There's something about women and music, rock in particular, that has always grabbed my attention. Way back in the day when I was an awkward little kid, I would spend hours in front of the family cassette-tape deck listening to the likes of the Breeders and Alanis Morissette (hey, I had to start somewhere!).
While my taste in music has changed quite a bit from the days of my youth, I still find myself drawn to female figures in music, whether it be 90s grrlrock or early 2000’s electroclash.
Here, in no particular order, is a list of some female artists and musicians that I’ve been spinning for the past couple of weeks.
That Dog
I know at first glance it's kind of hard to accept that anyone could have loved this band. There's something so turgidly 90s about these girls that really hurts. They're the kind of group you'd expect to see performing at the Bronze during the middle of an episode of Buffy circa season 2. Despite this, That Dog are what Veruca Salt would have been if they weren't rubbish. How can you hate that?
The Breeders
I've name dropped this band a few times already, so there was no surprise that Kim Deal and Tanya Donelly's super-band would be on this list. I can’t really think of any more superlatives I can really throw down to describe how much I adore The Breeders. I'll let the clip for Cannonball speak for itself.
Grouper
The Solo project of one Liz Harris. Grouper's releases have been a challenging collection of ambient, psychedelic folk. Hushed and almost unnerving to listen to, her music combines elements of shoegazing, looping pedals and tape-deck sampling. She may have also been the only musician I've seen live that caused my friends to recoil and hide at the back of the Tote's Beer garden. A Beautiful but acquired taste.
Marnie Stern
It's like Starbuck from Battlestar Galactica grew up in New York, became the Queen of Guitars and released a series of hyper-speed math-rock albums. Oh did I mention she covered Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" on her Myspace?
Pikelet
Pikelet's 2007 self-titled debut LP was a welcome surprise for me. It was a strangely layered and dense album composed mainly with a looping pedal that helped to redefine how I listen to the accordian - an instrument I would consider a frenemy at best. An artist I now consider a stable of the Melbourne folk scene, she’ll be touring the U.S with Bachelorette later this year in support of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy.
T.L.C
Seriously, try and stay with me here. Early 90s TLC were actually pretty k-rad. It was over the top fly-girl antics, overalls and giant sunglasses. I can almost forgive these ladies for 'No Scrubs' whenever I hear "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg". It's a one-night-stand anthem that makes you want to break dance.
God I wish we still dressed like this.
Sleater-Kinney
It feels like it would be a crime to compile a list of my favourite female musicians without at least mentioning Sleater-Kinney once. It's hard to believe that the band that gave us “I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone” would go on to produce one of the greatest guitar-driven albums of this decade. They may have broken up, but I still break out One Beat at least once a week.
Joanna Newsom
Joanna Newsom, aka "that horrible chick who looks like an elf and sounds like a dying cat". To call her music polarizing is an understatement. The Milk-Eyed Mender was a breath of fresh air for the freak-folk movement and helped to open my eyes up to the awesomeness that is the harp. I'm anxiously awaiting a new album.
The All Girl Summer Fun Band
They are an ALL GIRL SUMMER FUN BAND. They’re good at what they do.
Nina Nastasia
I've been a closet Nina Nastasia fan since her album Dogs back in 2000. Strangely though, I don't think she hit her musical peak until her collaboration with Australian drummer Jim White (of the Dirty Three). Nastasia's music has always been stark and introverted. It takes talent to toe the line between hushed folk and full-blown country balladry without sounding contrived.
you can listen to flip.the.tape every Friday Afternoon on Melbourne's JOY 94.9FM