Indie pop female vocalists

May 26, 2012 7:46 PM

I'm really liking female indie-pop vocalists right now (Kimba, Florence Welch, Adele, Marina + the Diamonds). Who else should I listen to? Sorry, I hate Kate Bush.
posted by flibbertigibbet to media & arts (69 answers total)

Aimee Mann
posted by phunniemee at 7:49 PM on May 26, 2012 [5 favorites]

*Maybe* this is your kinda thing:


:)
posted by NotSoSiniSter at 7:50 PM on May 26, 2012 [2 favorites]

I bet you'll have some fun with Tegan and Sara.
posted by General Malaise at 7:51 PM on May 26, 2012

Bosque Brown
Regina Spektor
St. Vincent
Esperanza Spalding
Chairlift
Bat for Lashes
Tori Amos
Bjork
Kate Havnevik
Imogen Heap
Jem
Goldfrapp
Psapp
My Brightest Diamond
posted by John Cohen at 7:53 PM on May 26, 2012 [1 favorite]

Wye Oak
Amanda Palmer
posted by Ragged Richard at 7:57 PM on May 26, 2012

You might enjoy JJAMZ -- here's Never Enough.
posted by shamash at 7:59 PM on May 26, 2012

Metric
The Cardigans
Wye Oak
Mint Julep
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Siouxie & the Banshees
posted by The World Famous at 7:59 PM on May 26, 2012

The Bird and the Bee
Camera Obscura
A Fine Frenzy
Lenka
posted by John Cohen at 7:59 PM on May 26, 2012

Slightly different and weirder, but close -- Gang Gang Dance. Lizzi Bougatsos!
posted by darksong at 8:00 PM on May 26, 2012

Beth Orton is worth a listen
posted by Fiery Jack at 8:00 PM on May 26, 2012 [2 favorites]

heather christian and the arbornauts -
mama said
hambone
teardrop, a massive attack cover
posted by nadawi at 8:03 PM on May 26, 2012

Elizabeth Fraser
posted by infinitewindow at 8:08 PM on May 26, 2012

Crap, that should be Fraser
posted by infinitewindow at 8:08 PM on May 26, 2012

Ingrid Michaelson
posted by -->NMN.80.418 at 8:09 PM on May 26, 2012

Neko Case
posted by katie at 8:11 PM on May 26, 2012 [4 favorites]

Old school: Cocteau Twins

International: Dengue Fever
posted by sleepytako at 8:11 PM on May 26, 2012

Janelle Monae
Universal Hall Pass
Deb Talen / The Weepies
Jodi Shaw
Katie Herzig
posted by nicebookrack at 8:15 PM on May 26, 2012

Missy Higgins started out as more folk, but has become more pop in the Aussie scene. I love her lyrics.

Another that I love is Brandi Carlile, who is also folk/country/soul. They're very good vocalists. Hope you like'em.
posted by icollectpurses at 8:16 PM on May 26, 2012 [1 favorite]

You've already favorited answers that contained most of my recommendations, but I'll add:

Anya Marina (indie-pop)
Christina Perri (more pop than indie)
Silversun Pickups (more rock than pop)
posted by gatorae at 8:16 PM on May 26, 2012

Bic Runga
Gretchen Lieberum
Madeleine Peyroux
Lisa Bassenge
posted by jet_silver at 8:17 PM on May 26, 2012

PJ Harvey
The Jezabels
Adalita
posted by geek anachronism at 8:17 PM on May 26, 2012

Coeur de Pirate
posted by Heart_on_Sleeve at 8:25 PM on May 26, 2012

Sarah Slean
Also, I second Neko Case
posted by Yma at 8:25 PM on May 26, 2012

Rilo Kiley (their lead singer is Jenny Lewis).
posted by katie at 8:26 PM on May 26, 2012 [2 favorites]

Poe
Hem
The Dresden Dolls
posted by nicebookrack at 8:29 PM on May 26, 2012

Alice Russell
posted by ljshapiro at 8:41 PM on May 26, 2012

Oh Land
Cold Specks
posted by trunk muffins at 8:45 PM on May 26, 2012

frente -
bizarre love triangle
labor of love

lenka
heart skips a beat
the show

bunnygrunt -
silly girl

the muffs -
rock'n'roll girl

candypants
dishy

kim deal - the amps/breeders/pixies
pacer
the freed pig
gigantic

daisy chainsaw
love your money

mazzy star
blue flower
fade into you

drugstore
superglider

amanda palmer
in my mind
do you swear to tell the truth...
map of tasmania [mnsfw]
posted by nadawi at 8:45 PM on May 26, 2012

really, all the amanda palmer links should probably be considered mnsfw
posted by nadawi at 8:47 PM on May 26, 2012

