Looking for women

June 27, 2012 12:16 AM

Lately I've been hooked on La Roux and Gossip, as well as Tegan and Sara. Where else can I find this sorta dance-pop / synthpop / electropop / indie rock mixed with dance punk plus strong female vocals and hopefully good lyrics?

From La Roux, I especially like In For The Kill and Bulletproof. From Gossip, which I only recently discovered, I'm currently addicted to Four-Letter Word and Heavy Cross. Tegan and Sara have me hooked on Living Room, though I haven't explored all of the music they have to offer.

I already also listen to Metric, Janelle Monae, Letters to Cleo, and Florence and the Machine, all of which might be suggested since they can kinda fit my question.
(Also already: The Dead Weather, Imogen Heap, Lily Allen)

Really, there can never be enough female singers with cool "fuck you" and "I'm strong with or without you" lyrics. I sorta collect these songs and what with finding Gossip, I feel like I've broken into a universe I didn't know existed. Maybe, kinda...lesbian rock? Is that a thing?
So, please. Suggest indie, suggest electropop, suggest music for women to rock out to. I like bluesy-rock, techno, 8-bit...pretty much anything except country.
I don't -mind- if there's a male voice in there but I'd really prefer it there weren't, especially since I already have so many songs with male leads and female accompaniments.

Thanks!

posted by DisreputableDog to media & arts (42 answers total)

I've got a lot of overlap with your list there in regular listening; here are some things you didn't mention (with recommended starter tracks)

Beautiful Small Machines ("Robots in Love"), The Sounds ("Dance With Me"), School of Seven Bells (less dancy; try "The Night"), Washington ("Rich Kids"), Ladyhawke.

Actual lesbian rock band in the same vein is Hunter Valentine.

Had not heard of Gossip, so I'll check that out.
posted by 23 at 12:30 AM on June 27, 2012

Try some more Scandinavian ladies. They're synthpopy and kickass.

+1 for The Sounds
LCMDF
Rebecca & Fiona
Ladytron
Robyn
Annie
posted by mokudekiru at 12:40 AM on June 27, 2012 [3 favorites]

I'm on my cell phone so I can't link to any particular songs, but the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Ladytron might be what you are looking for.
posted by littlesq at 1:01 AM on June 27, 2012 [1 favorite]

The relatively recent Peaches was pretty banging.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:03 AM on June 27, 2012 [1 favorite]

Here's a video of the eponymous track.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:04 AM on June 27, 2012

Little Boots
VV Brown
Noisettes
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:16 AM on June 27, 2012

Oh, I forgot about St. Vincent as well.
posted by littlesq at 1:20 AM on June 27, 2012

Santigold
posted by jeto at 2:06 AM on June 27, 2012 [1 favorite]

Robots In Disguise
posted by EndsOfInvention at 2:07 AM on June 27, 2012

Perhaps more 'rock' than you want, but try Sleater-Kinney (sadly now defunct).

You may be interested in the Riot grrrl movement in general.
posted by guessthis at 2:46 AM on June 27, 2012 [1 favorite]

Oh yes, and M.I.A. of course! More electro-ish, closer to Santigold, recommended above.
posted by guessthis at 2:49 AM on June 27, 2012

Very much on the pop side of your question, Sia Furlers We Are Born, definite 80's vibe to it - reminds me of La Roux. Her lyrics are strong and quirky and she has just the most lovely tone to her voice and a distinctive style. I've described the album to others as '80s Madonna with a mouthful of bonkers'.

Don't let her recent guest vocals on chart stuff put you off because her own stuff is quite different (although she completely owns on 'Titanium').
posted by Ness at 3:14 AM on June 27, 2012

oh oh wild flag!
posted by janepanic at 3:33 AM on June 27, 2012

Alex Winston
Class Actress
Metric (more rock, I guess)
posted by inigo2 at 4:38 AM on June 27, 2012

Chicks on Speed!
Le Tigre!
posted by sonika at 4:46 AM on June 27, 2012

Some starters:

Austra
Fight Like Apes
Fefe Dobson
Curve
Danielle Dax
Planningtorock

I'm leaving out a TON (this is a really, really broad question, to be honest; Tegan and Sara and La Roux have... not much in common besides being female), so I can calibrate better once you report back what you like and don't.
posted by dekathelon at 4:47 AM on June 27, 2012

CSS
Yelle
Tilly and the Wall
The Butchies
posted by bobobox at 5:50 AM on June 27, 2012 [2 favorites]

No one's mentioned Fever Ray yet!
And dont underestimate Marina and the diamonds.

