Her songs “Oblivion” and “Genesis” caught the attention of fans but her social media presence has caught the attention of many media outlets. While most artists turn over their social media accounts to their PR team, Grimes has been content to run her own. In February she announced she was “quitting” the internet only to revive her Tumblr later on.

After the completion of her world tour she took to her tumblr to voice concerns that many female artists face. Music is a business and being a woman in the music business can mean compromising many values in order to get ahead. This type of standard does not sit well with me since music is a passion of mine and violating someone’s passion because you stereotype them as being a submissive female is never acceptable. Grimes seemed equally unsettled by the lack of inequality and stereotypes she faced during her recent tour.

While many in the media have been quick to jump in and bend her words to say she is “quitting” or “giving up music”, it seems like she is taking time to just process the experiences of her tour. Maybe this will mean a break but not necessarily the end of her music career. If we’re lucky there will be a lot of really great music produced from her experiences. I believe the naiveté of her previous albums is really amazing and I look forward to her growth as an artist.

You can read Grimes’ thoughts on her experiences as a woman in the music world here.

What do you think about the problems facing female musicians? Do you feel stereotyped based on gender?

Paramore’s sound has definitely developed over the years and I believe Hayley has grown to embrace her role as a performer, defying stereotyped ideas of female singers. The new album is especially significant since it marks the band’s return without founding members Josh and Zac Farro. The departure of band mates can be tough as the remaining band members are forced to reevaluate the band. Should it go on, end, or be reborn as something completely different?

It seems like this new incarnation of Paramore has chosen to stay true to its roots while striking off in more daring directions. This is not surprising though considering the band has been known for taking risks in the past. Josh Farro had been one of the main sources for Paramore’s material so the song writing has been shaken up in a good way. The new album includes an amazing 17 tracks of new material that references everything from the band’s split to old songs that fans will recognize. Hayley Williams continues to take the lead with her complex vocals that can uplift and enrage depending on her mood at the time. Personally, I love the range she has and it is refreshing to hear rock songs that do give equal weight to the vocals and instruments.

The band is on tour for the summer so it will be interesting to see how fans react to the new material. Already sold out crowds have been wowed by Paramore’s new set. Glad to see a band from my adolescence is still alive and kicking and stronger after a split.

Like many, I first fell in love with Beyonce during her years in Destiny’s Child. With the help of  Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland, Destiny’s Child reigned supreme in the 90′s. Their songs Survivor, Say My Name, and Bootylicious became my childhood summer jams. So when the trip reunited at this year’s Super Bowl half-time show, it was hard to contain my glee. I can only assume the combined glee of millions of Beyonce and Destiny’s Child fans are what ultimately cause the infamous Super Bowl power outage.

Regardless of her incarnation, I think I will forever be a fan of Beyonce. She keeps reinvigorating the world of pop and R&B music, challenging haters to keep on hating and fans to keep on singing to the beat of her song. But Beyonce isn’t the only one changing the music world.

Beyonce’s band, “The Sugar Mamas”, lit up the Super Bowl stage literally when leading guitarist and musical director BiBi McGill’s guitar exploded in pyrotechnics. The Sugar Mama’s are no one hit wonder though. This all female band has kept up pace with Queen B all the way.

So when will fans of Beyonce get a chance to see more of this wonder woman? She has already taken home more Grammy gold this year, rocked the Super Bowl, and prepared for the upcoming Mrs. Carter Show World tour. With all these events going on it is hard to know when Beyonce will have time to slow down.

When asked about the Noisettes Shingai added,”We’re two divas with different record collections who constantly introduce each other to new sounds, whether it’s African music, jazz, our own modern hybrid of soul music or new adventures in dance music, there always remains the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll without the clichés. For us, making music means keeping our ears open.”

Who are the Noisettes?

The Noisettes make music that you can dance to, sing to, work to, and live to. I actually cleaned my kitchen today while listening to songs off their new album Contact. Bassist Shingai and guitarist Dan make a dynamic duo, playing off each other with ease on and off the stage.

Who are An Horse?

Switching gears, I lucked into an An Horse show a couple years back when a friend from out of town visited and needed to stay busy. The show seemed interesting enough, a cute lady guitarist and drummer boy seemed like an interesting change of pace. This Brisbane couple brought a world of sound and have been on fire since their introduction to America.

I was lucky enough to see them as the main act but they’ve also had the pleasure of opening for big names like Tegan and Sara and indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie. The 2009 album Rearrange Beds is a favorite of mine.

Who are Robots in Disguise?

Last but not least, Britain’s Robots in Disguise or RiD. These two rock queens, Sue Denim and Dee Plume, have kept me on my toes since the early 2000s. Their riotous lyrics and sometimes taboo songs (sometimes featuring robots) are not for the faint of heart but I adore them. What makes this group so unique is their lack of reliance on traditional instruments, instead choosing to go with electric vibes.

If their faces look familiar it is probably because the pair appeared several times on the hit British television show, The Mighty Boosh. Despite crossing over into television, Robots in Disguise have based themselves firmly in the world of rock and roll.

I can’t help but love these power couples in the rock music world and will keep looking out for more duos that take the cake.

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-doe

But how did the name Little Dragon come about?

The band name was inspired by the temper tantrums Nagano would throw in the studio during the band’s early years. Her passion for the music created memorable moments while recording but that hasn’t stopped her or her bandmates from creating memorable songs.

