Articles about Music
Aiming for the moon
Cazz Blase listens to Laura Mvula's debut album, Sing to the Moon, and finds there is much more to her wider output than the upbeat single 'Green Garden' would suggest
Cazz Blase // 17 May 2013
Shaking it up
Swedish sister/brother duo The Knife returned with Shaking The Habitual in April and reviews have been both excited and mixed. David Wilkinson sees a welcome re-emergence of political pop in their new work
David Wilkinson // 14 May 2013
Everlasting divas
'Rock On': Women, Ageing and Popular Music is an essay collection concerned with developing debates around ageing, both in society and within the music world. Laura Way finds it an interesting (if at times heavy) read that shines a much welcome light on a neglected area of research
Laura Way // 28 April 2013
Two new Kirsty MacColl albums - the fairytale and beyond?
More than a decade after Kirsty MacColl's death, two albums have been released in her memory. Liz Ely asks: do they bring us anything new or different?
Liz Ely // 16 March 2013
Delia gets her day
In January Ruth Rosselson attended a series of events held to celebrate the work of electronic composer and Radiophonic Workshopper Delia Derbyshire. She shares her experience of the Delia Derbyshire Day here
Ruth Rosselson // 25 February 2013
A cut above the rest
Although wishing at times for a more personal touch, Hayley Foster da Silva is impressed by the breadth of She Bop, the recently revised and updated third edition of Lucy O'Brien's history of women and the music industry, and is pleased to come away from the book with lots of new information
Hayley Foster da Silva // 31 January 2013
The thrill of the chase
The Mediaeval Baebe's new album, The Huntress is themed around "female energy". A mix of the classical and traditional folk song, Michelle Drury welcomes it as a return to form for the "choir and band"
Michelle Drury // 16 December 2012
Skunk Anansie come home
With Skin as their charismatic frontwoman, the "clit rock" of Skunk Anansie has a firm place in mid-1990s nostalgia. Jess McCabe attends a gig in Brixton in 2012 and finds them sounding better than ever
Jess McCabe // 14 December 2012
Hole story of Schemel not Love
Cazz Blase enjoys the documentary about Hole's drummer Patty Schemel that puts one of the most exciting bands of the 1990s firmly on the rock'n'roll map without losing intimate touch
Cazz Blase // 4 December 2012
Making a noise about women's musical history
Hayley Foster da Silva thought she knew a lot about women musicians, but when she read Women Make Noise, a new book edited by Julia Downes, she was pleased to discover that there was still a lot to learn and plenty of all-female musical talent to uncover
Hayley Foster da Silva // 11 November 2012
Subversive kitty
Bad Kitty is the third album from the politicised queer pop-punk performer and Pussy Whipped organiser Ste McCabe. Liz Ely finds him on top form
Liz Ely // 6 November 2012
Do women dream of electric sheep? Delia Derbyshire and the women of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop
Delia Derbyshire has enjoyed a resurgence of recognition in the past decade and has taken her well-deserved place as one of the founders of modern electronic music. But she was hardly the only woman to work at the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop. Michelle Drury takes us on a journey through the history of the Workshop and pays tribute to the women who passed through the Maida Vale studios
Michelle Drury // 28 October 2012
Categories: Culture and Media, Features, Herstory, Music, Stereotypes, Television, Work and Play, radio
Corin Tucker is still angry
Corin Tucker won the hearts of the riot grrls in raw and gutsy band Heavens To Betsy and (later) in Sleater-Kinney. Confirmed fan Jess McCabe throws critical caution to the wind as she listens to Corin's new album Kill My Blues
Jess McCabe // 21 October 2012
Another record from a star storyteller
Jesca Hoop's third album combines sadness with a sense of fun while exploring new musical territory. Louise Allan finds herself digging this record
Louise Allan // 8 October 2012
Edinburgh gets Pussy Whipped!
Edinburgh may not immediately come to mind as a music city or pioneer for queer activism but there is clearly a demand there for space for diverse performers. Pop punk singer and organiser Ste McCabe has helped create that in the form of the Pussy Whipped queer feminist festival. Liz Ely reports
Liz Ely // 30 September 2012
Smells like folk spirit: The Cornshed Sisters at St Pancras Old Church
Folk harmony band the Cornshed Sisters have been steadily building up a loyal following. We reviewed their debut album, Tell Tales back in April, and late July saw the band play a highly atmospheric gig at St Pancras Old Church in London. Her appetite already whetted by an appearance by the band on 6 Music, Louise Allan went along
Louise Allan // 13 August 2012
Beth's back! The return of the Gossip
With a new pop album produced in collaboration with hit makers Xenomania, disco punks Gossip are back. While they may have moved on from Standing in the Way of Control, Hayley Foster Da Silva discovers that the band are still very capable of making you dance, and that their new album lives up to its title A Joyful Noise
Hayley Foster da Silva // 22 June 2012
Gaggle: The wait is nearly over!