One category you might find useful is Electroclash. Check out Vive la Fete.

And an odd one; Spanish flamenco indie punk electro; Fuel Fandango. Incredible stage presence. Looking forward to more from them.

LastFM is your friend for questions like this.
posted by BadMiker at 5:51 AM on June 27, 2012 [1 favorite]

Classic:
Bjork
Goldfrapp (hilarious vid!)
Saint Etienne

New:
Chairlift (amazing vid)
Phantogram
Marina and the Diamonds (as mentioned above)
posted by deeparch at 6:02 AM on June 27, 2012

Rory Marinich made this fpp about Ida Maria last year, and you should go click the links!
posted by rtha at 6:17 AM on June 27, 2012 [1 favorite]

Answers to this AskMe might help you, though more rock oriented.
posted by bobobox at 6:26 AM on June 27, 2012

The Knife are an electro/Scandinavian band.

You might also like Goldfrapp and Portishead, although the latter tends to dour.
posted by mippy at 6:41 AM on June 27, 2012

Oh, and Beth Orton did some dancey numbers.
posted by mippy at 6:41 AM on June 27, 2012 [1 favorite]

I love all the artists you listed (Beth Ditto! is! awesome!)

Yes, yes, yes to Peaches and Tilly and the Wall!

A few other older (90s) artists you might like are Ani DiFranco (albums: Living in Clip or Not a Pretty Girl are the ones I like), Melissa Ferrick and Deb Talan. These are more folksy, singer-songwriter types. KT Tunstall is a more recent artist in this genre. Maybe also Regina Spektor?

I'm not as familiar with Kate Nash but I think she might be the kind of thing you're looking for. You could start with her song "Mouthwash".

I also really like Ke$ha. And you should defnitely check out Lady Sovereign who is fucking awesome. I would probably describe her as alterna-rap-hip hop. Start with "Love me or Hate Me" and "So Human".

Mini Vida is a girl group that doesn't really do women empowerment stuff but is totally enjoyable electropop.

Little Boots goes together in my mind with La Roux and Florence and the Machine. Start with "New in Town" and "Remedy"

Azealia Banks is my favorite new female artist! Start with "212". She's more hip-hop/rap.

Sorry, I'd link to videos but I'm at work. Great question!
posted by triggerfinger at 7:03 AM on June 27, 2012 [1 favorite]

Austra...start with Lose It.
posted by hotelechozulu at 7:26 AM on June 27, 2012

I can't believe nobody's mentioned Robyn.

I loved Annie's album "Anniemal," which I can't believe is eight years old. Check out "Chewing Gum."
posted by arco at 7:26 AM on June 27, 2012 [1 favorite]

Lykke Li is not as electronic as La Roux, but awakes the same affinities in my ears. Give her a try.
posted by oneironaut at 7:28 AM on June 27, 2012

Oh, and Grimes--a little more ethereal than dance punk, but it's good stuff. It's electronic and has a lot of forward motion, and her voice is beautiful.
posted by hotelechozulu at 7:32 AM on June 27, 2012

Hah no one has mentioned any artists from Japan, you guys are all so uncultured.

Perfume.
Capsule.
Meg.
Aira Mitsuki. (Best lisp ever.)
Saori@destiny.
SAWA.
Nyan Cat.
Immi.
posted by Jurbano at 8:04 AM on June 27, 2012

If you haven't dug into earlier influential acts like the Eurhythmics (and Annie Lennox's solo work), Siouxsie and the Banshees, or Throwing Muses have a look at them.

