During the 70s and 80s there was an explosion of talented female artists in music. The development of punk created a new opening for women to gain recognition in the world of music. Bands like The Raincoats, The Slits and Lilliput not only had female singers, but almost all the instruments were played by women too. Sara added that “outspoken women, like Chrissie Hynde and Patti Smith” were key to the evolution of women in music for her generation growing up. By the early 90s female lead rock bands were becoming common place. The likes of L7, Sleeper, Elastica, Catatonia, Belly, The Breeders and Hole were all breaking the barriers of the traditionally male orientated alternative music scene.

So what changed? Why does it feel like these artists and musicians are fading away? Perhaps it has something to do with the pressures women face in a still largely male dominated world. I asked Sara for her thoughts, “Like in any other big industry, the women have to be better. Also on a confidence level you’re generally a woman in a room full of men. In any massive industry the top ten jobs aren’t given to women”. An incredibly daunting prospect for any young woman, even with immense musical skill. Who can blame us for shying away from the expectations of these worlds? To constantly have to prove ourselves above and beyond men is surely an unfair task.

Another sure expectation in music is that women should look good. Would the likes of Beyoncé and The Pussycat Dolls sell as well if they weren’t as easy on the eye or as scantily clad? Sara confirmed my thoughts on this when talking about her experiences of touring in the media spotlight with successful fusion hip hop group Massive Attack “There’s a lot of pressure to look the right way, to have the right hair, clothes and waistline”.

Sara’s career has taken her in what some would consider is the right direction, becoming part of a more commercial music experience. The experience only made her more determined to make music on her own terms and more importantly to control her own work. “The music business has become so much more corporate, it’s a lot harder to be really honest and create honestly in that field”.

Although women have come on in terms of equality, we may always have different priorities and roles to men and despite this celeb drop-a-baby, bounce-back-to-fabulous career image that the gossip mags are promoting, balancing a family and a demanding career in the music business is no easy feat. Perhaps the stereotypically male quality of single-mindedness is a useful one when making music - the ability to put music above all the other aspects of life, like family and home. Sara seemed to suggest this herself “Maybe I’m being sexist, but maybe women aren’t as happy to give that up as easily. I certainly missed my life when I was touring and being pseudo famous.”

Juliette Lewis is currently an inspirational example of a trailblazer for women in music. Although she has had a successful acting career, starring in a string of Hollywood blockbusters, she has given it up to make music. Her unconventional style and attitude-filled music say it all. Lewis is well aware of the expectations placed on women and instead of allowing her music to conform to that, she chooses to challenge that idea musically. On her website she states, “The prototype for a female is that they’re desirable, pretty to look at, predictable and safe. That’s why my music is so important to me, because it’s the antithesis of that, it breaks the mould.”

So, there’s a shortage in female role models for us indie chicks of today, but do not fear, all is not lost! With women like Juliette Lewis (Juliette and the Licks), Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and Amy Lee (Evanescence) singing in rock and indie bands and KT Tunstall and Ani DiFranco writing, singing and playing guitar on their own records, women are becoming more accepted again in the alternative music genres. Not only do we have some fantastic female singers and guitar players out there, but more and more women are beginning to break away from the constraints of playing the more traditional instruments of acoustic guitar and piano. Brazilian band CSS comprises of one man and five women, all but one of whom play instruments. Drummer, Meg White of duo The White Stripes, is an incredibly successful and famous female musician. And new-wave-indie group New Young Pony Club has women singing, playing drums and keyboards.
   

When researching this article, I came across a few American networks for independent female musicians and bands, but could not find any British ones and as you can see, most of the above artists are American. Yet there are a number of bands with female musicians in them right here in the UK. Nigel Humberstone of twin duo ITN, who has been working in the music business since the 80s, has never hesitated to hire female singers and musicians for sessional work. He told me “There’re actually a lot of women who play instruments out there, once you start looking”. And I guess it’s true, The Client, Young Blondes and less known Yorkshire bands The Ape Drape Escape, We Are Performance and Sheffield’s Grrrls Next Door are all alternative British bands with female musicians and singers.

The most frustrating thing is that there are most likely countless women who are talented musicians yet either don’t feel comfortable in a male dominated atmosphere or are not taken seriously by the powers that be because they are more often than not men living in the dark ages. Some men are actually intimated by strong, independent women and interpret their presence as a threat to their own authority. Well, all I can say is they’d better get used to it!

By Jessie Greenfield