Ever since Gaggle grabbed our attention with 'I hear Flies' and 'Hidden Army' two years ago, the question of when the debut album would come around has been on the minds of fans. Now that wait is nearly over and From the Mouth of the Cave will be released on 25 June. Hayley Foster da Silva gives the lowdown on her sneak preview
Hayley Foster da Silva // 18 June 2012
Dawn of a new talent
Melissa James's debut album Day Dawns moves through a diverse range of styles, including jazz, blues, torch singing and country. Helen G finds an understated gem from a singer with a voice able to carry all this off with assurance and maturity
Helen G // 14 June 2012
It's only rock'n'roll but I don't like it
Is it 'only rock'n'roll' when a well known male music star beats his wife or girlfriend? And why do men and women alike afford these stars second, third and fourth chances? Amanda McIndoe investigates
Amanda McIndoe // 1 June 2012
Categories: Culture and Media, Features, Feminism, Men, Music, Violence
Master of her music: Santigold adds a second album to her portfolio
Cazz Blase listens to Master of My Make Believe and finds a range of musical influences and engaging mix of moods, from the crunchy and energetic to the quietly anthemic
Cazz Blase // 29 May 2012
Her Noise: women creative workers and musicians exhibit and talk at Tate Modern
The Her Noise theme began as a 2001 curatorial project focused on gender imbalance in sonic art. In 2012, Tate Modern hosts the Her Noise Symposium: a day of discussion and art focused on topics such as women's voices and varied uses of technology. Joanne Matthews reports
Joanne Matthews // 19 May 2012
Ancient and modern design: The Cornshed Sisters Tell Tales
Fresh from touring the UK with the Futureheads, Sunderland vocal harmony group The Cornshed Sisters are marrying British folk traditions and vocal harmonies with a mixture of ancient and modern lyrical concerns. Helen G found herself impressed by their debut album, and eager to witness the band live.
Helen G // 18 April 2012
Celebrating Sisterhood! Viv Albertine, Gina Birch and Helen McCookerybook perform in Hyde
Three punk pioneers reunite for an evening of rage, honesty, playfulness and sound experiments. Cazz Blase attends the show and talks to the acts backstage
Cazz Blase // 12 April 2012
Her version of events: Emeli Sandé
Emeli Sandé's debut single 'Heaven' was a big urban dance tune last summer, and the path to debut album 'Our version of events' has been a long one. A mildly disappointed Holly Combe ponders the largely middle of the road results, and finds herself musing on the nature of celebrity and experiences as products
Holly Combe // 8 April 2012
Save EMA
A few years ago in the UK the acronym EMA would have been most commonly associated with the Education Maintenance Allowance. Nowadays it belongs firmly to Erika M. Anderson, a 22 year old singer/songwriter from the US Midwest whose debut album Past Life Martyred Saints was released in 2011. David Wilkinson detects the ghost of 1990s grunge in its confessional soundscape, and muses as to whether this particular branch of nostalgia is always a good thing
David Wilkinson // 31 March 2012
A greatly overlooked talent
Headed by singer and writer Emma-Lee Moss, anti-folk act Emmy the Great have achieved cult success, but have yet to be embraced more widely. Described as a lyricist who can talk about emotion without resorting to blunt clichés, Moss's intensely personal songs use the voices of archetypal female protagonists and her lyrics are said to be the act's secret weapon. Vicki Ell reports on a live performance at the Women of the World Festival 2012, London Southbank
Vicki Ell // 27 March 2012
Walk like a panther
With her positively geeky enthusiasm for the making of her music, eccentric costumes and abundant charisma, Barbara Panther is an unforgettable performer. Her distinctive voice has seen her compared to Bjork, Grace Jones and Fever Ray but she has a style all of her own. Cazz Blase checks out her self-titled album and finds Panther to be an artist with imagination, an ability to tell stories and musical inventiveness
Cazz Blase // 24 March 2012
Made in solidarity: The Selecter in the 21st century
The Selecter brought us their 2 Tone sound when right wing politics was dividing a nation. Helen G reviews their most recent release Made in Britain and finds their music -new and old- to be as relevant today as their most famous tracks were in the 1980s
Helen G // 20 March 2012
Heartbreak soup: washed ashore by Boy Friend's Egyptian Wrinkle
Texan all-woman duo Boy Friend occupy the space between shoegazing and post rock with ease. Cazz Blase follows up on her updates on the blog with a review and speaks to the band to find out about their influences and plans
Cazz Blase // 16 March 2012
Categories: Interviews, Music, Reviews
"It's like being in a never ending hen party!" Robots in Disguise play The Lexington
You might recognise them from The Mighty Boosh but electropunk act Robots in Disguise have plenty to offer beyond being cool in a television programme, including a feminist anthem! Hayley Foster da Silva joins the party and catches the band for a quick chat
Hayley Foster da Silva // 12 March 2012
Categories: Interviews, Music, Reviews
Bringing Oregon to Soho: Laura Gibson live
Having checked out Laura Gibson's latest work La Grande, Kaite Welsh heads to The Social to catch a performance and have a chat with the singer
Kaite Welsh // 2 March 2012
Categories: Interviews, Music, Reviews
Flying the flag for women who rock
Wild Flag are a highly credible all-woman line-up with roots in some of the coolest bands in the last 20 years, but can they cut it live? Lydia Harris checks them out at Camden's Electric Ballroom and discovers that, yes, they absolutely do!