Female hip-hop artists I enjoy who fit the mood/attitude you're describing: Psalm One, Jean Grae, Tiye Phoenix, Dessa
posted by EvaDestruction at 8:08 AM on June 27, 2012

Just go ahead and download all of Robyn's Body Talk now. If it isn't already in your rotation, then it needs to be. I love it all, but the following are my favorites.

Fembot
Call Your Girlfriend
Hang With Me

Love Yelle for this. I don't know that the link above is the best indication of some of the fun you could get into with her, though. "Je Veux Te Voir" is great and fun, but it was just the tip of the iceberg as far as I was concerned! Don't be deterred by the French if you don't speak it. These songs would be freaking catchy in ANY language!

Safari Disco Club/Que veux-tu
J'ai Bu
Chimie Physique
Mon Pays
S'éteint le Soleil (Ridu Remix)

Also, Dragonette is fun times!

Let It Go
Liar
Big Sunglasses
posted by jph at 8:40 AM on June 27, 2012 [1 favorite]

The Bird and the Bee
posted by sparklemotion at 8:52 AM on June 27, 2012

Husky Rescue
posted by MuffinMan at 9:04 AM on June 27, 2012

Seconding Phantogram, Lykke Li, Kate Nash, KT Tunstall, Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Adding Sleigh Bells, Cocorosie, Crystal Castles, Grand Ole Party, The Submarines, The Ting Tings, Rilo Kiley, The xx.
posted by zap at 9:36 AM on June 27, 2012

I'm From Barcelona
posted by humboldt32 at 10:14 AM on June 27, 2012

You're all so amazing!!! Thank you so much!

While La Roux and Tegan and Sara don't sound similar, they often evoke similar emotions for me. I was vague kinda on purpose because I have this irrational fear that if I'm too specific in my requests, by god, someone might decide not to recommend their awesome auditory ambrosia.
Everyone seems to have caught this idea pretty well, which makes me want to hug this entire thread. If my "mark as best answer" becomes relatively unhelpful because I end up marking EVERY ANSWER, I do apologize! *Grin*

Btw, I'm betting most of the songs by Peaches will take time to grow on me, but I've definitely listened to "Talk to Me" about 20 times now. Reminds me of Dana Fuchs performing The Beatles covers and certain songs by The Dead Weather.
posted by DisreputableDog at 12:05 PM on June 27, 2012

Yay, lots of stuff for me to check out too! I don't think I saw Adult. (Anxiety Always, etc) in there yet, kind of oddball stuff but it might do it for you. May add more later.
posted by the big lizard at 1:08 PM on June 27, 2012

You may enjoy Stereolab.
posted by plasticbugs at 1:34 PM on June 27, 2012

Jenny Wilson
Envelopes
posted by Mila at 3:17 PM on June 27, 2012

Really, there can never be enough female singers with cool "fuck you" and "I'm strong with or without you" lyrics.

You need to listen to Pyrite Pedestal by Pretty Girls Make Graves right now.

Then: That's Not My Name by the Ting Tings. And Le Tigre, for sure. In general, you're going to want to dig into the rich trove of music by badass ladies from the 90s. Riot Grrl bands, for one. Many of the great artists/bands from that era have already been mentioned, but there were so many!
posted by lunasol at 4:19 PM on June 27, 2012

Katy B rules it
Kathy Diamond has a cool album and also the single by Aeroplane she sings on, Whispers
posted by citron at 10:12 PM on June 27, 2012

I second Beautiful Small Machines / Bree Sharp!

Synth-pop: Universal Hall Pass: favorites Six-Step Dragon (♫♫ great song or GREATEST song?!), Special Agent (♫♫), Solar/Lunar (♫♫).

Pop-punk: The Unlovables (lyrics): favorites Samantha (which makes me cry), Disaster, Crazy Tonight (and if you say I'm just pre-menstrual / I will stab you with a pencil), Doot Da Doot

The Distillers: Seneca Falls (FEMINISM FUCK YEAH!)
posted by nicebookrack at 6:48 AM on July 4, 2012