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The Future is Female

  • donaldrwells3rd
  • Dec 20, 2023
  • 4 min read

For generations now women have carried the emotional baggage of a Nation and now you’re gonna hear about it.

 

         Pandemic restrictions were finally relaxing in 2021 and we were able to start getting back to normal. This meant for me that we could get back to live music.  Everyone was getting used to a new normal, giving space to your neighbor in front of the speakers instead of standing over their shoulder. Personal space is a thing that isn’t usually regarded at a standing room only show.  Most folks are there to get as close as possible to their favorite artists and soak in the majesty that is live music, but we were making it work. It was a bit strange and first, singing along to your favorite songs at a concert with a N95 mask on is less than ideal. But people were just thrilled to be back in society and interacting with other music lovers.


Once I started going to shows something happened.  Usually I see some dudes that sound like the band I’m there to see and they are usually forgettable.  All of the sudden opening after opening act were these incredible female performers.  It took me a bit to catch on to what I was witnessing.  Strong, intelligent and prodigious female performers were blowing my musical senses.  Once I finally put the pieces together of what was happening, I started paying closer attention to what they had to say and what that said about me.  Beyond the normal love, loss and good times I’ve been used to hearing from most indie artists, I was hearing stories about the unbearable weight of living in a digital, fast paced world and it started to give me a new perspective.  Independent music has been dominated by one narrative- a male one- and it only tells half the story. We are all complicated beings. Sometimes we can get caught up in a world that fits our narrative. It’s easier that way, the world is a scary place and if we keep it small, it’s a little less overwhelming.


This isn’t some new phenomenon that started because we all locked in for 12 months. For some reason, once I got back to shows, these artists just started hitting differently. Hindsight being what it is, this began some time ago for me. Watching Laura Stevenson open for Matt Pond PA in 2016  is one that comes to mind.  I couldn’t shut up about her performance so my wife purchased Wheel for me on vinyl.  One of the first shows I saw after live music came back was Manchester Orchestra on tour in support of their album The Million Masks of God. Opening the show was the Leah Wellbaum fronted Slothrust. Leah came on the stage with fearlessness as her guitar hung across her chest and it became apparent very early on in the set she was ready to shed some feelings. She cranked through a set of catchy poignant songs that quite frankly rocked. Leah is an exceptional guitarist and lyricist that piqued my interest. So the next day I downloaded Parallel Timeline and was not disappointed.  Great album from beginning to end with big guitar hooks and some serious introspective lyrics. Leah sings about the need for everyone to be heard and how unbearable that can be on “Once More For The Ocean.” As she sings, “ I am getting sick of people talking so much/ hold me underwater /not afraid of drowning,” we get some perspective on everyone needing to be heard but not listening to others.


  The next show was more of the same. I went to see The Happy Fits with a friend and opening for them was Snarls, a four piece band with three females and heavy guitars. I was immediately in love with their sound. Once again female confidence and man these girls knew how to have fun! So I checked out their latest release Walk in the Woods. Songs about relationships and the interpersonal struggles we all face. The album shows their youth but the sonic potential is there and can’t wait to see what they do next.


On to more shows, Pom Pom Squad opening for Nada Surf.  Think indie Olivia Rodrigio but with a band on stage with her.  Mia Berrin had a tremendous stage presence with the vocal chops to match. Backed by a solid band she ripped through a fun and energetic set leaving me wanting more. A short time after seeing them Mia somehow convinced Matthew Caws of Nada Surf to re-record their hit “Popular”, a song the band has long since distanced itself from, with Mia singing and Matthew providing backing vocals.


Fast forward a bit and more of the same. Went to see Origami Angel and not one but two terrific bands open for them and quite frankly made their set seem unnecessary.  Insignificant Other opened the show with lead singer Sim Morales dressed as a baby doll and swagger that dared you not to notice her.  They tore through a set of punk influenced rock and got the crowd going. Next up was Pool Kids from Tallahassee FL. A tremendous four piece with Christine Goodwyne leading the way.  They came out dressed in Philadelphia sports team jerseys, the Flyers, Phillies and Sixer all represented. Under the right circumstances I can appreciate some good old fashion pandering. Great catchy hooks along with math rock/proggy riffs had the kids moshing and singing along. It was the type of response that assured me that the next generation of music fans is going to be just fine.


These bands are not about Girl Power.  These musicians are singing about real life problems: bad relationships, both in real life and in the digital world, love lost or found, mental illness and how women are viewed by society. Life is just as hard for the opposite sex as it is for men and our inflated egos. Women have been silently supporting society and bearing the weight of life as muted passengers.  No more my friends, their murmurs have become a bullhorn and frankly it’s long overdue.

So I have a working theory, I will preface this by saying I’m the parent of two teenage girls: The Taylor Swift Phenomenon. But that’s a topic for another blog.


 
 
 

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