Lianne La Havas: Lost and Found, Forget, and No Room For Doubt
Delilah: Strong For Me and Breathe (Feat Liam Bailey)
B Lewis: Choice One Stay and Choice Two Leave
jj: Let Them, I'm The One/Money On My Mind, We Can't Stop, and No One Can Touch Us Tonight
MoZella: Light Years Away, Killing Time, Messiah

My internet has been slow tonight which is why I didn't include the Youtube links.
posted by livinglearning at 8:59 PM on May 26, 2012

Ahh, I can't believe Lana Del Rey hasn't been mentioned yet! Absolutely love her work, listen to Video Games, Born To Die, Summertime Sadness, and Blue Jeans.
posted by livinglearning at 9:01 PM on May 26, 2012

Thao Nguyen -- performing a Tiny Desk Concert on NPR, or as Thao and Mirah on the song Eleven

Jenny Owens Young -- Last Person

Zee Avi -- Bitter Heart
posted by vespertine at 9:03 PM on May 26, 2012

Tegan and Sara
Kate Nash
Asobi Sesku
Azure Ray
Ellie Goulding
The Joy Formidable
Leona Naess
Olivia Broadfield
The Organ
Reverie Sound Reverie
Stars
Uffie
Uh Huh Her
posted by thischarmingirl at 9:05 PM on May 26, 2012

Ida Maria.
posted by rtha at 9:47 PM on May 26, 2012

Fiest
posted by drlith at 9:52 PM on May 26, 2012 [1 favorite]

Feels sort of weird to do this because I've never seen it happen, but this recent song on MefiMusic struck me as in line with current pop female vocals without being nearly as derivative as most.
posted by cmoj at 9:57 PM on May 26, 2012

Check out: Sharon Van Etten and First Aid Kit. Laura Marling is an incredible UK folk talent—not exactly indie, but very much worth checking out. Her latest album, A Creature I Don't Know, channels Joni, but her previous album, I Speak Because I Can, is more her own style.

Liz Phair is kinda divisive—her latest stuff is atrocious, but her first couple of albums are worth a shot.

Some people have mentioned Jenny Lewis—her album as Jenny And Johnny has some good stuff on there.
posted by Specklet at 10:11 PM on May 26, 2012 [1 favorite]

Cate le Bon
posted by roboton666 at 11:17 PM on May 26, 2012

Seconding Ingrid Michaelson, also maybe Little Boots (might be too electronic).
posted by clerestory at 11:34 PM on May 26, 2012

The Blow
posted by rhizome at 11:38 PM on May 26, 2012 [1 favorite]

Soap&Skin
Anna Calvi
EMA
posted by gregjones at 1:29 AM on May 27, 2012

Seconding First Aid Kit & Laura Marling

My indie lady playlist at the moment is something like this -

Ren Harvieu
Beth Jeans Houghton
Eleanor Friedburger
Anna Calvi
Kathleen Edwards
Lykke Li
Nina Nastasia
The Unthanks
Cathy Davey

Of course my heart will always belong to Sandy Denny
posted by brilliantmistake at 1:58 AM on May 27, 2012 [2 favorites]

I saw Gabby Young and Other Animals live a few months ago. They were fantastic.
posted by TheOtherGuy at 3:16 AM on May 27, 2012

Kirsty MacColl. Always.
posted by shallowcenter at 3:51 AM on May 27, 2012 [1 favorite]

Sinead O'Connor
posted by Thorzdad at 4:24 AM on May 27, 2012

Nellie McKay? [ I Will Be There | The Down Low | Gin Rummy | Galleon ]

Ani DiFranco? [ Heartbreak Even | Pixie | 32 Flavors | Your Next Bold Move ]

Dar Williams? [ As Cool As I Am | Your Fire Your Soul | Closer to Me | It's Alright | What Do You Hear in These Sounds | I Won't Be Your Yoko Ono ]

Seconds for Aimee Mann, Regina Spektor, Poe, and the Cardigans (they're more than just "Love Fool" ...)
posted by orthicon halo at 4:41 AM on May 27, 2012

No one has mentioned Fiona Apple?! Fiona Apple.
posted by gentian at 5:22 AM on May 27, 2012

and Kate Miller-Heidke
posted by de at 5:36 AM on May 27, 2012 [2 favorites]

Silversun Pickups

The lead singer of this band is actually a man.