Since their debut in 1996, the Swedish band Little Dragon has released three studio albums entitled Little Dragon (2007), Machine Dreams (2009), and Ritual Union (2011). Their continuous use of electronic sounds mixed with live instruments keeps their music fresh and different from the crowd.

Fans of Little Dragon come from all walks of life and their music bridges the gap between the new school and school sound.

“But you need to listen to it if only because rarely do young bands step forward so quickly with something this majestic and memorable and modern. Little Dragon’s evolution will be fun to listen to. Maybe even more than Prince’s next three albums.” - ESQUIRE

I’ve already added the “Feather” Fromwood remix and “Ritual Union” to my winter playlists. Both of these songs warm the soul while allowing my mind to chill out. These are the sounds that are perfect for a cold winter night.

“…Richly textured and highly vibe-y electronic music that could soundtrack both the dance party (“Night Light,” “Little Man”) and the chill-out room (“Crystalfilm,” “When I Go Out”). - RollingStone.com

The introduction of Little Dragon into the US has been a breath of fresh air for the music scene that has become cluttered with solo acts churning out one pop hit after another. The sounds of Little Dragon are solid and authentic; Nagano’s vocals are rich because they are not because of effects. I’m hoping they will be able to tour once the weather warms up. 2013 is looking to be another exciting year of music.

“Little Dragon makes pop music for folks who think they hate pop music” - NPR

Thanks NPR for this little gem of a statement.

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-doe

Since bursting onto the scene, Grimes armed with only a synthesizer and voice to die for, has become a rising star in the indie music scene. Her look is constantly changing and it is hard to tell what kind of performance she’ll put on. All I know is this Canadian musician has won a place in my heart of hearts.

What makes her music so catchy?

There is something nostalgic about the sounds her synth spits out. The melodies trail off into nothingness with her faint vocals into distant worlds. Before she lets us get carried off into a indie head bobbing zone, the beat comes in. Grimes embraces the whimsy of music, creating something magical and timeless.

But she hasn’t stopped yet. Her first album, Geidi Primes, caught the attention of music magazine Pitchfork. Although it was more naive, being her debut album, she has sent taken charge of both her sound and image.

Her unique image comes with an even more unique perspective on music. She’s found a place in the electronic world, preferring the simplicity of electronic instruments over playing guitar or drums.

In an October interview with the Chicago Tribune, Grimes explained, “I didn’t own any instruments and wasn’t really able to play anything,” she says. “I didn’t see the point of getting instruments if I could make fake guitars and drums on the computer. It has more possibilities: you turn the sub bass up, create a sine wave, and play with the wave form.”

I have already listened to her albums Halfaxa and Darkbloom. Both have drawn me in and I’m excited to see what 2013 will hold. Grimes’ sound has been transforming each album so perhaps she’ll throw a curve ball with her next release.

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-doe

So when I heard Bjork was releasing a new album entitled Bastards that would feature remixes of her seventh studio album, Biophilia, I couldn’t contain my glee. Generally remixes aren’t my thing but hearing other artists interpret Bjork’s very unique voice is hard for me to pass up.

For those of who aren’t caught up, Biophilia was Bjork’s exploration of sound through apps. She wanted a project that would turn a passive listening experience into one that nurtured interactions. Songs like “Virus” let listeners explore the destructive journey or a cell and virus in app form. What other artists on the scene can say they’ve got an album of apps?

The release of Bastards is the latest interpretation of Bjork’s studio album and the third remix album she’s released.

But even more good news has come from the singer since she wrapped up work on the Biophilia album. After many months of being forced to cancel tours because of vocal nodules, Bjork finally put the past behind her. On November 21, 2012 Bjork released the following on her website:

“few years ago doctors found a vocal polyp on me chords … i decided to go the natural way and for 4 years did stretches and tackled it with different foods and what not . then they discovered better technology and i got tempted into hi tech lazer stuff and i have to say , in my case anyway : surgery rocks ! i stayed quiet for 3 weeks and then started singing and definitely feel like my chords are as good as pre nodule ! it´s been very satisfying to sing all them clear notes again . im sorry i had to cancel stuff earlier in the year , didnt want to talk about this until i knew for sure if it would work . so looking forward to singing for you in 2013 all the warmth ,björk.”

I’ve been a fan of Bjork since high school so I can’t wait to hear her sing again with her full range.

Have you listened to Biophilia or Bastards? Both have their own charm and certainly show how much Bjork has developed since releasing Volta.

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-doe

The Twilight soundtrack.

At first, I’d normally pass on music from any teenybopper movie soundtrack but I remembered my favorite artist, Thom Yorke had contributed to a previous Twilight film. Okay, I’ll give it a shot. St. Vincent’s “The Antidote” caught my eye.

I pressed play.

And wow, the crunchy guitar riff paired with Ms. Annie’s silky smooth vocals caught me off guard. I wasn’t expecting much but this was great. Of course, I had to venture into more of this woman’s discography, one song just wasn’t enough. And so it began, my slow foray in the music of St. Vincent.

But what makes St.Vincent so special?

For one, she’s an older female artist and she blew up a little “late” in the game. At the age of 30, St. Vincent isn’t letting anyone tell her how to play. She’s made a name for herself, soaring through her audiences like a superwoman, riding the waves as a crowd surfing show stopper.

It would be easy to mistake Annie for just another cute indie female artist. She’s got the looks, cute curls and all. Her voice recalls distant images of 60s nostalgia but when the time comes, strength flows from both her voice and guitar.

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-doe