Music

Kathleen Hanna Expands on Dream Miley Cyrus Collaboration

Riot grrrl icon recently reached out to pop star about creating an album only Cyrus would be "daring enough to make"

August 7, 2014

Kathleen Hanna miley cyrus — Kathleen Hanna Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

Earlier this week, riot grrrl icon Kathleen Hanna turned a few heads when she asked Miley Cyrus over Twitter if she’d be interested in making an album “that only you are daring enough to make.” The offer, though surprising, wasn’t out of left field as Cyrus had posted two pictures on Instagram of Hanna from her Bikini Kill days, including the famous shot of the frontwoman with the word “SLUT” painted on her stomach, along with the pop star’s caption: “coolest ever.”

Not only was Hanna flattered by the photos, but as she told Refinery 29, this mystery record is something she’s had in mind for some time. She recalled the idea came about during a conversation with friends about possible albums Cyrus could make after she caused a stir with her twerk-filled performance at last year’s VMAs.

“‘What if she did a record like this? Like, what if she did a record like this?’ We just came up with this crazy idea. And, then when she put my picture up, my bandmate Kenny [Mellman] sent it to me. I was like, ‘This is kind of fate. I should write to her.’ But, I didn’t know anybody was going to actually read it.” Last year, Hanna told Rolling Stone that Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.” and “The Climb” were “two of my favorite songs.”

Cyrus has yet to respond to Hanna’s offer (at least publicly), and it’s hard to conceive — though fun to imagine — just what this album might sound like. If there’s any justice, however, one day the world will know.

Until that time comes, Cyrus and Hanna will both have plenty to keep them busy. The former remains in the thick of her tour behind her 2013 LP, Bangerz, which got its own NBC special and, subsequently, a few FCC complaints. She’s also been pushing her various collaborations with the Flaming Lips, including a psychedelic short film and their cover of “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” which will appear on the Lips’ tribute to the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

As for Hanna, her latest project, the Julie Ruin, is taking a summer hiatus due to Hanna’s Lyme Disease relapse. But the group does have two festival dates coming this fall: an October 4th set at the Girls Rock NC Rally in Carrboro, North Carolina, and a show on October 11th at Corona Capital in Mexico City.