Transgressive Spamming for Fun and Profit

Two and a half years ago, in January 2010, I posted about a spam email we received from a young bisexual Asian-American musician and performance artist in Washington State named Magdalen Hsu-Li. Miss Hsu-Li’s email included a lengthy disquisition on her talents and accomplishments, and advertised her upcoming tour.

Here’s part of what I said about her back then:

The first thing I noticed about Magdalen Hsu-Li was her general indifference to capitalization, which is often a characteristic of today’s youth. She isn’t an absolute purist about it, like e. e. cummings was — you’ll notice that some proper nouns seem to rate highly enough to be capitalized, while others don’t. Another orthographic quirk is her use of ampersands: the commonest conjunction is avoided & eschewed in order to save time & space.

Miss Hsu-Li is a “a diverse, multicultural, lgbt, asian, or women’s issues performer & speaker… [and] a bi, feminist, asian-american music artist, speaker, & cultural activist, who is also a Tourette’s survivor.”

Why does “Tourette’s” rate the exclusive use of upper case in the above peroration? Is Gilles de la Tourette more important than the entire Asian continent? Rather than that, I’m betting on caprice & randomness, since “Winter & Spring” are similarly honored.

Miss Hsu-Li is an acclaimed musician, and includes a couple of rave reviews of her performances in the curriculum vitae she thoughtfully provides with the email. This talented young woman explains that she was “[b]orn in a small southern town into one of a handful of asian families” and “experienced extreme racism and prejudice on a daily basis while battling cross-cultural conflicts and a rare disability (Tourette’s Syndrome)”, “overcoming obstacles such as racism, prejudice, stereotyping, homophobia, bi-phobia within the LBGT community, filial piety, and a severe disability (Tourette’s Syndrome)”.

Oh, and by the way, did you know she has Tourette’s? She may even have incorporated this particular handicap into her repertoire, because one of her songs (for sale as an mp3) is called “F*** Bush”.

I guess we know where she stands politically. Speak truth to power, baby!

After a lacuna of more than two years, Magdalen Hsu-Li is back. Yesterday we received another spam message from her in several of our email accounts. The new missive was strikingly similar to the earlier one; in fact, much of it seems to have been copied and pasted from the text of the old one, including the list of tour dates in 2010.

Most of those tour dates were in the future when we last featured Miss Hsu-Li, but they are now far in the past. Strangely enough, she doesn’t list many more gigs. Thirty-three in all — thirty in 2010, two in 2011, and just one so far in 2012. There’s a gap in her résumé between November 11, 2010 and October 26, 2011, at which point our daring transgressive went on — surprise! — maternity leave.

Yes, our doughty heroine of the postmodern avant-garde age has betrayed her womynhood and become a mommy. And this evidently wasn’t a turkey baster job, either — Miss Hsu-Li has taken up with a fellow musician named Greane. An unabashedly gendered person, and of the testosterone-poisoned gender at that. But you can tell he’s cool, because he only has one name, like Sting or Cher.

With the help of Greane, Our Lady of Seattle aims to revive her flagging career:

Additionally I am doing a Kickstarter Campaign to promote my upcoming CD and book project. The campaign is called “Art After Baby”. I am pre-selling my upcoming cd and book along with packages to college, festival, or music programmers who would like to back the project and would also like book me for a performance or lecture.

That’s right — there’s no need to let Baby get in the way of Art!

Or commerce, for that matter.

Miss Hsu-Li doesn’t have much to show for her efforts yet — just one tour date so far this year, on May 5, and that in Washington State. Gone are the glory days of 2010, when she was acclaimed at Binghamton University, Cornell University, Iowa State University, Lafayette College, the Rhode Island School of Design, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the University of Southern California, and Wellesley College, among many others.

Magdalen Hsu-Li must have become accustomed to her lucrative engagements at American institutions of higher learning. For almost a year, except for one gig at Fox Valley Unitarian Church in Wisconsin, she battened successfully on the student activities fees of universities and colleges in more than fifteen states. Then her career fell into a slump — but that was more than a year before her parturition, so it wasn’t because of discrimination against a womyn of gravidity. And now she’s looking to, ahem, kickstart it.

