# Julia Cafritz

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**Julia Cafritz** (born May 5, 1965) is an American guitarist[1] and occasional vocalist who was a member of [Pussy Galore](/source/Pussy_Galore_(band)) and [Free Kitten](/source/Free_Kitten). She is regarded as a [cult figure](/source/Cult_figure) from the New York City [noise music](/source/Noise_music) scene of the 1990s.[2][3]

## Early life

Cafritz was born in [Washington, DC](/source/Washington,_DC), the daughter of Jennifer (née Stats) and Conrad Cafritz, a real estate developer with a personal fortune of over $100 million.[4][5][6][7] She has a younger sister named Daisy von Furth, and two brothers, Eric and Matthew Cafritz.[7][8] Her grandfather was the multimillionaire real estate developer and philanthropist [Morris Cafritz](/source/Morris_Cafritz).[4]

Cafritz has a B.A. and M.A. from [New York University](/source/New_York_University),[9] having dropped out of [Brown University](/source/Brown_University) after forming [Pussy Galore](/source/Pussy_Galore_(band)).[4]

### Pussy Galore

In 1985, guitarist Julia Cafritz and fellow [Brown University](/source/Brown_University) classmate, [Jon Spencer](/source/Jon_Spencer) on vocals and guitar, and John Hammill on drums, formed the punk [noise](/source/Noise_music) band Pussy Galore. In May 1986 they moved to [New York City](/source/New_York_City).

### STP

In 1989, Cafritz left Pussy Galore and formed the short-lived all-girl group STP. STP released one single and toured with [Nirvana](/source/Nirvana_(band)) and [Sonic Youth](/source/Sonic_Youth). Cafritz joined fellow CBGBs Record Canteen clerk Ned Hayden's group, the [Action Swingers](/source/Action_Swingers).

### Free Kitten

In 1992, she formed [Free Kitten](/source/Free_Kitten), a musical collaboration with Sonic Youth's [Kim Gordon](/source/Kim_Gordon), drummer [Yoshimi](/source/Yoshimi_P-We) from the [Boredoms](/source/Boredoms) and [Pavement](/source/Pavement_(band)) bassist [Mark Ibold](/source/Mark_Ibold).[10] They released records and toured on and off through 1997.[11]

In 2008, Cafritz, Gordon and Yoshimi recorded and released *Inherit* on [Ecstatic Peace](/source/Ecstatic_Peace) Records after a ten-year hiatus.

#### Free Kitten discography

**Albums:**

- 1994: *Unboxed* ([Wiiija](/source/Wiiija))
- 1995: *Nice Ass* ([Kill Rock Stars](/source/Kill_Rock_Stars))
- 1997: *Sentimental Education* ([Kill Rock Stars](/source/Kill_Rock_Stars))
- 2008: *Inherit* ([Ecstatic Peace](/source/Ecstatic_Peace))

**EPs**

- 1992: *Call Now* ([Ecstatic Peace](/source/Ecstatic_Peace))
- 1996: *Punks Suing Punks* ([Kill Rock Stars](/source/Kill_Rock_Stars))

**Singles**

- 1992: "Yoshimi Vs. Mascis" split ([Time Bomb](/source/Time_Bomb_Recordings))
- 1993: "Oh Bondage Up Yours!" ([Sympathy for the Record Industry](/source/Sympathy_for_the_Record_Industry))
- 1993: "Lick!" (In The Red)
- 1993: "Special Groupie" (SOS)
- 1994: "Sex Boy" (Radiation)
- 1994: "Harvest Spoon" ([Wiiija](/source/Wiiija))
- 1997: "Chinatown Express" ([Kill Rock Stars](/source/Kill_Rock_Stars))
- 2008: "Seasick" ([Ecstatic Peace](/source/Ecstatic_Peace))

### Solo work

In 2012, Cafritz released a track called "dash dash dash" on a [Thick Syrup Records](/source/Thick_Syrup_Records) Comp Called '78 LTD.

#### Julie Cafritz solo discography

- 2012: "dash dash dash",[12] on *Album '78 LTD* ([Thick Syrup Records](/source/Thick_Syrup_Records))

## Personal life

Cafritz is married to Bob Lawton[13][14] of Labor Board and Twin Towers Touring,[15] who was a booking agent to bands like [Sonic Youth](/source/Sonic_Youth), [Yo La Tengo](/source/Yo_La_Tengo) and [Superchunk](/source/Superchunk).[16] In 2000, Cafritz and Lawton relocated to [Florence, Massachusetts](/source/Florence,_Massachusetts), where they ran a furniture store called Artifacts 20th Century.[17] They have two children, daughter Alice and son Ollie.[17][18][19]

While still playing music, Cafritz has taught English at [Holyoke Community College](/source/Holyoke_Community_College).[18][20][21]

## References

1. Schoemer, Karen (January 31, 1992). ["Sounds Around Town"](https://www.nytimes.com/1992/01/31/arts/sounds-around-town-695392.html). *[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times)*. Retrieved 1 March 2014. Kitten is the side project of the Sonic Youth bassist Kim Gordon and the guitarist Julia Cafritz from the band Pussy Galore.

1. Critcheloe, Cody (April 2, 2009). ["Julia Cafritz, She Ain't No Bitch"](https://www.vice.com/en/article/julia-cafritz-she-aint-no-bitch/). *[Vice](/source/Vice_(magazine))*. Retrieved 1 March 2014.

1. ["Julia Cafritz, Free Kitten"](https://www.npr.org/buckets/music/women/artist.php?artistId=425). *[NPR](/source/NPR)*. Retrieved 1 March 2014.

