Awesome Music Ladies (Part 1)
Cara
Many of my favorite musicians are women. So many, in fact, that I have dedicated the entire first half of my show to them. So, in the same spirit, I will dedicate this series of blog posts to the same women.
And, without further ado, in no particular order, some of my current favorite Awesome Music Ladies!
Of Monsters And Men’s Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir
Nanna is the co-lead vocalist of the Icelandic band Of Monsters And Men, known mostly for their song Little Talks. Nanna’s voice is beautiful and unique, with a strong Icelandic accent. Combined with the band’s instrumentation, Nanna’s voice and songwriting makes Of Monsters And Men one of my favorite bands.
Indigo Girls
Firstly, I must admit that even though they’re one of my absolute favorite bands, I am not yet familiar with the entire discography of the two Awesome Music Ladies, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, that constitute the Indigo Girls. But by the time their new album is released on June 2nd, I plan to have listened to EVERYTHING. Do you like vocal harmony? Do you like folk rock that encompasses both the folk end and the rock end of the spectrum? Do you like great songwriting and lyrics? Yes you do. Go listen to Indigo Girls.
(Note: Rock And Roll Heaven’s Gate contains profanities. Hide your kids.)
Amy Ray
OK, I’m technically inculding her twice, since she’s half of the Indigo Girls. But she’s enough of an Awesome Music Lady that she deserves it. Amy Ray has released five solo albums when not recording and touring as part of the Indigo Girls, as well as being an activist and co-founder of a nonprofit organization, Honor The Earth.
Tegan And Sara
If someone were to ask me why I like Tegan And Sara so much, I wouldn’t be able to give a good answer. Is it their ever-evolving musical style? Their frequent use of vocal harmony and counterpoint? The fact that their voices are two of the few that I can sing along with easily? The sheer power of their Canadian-identical-twin coolness? I don’t know and probably never will. But hey, it’s what I can jam to, and that’s what matters.
Because this is a Very Serious Blog Post, here’s T&S performing a children’s song adaption of one of their songs.
An Horse’s Kate Cooper
An Horse is Kate Cooper (vocals, guitar) and Damon Cox (drums, backing vocals). Despite their sparse instrumentation, they’ve got a full, energetic rock sound. Kate’s lyrics are clever and honest, with very sing-along-worthy choruses. Bonus: Australian accent!
(Note: Camp Out contains a profanity. Hide your kids.)
Kaki King
Kaki King is either some sort of magical being or a guitar goddess and you cannot convince me otherwise.