But why can’t she return to the bountiful world of federal-grant-and-student-activities-fee funds on the university circuit? What happened? Have budgets actually been cut?

Or has she been a victim of prejudice, discrimination, racism, homophobia, and right-wing hatred emanating from the Fox News Channel?

In any case, why choose spamming as a primary form of publicity? That’s not really a good way to win friends and influence people these days. A publicist is more expensive, but also more effective.

For her mass-emailing needs, Miss Hsu-Li chose FanBridge, which seems not to be a totally disreputable service. It even has a privacy policy.

Yet, based on the email addresses at which she spammed us, her list was obtained by bots who scrape addresses off the web. Presumably she acquired them from one of the seamier spam-list sellers and then used FanBridge to propagate her transgressive multicultural message.

I’d be interested to learn how many new customers she manages to acquire via this method.

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For those who are curious, the full text of Magdalen Hsu-Li’s email is below the jump, but with the long list of tour dates and the FanBridge footer redacted. I have mercifully changed her ALL CAPS EMPHASES to bolded text, to save wear and tear on our readers’ eyes.

From:		M Hsu-Li
Date:		Sat, 16 Jun 2012
Subbject:		Diverse Speaker & Performer Available for Fall 2012 & Spring 2013

Greetings from Magdalen Hsu-Li. I am a bi, asian-american music artist, speaker, seeking college organizations, offices, or conferences that would be interested in having me perform or speak in Fall 2012, & Spring 2013. As the fall semester commences, you or your associates may be planning/programming events, speakers, and performers for the upcoming year. Please consider bringing my performance/lecture program to your school. My musical performance, lecture, and workshop programs bring diverse communities together, raise awareness on campuses, and inform about diversity, multicultural, LGBTQ, women’s, API , international, and disability topics. My programs can provide multi-cultural entertainment for your campus, target specific campus diversity concerns, and inform about issues that LGBTQA, Asian Pacific Islander, women, people of color, international students, and students with disabilities face. Events I’ve performed or served as keynote for include: National Coming Out Day, Coming Out Week, Pride Week, Pride Month, Day of Silence, Aids Awareness Week, Asian Heritage Month, Asian History Month, Asia Week, Asian Festivals, Chinese New Year Festivals, Take Back The Night, Women’s Week, Women’s History Month, Women’s Festivals, International Women’s Day, Diversity Week, Day of Diversity, Diversity Festivals, Multicultural Week, Multicultural Festivals, International Week, International Day, International Festivals, Disability Awareness Day or Week, Orientation & Welcome Week, Campus Activities Board musical, entertainment, or coffeehouse type of events, conferences, symposiums, and diversity awareness programming. Could you connect me to the people, offices, student groups (with funding) that produce events such as these at your school? I’d like to submit a press kit and CD for consideration. My website has my tour schedule, sound clips of my music, lecture synopses, and additional information about my programs.

My upcoming tour, has me performing in many areas of the country, collaborating with my opening act & guitarist “Greane”. You’ll find my programs affordable to your budget, and valuable to your constituency. If your school is near any of the regions on my tour, a reduced-rate block booking can be arranged. In 2012-2013 (in addition to “in-person” events where I travel to the school), I’m also offering live webinar lectures, concerts, and workshops for schools on a tight budget. These webinars are fully interactive and have exceptional video and audio quality — its like having me there right in the room with your students. It’s a great way to host my lecture and concert at your school without any travel expenses and you can target the event to specific classes or groups.

Additionally I am doing a Kickstarter Campaign to promote my upcoming CD and book project. The campaign is called “Art After Baby”. I am pre-selling my upcoming cd and book along with packages to college, festival, or music programmers who would like to back the project and would also like book me for a performance or lecture.

The link to our project website

Feel free to forward my letter to the appropriate person or offices on your campus or email me their contact information so I may contact them directly. Email me at powrbabe@gmail.com or call 206-954-0269 to request a press kit. References from other colleges are also available upon request.

Thanks for your time and assistance in this matter. I hope to hear from you soon. Have a wonderful academic year!

