Your Weekly Women to Listen to: Ember Swift, The 7s and more

We've made it to Hump Day and since this past week was Thanksgiving and I have a lot to be thankful for, I've decided that this week's round up of female-fronted acts will be made up of readers of this column. (Or, I'm assuming, have at least read this column once in order to find my email address.) Without you, artists and music-aficionados alike, I am just a girl who is constantly walking around with headphones and a computer. For any of you who have emailed me and aren't listed today, don't worry, I didn't forget about you, nor am I any less thankful to have you here. I just need to save some time for playing with my dogs who are currently snorting and whining and taking every toy out of their bin until I pay attention to them. It's impossible for me to resist this face.

Sarah Melody

File Under: Pop rocking with some soul!
From: Canada
For Fans of: Selena Gomez, Kelly Clarkson, P!nk, American Idol, one colored streak in your hair, tube tops, slicking your hair down, a mixture of Robyn's music when she first came on the scene and Natasha Bedingfield
Bonus: I'm not sure she knew I would end up finding this, but I couldn't resist posting an older video of hers featuring Snow of "Informer" fame (and he is also cousins with one of the guys from Barenaked Ladies). Also, true or false: She reminds me a little bit of a brunette Busy Phillips. Oh Canadians, I love you.

Sparks Fly by sarahmelodymusic

Ember Swift

File Under: Pop-jazz folk-rock in two languages!
From: Canadians are apparently really talented. This one is currently calls China home.
For Fans of: Wow, I am not even sure how to compare Ember to other artists! This is so tough but I'll say a more rock-infused Sara Storer, Ani Difranco, Meg Hutchinson, a happier-sounding Erin McKeown, maybe Sister Hazel but with lady parts, food made with ginger, keeping a journal by your bedside table in case you need to write something down from a dream, organizing a unique holiday dinner (for example, anyone who has been to a Passover sedar at someone's house where they make their own Haggadas).
Bonus: Not only does Ember sing in both English and Mandarin, she's also the founder of her own independant label and she's almost ready to pop with her first kid!

Listen by emberswift

The 7s

File Under: Soul-folk, singer-songwriter
From: Austin, TX
For Fans of: Melissa Ferrick's earlier work, Chris Pureka, Rachel Sage, guitar picking, feminist history, dressing as Rosie the Riveter, Tank Girl or one of the Bronte sisters for Halloween, hitting on women at coffee shops based on what kind of notebook they are writing in, bandanas, fellow weekly artist Ember Swift .
Bonus: You may know singer Ginger A. Thompson from her solo work and if not, now is your time to check out her previous releases!

Grace Petrie

File Under: Folky acoustic singer-songwriter with a cute lil' accent
From: England
For Fans of: I'd say maybe a mixture of Laura Marling and The Tallest Man on Earth, a more earthy Marissa Nadler, Mariee Sioux, becoming a part of a grassroots political campaign, taking pottery classes, having at least one accessory that you wear every day without fail, sweet gestures, The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love
Bonus: In some very cool news, Grace is going to be featured in the upcoming issue of Diva magazine as one of their top "Lesbians to look out for in 2012."

Once A Pawn

File Under: Harder indie rock, bluesy pop-punk
From: Omaha, Nebraska
For Fans of: The Thermals, Green Day, Sick of Sarah, skateboarding, putting buttons on your backpack, The Locals, raucous house parties, doodling on your shoes, taking a date to go stargazing, Fall Out Boy, letting your bangs hang in your face, keeping your concert festival bracelet on for as long as possible or until it cuts off your circulation in your sleep.
Bonus: The group released an album last month entitled In This House, and I highly suggest you check it out. Unfortunately it wasn't on my radar to include in my Tuesday column that week, but I'm really digging their sound and the gender identity-themed tune "XXY" in particular.


Last Time - Once A Pawn by orchidpromotion

That's it for this week but I'll be back with more suggestions next week. In the meantime and between time, you can follow me on Twitter, friend me on Facebook and feel free to drop me an email with a suggestion!