Molly Sides is the lead singer of Thunderpussy.
Molly Sides is the lead singer of Thunderpussy. Courtesy of Molly Sides

It's Saturday, time for rock n roll...

And there is neither rock nor roll anywhere to be found.

Not in clubs at least. Not at festivals. There are no industries more imperilled than the live concert industry.

But in this lovely private moment with the dancer and musician Molly Sides, the lead singer of Thunderpussy reflects on things beyond band life. She talks about the 8 pm cheering, and ways to support the post office, and what she's been doing to support her own body.

Because she's so multi-talented that she's also a pilates instructor, she knows how you need to be moving to start your day, so she leads you through a little breathing and stretching as well.

And then she sings.

"We get to use our voices in a different way, a really positive way," Molly says about about the 8 pm cheering each night for people on the front lines.

The song she sings is "Smile." Follow along with the lyrics here. It's originally from the Charlie Chaplin film Modern Times.

Molly is a sound, movement, and film artist whose curiosity and attraction to movement has led to both wild and tame adventures in live performance and film. Here's a fascinating essay about her by Amanda Manitach.

Molly Sides performing with Thunderpussy at a music festival. Obviously music festivals are one of the worst-hurt industries in this crisis.
Molly Sides performing with Thunderpussy at a music festival (one of the worst-hurt industries in this crisis). Photo by CHRISTINE MITCHELL/Courtesy of Thunderpussy

She moved from Ketchum, Idaho to attend Cornish College of the Arts, where she graduated with a BFA in Dance in 2010. Since then she has had the pleasure of dancing with such companies as SaltHorse (Seattle), tEEth (Portland), Lingo (Seattle), and The New Animals (Seattle).

Molly's work has been presented by On the Boards, Velocity Dance Center, Footlight Dance Center, The Pink Door, Vermillion, Yellow Fish Festival, and various settings throughout the United States. She has choreographed for film and TV, hired by the likes of production companies World Famous, Electric Sheep, and All is Well. In 2015, her foray into film turned from choreography to acting when she took a starring role in the Sci Fi feature film, Danger Diva.

Want to watch the preview? Of course you do—it also features Seattle's best actor, Amy Thone:

Molly is constantly looking for new ways to bring dance to an array of audiences and thus created Trigger. New Dance Happenings, a quarterly performance event held in unexpected venues throughout Seattle.

In addition to dance and film, Molly is a founding member of Seattle-based all-female rock n roll band, Thunderpussy. Since the band's formation in 2015, they have toured extensively throughout the US, UK, Canada, and Europe. In 2017, the band signed with Stardog/Republic records and the following year released their eponymous debut followed by the extended play, “Milk it,” in 2019.

Thunderpussy—which you can follow on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter—is dedicated to sparking conversation and connectivity and building community through shared experience wherever they go.

We are so happy to hear your voice, Molly, and see those plants doing well, and that amazing art.

Thank you for reflecting on the moment and helping us move our bodies. Thank you especially for singing—what a gift you have. So many gifts. Thank you for sharing them.

Happy Saturday, everyone.


* *

Previously in this series:



Tomo Nakayamas message to the city on April 16.
Tomo Nakayama's message to the city on April 16.

Rebecca M. Daviss message to the city April 15.
Rebecca M. Davis's message to the city April 15.

Heather McHughs message to the city on April 14.
Heather McHugh's message to the city on April 14.

Brandon ONeills message to the city on April 13.
Brandon O'Neill's message to the city on April 13.

Kate Wallichs message to the city on April 12.
Kate Wallich's message to the city on April 12.

Rebecca Browns message to the city on April 11.
Rebecca Brown's message to the city on April 11.

Lucien Postlewaites message to the city on April 10.
Lucien Postlewaite's message to the city on April 10.

Betty Wetters message to the city on April 9.
Betty Wetter's message to the city on April 9.

Amanda Morgans message to the city on April 8.
Amanda Morgan's message to the city on April 8.

Nancy Guppys message to the city on April 7.
Nancy Guppy's message to the city on April 7.

Jonathan Bisss message to the city on April 6.
Jonathan Biss's message to the city on April 6.

Chris Jeffriess message to the city on April 5.
Chris Jeffries's message to the city on April 5.

Lesley Hazletons message to the city on April 4.
Lesley Hazleton's message to the city on April 4.

John Rodericks message to the city on April 3.
John Roderick's message to the city on April 3.

Bill Cartys message to the city on April 2.
Bill Carty's message to the city on April 2.

Price Suddarths message to the city on April 1.
Price Suddarth's message to the city on April 1.

Kary Waysons message to the city on March 31.
Kary Wayson's message to the city on March 31.

Ellen Forneys message to the city on March 30.
Ellen Forney's message to the city on March 30.

Major Scaless message to the city on March 29.
Major Scales's message to the city on March 29.

E. J. Kohs message to the city on March 28.
E. J. Koh's message to the city on March 28.

Ken Jenningss message to the city on March 27.
Ken Jennings's message to the city on March 27.

Demarre McGills message to the city on March 26.
Demarre McGill's message to the city on March 26.

Lynn Sheltons Message to the City on March 25th.
Lynn Shelton's Message to the City on March 25th.

Timothy White Eagles message to the city on March 24.
Timothy White Eagle's message to the city on March 24.

Cookie Coutures message to the city on March 23.
Cookie Couture's message to the city on March 23.

Sarah Rudinoffs message to the city on March 22.
Sarah Rudinoff's message to the city on March 22.

John Osebolds message to the city on March 21.
John Osebold's message to the city on March 21.


Ben Gibbards message to the city on March 21.
Ben Gibbard's message to the city on March 20.

Nathan Chans message to the city on March 19.
Nathan Chan's message to the city on March 19.