Bright Blessings,

Magdalen

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Magdalen Hsu-Li

CHICKPOP Records
117 East Louisa St, #422
Seattle, Wa 98103
C. 206.954.0269
F. 206-577-3950
powrbabe@gmail.com
http://www.magdalenhsuli.com
http://www.myspace.com/magdalenhsuli
http://berklee.facebook.com/profile.php?id 805690

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Magdalen Hsu-Li a renowned bi, feminist, asian-american music artist, speaker, and cultural activist will be touring throughout the US in the Fall of 2012 & Spring 0f 2013 with performances in the Northeast East Coast, Midwest, & West Coast. She may be joined by singer-songwriter “Greane” as her opening act. Her website addresses are: http://www.magdalenhsuli.com and http://www.myspace.com/magdalenhsuli

To Book Magdalen for a Concert, Lecture, Workshop In-Person or Via “live Interactive” Webinar

Email powrbabe@gmail.com or call 206-954-0269.

Magdalen Hsu-Li’s 2010-2012 Tour Schedule

[Long list of tour dates, mostly in 2010]

About the Artist:

Magdalen Hsu-Li is an internationally acclaimed bi, feminist, asian american, musician, visual artist, speaker, and cultural activist who is redefining the female musician and smashing the ceiling in the American music industry. She has been called a one woman dynamo of talent, her music described as “exquisitely furious, beautiful, & exciting” by Performing Songwriter Magazine, “sweet, melodic, & real”by the New York Times, “an achingly gorgeous collection of piano based rock recalling the finest moments of Tori Amos or Ben Folds Five” by Yolk Magazine and a sumptuous feast for the ears by Curve Magazine. A Magazine says “her blend of hard-grounded folk and sweet siren lyrics makes an enduring impression upon the american music scene her distinguishing factor is her cool, edgy, sound and courage to be sensitive, tender, and feminine. As she carves her identity as an artist in an industry where asian women are not thought of as musical powerhouses or innovators — Magdalen is a rare force with which to reckon.”

Born in a small southern town into one of a handful of asian families, Magdalen experienced extreme racism and prejudice on a daily basis while battling cross-cultural conflicts and a rare disability (Tourette’s Syndrome). She shattered through these adversities and channeled her harsh beginnings into the positive, uplifting, and electrifying force she is today, achieving international and critical renown on both stage and canvas.

Her dynamic & personable musical performances, lectures, workshops, and original commissioned songs, inform about diversity & multicultural awareness, bringing communities together by cultivating collaboration between diversely different campus groups. Her music and lyrics explore her search for identity and personal experiences as an out southern asian american artist in the music industry in a way that is youthful, engaging, and entertaining. Magdalen interactive programs have broad and specific appeal; providing general entertainment or diversity awareness for the campus, or focusing directly on Asian Pacific Islander, LGBTQA, & women’s issues. Her programs are excellent for campus events such as Orientation, Welcome Week, Women’s History Month, Women’s Week, Take Back The Night, Asian History Month, Asian Awareness Week, Coming Out Week, Pride Week, Aids Awareness Week, National Coming Out Day, Day Of Silence, and various cultural festivals, celebrations, conferences, symposiums, and diversity awareness programming. Her presence helps people redefine their identities and serves as a focal point for communities to converge, unite, and celebrate around.

Concert, Lecture, & Workshop Programs

In 2012-2013 Magdalen Is Also Offering Live Interactive Webinar Concerts, Lectures, and Workshops in Addition to Her Regular “in-Person” Concerts, Lectures, and Workshops. These Webinars Are Fully Interactive and Have Exceptional Video and Audio Quality — Its Like Having Her There Right in the Room With Your Students. Save on Travel and Production Costs — Stay Within Your Budget — Book An Affordable Webinar Today! Contact powrbabe@gmail.com or 206-954-0269 for details.

