JD Samson found cult fame and queer icon status as one third of Le Tigre – the riot grrrl band that penned the anthem Deceptacon, a song no one knows the lyrics to but screams along anyway. Since Le Tigre, JD has continued to kick against the pricks by championing women and queer people of colour in an industry dominated by straight white guys. She is most likely to be found collaborating on cool new projects with burgeoning artists or putting out politics you can dance to with her bands MEN and Sharer.
DIVA met a jet-lagged Samson in a huge puffa jacket (she feels the cold), jeans and difficult glasses at gay east London’s pub du jour, The Glory.
“Here, let me help you,” says JD, when I can’t get my phone to record. “You’re the perfect interviewee,” I say. “I’ll just do everything for you!” she replies, putting on a newscaster accent: “‘So, JD. What does JD stand for? What does JD stand for?’ Nope, I’m not gonna answer that one! It’s the only one I won’t answer.”