Teenage girl band Kalliope Jones told to "use the sultry": What people were Tweeting

[SecularMotion]

[center][/center]

NORTHAMPTON – Three members of a teen rock band protested on Facebook after judges at the Three County Fair Battle of the Bands advised them to "use the sultry' after a battle of the bands competition.

Kalliope Jones, made up of Pioneer Valley residents Isabella DeHerdt, 16, on vocals and guitar; Alouette Batteau, 14, on drums and vocals; and Amelia Chalfant, 14, on bass, said they lost points in the stage presence – showmanship category. The trio came in third place in the competition.

After seeing one judge's comment that said "Use the sultry to draw in the crowd," the teens protested.

"A woman's sex appeal, or anyone's for that matter, should not be the defining factor in their success in the music industry, and in addition to that, WE ARE CHILDREN! WE ARE 14-16 YEARS OLD," Chalfant said on Facebook.

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/09/teenage_girl_band_kalliope_jon.html#incart_river

[ProfessorGAC]

1. A Little Creepy

Use the sultry. They're talking to 14 year olds! Sheesh!

On Edit: Joan Jett didn't use the sultry. Things worked out pretty well for her.

[NewJeffCT]

6. I'd say more than a little creepy

If they were 18-20, it would be inappropriate, at best.

[ProfessorGAC]

20. Well, if the Judges Were 21 . .

. . .then wanting a 19 or 20 year old to "sultry it up" would be a little more understandable.

I'll be not a single judge was under 30. That is WAY!!! creepier.

[AtheistCrusader]

15. Wait, what

The edit doesn't make sense. "Joan Jett didn't use the sultry"

Beg to differ. Watch her eyes in Crimson and Clover.

[ProfessorGAC]

19. Sorry, We Disagree

Her stage personna was more that of macho guitar player than rock and roll nymph.

She wasn't in a position to tell the video director what to do. Blame the director, not her.

[AtheistCrusader]

21. Well, not for lack of trying.

But I do believe you when you say it was external direction, rather than her idea.

[secondwind]

2. That "sultry" comment will get them a lot of free publicity... I liked their response! :-)

[Egnever]

3. While I like the way they think

Success in the music industry depends on showmanship as much as musical talent.

That doesn't have to mean sultry at age 14 but you cant just stand there and play and expect to be successful solely on your talent with an instrument either.

[ProfessorGAC]

4. You're Right, Of Course

They're not playing symphonic music. It's pop/rock, so you are spot on.

But, there is difference between telling a young band they have to be more performance oriented and telling kids to be "sultry"

Obviously we agree on both parts of your post.

[marble falls]

5. Whats wrong with that judge??? So it isn't about the music after all.

[Helen Borg]

7. Seems like an odd comment, given they are minors!

besides that, they seem like very interesting girls. I'd be a fan, if I was into that kind of music!

[Omaha Steve]

8. Does the judge have a daughter?

What would (I assume the judge is male) he tell his daughter?

[raging moderate]

9. Right on.

Interesting group of girls.

[JackInGreen]

10. Fohkin'hell

They don't think with the upper brain do they? Asshats.

[Thav]

11. Hypersexualization of girls

It's pretty twisted as a society when we put so much emphasis on a girl's sexuality. I'm sure these girls are super talented musicians, but the judges were focused on "the sultry." One should question whether that judge was having nefarious thoughts about underage girls.

We, as a society, are shocked at the statistics of sexual assault, especially against underage girls; But then we tell underage girls to "use the sultry." Then, most of society questions whether the girl was at fault when she gets assaulted.

Now I'm all angry. I better go do do something positive - like hug my daughter and tell her she's awesome just the way she is.

[Snotcicles]

12. Fame or success? There are successful people in the business that are not famous. nt

[47of74]

13. One of those quiverfull creeps?

[lostnfound]

14. Awesome attitude, ladies.

Teach the world and be yourselves.
I'm liking this new generation of young ladies, they are smarter than I was.
There's some kind of sense of self-worth that has arisen.

[Initech]

16. Only solution: they should form a new band called "Use The Sultry".

[Oneironaut]

17. Eww

Creepy af

[csziggy]

18. Even more awesome - they write a lot of their own music!

[d_legendary1]

22. Bunch of Pedos in the judging booth!

I thought they were supposed to be judging talent, not how sexy the band portrays itself. I wonder if any of the male bands were told the same thing...

[Gormy Cuss]

23. Lucky for them, in the Pioneer Valley that comment is gonna tick off most people.

Telling clearly young teens to "use the sultry" is way more than a little creepy.