What’s worse than being stuck in rush hour traffic in the beaming sun with nothing to do except focus on how badly you have to pee? Being stuck in rush hour traffic in the beaming sun with nothing to focus on except how badly you have to pee while being forced to listen to the bland repetition of Top 40 radio. Occasionally you come across a few stations that host special sessions where they treat their listeners to fresh new music, but those spanking new tracks soon fester into the same old category as the rest of the worn-out monotony of orthodox radio, or just fall by the wayside completely. Hypersexed lyrics, prosaic beats, and the absence of originality are just a few factors that bestow an ill prognosis upon the future of a seemingly one-dimensional music industry.
Fortunately, in recent years, we have completely redefined our classification of “good music”. Between the epic popularity of the Indie music scene, and myriads of bright new artists, we’ve been able to significantly expand our musical aesthetics. One thing I’ve noticed, however, is the predominance of male influence on both the conventional and underground aspects of contemporary music. Men manage it, men produce, men perform it, men DJ it and men promote it.
Of course, I just as much as the next person enjoy a good ol’ balls to the wall Vampire Weekend jam session, and the jaunty hilarity of adorable Harvard exports Chester French. But it sometimes irks me that there aren’t more female musicians receiving the propaganda they deserve. I commend women who have managed to dominate the airwaves while remaining virtuous to their own creative principles. I am exhilarated by the unprecedented bravura of Lady Gaga (with whom I am obsessed, and couldn’t drop the addiction to save my own life), who not only conquers the roles of singer, 
songwriter, and musician, but has created an empire for herself as a visual artist with a loyal following of stir-crazy fans in tow.
Nevertheless, the lights that once shown from the soulful angst of ultra-feminist anthems and artists such as Fiona Apple, Alanis Morissette, and Gwen Stefani have become dim. Artists that not only perform, but write their own songs have become sparse. Aside from front women like Hayley Williams, we haven’t seen a solid rock of girl power since the underground Riot Grrrl Movement of the 90’s.
Where are all the women?
Providentially, at the forefront of our generation’s burgeoning musical revolution, there is an astounding compilation of ingenious female artists. These women are subterranean jewels, whose raw talent and versatility make them one of music’s best-kept secrets: The brilliant lyricism of songwriters like Florence and The Machine’s Florence Welch, and St. Vincent’s multi-instrumental Annie Erin Clark. The valor and frankness of rocker chanteuses Karen O and Jenny Lewis, whose iconic vocals are the sonic equivalents of libidinous dreams of ether and cotton candy. The crisp, vocal algidity of Beach House’s Victoria Legrand and soloist Marissa Nadler, whose voluptuous voices, when set against a backdrop of luxurious melodies, exude a scintillation of musical decadence.
One thing I have learned as a WriteGirl Mentee is the importance of being honest with myself when writing. A singular taboo thought could be the very thing you need to express in order to communicate your point of view, and craft your voice as a writer. In lieu of WriteGirl’s Songwriting Workshop, I’ve put together two playlists which pay homage to a sampling of remarkable women who have done just that. There are the Martyrs-women whose quirky, visceral voices spew raw, striking lyrics in silvery, narrative fashion. Then there are the Monsters, fearless firecrackers with a slightly different approach to sonic storytelling-kitschy, beguiling, straightforward, and sometimes downright hilarious. So just for a moment, no matter how hard it may be, put down your Kid Cudi, your MGMT, your Grizzly Bear, your Passion Pit, your Jay-Z, and listen awhile.
Martyrs’ Playlist
1. Natasha Khan: Bat For Lashes- “Glass”
2. Victoria Legrand: Beach House- “Silver Soul”
3. Amy Winehouse – “Wake Up Alone”
4. Feist- “Mushaboom”
5. Regina Spektor- “Us”
6. Marissa Nadler- “River of Dirt”
7. Jenny Lewis: Rilo Kiley- “The Moneymaker”
8. Charlotte Gainsbourg- “Le Chat Du Café Des Artistes
9. Lisa Hannigan- “Lille”
10. Sarah Assbring: El Perro Del Mar- “Change of Heart”
11. Hope Sandoval: Mazzy Star- “Fade Into You”
12. Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson- “Winter Song”
13. Annie Erin Clark: St. Vincent- “The Strangers”
http://www.mixpod.com/playlist/46901471
Monsters’ Playlist
1. Beth Ditto: Gossip- “Heavy Cross”
2. Lady Gaga & Beyonce- “Telephone”
3. Alexis Krauss: Sleigh Bells- “ Beach Girls”
4. Alison Mosshart: The Kills- “U.R.A. Fever”
5. Warpaint- “Elephants”
6. Dum Dum Girls- “Brite Futures”
7. Karen O: Yeah Yeah Yeahs- “Down Boy”
8. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts- “Do You Wanna Touch Me?”
9. M.I.A.- “20 Dollar”
10. Uffie- “Pop the Glock”
11. Marina and the Diamonds- “Shampain”
12. Alicia “Tigs”: Chew Lips-“Play Together”
13. Annie-“Don’t Stop”
http://www.mixpod.com/playlist/46898021
- Ashley S., age 17
