Luscious Jackson on Why Substack Is Their Platform of Choice

In the 1990s, the all-female quartet Luscious Jackson carved out a unique musical identity by blending alternative rock with hip-hop and R&B influences. Their signature songs, including "Naked Eye," "Citysong," and "Here," secured them coveted spots on major festival rosters like Lollapalooza and the all-female Lilith Fair tour. A particularly notable aspect of their history was their link to the Beastie Boys, who signed them to their Grand Royal label. Drummer Kate Schellenbach's own history with the Beastie Boys dates back to their formative years, as she was a co-founder and the original drummer during the group's early hardcore punk phase, long before their global fame. Before disbanding amicably in 2000, the group produced three studio albums and an EP, operating in a pre-streaming era when music promotion relied heavily on radio and touring.

A brief reunion in 2013 for an album and tour made the band acutely aware of how much the industry had changed, particularly the shift toward direct artist-fan engagement. This realization prompted core members Jill Cunniff, Gabby Glaser, and Kate Schellenbach—now a trio following the 2023 passing of keyboardist Vivian Trimble—to adopt Substack as a creative outlet. The platform has served as a bridge, connecting their 90s legacy with today's digitally-native audience and enabling unfiltered communication with both original supporters and new listeners.

Launched in July 2025, their Substack evolved organically into a collaborative memoir. As Jill Cunniff describes it, "The project turned into a three-way conversation, with each of us bringing different pieces of our shared past to the table." Their writings cover a vast terrain: from their teenage years immersed in New York's 1980s punk scene and Kate's stint with the Beastie Boys, to a guest performance with Iggy Pop on the cult classic Nickelodeon series 'The Adventures of Pete & Pete,' their experiences on the influential Lilith Fair circuit, and even their clumsy attempts at roller derby for a music video connected to the film 'Clueless.' This long-form, reflective style stands in stark contrast to the tightly managed press interactions of the 1990s, an era when bands had few avenues for genuine, sustained connection with their audience. The Lilith Fair tour itself, founded by Sarah McLachlan in 1997, was a landmark event that championed female artists and created a powerful, if temporary, community on the road.

The initiative has not only reinforced the bonds between the band members but has also significantly deepened their connection with their audience. By migrating their established mailing list to Substack, they maintained their foundational listener base while growing their subscriber count by an impressive 20%. They strategically supplement the written content with Instagram posts tied to cultural anniversaries, such as the 30th anniversary of 'Clueless' and a recent documentary on Lilith Fair. Kate Schellenbach's professional experience as a television talk show producer—having worked on programs like "The Late Late Show with James Corden" and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show"—has been a major asset. She applies an archivist's meticulous eye, enhancing posts with previously unseen photographs, vintage concert flyers, and personal memorabilia that lend their stories a powerful and tangible authenticity.

Looking ahead, the band is commemorating the 30th anniversary of their breakthrough album, "Natural Ingredients," with a vinyl reissue set for October 16. This special release will be available on both blue and orange vinyl and includes a bonus 7” single, offering a fresh format for longtime devotees and new listeners alike to appreciate music the band still values deeply. As Gabby Glaser observes, the entire Substack endeavor has reignited her personal creativity and allowed the group to actively reshape their legacy. For Luscious Jackson, this digital chronicle is more than a nostalgia trip; it's a living, collaborative project that throws open the doors to their archive and warmly invites fans to step inside and explore the inner workings of their influential career.