campaign also features work from an ambient pioneer – Kris 'Thrash' Weston, formerly of The Orb, wants you to fund his new album Enter The Fuzzy Dimension. "I'm making an ambitious year long kick ass album available on Download, Double CD or 4 x LP with amazing musicians," he writes. "I'm already super excited about the melodies and ideas thus far, but to think of it properly recorded and mixed is IMMENSE." Get involved here.  

ON TOUR: SLINT, MOUNT KIMBIE & oOoOO
A couple of tours coming up that we wanted to let you know about – firstly, progenitors of post-rock Slint have announced a few dates in the UK – their first headline shows here since 2007. Catch them at the previously announced ATP: End of an Era show, or at Manchester's Royal Albert Hall on 28 November.

Also teaming up to tour the UK next month are Mount Kimbie (interviewed here) and oOoOO (interviewed here). We could not be more excited about the prospect of seeing one of America's most exciting producers touring with one of the UK's finest electronic bands! Catch them at The Ritz in Manchester on 7 November, and SWG3 in Glasgow on 8 November.

DARKSIDE IN THE BOILER ROOM
And finally, a very special Boiler Room set incoming from DARKSIDE, aka Nicolas Jaar and Dave Harrington. We interviewed the duo in our latest issue. " Sometimes DARKSIDE can be like a bulldozer if we want it to be, or a wrecking ball," Harrington told us. "What we do live is very much built around improvising, trying to do something that fits that room, that night, that moment. So if it’s a big room and a big moment, we’re gonna pull out the wrecking ball!" The Boiler Room set is being archived as we speak, but should be up imminently.