Once again, my iPod totally let me down on my bike ride to work this morning. I’m not just talking about slow songs, I’m talking about the weight loss hypnosis podcasts I have on there that kept popping up. I was hoping to get a bit of inspiration for today’s group of women and instead I was almost lulled into a deep sleep while weaving in and out of people wearing rollerblades and pushing strollers.
It’s not like I don’t have a bunch of great ladies in my arsenal to direct you to, it’s just that sometimes I like to let my iPod be my magic 8 ball and decide for me.
Here are 10 more women you should give a listen to.
File Under: Fast-rapping MC that can put you in your place with a smile on her face but can also bring a more calmed down side of things. (See: “So Human.”)
From: The UK
For fans of: Lily Allen, The Streets, dub, wit, Dizzee Rascal
Bonus: She finally came out – high five!
File Under: Old school jazzy soul that overwhelms your senses the second her deep voice hits your ears
From: North Carolina
For fans of: Going back to your roots, emo-gospel, activism, reading, John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald
Bonus: Nina has been credited as an inspiration for many artists including but not limited to Amanda Palmer, Jeff Buckley, Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill and Alicia Keys.
File Under: Folky country soul with fantastic vocals and harmony
From: Oh Canada
For fans of: Ani Difranco, bluegrass, Juno, Po’ Girl, knitting, cornbread
Bonus: Frazey Ford’s solo album is fantastic and a must-have for any CD collection.
File Under: Alt-country, indie folk, one of the most important female musicians to come out of the ’90s.
From: Rhode Island (where they film Family Guy)
For fans of: Soft voices, lyrics, Belly, Juliana Hatfield, flannel button down shirts worn with leggings and a stocking cap
Bonus: Donelly was a founding member of Throwing Muses, The Breeders and Belly. Basically, she is amazing.
File Under: Pianotastic melodic pop with an imperfect voice that makes everything lovely
From: Sweden
For fans of: Patti Smith, Jennifer O’Connor, El Perro del Mar, cigarettes and wine, black and white French films, Mia Doi Todd
Bonus: She has been known to use a flugelhorn.
File Under: Art school rock
From: NYC
For fans of: Peaches, Ani Difranco, electric violin, The Butchies, playing kickball, Kinnie Star
Bonus: She’s totally gay.
File Under: Happy hardcore, blues guitar, drum sampling machine and reverb
From: NYC via Japan
For fans of: Cibo Matto, Luscious Jackson, Le Tigre, making your own T-shirts with cute sayings on them, Yuka Honda
Bonus: Miho is “Noodle” in the Gorillaz pack and was part of Cibo Matto before disbanding and appearing as a guest vocalist on projects for The Beastie Boys, Handsome Boy Modeling School,and Blackalicious, among others.
File Under: Indie rock that fits in really well with the grrl bands of the ’90s while staying timeless
From: Brooklyn
For fans of: Elastica, The Cure, hot ladies, New Order, leather and lace
Bonus: Queer hotness with a side of yummy.
File Under: Bikini Kill’s fraternal twin sister
From: Washington D.C.
For fans of: L7, Bikini Kill, The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls In Love soundtrack, girls in glasses, tattoos, PBR
Bonus: Bandmember Allison Wolfe was also in the pivotal riot grrrl band Bratmobile.
File Under: Downtempo electronic with haunting vocals
From: California
For fans of: Watching sexy thrillers (like Basic Instinct or Big Top Pee Wee), violins, Lisa Papineau (who is the vocalist for Big Sir), Martina Topley Bird
Bonus: Lisa also does vocals for Air and M83.
Go ahead and start listening cupcakes! I’ll be back next week with 10 more women to check out.
