Music by women

[AliceWhirled]

I've decided to seek out female artists to listen to. The music industry is so male dominated, with women often only tolerated if they act out male fantasy, so I'm going to seek out the women's voice.

The final push was hearing the Beyonce is the first woman to headline the main stage at Glastonbury ever. That's 'right on' Glastonbury. And that is ever.

So if anyone would like to join me, and share recommendations, please do. Really please do as my recommendations thus far will be pitiful.

Yesterday I saw Janelle Monae for the first time and liked her style.

And just saw a clip of Laura Marling.

And Kate Nash. I do find her slightly misguided at times, but she publicly identifies herself as a feminist, despite being told by her record company that she would sell more records if she had less opinions.

Surely you can narrow it down to a genre or two. I can't imagine being more botherred by the sex of the singer than the music.

I love Stevie Nicks.

Missy Higgins is an Austrailia singer who is fab and Last.Fm put me onto Brandi Carlile who is similar.

Joni Mitchell is one of my all time favourites.

There is a massive thread in chat from May still about this - do a search for "female singers" - I made myself a big list of them all (198!) last night because I'd like to find more female artists I like and I was worried the thread might disappear.

If you like folky/acoustica type stuff, I highly recommend This Is The Kit - which is singer/songwriter Kate Stables' act. Lovely stuff, including a song about childbirth which moves me to tears every time (even though it's called The Turnip...!)

For out-there quirkiness in a similar vein, Rozi Plain.

pointydog - there are genres I like, but it would be a bit of a selfish thread if I said 'I like x, y and z now recommend things for me'.

And yes I have decided to focus on the sex. There is a huge amount of music in the world, and sexism in the music industry that means more men that women get heard. I'm going to redress this is my world by seeking out music by women.

Bertie - well get typing then. I expect all 198 (Thanks for the tip, will look)

Wouldn't be selfish at all. Would be helpful.

I've recently been listening to Ruby Jane. She's a folk/bluegrass musician with a very beautiful voice. She's a fiddler, she sounds quite influenced by Django Reinhardt.

I also listen to Susan Gibson. You can listen to her on Pandora now

Fiona Apple
Natalie Merchant
Dixie Chicks
Joan Armatrading
Annie Lennox
Pink
Macy Gray
Jewel
Nina Simone
Billy Holiday
Aretha Franklin
Etta James
Bonnie Raitt

I'll have a look through my iPod and come back. I listentl far more women than men

Sorry to be lazy - here are links:

This Is The Kit

Rozi Plain

and for more angry stuff in the same genre:

Caroline Martin

Some of Rose Kemp's stuff is excellent - especially from the Free To Be Me EP and Hand Full Of Hurricanes - but you have to pick and choose a bit.

This is a good one:

Kind of folky-indie-rock (although she's done stuff that's folkier and also stuff that is lodged more firmly in metal....)

I've just discovered that Ruby Jane is on Pandora :)

If you like American indie-rock stylings, then the family of bands/artists featuring (, , ) and (esp. ) are well-worth checking out.

I tend to prefer female artists, so I could go on all night but I'll stop now.... for the moment, anyway

I had to google that as I was sure Kylie headlined a few years ago. Seems she pulled out as that was when she had breast cancer although according to Wikipedia there have been a few female acts to headline. Im assuming they played the main stage but it doesnt give that much info. I'll list them as you may want to listen to them:

Sinead O'Connor
Shakespears sister
Suzanne Vega
Skunk Anansie (female fronted)

Given how long it's been going it's not a lot!! Also never 2 female acts have headlined.

I'm not sure I really have any more to add of my own recommendations. My iPod is mostly Dolly Parton, Motown and Musical soundtracks. My mother is to blame for my taste in music!!

Bjork
Dido
Sinead Lohan
The Puppini Sisters
Eva Cassidy
Joni Mitchell
Amy MacDonald

I've just been through my IPod for some female artists (non dolly or
Musicals) and I'm not sure I want to admit them on a feminist thread

Ta.
LilBB Beyonce was also surprised, but I've heard them say it several times now.

LilBB - that was an xpost. Beyonce was not surprised that contents of your ipod. And 'fess up!

Bjork (of course)
Laura Marling
Feist
Regina Spektor
Emiliana Torrini
Tori Amos
Kate Bush

PJ Harvey

Peaches