1. Marjorie Williams (1990-02-25). ["CAFRITZ V. CAFRITZ"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/magazine/1990/02/25/cafritz-v-cafritz/9f486a14-9672-4802-802e-0e470a9f1507). *[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)*. [ISSN 0190-8286](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0190-8286). [OCLC 1330888409](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1330888409)

1. Anderson, Susan Heller (December 1, 1988). ["Gwendolyn Cafritz, 78, Washington Hostess"](https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/01/obituaries/gwendolyn-cafritz-78-washington-hostess.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*

1. ["Executive Team: Conrad Cafritz, Chairman"](http://www.cafritzinterests.com/cafritz.html). *Cafritz Interests*. Retrieved 1 March 2014.

1. Bernstein, Adam (January 26, 2010). ["CIA officer and art museum chairman Laughlin Phillips, 85, dies"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/25/AR2010012503741.html). *[Washington Post](/source/Washington_Post)*. Retrieved 1 March 2014. four stepchildren, Julia Cafritz and Daisy von Furth, both of Northampton, Mass., Eric Cafritz of Paris and Matthew Cafritz of the District

1. Browne, David (2009). [*Goodbye 20th century : a biography of Sonic Youth*](https://books.google.com/books?id=mZDMQBK7TK0C&q=Daisy+Von+Furth+julie+cafritz&pg=PT183). 1st pbk. ed. [New York]: Da Capo. ISBN 9780306816031.

1. ["College Catalog 2011-2012"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150924025244/http://www.hcc.edu/Documents/Publications/2011-2012_HCC_Catalog.pdf). *Holyoke Community College*. Archived from [the original](http://www.hcc.edu/Documents/Publications/2011-2012_HCC_Catalog.pdf) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2014.

1. ["Free Kitten"](http://www.killrockstars.com/bands/factsheets/freekitten/). *[Kill Rock Stars](/source/Kill_Rock_Stars)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20061025082057/http://www.killrockstars.com/bands/factsheets/freekitten/) October 25, 2006 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 1 March 2014.

1. Gordon, Kim and Julia Cafritz (May 29, 2008). ["Guest Lists: Free Kitten"](http://pitchfork.com/features/guest-lists/6860-free-kitten/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_Media)*. Pitchfork Media LLC. Retrieved 1 March 2014.

1. ["Julie Cafritz - dash dash dash"](https://soundcloud.com/thick-syrup/julie-cafritz-dash-dash-dash), retrieved 2026-04-16

1. Peters, Bill (January 31, 2008). ["Saving Pleasant Street"](http://blog.masslive.com/localbuzz/2008/01/saving_pleasant_street_v_how_e.html). *[MassLive](/source/MassLive)*. Retrieved 1 March 2014.

1. ["Listed: Cornershop + Widowspeak"](http://www.dustedmagazine.com/features/1073). *Dusted Magazine*. Retrieved 1 March 2014.

1. LeBlanc, Larry. ["In the Hot Seat with Larry LeBlanc: Tom Windish, owner of The Windish Agency"](http://celebrityaccess.com/members/profile.html?id=524&PHPSESSID=k9jujhetfhjv5vfi4o904pkrr3). *Celebrity Access: In the Hot Seat with Larry LeBlanc*. Retrieved 1 March 2014.

1. ["win CBGB Festival passes; check out the updated schedule (films, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. & more added)"](http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2012/06/win_cbgb_festiv.html). *[Brooklyn Vegan](/source/Brooklyn_Vegan)*. June 21, 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2014. The Labor Pool . . . include Superchunk/Yo La Tengo booking agent Bob Lawton as a member.

1. McDermott, Brian (Fall 2010). ["Rock The House: A former music-industry insider gets domesticated"](http://www.bostonmagazine.com/2010/10/rock-the-house/). *[Boston Magazine](/source/Boston_Magazine)*. Metrocorp, Inc. Retrieved 1 March 2014.

1. Ayers, Michael (September 2, 2008). ["Interview: Julia Cafritz of Free Kitten"](https://www.villagevoice.com/2008/09/02/interview-julia-cafritz-of-free-kitten/). *[Village Voice](/source/Village_Voice)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230116180233/https://www.villagevoice.com/2008/09/02/interview-julia-cafritz-of-free-kitten/) January 16, 2023 at the Wayback Machine.

1. Brownstein, Carrie and Julie Cafritz (November 19, 2009). ["This Is England: An Essay In Song Form"](https://www.npr.org/blogs/monitormix/2009/11/this_is_england_an_essay_in_so.html). *[NPR](/source/NPR) (Monitor Mix series)*. Retrieved 1 March 2014.

1. ["DCE/MCCC Adjunct Seniority/Reappointment List"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224626/http://mccc-union.org/DCE/SENIORITY_LISTS/Fall%202013/HCCSeniority%20List%20by%20Work%20Area%20effective%208-15-13.pdf). *Massachusetts Community College Council*. August 15, 2013. Archived from [the original](http://mccc-union.org/DCE/SENIORITY_LISTS/Fall%202013/HCCSeniority%20List%20by%20Work%20Area%20effective%208-15-13.pdf) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2014.

1. ["Faculty & Staff | Holyoke Community College"](https://www.hcc.edu/courses-and-programs/faculty-and-staff). *www.hcc.edu*. Retrieved 2023-01-16.

## External links

- [Julia Cafritz](http://www.allmusic.com/artist/julia-cafritz-mn0000304717) at [Allmusic](/source/Allmusic)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Julia Cafritz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Cafritz) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Cafritz?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.