I was having a conversation with a fellow female musician in the area, and she pointed out the Detroit scene is a little sausage dominated. Now, it's not something we were necessarily complaining about. This scene is also chaulk-full of awesome bands (please do not be an ass and try to argue that they are awesome because they are dudes, you will fail). The conversation stemmed from trying to find other female musicians*. I know a lot of people, and I was stumped. Of course, we all know the powerhouses: Alicia (The Nice Device), Lizzy (Friedly Foes/Kiddo), Leann (The Von Bondies), Marcie (Silverghost), Ko-Ko (Hard Lessons), etc. I did some digging to find some ladies you may not have heard of just yet.
Darling Imperial, a new project of some Detroit veterans, boosts an amazing lead singer by the name of Sarah Sadovsky. Imagine White Chalk album-era PJ Harvey, mixed with a little Tori Amos, but certainly not as old or weird.
Sh! The Octopus has pianist/vocalist Christine Baxter providing lush harmonies and rocking out on the ivories.
Got anyone to add to that list?
In other news, I had a dream last night that I joined Spice Girls as their guitar player. Weird.
*Is anyone else sick of hearing, "There is a girl in that band!"? It seems like such a novelty still, which is ridiculous. It is almost as if we are hard-wired to believe that women playing instruments are rarities because women aren't hard-wired to play instruments. So, is the lack of women musicians because of the male-dominated musiciandustry (I made up a new word!)? Or is it more of a general social issue (women are conditioned to find rewards in areas of society other than creative outlets/being creative holds no rewards for the modern woman who is supposed to be family and career driven at the same time/artistic women are seen as living on the fringe of society/etc)? Discuss.
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Check out Kyoto Cutout on Aug. 22 at the Blind Pig with Sik Sik Nation and the Blue Rubys. Kyoto Cutout and Blue Rubys both have great rocking ladies on vocals and guitars and bass. Both groups are poppy and fun.
Thanks for the quick response! I will definitely check them out. Unfortunately, I have a show to attend that night already. But I will keep an eye out for upcoming shows.
Jennie from I Crime, Kristen from Warhorses, Theresa from Kyoto Cutout (yes Box!), Serenity Court, Claudia and I from Coronados, Masha from Deadstring Bros., Jenna Cook from Four Hour Friends, Molly and Maria from Motor City Midwives, Troy Gregory's Stepsisters, Sarah Sparkles from the New Debutantes, the girl in Sunlight Ascending, Ragen from Pewter Cub, Noelle from Scarlet Oaks, Hellen, Hillary from Woodman, Aran Ruth, Sadie from Friends of Dennis Wilson...that's just off the top of my head.
Not to mention all the chicks in the metal/hard rock scene like Broadzilla, 60 Second Crush, Queen Bee, Viglante Sidekicks, Toxic Shock Syndrome, etc etc etc.
It seems anyone that thinks the scene is sausage dominated is spending too much time in one corner of it. Girls in bands being a novelty ended about 25 years ago. Thank god. Just play and have fun. :)
I have never heard of the New Debutantes or Motor City Midwives, but hell yes to the rest of that list and your infinite knowledge of the Detroit scene.
Surely you didn't mean to imply that I am spending too much time in one corner of the scene.
What about the Gore Gore Girls, Melody?
Yeah, broaden your horizons...I expect to see you at the Token Lounge this weekend for the H8 Incorporated show! ;)
New Debutantes debut Aug. 31 at the Belmont, immediately following the Hamtramck Festival. Check 'em.
Forgot about them...I thought were talkin' new bands, mostly...also forgot The Sirens and the Vamps.
This isn't a pissing competition to see who can name more bands, but keep 'em coming.
In response to Melody's comment about the H8 show:
I was in a harcore metal band for a while. Kind of over it, but I'll see what I can do.
I meant that comment about the pissing competition to anonymous, btw.
New bands, old bands, who cares! It's refreshing to see such a large list of names.
What about the female singer/songwriters? Hmm, Elle???
Pssshhhh... I got nothing but love for my fellow singer/songwriters. Like Emily Rose, for instance. Awesome.
I LOVE Emily Rose! Check out Julie Nager too...
Good topic Elle! :)
I love Julie Nager as well. Those two have SUCH good voices.
The Fondas, Nikki Corvette, Margrat Dollrod just throwing some out
That list still doesn't prove that the scene isn't sausage dominated. And I don't think that was a diss to the scene, it's just how it is, you know?
t-bone player from mick bassett and the marthas
YEAH ELLE. what ABOUT the female singer/songwriters? WHY DO YOU HATE ON US? YOU'RE SO UNSUPPORTIVE
ANNIE PALMER ROCKS!!!
They don't play much, mostly because they're brand new, but Ghostlady rocks. There's the Lucas Sisters too, though I'm not sure they're playing much these days. Also, has anyone mentioned Serenity Court yet? Or the Slumber Party? Pas/Cal? His Name is Alive, Von Bondies, White Stripes, Blanche could all be included, right? I know you've mentioned Kaylan before. Should give her props again, just because she's awesome and on everyone's albums, plus she and Cassie from the Silent Years were in Joiya and her and Amy were in Canada. The Paybacks, Audra Kubat, the Decks. Um, there's plenty more I'm not thinking of...
Greg
Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
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