Every March 8 brings to mind International Women’s Day and the constant battle for fairness and women’s rights in all parts of the world. It dates back to the labor and feminist movements which flourished more than a century ago.
For many decades, women have managed to find means of expressing themselves in culture, art, too, such as singing, probably due to oppression and discrimination by their male colleagues in many fields.
One such area, which was and remains one of the most important of all, has been and remains music of all kinds. This year, in celebration of the 8M, we feature ten women-led bands that have made a mark on the world in one way or another.
Bikini Kill
Bikini Kill, prominent symbols of the feminist punk movement known as Riot Grrrl, could succeed during most of the nearness history of music, the popularity of the grunge era. Consisting of Kathleen Hannah, Tobi Vail, Kathi Wilcox, Billy Karren, the clan managed to be a key player on the punk stage by being a femme rage against male dominance in both music and society. This Saturday 9th of March for the first time in Argentina. And we could speak to Vail before their show at C Art Media. You may find the interview published there.
She-Devils
Argentine punk band fostered and formed by Patricia Pietrafesa, Pilar Arrese, and Ines Laurencena broke out as active condemners about various social issues including injustices. Their lyrics made commentary on the penalization of abortion and it’s related to underground activity ( the song “ Illegal abortion kills my freedom” with fun people). And claimed for sexual freedom.
Fin del Mundo
Una de las bandas argentinas más exitosas de los últimos años, Fin del Mundo es de la Patagonia y actualmente vive en Buenos Aires. Her North american architectural style is luxe reflecting influences of these genres. Last year, they compiled All That Goes to the Sea bringing together two of their ep’s which were released over time.
Pussy Riot
Turning to diasporeistic oppression, patriarchy and imperialism, there is sponge. – where Supremacy is rampant and there are injustices around, ex Pussy Riot becomes the pampered 3D character of oppression and inertia. This group consists of Russian musicians and activists who create music and art as a tool for social and political change and advocates for free speech and human rights.
Warpaint
Formed in 2004 by EMILY KOKAL, THERESA WAYMAN, JENNY LEE LINDBERG, STELLA MOZGAWA, Warpaint is a complex auditory experience descending from precious layers of multitudinous sounds ranging from fragile ethereal to exuberant base. Their composition delivers fantastic soundscapes where emotions pour out freely and the line between madness and reality is erased, and the music is pure rock without barriers.
ROUGE AND WIDOWS AND DAUGHTERS OF ROQUE ENROLL
Rouge was formed in the late ‘70s as the first all-female band in Argentina with members María Gabriela Epumer, Mary Sanchez, Susy Navarro, Ana Croty, Andrea Álvarez and Claudia Sinesi. English cover songs were released, which outraged the dictatorship, hence the need to dissolve the group. It was only after a year in 1983 that Sinesi, Epumer, and Claudia Ruffinatti were joined by Mavi Diaz to create Widows and Daughters of Roque Enroll who became popular with songs “Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” and “I’m Hitting Rock Bottom” among others.
THE RUNAWAYS
With Joan Jett as the dominant force and Cherie Currie as the sweet enchantress, The Runaways were able to return the zest and unpolished feeling to the songs and the performances. Female artists in those days were a rarity, but these girls, who had electric guitars and flare in their attitudes, changed the complexion of the musical landscape.
WET LEG
Wet Leg is a duo from the Isle of Wight. Inspired by great personalities such as Björk, Jane Birkin, Ty Segall, the Ronettes and others, they create such music that surprised everyone. This variety has produced a different sound that moves from the post-punk periods of the 80s to melodic waves of mighty boom.
Hole
From the initiation of their Pretty on the Inside, through the stormy Live Through This and kaleidoscopic Celebrity Skin, Hole’s narrative has traversed through the deepest and the highest extremes of the human perspective. Courtney Love, ferocious vocalist, and lyricist, led the band which had to overcome almost every corner of the world and the inner battles of the good spirits and the bad ones – the listeners, which is very much alive still now.
Sugar Tampaxxx
Thanks to the mix of punk, ear bleeding lo-fi and noise, they also managed to develop a sound which is frozen in heart-wrenching hopelessness. Their 1999 record emerged as a portent against a numbing consequence that seemed to resist anything, where violence and inequalities were frankly revealed.