#playsandlists

Women have only had the same right to vote as men for 86 years, which is quite astonishing. They were allowed to vote the same time working class men were. To celebrate voting day (and being the hardcore feminists that we are), here’s a selection of our favourite female artist’s:

Chelsea Wolfe: I’m of the mind that Chelsea Wolfe can do no wrong. When I first saw promo images of her, I was impressed by how oddly gothic they were (especially for a Californian). Indie witch house is what I first thought when I heard her tracks and saw the aesthetics. But I’m not really doing her any justice because she’s multi-talented and arguably my favourite female solo artist. Her vocals are always on point. Her records always masterfully self-produced. I like the clear vision she has of herself. Confidence in your art is key. The first song on this live video is a particular favourite (I like every note she hits when she sings).

Pocahaunted: I don’t even know where to start here, there’s so much to say. Probably the greatest female twosome you’ve never heard of (you most certainly have as individuals though). Before Bethany Cosentino went away to become Best Coast she was part of this incredibly cool experimentalist drone group. Her sparing partner was Amanda Brown, the queen of US cool. Along with her husband and fellow talented musician Britt, they both run the genius Not Not Fun & 100% Silk record labels. Back to Pocahaunted though. This is droney. This is experimental. This is freak folky. This is dub(by). This is my favourite track of theirs because it segues into something you’re not expecting. The 12” this features on is one of my most cherished records. Pocahaunted were just way too cool for you, me and everyone we know. 

Lowell: I stumbled upon Lowell a couple of years ago when she was posting demos on her youtube channel. The videos that she created to go with her songs were peculiar and intriguing as hell. It was at this point I wanted to try and sign her for an EP deal but nothing came of it. She is a damn talented Torontonian who has recently joined the Arts & Crafts family. Following her collaborated EP release with ‘supergroup’ Aparatjik, she released her debut solo EP earlier this year. Expect a cleverly composed record from her soon. Expect big things from her soon. Youth not wasted, that’s for sure.

MØ: I’m kind of obsessed with Karen Marie Ørsted, the Danish electronic / pop / R&B / singer-songwriter. The tracks she dropped online in 2012 were brilliant. Her EP in 2013 was better. Her album this year was thumping. There was a spate of Scandinavian electronic female artists popping up a couple of years ago... But in terms of progression and just general beat-making (and hooks of course, lots and lots of hooks), MØ swats the competition away. A must-must-must see live act, she has an effortlessly charismatic stage presence. Not conceited or trying too hard, just supremely talented. Brrrrrrap!

Leila: Blood, Looms, and Blooms is a badass album title (it even includes an oxford comma, adding the best kind of swag). Released by the godlike Warp Records in 2008, it’s my favourtie Leila record. A talented musician/producer/DJ from Iran but based in London, B,L,&L is definitely more accessible than her other works. You might recognise one of her earlier tracks (Underwaters – One for Keni) as it featured on the brilliant Avios ‘Anything Can Fly’ advert a couple of years ago. The track I am going with here though is obviously taken from Blood, Looms, and Blooms. In my opinion it is the best track on the record because it features the eerily good vocals of Martina Topley-Bird, London’s finest vocalist.

Blue Hawaii / Braids: Having lived in Canada before London, anyone who knows me is well aware I have a soft spot for all things Canadian. Raphaelle Standell-Preston epitomises this in waves. I’m not sure what I would call her day job (Indie art rock?). Either way, Braids are like Animal Collective only less psychedelic, better lyrics and Raphaelle’s unique vocals. Not content with recording music with Braids, she has a very cool experimental / more electronic side project with her boyfriend call Blue Hawaii. She’s only in her early twenties and has four solid records with two different acts under her belt. Hopefully there’ll be plenty more to come in the future.

The Distillers: As a teenage boy I had the biggest crush on Brody Dalle. For starters she had the coolest name and just looked insane. In university I wrote an essay on why she was the best female musician in the industry. I was almost going to turn it in as a thesis before realising I was studying politics and not punk rock. I digress, The Distillers formed a large part of my youth. And although I’ve completely outgrown the music I listened to as a teenager, I’ll always have a soft spot for this band. Primarily because their major label debut (their first two records were on independent punk labels) was their best record. Coral Fang was a big f*ck you to anyone who doubted their merit.

A small selection of our favourite recent additions to the bubble.