Whether you’re a cis woman or someone who identifies as a woman, being a representation of strength and individuality in this too-often backward society takes guts. This March is all about that—our annual National Women’s Month, corresponding with International Women’s Day on the eighth, is a reminder of who women are as people and how their thoughts, words, and actions have contributed to history and present day.
Music is a platform filled with amazing women. A lot of times, the industry ruled by mostly men shuns these voices. Stereotyping, abuse, and injustice plague one of the purest artforms to exist, introducing destructive patriarchy into something that should otherwise just be. Humanity has, once again, introduced senseless control.
To remind us of the importance of women in music, here’s a few who inspire us.
Janis Joplin
This captivating and soulful blues rock singer started out as the lead vocalist for the 60s psychedelic band, Big Brother and the Holding Company. After putting out two studio albums, she went on to pursue a solo career, spawning the massive hit record, I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama! and then Pearl, released shortly after her death. Joplin has since become a legacy, inspiring other women musicians, including Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac and Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine.
Ella Fitzgerald
Boasting a nearly 60-year career, Ella has truly defined her place in jazz music. Commonly referred to as the “Queen of Jazz,” her unique voice and style of singing has earned her a rightful place amongst some of the greatest jazz records to exist. Now, it’s impossible to talk about the genre without her name coming up.
Camp Cope
This Australian trio made up of Georgia Maq, Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich, and Sarah Thompson is one of today’s underrated indie bands. Formed in 2015 (and now out with their second record), the three express themselves through pent-up frustrations and unabashed honesty, things sometimes missing in other music. Switching between emotional ballads and feminist anthems, Camp Cope is a band you need in your daily rotation.
Alyana Cabral
Part of bands like Ourselves the Elves and The Buildings, Aly is no newcomer to the local indie scene. A true artist at heart, she’s even got her own experimental project, Teenage Granny, having been released on platforms such as Indonesia’s Gerpfast Recs. Aly has also done scoring work for films like Petersen Vargas’ 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten and Prime Cruz’ The Debutantes. Clearly, there’s no stopping this talented individual.
Catpuke
This riot grrrl band from Quezon City needs your full attention. Similar in sound to punk bands like Bratmobile and Tiger Pussy, you know Catpuke means business. Late last year, they released an amazing demo called “Pulse,” dedicated to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting. The track alone begged for repeat listens, and if that wasn’t hype enough, the band sounds even better live. Alongside their mosh-worthy tunes, they’ve also got a lot to say—important statements the world needs to know about; this gets us even more excited for everything else they have in store.
Jenna Pup and Ally Einbinder
In 2010, Alex Lichtenauer (they/them) founded Get Better Records, an independent American label by the queers, and for the queers. The label is currently run by Alex, alongside Jenna Pup (of the HIRS Collective) and Ally Einbinder (of Potty Mouth). Together, the main goal of the three is to destroy all kinds of LGBTQ underrepresentation in the arts community, with a specific focus on punk and alternative music. The three extend to those who need it most, having donated to causes like the victims of the Florida Pulse Nightclub shooting.
TIM ÄWÄ
TIM ÄWÄ is the post-rock solo project of Lucena-based Zephra Lagos. Having released a stunning debut EP last year, Zephra is on their way to dominating not only the local music scene, but also the rest of the world. With compositions akin to getting lost in life and its natural beauty, we can’t wait to hear more from this local musician. Be sure to catch them at their next gig.
Aretha Franklin
Just a year ago, we lost one of the greatest soul singers to exist. Franklin, often called “The Queen of Soul,” was an important voice in musical history; she was also a staunch advocate of civil and women’s rights, with her songs “Respect” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” becoming anthems for social change.
BP Valenzuela
Everyone in our local music scene has heard of BP by now. Her eponymous project sees her crafting a unique blend of indie pop, merged with heartfelt ambient, poetic lyricism, and a recognizable vocal style. She also has another solo project, called Half-Lit, and has done scoring work for various feature-length films and shorts. Other than music, BP is also a lover of animals and coffee; she even served as our resident barista for a while. Aside from this, she’s also been vocal about her views regarding women’s rights, the LGBTQ community, and government injustices.
The Supremes
Active from the 50s to the 70s, the Supremes were one of Motown’s most accomplished acts. To this day, the group retains its status as America’s most successful vocal group and, although they went through some lineup changes over the years, their strong women presence remained intact, even rivaling the Beatles in terms of popularity.
Words by Kurvine Chua.