Women's Music CHAT THREAD

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

I've been nattering away off-topic on Stewie's excellent thread asking for suggestions for her International Women's Day CD...so thought I would start an ongoing thread for anyone who, like me particularly enjoys music by female artists and female-fronted bands.

I'm not looking for lists of recommendations - there are two threads called Music By Women which have dozens of brilliant suggestions of artists to check out.

This is more about sharing a recent discovery (artist doesn't have to be new, though!) - a song, album, band, singer/songwriter etc. etc. that have inspired or excited you and you want to share. Or to chew the cud about anything related to women's music that catches your interest. Please join in!

[AliceHurled]

Listening to Janelle Monae right now Sydney

[AliceHurled]

So far nothing has really grabbed me. But I'm only about 3 tracks in, and it's on in the background so I just notice if something stands out, iyswim.

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

I certainly won't ignore you Sidney!!

Recommendations and linkies are most definitely encouraged on here!!
I was just trying to avoid the huge lists in the other threads, but by all means bung two or three suggestions in a post, in fact please do and thanks for the ones you've included!
Blimey, I've got such a fast-growing list of things to listen to.

I think Tightrope is a funky soul song, very catchy.
Have to differ when it comes to Kate Bush, though - I'm a big fan (although not so grabbed with the recent stuff from 50 Words For Snow).

You're right that music magazines tend to be very male-orientated, Stewie. They do feature a sprinkling of female artists per issue, but they're very under represented IMO.
That said I haven't read The Word in yonks Sidney, so they may have improved

Glad you're enjoying The Turnip Ninth! I'm rarely so chuffed as when someone tells me I've turned them onto some music they really like.

Yep, Lauren Laverne is pretty good at featuring female artists - as are Cerys Matthews and Nemone at the weekends. Stewie radio listening might be cheaper than buying the music, but I often end up doing both

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

So, have you remortgaged your house recently, Stewie

Heh, yep Spotify is a good way of listening to stuff for free (but watch out, it's fatally easy to purchase the tracks you like..!!!)

I tend to put Kate Bush alongside Bjork as an artist who really isn't afraid to experiment with different styles and push muscial boundaries. It doesn't always make for comfortable listening (and I totally accept that not everyone gets on with Kate's voice, or indeed Bjork's) but hats off to them for doing so. Also I like the fact that they fly the flag for independent female artists who really hold their own in a very male-dominated industry - and have done so pretty much for their entire careers.

And by the way, how fantastic that PJ Harvey won the Mercury this year - and the first artist to win it twice! Brilliant achievement. I imagine it was mentioned at the time (ahem, wasn't frequenting FWR at that time) but even so....

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

I'm heading for bed now.

Here's one to leave you with:

Utter beauty from another Malian artist:

Manana mas!

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

Ah yes, The Chilis are a guilty pleasure of mine, too. But some of their lyrics are outrageous. They seem to be improving in their most recent few albums, so that's something. Maybe they're going through a Beastie Boys type reinvention...?


Funnily, I haven't got PJ Harvey's latest prize-winner either. I've tended to admire the songs from it rather than hugely like them, compared with some of her earlier stuff. She's ace live, though!!

[alexpolismum]

Immaculada thankyou for Wanita.

Can I just join in and add one of my own particular favourites. It's not particularly feminist, but as I don't speak Welsh, I don't know what they are saying, but the voice is beautiful.

And another group I love, all women, perhaps not everyone's cup of tea, but I love them!

[alexpolismum]

Immaculada I've been spending ages listening to Rokia Traore and I haven't got anything done!

If you don't mind music being in a foreign language, here is another beautiful voice:

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

Thanks alex, I'll add those to my list of stuff to listen to!
Really pleased you've been enjoying Wanita! I've got that album and the one released directly after, Bowmboi - haven't heard Rokia's first or most recent, but those two are consistently excellent. I saw her play a short set at WOMAD a few years back and she was wonderful.
Songs sung in a foreign language are fine by me if I like the tune/vocals/groove etc.! In fact, sometimes the native language of the singer is preferable - I loved Camille's album Le Fil - utterly brilliant, and all sung in French. Didn't like the follow up nearly as much, which was all sung in English.

Ah, well Stewie. I suppose I was hoping a bit much of the Chilis......

[alexpolismum]

I've been clicking on various Traore on youtube on the list that comes up on the right hand side, so don't actually know what album/ how recent they are, but I have been enjoying them nonetheless!

I'm like you - I don't need to understand the language to enjoy the music (which is why I can enjoy Linda Healey while not speaking Welsh although I now want to learn it), but I know a lot of people like to understand what they are listening to.

Off to search for Camille and Le Fil now!

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

Ta Douleur and Au Port are probably my two faves from Le Fil, but they're all pretty good.
I agree alex Linda Healey has a wonderful voice, great to listen to something sung in Welsh.

I agree Susanne Sundfør is something special, Mo. Think I prefer The Brothel of her albums on Spotify. Her voice is incredible, but sometimes the vocal gymnastics draw my attention more to the technique rather than the song - more in evidence in Take One. The other one on their is purely instrumental, but impressive orchestrations. She's one talented woman, for sure!

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

ahem - on there

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

Just listening to Susan Aglukark Stewie and yes, it is certainly pop (not that that's necessarily a bad thing, by any means!!) but I agree, the Inuit influences do make it more interesting. I would like to hear more stuff she's done purely in Inuit....

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

at Stewie's revelations regarding Anthony Kiedis


I've just been enjoying acquainting myself with more Sleater-Kinney and Wild Flag.

But now I'm off to bed to read Pink Brain Blue Brain.

I'll leave you with one I recommended on Stewie's CD thread:

Tiny Flower by Rose Kemp
Glorious a capella from one woman and a loop station.

The track underneath, Violence is amazing too - but different, very angry and completely rocks out after a quiet beginning.

Bonne nuit!

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

Hee hee hee