I love rock music. There are so many different genres within the genre that you never get bored, and there's such an abundance of bands that you can always count on finding a new album to listen to. However, I've noticed when going through my playlists or reading a new festival line-up that there's a severe lack of female-fronted rock bands out there. Let's face it- rock music tends to be a highly male-dominated field. More and more female artists are smashing their way through that glass ceiling with their electric guitar riffs, powerful vocals, and heavy drum beats, though, and I wanted to take some time to shine a little light on my favorite up and coming leading ladies.

1. Courtney Barnett

Courtney Barnett is an excellent storyteller. Of course, her voice is lovely, and her skill on guitar is phenomenal, but the lyrics and poetic way she strings together words is where she excels. Her songs are witty, sarcastic, and utterly entertaining, and with an album title like Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, can you really go wrong?

2. Maya Miller and Becky Black of The Pack a.d.

The Pack a.d. is wonderfully bluesy and has incredibly complex sound for a band consisting of just two members. Their southern rock vibes will appeal to Jack White fans, as well as Brittany Howard fans.

3. Ellie Rowsell of Wolf Alice

Ellie Rowsell and company switch from calming melodies to hard rock in a matter of seconds, and it works entirely. "Moaning Lisa Smile" and "You're A Germ" are long-time favorites, but their whole debut album My Love is Cool is worth a listen (and many more).

4. Julia Cumming of Sunflower Bean

With guitar riffs sounding straight out of a Smiths song and vocals reminiscent of a Cranberries tune, Sunflower Bean is bringing astral 80s pop rock back in style. Sunflower Bean's debut album Human Ceremony is one to spin on a relaxing, dreamy evening for sure.

5. Stina Tweeddale and Cat Myers of Honeyblood

Honeyblood, a duo from Glasgow, play songs that will have you humming along all day. Simple yet catchy, "Killer Bangs" and "Bud" are two stand-outs that have proved the test of time- months later and I'm still thoroughly enjoying these tunes.

6. Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs

"Heads Will Roll" when Karen O walks onto any stage. Best known for being the lead in the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Karen O can do no wrong- after the Yeah Yeah Yeahs went on a hiatus, Karen explored solo work, releasing her first solo album, Crush Songs. She can go from upbeat, high energy songs like the famous "Heads Will Roll" to quieter ballads such as "Rapt" or "The Moon Song" without a sweat, performing each with flawless vocals.

7. Warpaint

Emily Kokal, Theresa Wayman, Jenny Lee Lindberg, and Stella Mozgawa make up this all-women psychedelic rock band. With its surreal, unearthly sound, their music echoes hauntingly but beautifully throughout any space it's played.

8. Izzy Baxster of Black Honey

Though relatively unknown in the United States, Black Honey is beginning to take off over the pond in the UK, and it's high time we catch up to the hype. Fans of Lana del Rey will enjoy tracks like "Headspin," where Izzy Baxster's vocals bring to mind Del Rey's, but with an edge. "All My Pride" goes a little harder and is bound to get anyone moving to the beat.

9. Alicia Bognanno of Bully

Bully's garage/grunge rock sound mixed with incredible on-stage energy from local (or, rather, Nashville, but near enough) rocker Alicia Bognanno make Bully a must-listen. In addition to "Trying," "Milkman" is another track showcasing Bognanno's talent for switching from gentler vocals to very loud, very passionate ones and back with ease.

10. Melody Prochet of Melody's Echo Chamber

For the psychedelic rock fans, Melody Prochet accompanies dreamy guitar riffs with her ethereal voice, creating a sound reminiscent to that of Tame Impala's- and for good reason. After Prochet's previous band My Bee's Garden toured with Tame Impala, frontman Kevin Parker collaborated with Prochet to produce the eponymous first album. Stand out tracks are "Some Time Alone, Alone" and "Crystallized."

11. Alison Mosshart of the Kills and the Dead Weather

My personal rock idol, Alison Mosshart, is an all around badass. Getting her start as a 17yo in a punk rock band, she's since been the frontwoman of both the Kills and the Dead Weather, and has performed solo songs and left her mark on songs from bands such as Cage the Elephant and Arctic Monkeys by cowriting and starring in them. Her vocals are incredible, ranging from deep, bluesy qualities to powerful screams to lingering high notes. Just when you thought she couldn't get any cooler, she's also had a successful career as an abstract artist.