Smashing the Ceiling Concert

(The Intersection of Race, Gender, and the Arts)

A one hour high energy, live music performance featuring Magdalen on vocals, guitar, piano, and percussion. Dialogue about identity, racism and bi, asian american, and feminist issues is interspersed between songs and is implicit in many song themes & lyrics. Magdalen can travel to perform this concert at your school or conference in a regular concert venue, or she can perform this concert via live interactive webinar for a very affordable fee. This can be useful if you are programming on a budget or have a specific event or class that in mind for her concert. All that is needed to set up a webinar concert is a class room or lecture hall with seating, sound amplification, a computer which projects onto a large screen or oversize monitor, and a high speed internet connection. Students will be able to see and hear Magdalen perform live and she will be able to see them, hear their questions, and speak with them during and after the concert. The Smashing The Ceiling Concert is often interspersed with the Redefinition of Identity Lecture as the two share similar themes and topics which are interwoven together.

Redefinition of Identity Lecture

(Asian, Feminist, and LGBTQ Focus)

A one hour interactive “human interest” lecture exploring the search for “cultural identity” through the personal story of the presenter as an out, asian american, woman growing up the rural south, overcoming obstacles such as racism, prejudice, stereotyping, homophobia,

bi-phobia within the LBGT community, filial piety, and a severe disability (Tourette’s Syndrome), allowing for a greater level of understanding about identity among student participants. 10-15 minute Q&A at the end of the lecture. Magdalen can travel to give this lecture at your school or conference in a regular lecture venue, or she can give this lecture via live interactive webinar for a very affordable fee. This can be useful if you are programming on a budget or have a specific event or class that in mind for her lecture. All that is needed to set up a webinar lecture is a class room or lecture hall with seating, sound amplification, a computer which projects onto a large screen or oversize monitor, and a high speed internet connection. Students will be able to see and hear Magdalen speaking live and she will be able to see them, hear their questions, and speak with them during and after the lecture. The Redefinition of Identity Lecture is often interspersed with the Smashing The Ceiling Concert as the two share similar themes and topics which are interwoven together.

Includes: Personal history and background of the presenter / Being out, asian, and female in the music industry / The past, present, and future of asian, LGBT, women in the arts / Their changing social status, search for identity, visibility, and media representations / Bi myths and realities / The intersection of race, gender, & the arts / Encounters with racism & stereotyping / Redefining identity — finding your cultural “home” / Finding your soul’s purpose / Synopsis of presentation and goals of the presenter / Interactive (q&a) discussion at the end of lecture with audience

Art After Baby — Concert & Lecture Presentation

(Discussions on Music, Art, and Motherhood)

I am currently doing a Kickstarter Campaign called “Art After Baby” to promote my upcoming CD and book project. I am preselling my cd and book along with concert/lecture packages to college, festival, or music programmers who would like to back the Art After Baby project and would also like book me for a performance or lecture. The Kickstarter project is running from June 15 to July 12, 2012. During that time you can back the project on our Kickstarter website and book Magdalen and Greane for this special concert/lecture presentation. The scheduling of the concert/lecture can happen anytime within the 2012 to 2013 calendar years.

The link to our project website

I am currently working on a New Five Song CD/EP and simultaneously writing a New Book (Topic TBA). The due date for my new CD and book are by May 2013. I am currently writing the book and will begin working on the CD project in late 2012. This will be my first new album since 2005….and my first book!

Greane my musical collaborator and partner in life is working on his Debut CD/EP. The due date for Greane’s CD is by the end of 2012. He is recording his new album this July in Seattle.

Kickstarter is a cool new way for artists to pre-sell their creative projects. Recently it received a huge amount of attention in the national media. “Crowd-funding” has become the “wave of the future” for artists and their works. No longer do music artists have to rely on record labels to fund their projects. Their fans, friends, community, and family can collectively become involved in each creative project by becoming Backers.

For college programmers I am offering an intimate, in-person music concert by Magdalen and Greane and a keynote lecture presentation/talk by Magdalen at a venue set-up in advance. Q & A at the end of the event. Students, staff and audience members can personally meet and speak with Magdalen & Adam and have a photograph taken with them. The backer will receive recognition at the event. The backers name will appear on both the book & CD’s thank you/liner notes. This is a perfect event for college and conference programmers, companies, schools, civic groups, and churches. Performance and lecture excludes travel expenses and venue fees. Five free tickets to Magdalen & Greane’s cd release party in either Seattle, Wa or Providence, Ri/Boston, Ma area. Five autographed copies of Magdalen Hsu-Li’s brand new (currently untitled) Book. Five beautifully packaged autographed CD versions of both new albums — The debut CD with new songs by Greane and an EP CD with brand new songs by Magdalen Hsu-Li. Both cd’s include CD inserts with artwork, photos, lyrics. and liner notes. PLUS five digital downloads of both albums, five autographed posters, & a thank-you card. Travel expenses to the cd release party/concert not included in the package.

