Regardless of the genre, there is so much room in the music scene for people of all different backgrounds to shine. Despite this, it seems like all of the attention is always focused on men. To try to rectify this in my own little way, I'm gonna shed some light on some killer musicians and bands that are or are led by women, check them out and do your own part to continue to boost the attention to some more women in the industry.
1. Alabama Shakes
Grammy-award winning Southern Rock/Blues/Roots band Alabama Shakes transcend several different genres in their powerful and infectious music. But the thing that makes this band stand out the most is frontwoman Brittany Howard and her powerful vocals, as well as her gorgeous songwriting.
With someone like Howard at the forefront, and with so many other wonderfully talented musicians in the background as well, it's no surprise Alabama Shakes blew up, or that they've won awards, but they still seem to never get as much attention as they deserve. See also: Brittany Howard's rock-and-roll side project, Thunderbitch
2. Paramore
Okay, I know this one is also a pretty well-known group, but Hayley Williams deserves all the attention she can get. Paramore may have exploded onto the scene way back in 2007 when Misery Business took the world by storm, but since then they've managed to repeatedly re-invent themselves time and again, and gain more and more success. From their roots as powerhouses in the emo scene to their most recent foray into a very Talking Heads-esque sad-pop sound, Paramore remain one of the most innovative groups out there.
3. Pool Kids
Up-and-coming math-rock/emo band Pool Kids will take the world by storm soon, but for now they remain a little secret for those of us who have been blessed to find them so early on. Some of the most talented musicians in the scene, Pool Kids' album, Music To Practice Safe Sex To, manages to be innovative in many different ways across its 9 track, 34-minute run-time.
Led by Christine Goodwyne on lead guitar and vocals, and consisting of fellow members bassist Nicolette Alvarez, second guitarist Alex Mayweather, and drummer Caden Clinton, Pool Kids are an absolute powerhouse. Jump on the Pool Kids wave now because I guarantee you their name is gonna be so much more well-known in just a year's time.
4. Hayley Kiyoko
If you watched Lemonade Mouth when you were younger (which, let's face it, we all did), then you'll probably recognize breakout pop sensation Hayley Kiyoko. If not, allow me to introduce you to her, the powerful, Asian, lesbian woman who is creating beautiful pop music to fulfill a sonic niche no one knew was empty before her flavor of music hit the world. Her debut album, Expectations, is one of the most skillfully crafted albums of the year, from the intro overture to the various bops to the sad songs to the closer, the record is fantastic, and her live performance is even better. Hayley Kiyoko will soon solidify herself and her name on the list with all of the other iconic popstars of the modern era. Give her some love.
5. The Pretty Reckless
Taylor Momsen, known to most as Cindy Lou Who from How The Grinch Stole Christmas or as Jenny Humphrey from Gossip Girl, is also the badass frontwoman of rock band The Pretty Reckless, who since 2009 have been slowly climbing their way to the top of the rock charts. A band with an attitude, The Pretty Reckless continue to show that Taylor Momsen is a performer with every fiber of her being, not just an actress.
6. Rico Nasty
Rico Nasty is one of the most innovative and aggressive up-and-coming hip-hop stars. With bars for days, an effortless flow, and an uncanny ability to make every track she's on an absolute rager, Rico Nasty has been making quite a name for herself. Again, a train that you definitely want to jump on while it's still relatively early, she is consistently blowing up the scene and leaving her name burned into the very fibers of it every day.
7. Shortly
Acoustic indie group Shortly has so much potential and they show that with every track on their debut EP, Richmond. Fronted by Alex Maniak, Shortly has grown from a solo project to an enchanting full-band experience. Give them a listen if you're a fan of literally anyone else in the genre, they deserve your attention, and they have a uniqueness to their sound that can't quite be properly compared.
8. Billie Eilish
16 year-old Billie Eilish is insanely talented. Her debut EP, dont smile at me, is one of the most creative indie-pop EPs I have ever heard. With production from her and her brother, Finneas O'Connell, Billie's music ranges from enchanting and soft to absolutely insane beat switches and bass effects that show there really is no telling what her sound could or could not do.
Beyond that, her voice is a very expressive, emotive, breathy type that is simultaneously everything indie-pop is known for and something entirely unique and powerful. She is the youngest pop powerhouse in the modern era, and she is going to continue to absolutely take over the world.
9. boygenius
An absolute power trio, consisting of Julien Baker, Pheobe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus, boygenius are a force to be reckoned with and a group I hope continues on. A collaboration between three of the most skilled women in the industry, all of whom you should check out solo as well, boygenius has so much range to their potential and so much skill individually and as a group that it's constantly mindblowing. Try finding tighter vocal harmonies anywhere else in the music scene, I dare you.
There are so many more artists and bands more famous than this list that I didn't mention because they are already household names, and there are many more that I omitted because listing every up-and-comer on my radar would result in a list so long no one would ever bother reading it. This is not at all comprehensive, but it is a great start to show some love to women in the music industry who may not be receiving enough of it.