Lydia Harris // 23 February 2012
¿Which Side Are You On?: Ani DiFranco keeps things political
Feminist icon Ani DiFranco has released 17 studio albums over the last three decades and, with Righteous Babe Records in 1990, became one of the first independent artists to launch her own label. Ruth Rosselson listens to her first album to be released in over three years and finds that DiFranco is still not afraid of tackling thought-provoking issues while making us smile and sing along
Ruth Rosselson // 20 February 2012
Laura Gibson's grand return
Kaite Welsh listens to Laura Gibson's latest album and finds her recalling the musical quirks she is best known for but also exploring new territory
Kaite Welsh // 27 January 2012
Bedroom dance like it's 1995! Wild Flag shake their shimmy
Wild Flag are a supergroup comprising Sleater-Kinney's Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss, Helium's Mary Timony and The Minders' Rebecca Cole. Sophie Mayer examines their formation and delights in their debut self-titled album
Sophie Mayer // 16 January 2012
The brilliant and the eclectic: Gaggle preview their forthcoming debut album
All woman punk choir Gaggle are a diverse group who integrate openly feminist concepts into their performances. Their radical reworking of The Brilliant and the Dark at the Royal Albert Hall was sold out in September. Hayley Foster da Silva reports on their all-too-brief follow-up performance at Hackney New Empowering Church on 15 December 2011
Hayley Foster da Silva // 11 January 2012
The sweet and sour world of Annie Clark: St Vincent's Strange Mercy
Annie Clark began her career with the Polyphonic Spree, has released two albums of dark but sweet left-of-centre pop, and has been touring her new album Strange Mercy across sold out venues around Europe. Louise Allan reveals that Clark hasn't lost her taste for the disturbing and the angelic
Louise Allan // 9 January 2012
Florence: the next instalment
Cazz Blase reviews Florence + the Machine's latest album and finds Welsh's ability to follow her own path and confound people's expectations, while soaking up diverse musical genres, to still be in full force
Cazz Blase // 29 December 2011
The re-emergence of Riot Grrrl music and politics?
Riot Grrrl celebrated its 20 year anniversary earlier this year, and Hayley Foster da Silva is pleased to discover evidence of its legacy in the form of Atlanta's Coathangers and Oxford's Secret Rivals
Hayley Foster da Silva // 22 December 2011
Categories: Music
The Opiates: Billie Ray Martin returns!
