I don't know about you, but I'm a huge music geek. I can just sit listening to Spotify's artist radio and related searches for hours and hours, literally. In the time that I've spent doing this, I've come across a number of artists that have seriously affected me. These ladies have made me cry, laugh, and dance. They've given me chills. They've made me feel understood, and now I want to share a few with you. So, without further adieu, here are ten insanely talented female bands and musicians who deserve your love and support, too.
Adrianne Lenker
Best known as the lead vocalist of the band "Big Thief," Adrianne Lenker's songs are pure poetry. She accompanies her soft, sweet singing voice and deep lyrics with intricate guitar melodies, creating folksy lullabies that I guarantee will leave you with goosebumps.
Song suggestions: Indiana, abyss kiss, Hours were the Birds, Love of Some Kind
Courtney Barnett
Courtney Barnett is an Australian singer-songwriter best known for her witty, deadpan singing style. Each of her songs tell a story, often either very hypothetical or metaphorical, and welcome listeners into her slightly strange, but incredibly captivating conversation.
Song suggestions: Avant Gardner, Elevator Operator, Continental Breakfast
Lake Street Dive
This group has been a personal favorite of mine for years. Vocalist Rachael Price, who also participates in a few other music groups, has a tremendous vocal range and a powerful force. In this particular music group, she sings about love and life, and how she has worked to overcome hard times - very relatable for young women who wear their heart on their sleeve. The band creates a variety of pop, folk, jazz, and funk melodies and rhythms that are guaranteed to make you dance around the kitchen in your socks.
Song suggestions: Bad Self Portraits, Better Than, You Are Free, Funny Not to Care
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
This groovy soul group clearly derives their sound from the 1960s. Think of Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, or James Brown. Sharon Jones, who was actually born in the 60s, is a soul diva who seems to find inspiration in the nostalgic feel of the music she grew up with: gospel, soul, disco, and blues. The Dap-Kings help her to artfully recreate the legendary music of her childhood.
Song suggestions: My Man is a Mean Man, Rumors, When I Saw Your Face, How Long Do I Have to Wait for You?
Oh Pep!
Olivia Hally and Pepita Emmerichs are a dynamic pop duo. Their poetic lyrics are sweet, thoughtful, and even funny at times. Combined with guitar, violin, mandolin, fiddle, and a variety of other uncommon instruments, this creates an infectious sound that will simultaneously tug on your heart strings and make you feel like dancing.
Song suggestions: Doctor Doctor, Hurt Nobody, Your Nail and Your Hammer, Happenstance
Mountain Man
"Mountain Man" consists of three seriously talented women: Marly Erin Sarle, Alexandra Sauser-Monnig, and Amelia Meath, who you may also know from a duo called "Sylvan Esso" (also worth looking into if you haven't already). While many of their songs utilize a single guitar and many are purely a capella, the trio's sound is consistently harmonious, peaceful, and relaxing.
Song suggestions: Baby Where You Are, Rang Tang Ring Toon, Underwear
Dorothy
Lead singer Dorothy Martin is joined by Nick Maybury, Leroy Wulfmeier, Eliot Lorango, and Jason Ganberg to create a new take on southern goth rock, which, yes, sounds scary, but hear me out. With a solid mix of hefty, rockin' headbangers and vulnerable, melodic tearjerkers, these tunes will keep you on your toes.
Song suggestions: Pretty When You're High, After Midnight, Shelter, Mountain
Snoh Aalegra
Snoh Aalegra is a Swedish R&B singer-songwriter with a sound reminiscent of Michael Jackson, yet distinctly authentic. Her soft, low voice finds a place within her powerful, soulful music, with inspiration that seems to be drawn from her past feelings of isolation, and her current journey of coming into her own.
Song suggestions: U Got Me Good, I Want You Around, Fool For You, Toronto
Thao & the Get Down Stay Down
Consisting of Thao Nguyen and Adam Thompson, Thao & the Get Down Stay Down are an alternative folk rock duo based out of San Fransisco. Their sound is uniquely playful and funky, and seems to convey a clear, female perspective on life and love. Judging by the way she seems to find inspiration in her darkest moments, Thao is definitely not afraid to let her guard down, and she does so in the liveliest way.
Song suggestions: The Evening, Meticulous Bird, Kindness Be Conceived
Maggie Rogers
Finally, I give you the one, the only... Maggie Rogers. Many of you may already know about this gem of an artist because of her recent Grammy Award nomination, as well as her television appearances on The Today Show, The Tonight Show, and SNL. If you haven't heard of her, though, let me introduce you.
Maggie Rogers is a singer-songwriter and producer whose music reflects her personal, raw, and honest outlook on life. She expresses her perspectives through fresh, honest, relatable lyrics backed up by a fusion of pop and folk music. With a creative and intimate persona, it's really no wonder she's been hitting the charts.
Song suggestions: On + Off, Alaska, Give a Little, Overnight, Love You for a Long Time