Come celebrate with us and Back Our Project! Spread the word to your Friends on Facebook and Twitter.

If you know any people with large Facebook or Twitter followings please see if they would be willing to retweet or post about our project. The more backers…the more likely the project will get funded and be successful. We have 26 days to try to get this project funded. If it doesn’t fund in the amount specified by July 12, 2012 — nothing happens. We would have to start the project over again.

True Diversity Lecture

(Raising Awareness in Our Communities and Ourselves)

A one hour interactive lecture that addresses how we can begin to raise diversity awareness in ourselves and in our community. It outlines multicultural statistics, helps us understand our own diversity, explores the difference between programming and instinct, examines the influence of family, community, and environment in our behavior & programming, assists in uncovering inner programming which we may not be aware of, encourages the importance of listening to and seeing the world through each other’s ears and eyes, gives us tools for taking action and options for involvement, and offers suggestions for re-programming techniques. 10-15 minute Q&A at the end of the lecture. Magdalen can travel to give this lecture at your school or conference in a regular lecture venue, or she can give this lecture via live interactive webinar for a very affordable fee. This can be useful if you are programming on a budget or have a specific event or class that in mind for her lecture. All that is needed to set up a webinar lecture is a class room or lecture hall with seating, sound amplification, a computer which projects onto a large screen or oversize monitor, And a high speed internet connection. Students will be able to see and hear Magdalen speaking live and she will be able to see them, hear their questions, and speak with them during and after the lecture.

Includes: Introduction: Personal history and background of the presenter / Statistics for a multicultural millennium — Building our awareness / The difference between programming and instinct / Understanding our own diversity — The influence of family, community, and environment / Uncovering hidden programming — Lessening the gap between our beliefs about who we are and our actual behavior / Seeing with “new” eyes, hearing with “new” ears / Suggestions for re-programming techniques / Getting involved — tools for taking action and options for involvement / Synopsis of presentation and goals of the presenter / Interactive (q&a) discussion at end of lecture

True Diversity Workshop

(Exploring Race, Gender, and Programming)

A one and ½ hour to two hour fully interactive diversity awareness workshop incorporating group discussion and problem solving techniques. It helps us understand our own diversity, allows us to share our beliefs about race, culture, gender, and programming, explores the difference between programming and instinct, gives us tools for taking action and options for involvement, and offers suggestions for re-programming techniques. Magdalen can travel to give this workshop at your school or conference in a regular workshop venue, or she can give this workshop via live interactive webinar for a very affordable fee. This can be useful if you are programming on a budget or have a specific event or class that in mind for her workshop. All that is needed to set up a webinar workshop is a class room or lecture hall with seating, sound amplification, a computer which projects onto a large screen or oversize monitor, and a high speed internet connection. Students will be able to see and hear Magdalen speaking live and she will be able to see them, hear their questions, and interact with them during and after the workshop.

Workshop Objectives:

To build upon our diversity awareness, making it stronger and more well rounded / To uncover diversity issues within ourselves which we may not be aware of, thereby lessening the gap between our beliefs about who we are and our actual behavior / To share our beliefs about race, culture, gender, and programming / To examine the difference between programming and instinct / To present powerful, effective tools for taking action and discuss options for involvement / To offer suggestions for re-programming techniques / Final synopsis of presentation and workshop goals given by presenter.

To not receive these emails in the future please email me personally at powrbabe@gmail.com and I will remove you from my list. If you have requested to be removed before and you are still accidentally on my list please accept my sincere apology and email me the specific email address you would like removed. I will personally make sure you are removed promptly.

[Fanbridge footer with unsubscribe information, etc.]