With a career spanning over 25 years, Hamburg-born singer, DJ and label owner Billie Ray Martin is a woman with an impressive history in both dance and soul music. Holly Combe salutes her return
Holly Combe // 6 December 2011
Shattering seas: Tori Amos at the Royal Albert Hall
Tori Amos' recent performance at London's Royal Albert Hall served as an emotional reminder for Sophie Mayer of the power of song, and of teenage memories
Sophie Mayer // 25 November 2011
Living in the ice age: Kate Bush's 50 Words for Snow
Six years after Aerial, Kate Bush's latest offering sees her continuing to write, perform and produce music that is out of this world. Debi Withers previews the release, equipped with a healthy appreciation for the ridiculous and a love of Bush's work, tempered by a critical eye for some of the problems inherent within it
debi withers // 20 November 2011
Abi Wade - And Blood and Air EP
At a time when folk music is enjoying plenty of exposure, new blood Abi Wade's brave and disarmingly simple first EP is a fitting addition. Cazz Blase reports
Cazz Blase // 18 November 2011
Music for wintertime: Zola Jesus' Conatus
Nika Danilova -AKA Zola Jesus- grew up training to sing opera whilst listening to Throbbing Gristle and the Dead Kennedys. As the nights draw in and temperatures drop, David Wilkinson reviews her third album Conatus
David Wilkinson // 14 November 2011
Laura Marling - A Creature I Don't Know
Brit Award winning musician Laura Marling's latest album sees her going beyond her nu-folk roots and taking on a looser, lustier and more sophisticated style. Louise Allan reports
Louise Allan // 2 November 2011
Be the same; be the change: Maple Bee and her world
Cazz Blase reviews the career of Maple Bee (AKA Melanie Garside from Mediaeval Baebes), taking in the albums Hello Eve, Home and Chasing Eva along the way
Cazz Blase // 23 October 2011
Blue Roses
David Wilkinson salutes the talents of Laura Groves, otherwise known as Blue Roses, and finds much to marvel at in her precocious debut album
David Wilkinson // 21 October 2011
Radical rockers UT at The Lexington
Famously name-checked by Le Tigre in 1991's 'Hot Topic', feminist rock pioneers UT originally came from the downtown New York no-wave scene in 1978. They moved on to London, touring with The Fall in the early 1980s and releasing four albums that decade, before disbanding in 1990. Hayley Foster da Silva witnesses their return
Hayley Foster da Silva // 3 October 2011
Evangelista - In Animal Tongue
Sophie Mayer reviews Evangelista's In Animal Tongue and is enraptured by the lyrics, vocals and productions of charismatic frontwoman Carla Bozulich
Sophie Mayer // 1 October 2011
Categories: Music
Cambodian Space Project - 2011: A Space Odyssey
Srey Thy is a singer with a story to tell. Louise Allan discovers this album from Thy's band, Cambodian Space Project, is a mixture of Thy-penned Kmer rock and tributes to a golden age of 60's Cambodian pop
Louise Allan // 16 September 2011
Puffyshoes are coming!
It's all about lo fi! Joanna Tocher, The F-Word's music correspondent in Japan, introduces us to the delights of Puffyshoes who hail from Chiba
Joanna Tocher // 11 September 2011
Categories: Music
Electrelane at Scala
Louise Allan gives an overview of the 10 year career of Electrelane and attends a gig at Scala on 21 July, one of their first after a three year break
Louise Allan // 10 August 2011
Lady Gaga - Born This Way
Catherine Elms finds Lady Gaga's latest album something of a mixed bag, but remains optimistic about the stars ability to vary her sound and stay strong on sex and sexuality
Catherine Elms // 8 August 2011
Biophilia - Björk returns
Ruth Rosselson attends the world premiere of Björk's live show, one of several performances at Campfield Market Hall that are her first UK dates in over three years
Ruth Rosselson // 10 July 2011
tUnE-yArDs at the Manchester Deaf Institute
Ruth Rosselson gives the lowdown on a show from Merrill Garbus, a big-voiced artist who exudes confidence on stage through her music, rather than her outfits or dancing
Ruth Rosselson // 10 July 2011
Kitty Wells Dresses: Songs of the Queen of Country Music
Helen G reviews Laura Cantrell's collection of covers of songs by Kitty Wells, the first female country star to release a long-playing record
Helen G // 10 June 2011
Generation Indigo
Cazz Blase reviews Poly Styrene's final work, an angry album with socially biting lyrics but an overall optimistic theme
Cazz Blase // 29 May 2011
A woman called Toothpaste: an interview with Lucy Whitman
Cazz Blase interviews Lucy Toothpaste, who wrote the fanzine JOLT and played a central role in the punk feminist movement
Cazz Blase // 20 May 2011
Categories: Culture and Media, Herstory, Interviews, Magazines, Music
Cookie Party! (Death of the Elephant, Stella Zine and Ste McCabe)
Hayley Foster da Silva reviews an evening inspired by riot grrrl and feminist-friendly electro punk
Hayley Foster da Silva // 30 January 2011
Categories: Music
Love: Sacred and Profane
Kaite Welsh reviews a performance of "romantic duets and melancholy ayres" by new opera ensemble En Travesti
Kaite Welsh // 18 June 2010
Categories: Music
The Raincoats play the National Portrait Gallery
The Raincoats are as vital as ever, argues Lydia Harris, who left their recent gig determined to join a grrrl band
Lydia Harris // 4 October 2009
Categories: Music
Girl Power?
The Spice Girls' come-back tour re-opens some questions about the nature of 'Girl Power'. Jennifer Thomson looks back fondly - but critically
Jennifer Thomson // 5 April 2008
Categories: Music
Peaches - Impeach My Bush
Peaches' latest electro-punk album is both explicit and explicitly feminist. Catherine Redfern reviews Impeach My Bush
Catherine Redfern // 1 September 2007
Categories: Music
We Are The Pipettes - The Pipettes
Rachel Harris-Gardiner checks out the debut album from The Pipettes, a fabulous, fun, polka-dotted girl group from Brighton.
