Kelley Deal

Gemma Cairney continues The Leisure Society, a new series interviewing cultural icons, tastemakers, artists and musicians about their pastimes, hobbies, collections and loves beyond what they are known for. This week Gemma joins Kelley Deal lead guitarist with The Breeders, in a wool and craft shop, where she describes how she swapped her heroin habit for knitting. From her work with the Breeders and beyond, Deal has created powerful, inspiring rock music and served as a positive influence for young women looking to get into bands. She also won the 2017 Gibson Les Paul Award which honors guitar playing and innovation. During the programme she speaks about growing up with twin sister Kim Deal in Dayton Ohio, and how she once auditioned as drummer for her band the Pixies, leaving her job as a defense contractor with top-secret clearance to go on tour with Nirvana and being introduced to knitting through a support band.