Man, women in rock -- that's been a huge thing for me for years. I've got a helluva lot of respect for the Tori Amoses and Sarah MacLaughlins and Ani DiFrancos and even the Jewels and Fiona Apples of the world, but I love me a good face melting electric guitar, and female musicians just don't do that, in general. Women have yet to be welcomed properly into the world of rock, they're all supposed to be crooners and balladiers and such.
In the indie rock world, most of my favorite female musicians are paired into bands with men (New Pornographers, Jenny Lewis before Rilo Kiley broke up, Sons and Daughters, to name a few). Sleater-Kinney might not be rocking out these days, but they were a prime example of a good, face melting girl band with some occasionally gothic tones (Call the Doctor is my current favorite). Pretty Girls Make Graves are sort of the same thing sound-wise (but also fun, This is Our Emergency is a favorite there). For a much gothier (and slightly poppier) sound, there's Bat for Lashes (Prescilla is on my work in progress "girl hunters" SPN inspired fanmix). I know people who swear by Cat Power (and Crossbones Style is a fabulous song), but I prefer Thao Nguyen at the moment (Swimming Pools being my favorite -- I love the folk flavor without giving into the urge to go totally croony or pretty on people -- and the lyrics! *swoons*). And lastly, for folky/jazzy fun (with a harp! A jazzy harp!) I love Joanna Newsom. She's got an odd sound, but it totally grows on you. My two favorites by her are Peach Plum Pear (harpsichord! And lots of Betty-Boop-ish vocals!) and The Book of Right On (I could watch her play that harp all day).
I've got more somewhere, but I'm not thinking of them right now. I'll have to get to work on that fanmix.
ETA How could I forget The Hazzards? They've got boys backing them up, but a rock ukelele is nothing to sneeze at. And I have to be in the right mood for Cibo Matto or Puffy Ami Yumi (J-pop anyone?), and while we're international, I still love Nena (she of 99 Luftballoons fame).
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In the indie rock world, most of my favorite female musicians are paired into bands with men (New Pornographers, Jenny Lewis before Rilo Kiley broke up, Sons and Daughters, to name a few). Sleater-Kinney might not be rocking out these days, but they were a prime example of a good, face melting girl band with some occasionally gothic tones (Call the Doctor is my current favorite). Pretty Girls Make Graves are sort of the same thing sound-wise (but also fun, This is Our Emergency is a favorite there). For a much gothier (and slightly poppier) sound, there's Bat for Lashes (Prescilla is on my work in progress "girl hunters" SPN inspired fanmix). I know people who swear by Cat Power (and Crossbones Style is a fabulous song), but I prefer Thao Nguyen at the moment (Swimming Pools being my favorite -- I love the folk flavor without giving into the urge to go totally croony or pretty on people -- and the lyrics! *swoons*). And lastly, for folky/jazzy fun (with a harp! A jazzy harp!) I love Joanna Newsom. She's got an odd sound, but it totally grows on you. My two favorites by her are Peach Plum Pear (harpsichord! And lots of Betty-Boop-ish vocals!) and The Book of Right On (I could watch her play that harp all day).
I've got more somewhere, but I'm not thinking of them right now. I'll have to get to work on that fanmix.
ETA How could I forget The Hazzards? They've got boys backing them up, but a rock ukelele is nothing to sneeze at. And I have to be in the right mood for Cibo Matto or Puffy Ami Yumi (J-pop anyone?), and while we're international, I still love Nena (she of 99 Luftballoons fame).