Sub Pop artist Marika Hackman invited her fans to share stories of any time they have felt shame associated with female self-pleasure. The singer/songwriter has used their stories to prompt a conversation around the taboo topic, which she has explored further in her new video for “hand solo.” The clip extols the virtues of masturbation and features Marika’s favorite line: “Under patriarchal law, I’m going to die a virgin.” The video for was directed by Sam Bailey who Marika collaborated with previously on “My Lover Cindy”. The pair worked closely with Evie Fehilly – a sex educator who runs sex-positive workshops in London at the female-focused sex shop SH!

Marika discussing the video: “I wrote ‘hand solo’ as a bit of light-hearted relief, a wank anthem for women everywhere. I loved the idea of playing on old wives’ tales about the dangers of masturbation and pushing the boundaries about what is socially acceptable. I met Sam and we came up with this playful, tongue-in-cheek idea about hands all over the world masturbating on everyday objects, and even places, and eventually the world. The hands were directed by the wonderful Evie Fehilly, a sex educator who runs sex-positive workshops in London at the famous sex shop SH!. Despite the video being quite fun, I wanted to make a serious point at the end, after the world explodes in its orgasm, that masturbation is still for many women perceived as something shameful and embarrassing – the moment of shame after the ecstasy. We asked for any female-identifying people to anonymously submit their experiences of shame relating to masturbation, and we received so many heart-breaking and heavy stories. I hope that when people see these accounts, they can relate and realize that there’s no shame in masturbation.”

Marika Hackman’s new album Any Human Friend is out now on Sub Pop in North and South America and the rest of the world via AMF Records. The album was co-produced by David Wrench (Frank Ocean, The xx, Let’s Eat Grandma) and Marika herself, and shows off a sharper and more liberated sound than ever before.

Marika Hackman
Any Human Friend
Tracklisting
Sub Pop Records

1. wanderlust
2. the one
3. all night
4. blow
5. i’m not where you are
6. send my love
7. hand solo
8. conventional ride
9. come undone
10. hold on
11. any human friend

Marika Hackman
Tour

Sep. 26 – London, UK – Islington Assembly Hall
Oct. 11 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl*
Oct. 12 – Durham, NC – The Pinhook*
Oct. 13 – Washington, DC – U Street Music Hall*
Oct. 14 – Philadelphia, PA – Boot & Saddle*
Oct. 15 – Brooklyn, NY – Elsewhere*
Oct. 18 – Allston, MA – Great Scott*
Oct. 19 – Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall*
Oct. 20 – Montréal, QC – Bar Le ‘Ritz’ P.D.B.*
Oct. 21 – Toronto, ON- The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern*
Oct. 23 – Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups
Oct. 24 – Ann Arbor, MI – Blind Pig*
Oct. 25 – Chicago, IL- Sleeping Village*
Oct. 26 – Milwaukee, WI – Back Room at Colectivo Coffee*
Oct. 28 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th St. Entry*
Nov. 01 – Seattle, WA – Neumos*
Nov. 04 – Oakland, CA – Starline Social Club*
Nov. 06 – West Hollywood, CA – The Roxy Theatre*
Dec. 08 – Amsterdam, NL – Bitterzoet
Dec. 09 – Brussels, BE – Botanique-Rotonde
Dec. 11 – Hamburg, DE – Häkken
Dec. 12 – Berlin, DE – Privatclub
Dec. 13 – Cologne, DE – Artheater
Dec. 14 – Paris, FR – Point Ephemere
Mar. 05 – London, UK – O2 Forum Kentish Town

*w/ Girl Friday