Rachel Harris-Gardiner // 13 August 2006
Categories: Music
The Gossip - Manchester July 2006
Cazz Blase reviews a storming gig by The Gossip in Manchester on 18th July 2006.
Cazz Blase // 13 August 2006
Categories: Music
The Spice Girls' Legacy
Sarah Parry defends the legacy of the oft-ridiculed Spice Girls. She argues that 1996 should be seen as a feminist renaissance, and explains how the band promoted ideas of individuality and female friendship that were hugely influential to girls at the time.
Sarah Parry // 29 May 2006
Categories: Music
FHM Music Channel
FHM has launched its own music channel and intrepid Natalie Smith finds a common theme in the videos. (Can you guess what it is yet)?
Natalie Smith // 17 June 2005
Categories: Music, Television
Frank - Amy Winehouse
Is Amy Winehouse really looking for someone "Stronger than Me"? Holly Combe argues that Winehouse's debut album presents a somewhat traditional view of heterosexual relationships mixed with a couple of progressive moments. Yet despite its flaws, the music can't be faulted.
Holly Combe // 1 June 2004
Categories: Music
Le Tigre - London Astoria, April 2004
Jess McCabe finds Le Tigre on top form at the Astoria.
Jess McCabe // 18 April 2004
Categories: Music
Not a Victim - Stephanie Pakrul
Lorraine Smith introduces the intriguing new "edgy folk" singer Stephanie Pakrul.
Lorraine Smith // 18 January 2004
Categories: Music
Tales of a Librarian - Tori Amos
In this new compliation album, Tori Amos brings together 20 of her favourite songs which deal with deeply personal issues such as motherhood, rape, childhood, religion, sex, and finding a voice. As Nicky Raynor explains, there's much more to Tori than 'Cornflake Girl'.
Nicky Raynor // 16 December 2003
Categories: Music
Sympathy for the Devil - The Rolling Stones
In the fortieth anniversary of the Rolling Stones, Alix Brodie wonders if the lyrics of music's most notorious misogynists can lend something positive to the cause of contemporary feminism.
Alix Brodie // 15 November 2003
Categories: Music
Kylie Minogue
As a fan of Kylie, Anna Fioravanti finds that writing about the star from a feminist perspective raises deep questions about the nature of feminism itself. Risking judgement, she explains here why Kylie fits comfortably with her own definition of feminism, and why the singer can indeed be a positive role model for women.
Anna Fioravanti // 20 October 2003
Categories: Music
Christina Aguilera - Can't Hold Us Down
Christina Aguilera's new song 'Can't Hold Us Down' contains some refreshing feminist sentiments, says Lorraine Smith.
Lorraine Smith // 16 September 2003
Categories: Music
Women Who Wrock
Anna Sandfield is delighted to find an internet radio station broadcasting music by female artists and woman-fronted bands.
Anna Sandfield // 20 August 2003
Categories: Music
Ani DiFranco - Royal Festival Hall, June 2003
Anna Sandfield is uplifted and moved at a solo gig by the amazing Ani DiFranco.
Anna Sandfield // 15 July 2003
Categories: Music
This is Rockbitch
Lorraine Smith watched channel five's "This is Rockbitch" documentary, but is she any wiser about the radical sex-collective rockers?
Lorraine Smith // 16 May 2003
Categories: Music, Television
The Be Good Tanyas - Bristol Bierkeller, March 2003
Indigo Black is transported by the Be Good Tanyas.
Indigo Black // 16 March 2003
Categories: Music
Ka-ching, bling bling, ching ching - women sing about money
What are female pop stars saying about money?
Catherine Redfern // 15 March 2003
Categories: Music
Interview with Lucy O'Brien
Cazz Blase interviews the author of She Bop II
Cazz Blase // 16 December 2002
Le Tigre - London Astoria, May 2002
Despite the lack of guitars, Helen Watling is blown away by Le Tigre.
Helen Watling // 16 July 2002
Categories: Music
Ms Dynamite - It Takes More
If you're sick and tired of endless misogynistic Gangster rap, it seems you're not alone. Ms.Dynamite is a 21 year-old...
Catherine Redfern // 15 July 2002
Categories: Music
Garbage - Manchester Apollo, April 2002
Michelle Jenkin reckons Shirley Manson is a goddess, especially live.
Michelle Jenkin // 15 July 2002
Categories: Music
