Kim Gordon Says Divorce Helped Her 'Reclaim' Her Identity

How Divorce Helped Kim Gordon 'Reclaim' Her Own Identity
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For Kim Gordon, getting divorced involved more than just parting with a spouse -- it meant dissolving her band, Sonic Youth, which she and ex-husband Thurston Moore formed over 30 years ago.

In her new memoir, Girl In A Band, Gordon writes about the pain of performing alongside Moore after they had separated after 27 years of marriage. "I don’t think I had ever felt so alone in my whole life," she recalls of singing with Moore during Sonic Youth's last show.

But in a conversation with HuffPost Live on Tuesday, the veteran songstress explained how the collapse of her band and marriage enabled her to go off on her own and pursue other art forms, reinvigorating her sense of self.

"It was like a maybe a year or so after the band broke up and Thurston and I separated that I guess I started [writing]," she said.

"I started out writing just for myself and I was maybe going to make an art project out of it or like a noir thriller, but you know, it's a process," she continued. "It takes a long time when you lose your identity and identity for me was wrapped up in my marriage and my profession."

With the passing of time, cultivating a new identity became an easier, more liberating task.

"It took a while to feel like I was starting to reclaim myself in a more joyous way," she said.

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Before You Go

Kim Gordon
Arthurfest 2005(01 of14)
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LOS FELIZ, CA - SEPTEMBER 4: Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth performs at Barnsdall Art Park as part of ArthurFest on September 4, 2005 in Los Feliz, California. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sonic Youth singer Kim Gordon performs d(02 of14)
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SAINT CLOUD, FRANCE: Sonic Youth singer Kim Gordon performs during Rock en scene (Rock at stage) festival in Saint Cloud, outside Paris 27 August 2004. AFP PHOTO BERTRAND GUAY (Photo credit should read BERTRAND GUAY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sonic Youth Induction Into RockWalk(03 of14)
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HOLLYWOOD - AUGUST18: (L-R) Members of Sonic Youth Lee Ranaldo, Kim Gordon, Thurston Moore and Steve Shelley leave their impressions in concrete during the band's induction into Hollywood's RockWalk August 18, 2003 in Hollywood. Sonic Youth is touring in support of their new album Murray Street. (Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Coachella Music Festival - Day 1(04 of14)
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INDIO, CA - APRIL 27; Singer Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth performs during day 1 of the Coachella Music Festival held at the Empire Polo Field on April 27, 2007 in Indio, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Pitchfork Music Festival - Day 1(05 of14)
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CHICAGO - JULY 13: Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth performs at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park July 13, 2007 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tom Burns/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Kitchen 2009 Spring Gala Benefit(06 of14)
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NEW YORK - MAY 20: Musicians Kim Gordon (L) and her husband Thurston Moore attend The Kitchen 2009 Spring gala benefit at Capitale May 20, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Apple Store Soho Presents - Live From Soho: Sonic Youth(07 of14)
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NEW YORK - JUNE 09: Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth perform at the Apple Store Soho on June 9, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Rodarte - Front Row - Fall 2010 MBFW(08 of14)
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 16: Musicians Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth attend the Rodarte Fall 2010 Fashion Show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at 522 West 21st Street on February 16, 2010 in New York, New York. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arthurfest 2005(09 of14)
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LOS FELIZ, CA - SEPTEMBER 4: Kim Gordon (L) and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth performs at Barnsdall Art Park as part of ArthurFest on September 4, 2005 in Los Feliz, California. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sonic Youth Performs in Concert in Madrid(10 of14)
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MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 19: Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth performs on stage at La Riviera on April 19, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Juan Naharro Gimenez/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sonic Youth Performs in Concert in Madrid(11 of14)
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MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 19: Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth perfoms on stage at La Riviera on April 19, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Juan Naharro Gimenez/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sonic Youth Performs in Concert in Madrid(12 of14)
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MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 19: Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth perfom on stage at La Riviera on April 19, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Juan Naharro Gimenez/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sportmax Launches Carte Blanche by Kim Gordon(13 of14)
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 10: Artist Kim Gordon attends the Sportmax launch of Carte Blanche by Kim Gordon celebration of Fashion's Night Out at Sportmax Store on September 10, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images for Sportmax) (credit:Getty Images)
Tess Giberson - Front Row - Spring 2013 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week(14 of14)
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NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 07: Musician Kim Gordon attends the Tess Giberson spring 2013 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Eyebeam on September 7, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

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