March 14, 2023
Continuing Instructor and Westville Writing Center Coordinator Heather Augustyn recently published her latest book. Ludo Girls: Women Who Are Two Tone And Women Who Are Aheaddetails the female ska musicians who played in bands in the 1970s and 1980s.
Through over 50 interviews with featured musicians, Augustine weaves personal stories of empowerment and struggle from vocalists, instrumentalists, composers and managers into the narrative along with details of the band’s performances and recordings. Many bands played exclusively ska, while others dabbled in, toured or supported ska. Some are well known, some are lesser known.
“Women’s voices have been mostly silent so far,” says Augustine. These women have created space for the rest of us. They are incredibly inspiring, funny, and powerful. ”
Ludo Girls: Women Who Are Two Tone And Women Who Are Ahead Heather Augustine
Augustine’s book features interviews with members of Selector, Specials, Special AKA, Bodysnatchers, Beats, Go-Goes, Bell Stars, Bow Wow Wow, Amazul, Dexys Midnight Runners, Fun Boy Three, and many more. .
This is Augustine’s eighth book on ska music.she also writes Ska: Oral History; Ska: Liberation Rhythm; and Pioneering Women in Jamaican MusicShe has been invited to appear in the award-winning documentary ‘Pick It Up! Ska in the ’90s from Pop Motion Pictures’ and to speak on ska music from Jamaica, Spain, Vietnam and the United States.