Female alternative/indie artists

Submitted by djrollied t3_z86e6f in Music

I'm looking to discover some new female alternative and indie artists to broaden my horizons a bit. I know of the bigger ones like Lucius, Tegan & Sara, Liz Phair, etc.. but am looking to go deeper. Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

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TheNatanist t1_iya0mm5 wrote

Courtney Barnett is great if you’ve not listened to her yet, although she can be somewhat polarizing stylistically. Sharon Van Etten sorta has a similar vibe to me.

First Aid Kit leans a bit country/folk sometimes but I’m a huge fan personally.

Not sure if you’d count KKB, The Japanese House, or Fiona Apple as they all tend to lean a bit more into other genres, but they all are pretty good.

Harmony Woods is a kinda smaller Indie Rock band that i also really enjoy. I will say though, they’re much better live than on their albums.

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Jawbreaker233 t1_iya2hxx wrote

The Regrettes are amazing, Lydia Knight's voice is killer. Mazzie Star, Cocteau Twins, Tori Amos for older ones, but I am sure you know of them. The record label 4AD is known for having a fairly impressive roster of artists, you might check out some of them and see if anything there flips your switches. Most of the current female artists I listen to are fronting punk bands like The Last Gang, The Bomb Pops, Bad Cop/Bad Cop. Emily Whitehurst has a project that is still putting out music called Survival Guide, and she is super talented - https://www.srvvlgd.com/

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Impossible-Bus-4819 t1_iyapnj8 wrote

If you like electronic music there are

Ladytron, Gwenno

Also bands with female singers

The Cardigans, Camera Obscura, The Sundays

One artist I highly highly recommend Joan Armatrading

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djrollied OP t1_iyavv37 wrote

When you say electronic do you mean completely computer produced? I sometimes do but generally tend to lean for real instruments. I'll have to check these artists out

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Impossible-Bus-4819 t1_iybw9pp wrote

Hi I just mean bands or artists that use mainly synthesisers to create their music like for example Depeche Mode or Kraftwerk.

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uuhhhhggg t1_iybivdq wrote

Metric and yeah yeah yeahs should be the obvious choices

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-the-lorax- t1_iyad1oh wrote

Lingua Ignota

Emma Ruth Rundle

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MaxBulla t1_iyaer9v wrote

Wet Leg are ace and obvs the legends that are PJ Harvey and Patti Smith

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Parking_Mall_1384 t1_iyafagp wrote

KT Tunstall

Regina Spektor

Nina Persson

Echoing PJ Harvey and Tori Amos

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djrollied OP t1_iyavdff wrote

Has KT Tunstall still been making music? I'm familiar with her two radio singles but didn't know she was still going.

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Parking_Mall_1384 t1_iyaw5s4 wrote

Funny you say this - she just released a new album a few weeks ago! It’s the third in a trilogy and the weakest of the three in my opinion. But her catalog is pretty drastic fantastic!

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djrollied OP t1_iyawdzs wrote

That's awesome. I have a whole list of artists who had less than five singles on the pop charts who are still releasing albums today. I've been catching up with artists like Vance Joy, Passenger, and The Killers. Now I'll have to dig into KT a bit

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Parking_Mall_1384 t1_iyaym7c wrote

That’s fantastic - she’s one of faves. I hope you like what you hear!

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gwm3d t1_iyanu4e wrote

Warpaint

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peacefulseaweed t1_iybksys wrote

.... Me? I'm a female and do alternative rap. I would love it if you would check me out and let me know what you think! :)

me! :)

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SonjasTrees t1_iybo7tq wrote

Carina Round. Solo stuff and w/ Puscifer

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-TheLee- t1_iya2z4f wrote

The beaches

Ellevator

Ruby waters

Dear Rouge

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alien_the_dog t1_iyacpwp wrote

Caroline Polacheck, Sharon Van Etten, Japanese Breakfast, Caroline Rose, Soccer Mommy, Jade Bird, Indigo deSouza, Angel Olsen, Sudan Archives, Santigold, Tune-Yards, Sylvan Esso, Haley Heynderickx, St Vincent, Kali Uchis, Tierra Whack, Lorde, Late Bollinger, Haim,

Some that come readily to mind 🤘!

Edit: added commas

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djrollied OP t1_iyav9s0 wrote

I love "Paprika" by Japanese Breakfast. I first heard that song on SNL in May and just really connected with the pure joy Michele showed on stage, bouncing around and hitting the gong. I don't really like "Slide Tackle" all that much but should look at some of her other stuff.

I can't stand Lorde's Top 40 radio singles but love her song "Ribs" from her debut album. Long intro but lovely low key track. I also have enjoyed what I've heard so far from "Solar Power".

HAIM makes lovely music. My favorite from them is "Gasoline" and I've played something by them on my radio show that isn't the duet with Taylor Swift. Forgetting the title but would probably recognize it if I heard it again.

I like Sharon VanEttens song "Mistakes". Catchy chorus.

The rest of the artists I'd need to look at but I bet they've got some great stuff! Thank you!

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onlyahippowilldo t1_iyad2ky wrote

Company of Thieves. Genevieves energy is electric

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AmphibianImmediate45 t1_iyampkt wrote

LP, The Big Moon, HAIM, Sharon van Etten, King Princess, Wet Leg

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Due_Flan_4760 t1_iyamxsq wrote

Thea Gilmore "Avalanche" (2003 Album) Great Scottish singer/songwriter. The song "Pirate Moon" from this album is so beautiful.

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DarbySalernum t1_iyar9kg wrote

Ebony Bones

Lesibu Grand

The Breeders

Melody's Echo Chamber

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biderman77 t1_iyaskmo wrote

St. Vincent, The Beths, Veruca Salt, Isobel Campbell, Katell Keineg

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Nizamark t1_iybngmg wrote

Barbara Manning

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emilee2296 t1_iybofy8 wrote

Ani Difranco. Sort of the definitive female indie artist. If you’re not already familiar with her, I’d start with Living in Clip

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EveSixxx t1_iybxzmr wrote

Meg Myers is fantastic. Her voice, her lyrics, just raw like an open nerve.

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mcjunior1993 t1_iybyblj wrote

PJ Harvey, Bjork, Cat Power, Torres, Mitski, Joni Mitchell, Portishead.

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[deleted] t1_iyc351g wrote

Slothrust is good. Their lead singer, Leah Wellbaum, is a masterful guitarist

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zenkarious2 t1_iye5uuv wrote

I'm not sure exactly how well this fits into your criteria, but I like the band Men I Trust

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Revalenz- t1_iyehh17 wrote

The Joy Formidable and Blood Red Shoes have amazing female guitar players.

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