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.

Shawn Colvin

If you like a bit of Americana....

Rasha Shaheen Egyptian by birth, started out as a bassist (and still does a lot of session work for various bands) - her solo album Hatshepsut is worth checking out.

Duke Spirit - female-fronted. Very catchy indie-rock.

Electrelane all-female indie band. Some very interesting songs.

The Like - similar to Duke Spirit (but all-female and American)

Tegan And Sara along similar lines - very prolific and still very young.

Sleigh Bells getting a lot of play on 6Music.

School of Seven Bells Female/male duo, but she does most of the singing. Some lovely stuff.

Enjoy!

Imelda May
Melody Gardot
Hazel O'Connor
Terri Texas Bomb

EauRouge i was wondering why ms palmer/dolls hadn't been mentioned too!

ooh, and there's if you like your music heavier. katie jane garside has a love or hate voice. they do an awesome cover of [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSx5IWSjL_0 jolene!]

there's also who are a cello based group, they do some really bizarre stuff of their own, as well as some beautiful covers. i wanted to name DD melora after the singer, but bloody DP vetoed!

ah bugger, stupid link!

Melissa Etheridge
Uh Huh Her - two woman band

Surely someone's mentioned Patti Smith? She's done some fantastic songs of her own, but her cover of Van Morrison's Gloria is extraordinary....

And if you like that sort of thing, you'll definitely like Emily Breeze

and probaby Rita Lynch too.

Alice, I trust you're going to check out all these suggestions...?

If Rasputina's indie-rock 'cello sound sounded promising, then definitely try Matson Jones

I will be checking out every last one IC
Thanks for suggestions all.

IvyandGold I love Rasputina, I first hear them on a Buffy soundtrack and had to find more.

Here's my tuppence worth from the ipod (apologies if they're already on)

Kittie
Bangles
Imelda May
Kate Bush
Lady Gaga
Girlschool
My Ruin (fronted by the scary Tarrie B)

I hadn't realised how little music I listen to which is lead by women, even bands with female members (lacuna coil, flyleaf, etc) are dominated by men.

Folk music wise - Kate Rusby is quite good. Heard her live a few years ago.

queenofthecapitalwasteland i can't remember where i first heard them, i had to find as much as i could though! i love , best getting-over-the-shitty-ex song ever!

Another one - Emmylou Harris. I'm not usually much of a fan of country music but her Wrecking Ball album is just fantastic.

Martha Wainwright
Vashti Bunyan
Kathryn Tickell
Ute Lemper
Kate Melua

I've only heard stuff by Melissa Ferrick and Catie Curtis in the Michfest lineup, but if they're anything to go by, it should be good.

I'm really anal doing a spreadsheet . Currently got 218 on it. If anyone wants a copy at some point, please say.

Alice, could I have copy please? My itunes is scarily male dominated....

Make sure you listen to some Anna Calvi, she is amazing! She is a real musician (plays guitar) and has a brilliant voice. My brother describes her as:

"Florence without the machine. But even better."

He saw her live supporting Arctic Monkeys (I think) and said she was awesome.

Hopefully this link should work?

I'll keep updating it, and will hopefully be adding Bertie's list.

Apologies if she's been mentioned but I love cyndi lauper