#WOMENWHOROCK

2018 marks 100 years since the Suffragettes earned the vote from women. Well by 'women', I mean women with property over the age of thirty. Nevertheless, I celebrate by listening to "Suffragette City" by David Bowie.
I'm sure you see the irony of listening to a male artist to commemorate a female achievement. But that doesn't matter, as it's kind of inescapable.

It recently occured to me : There are a lot of Straight Men in Rock. Like, a lot

Rock is not like pop, where women already have a corner marked out. In the rock world, being a women is more of a gimmick than anything else. 
The 1980's, ironically when there was a burst of Rock in general, was when like Stevie Nicks and Courtney Love or Joan Jett made waves back in the punk era; women who modern Rockstars are indebted to, at least inadvertently.

Don't get me wrong, some of my, and probably your, favourites bands are almost exclusive straight men. But there is the problem. No-one disputes women or people of other ethnicities have as much potential to be rock gods as men do. So, where are they?
I'm not here to speculate on whether it's an agenda or if rock unwittingly repels diversity. I'm just here to let you know about some women in the new scene I think you should be listening to and rock just as hard as any of their male counterparts.

Hayley Williams of Paramore

It's an obvious starting point, but it seems only right that we start off with one of the most infamous women in modern rock. To me, Hayley Williams is the pinnacle of the female omen in rock, because she has it all. Lead singer of an awesome, world famous band: check. Outstanding pipes: check. A Rock goddess attitude that would put all those straight rock stars we talked about to shame: check. Not to mention in pretty much every guy between the ages of 13 - 25 fancied her back in the late 2000s. More than anything else, Hayley was and still is a beacon of hope for so many. Ask most front women in a modern-day rock band, they’ll tell you there were inspired by Paramore and Hayley, directly or otherwise. She's transformed as the times have necessitated, but it's safe to say we're all seeing an icon born before our eyes in Hayley Williams

Chrissy Costanza of Against The Current

Chrissy is a prime example of one of those girls I mentioned that was probably directly inspired by Hayley Williams. From her appearance to her voice and song-writing style, to her general demeanor, the influence is definitely there. But that's by no means a bad thing, as Hayley Williams is the prefect person to take inspiration from. Even so, Chrissy Costanza is very much her own person. It would be easy to put Chrissy and Against The Current in the belittling category of 'Youtube Musicians', as that's where they got their start. But since those days in 2013, the band have built themselves, from an amazing debut record in 2016 to electrifying live performances and a dedicated fanbase, all of which Chrissy has been at the forefront of.  Not to mention that Rock Sound featured her on the cover of their 'Rock Sound'  50' issue last year at the tender age of 22, there's no mistaking that world is for Miss Costanza's taking.

Jenna Mcdougall of Tonight Alive

Straight out of Austrilia's premiere Rock export, Jenna Mcdougall also falls into the catergory of Beautiful and at the same time edgy, Jenna commands her band Tonight Alive what that amazing and convincing voice she has. But her voice expands outside the catchy guitar tunes of the band. Through almost everything Jenna foes, she seems to voie out all she being in and experiences without hestitation. Fromcommunity to mential health toself-belief and the strenght of the alt-scene. Though she may face her own personal demon, she consistantly comes across and a strong, capturing personality and doesn't fail to convince you that, despite her gender, she is Just a born rockstar.

Ash Costello of New Years Day

Ash is another example of someobe who is battling herself in the rock world, but still comes across as a steadfest figure in her music and her life.  Though you wouldn't think it from her look, she is really quite the role model.

imagine she was seen as a bit of a outcast, with her hair and style. Throughout the long history of her band New Years Day, she has presented herself as smart, witty, switched on, all while keeping up with the best of them in the heavy rock world, even to the extent of having the heavy vocals in the start of the career that one may associate with a male vocalist. It would be easy to from an inccorrect first impression of her, but her cool, steely persona is ultimately what has gotten her to where she is today

Charli XCX

Not so much rock, but she's among this list of inspiration women because something about Charli XCX is extremely sole and uncompromising, much in the way that rock stars are, more than a popstar. But more than that, her live show is really where her bravado comes alight, not least because her backing band is all female. From the bassist to the drummer to the keyboard, the 'XX' chromosome line-up makes you think:"Of course there are female instrumentals, so why don't I see more of them?" Clearly, Charli XCX has thought of this for you, and come up with your solution.

LIGHTS

For as long as her career has been going, Lights has been unwaveringly consistent. Every time she releases something, she betters herself in a way you would think she could do. It's by this logic, as well as her many other viable attributes that she should be massive, and why it's even more frustrating that she's not. Nevertheless, she trucks on, making effervescent synth-pop, never putting boundaries on herself, yet always being honest, while being a super-mum at the same time.

Lynn Gunn of PVRIS

If we're talking about icons, Lynn Gynn is certainly one in the making. She's definitely her the musical prowess and confidence to take her fair, plus she's used her platform as an advocate the LGBT+ community. But on top of that, her flair and intensity is what sells her to everyone that comes across what PVRIS does. From the moment she steps out on that stage or you see her on that screen, you're mesmerized.But it's also refreshing that at heart, she is a warm, intelligent and down-to-earth young women, something that you might not associate with many rockstars

Tay Jardine of We Are The In Crowd/SAINTE

Here we have a woman of many talents, as well as many projects. Since 2009, she's been frontwomen of the lovable We Are The In Crowd and now, is making waves with a solo project called SAINTE, Both of with are coming out with some really great, albeit different, music. This change is stylistics over musical effort is really testament to how she comes off as a strong, capable character; and if  you've seen here do her thing live, or heard any of her lyrics, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

Hannah Greenwood of Creeper

The last twelve months have been amazing for Creeper as their unique debut album garnered an equally unique audience for them. One thing that's special about the group the the eclecticism in their line-up, as showcased by the only female member of the band. . For Greenwood to be included in such a unique and offbeat lineup, whilst still seeming to fit well into their mould is one thing. But Hannah has actually been at the forefront of the band's campaign to speak out against Industry Sexism. It seems that this incident was fueled by her being on the receiving end of discrimination for her being a woman in a punk-ese band, which is unfortunately a reality for so many ladies in that world. But her willingness to speak out against this sort of thing and own her position in the band is nothing short of inspiring. Many would say that someone like Hannah doesn't belong in a Horror-Punk Band like Creeper. But being an intrinsic part of the line-up, performing amazing live and on the record, plus being able to hold her own has proved them wrong

Danielle, Este and Alana of Haim

I will admit I almost forgot to put the Haim girls on this list. How Could I? Haim are a beautiful example of a classic rock feel being brought back to the 21st century, and it being done well. After winning the prestigious BBC Sound of 2013 award, they've gone from strenght to strenght, releasing catchy, honest retro-rock that also comes across as real with a down-to-earth 70's feel to it. On top of that, what has given them that extra edge is how they come across as being cool, confident and authentic in their live performance, and in their real life, in only the way women can.



Find someone you didn't know about on this list? Think a female artist is missing from here that deserves to be here? That's alright. "Rock" is subjective, and I was just focusing on a more traditional definition. 

Either way, that artist is probably on this Spotify playlist I've made that includes even more women of rock. Be sure to check it out for me!





Still not satisfied?
I'd love it if you commented below or shared on Twitter Women in rock you think people should know about. 

And of course, share it with the hashtag #WOMENWHOROCK.
I really believe in this and think it could be a movement. How about you?