On the flip side, Beach House, a band with a low voiced female singer.
posted by teekat at 6:25 AM on May 27, 2012

Scandyland rep-re-sent!

Ane Brun
Rebekka Karijord
Irya's Playground
The Knife / Karin Dreijer / Fever Ray (not as poppy)
Laleh


Not indy per se, but poppy and you probably haven't heard them.

Robyn
Lisa Miskovsky


Not scandy, arguably not indy, don't know if it's pop, but you gotta try this!
The Gossip - Heavy Cross and Standing in the way of control
Also, Of monsters and men aren't solely female fronted, but have a sound you might like, and if you do, you can also check out Beautiful South who often did lovely duets.
posted by Iteki at 6:59 AM on May 27, 2012

I like Lissie.
posted by qldaddy at 7:46 AM on May 27, 2012

Another vote for Elizabeth Fraser (Cocteau Twins, but also her other stuff) and Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star).
posted by BibiRose at 7:54 AM on May 27, 2012

Cat Power.
posted by benbenson at 7:54 AM on May 27, 2012 [1 favorite]

Oh, god. Faye Wong.
posted by BibiRose at 7:55 AM on May 27, 2012

Sorry to keep adding posts. Julee Cruise; she has worked with Angelo Badalamenti.
posted by BibiRose at 7:59 AM on May 27, 2012 [1 favorite]

Check out Greta Gertler/Universal Thump. Fantastic stuff.
posted by mintcake! at 8:17 AM on May 27, 2012

Lisa Hannigan maybe
posted by book 'em dano at 9:59 AM on May 27, 2012

Nthing Anna Calvi and Lisa Hannigan. The last (latest?) two Cardigans albums (Long Gone Before Daylight and Extra Super Gravity) are wonderful. They're sad and a little dark and not at all like the cutesy and poppy stuff of their earlier career. If I had to pick one of those albums, Long Gone would win.
posted by TheDonF at 11:06 AM on May 27, 2012 [1 favorite]

Little Scream
Grimes
Warpaint
posted by it's a long way to south america at 11:16 AM on May 27, 2012

The Luyas
posted by sngbk at 4:08 PM on May 27, 2012

KT Tunstall

Sara Bareilles

Ivy (sample off their album In the Clear, but I recommend checking out their album Long Distance too)
posted by StrawberryPie at 6:38 PM on May 27, 2012

Thought of another: Sharon Van Etten
posted by StrawberryPie at 6:48 PM on May 27, 2012

Emily Haines & the Soft Skeleton!
posted by prior at 11:20 AM on May 28, 2012

Jenn Grant
posted by SassHat at 12:04 PM on May 28, 2012

Maylee Todd
The DoneFors

Fiona Apple, First Aid Kit, Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins,
posted by SassHat at 12:13 PM on May 28, 2012

Seconding: Uh Huh Her, Feist (correct spelling), Jenny Lewis.

I like Sara Bareilles and KT Tunstall, but I wouldn't necessarily call them "indie" — more like straight-up, mainstream pop.

Some of the suggestions like Dresden Dolls and Daisy Chainsaw are good indie/alternative rock with female vocals, but quite different from the kinds of indie pop the OP mentioned.
posted by John Cohen at 12:57 PM on May 28, 2012

I like Sara Bareilles and KT Tunstall, but I wouldn't necessarily call them "indie" — more like straight-up, mainstream pop.

Well ... alright, I agree they're not very indie, but at the same time, my sense is that they are closer to indie than someone like Björk or Adele. I could be wrong, however.

(BTW, good call on Camera Obscura earlier.)
posted by StrawberryPie at 4:08 PM on May 28, 2012

Elizabeth and the Catapult
posted by stopgap at 6:34 PM on May 28, 2012

well, indie is obviously being used as a loose term, since of the singers the OP listed, only one could be even argued to be indie (and that's a stretch). kt tunstall, especially in the linked video fits in the same sort of "not obscure, but maybe slightly left of totally mainstream." sara bareilles is more mainstream, but she fights the power and certainly isn't as mainstream as, say, adele.

i don't know if most of the dresdan dolls fit, but amanda palmer solo absolutely fits if we're using florence welch as one of the criteria. AFP does a lot more than just standard rock. her recordings are chock full of big, huge note, very much not standard rock, songs.

i admit that daisy chainsaw is a stretch, but their melodies are straight up pop. it's certainly more pop punk than indie pop but i still think they're on a continuum with lenka, bunnygrunt, cardigans, the muffs, etc. cutey girl fronted groups with varying degrees of edge.
posted by nadawi at 7:12 PM on May 28, 2012