Here at last is my review of MayQueen’s first and hopefully not last music video.
Our story in this video is of two coffee shop waitresses, who plan to kill a rather demanding male customer. Spoiler alert they do! The narrative of the clip ties in really well with the song title and chorus.
The aesthetics of the clip also suit the themes. The use of the colour red and the use of a smoky background while our waitresses are planning the unfortunate customer’s demise. A brilliant touch was the spinning plates of food like you would see in a rotating display case in a cafe.
The video was edited beautifully to coincide with the lyrics of the song. Especially in the part with the dings.
There were also blink and you miss it moments like one of the waitresses pulling out a flick knife and the jukebox flicking to War by Edwin Starr.
The waitresses looking at each other knowingly at the very end was a brilliant end to a wonderful music video.
Almost a year ago I did a review of a song called Worst Nightmare by New York City based band MayQueen. Well MayQueen are back with a new single called Oh Tell Me!
MayQueen.
The song starts with brief guitar feedback, then it goes into drums and then straight into the song itself. Almost midway through it goes from an up tempo song to quiet where the vocals go from low to high. Then it goes back into up tempo. There is an amazing guitar solo and an incredible technique is used on the guitar towards the end of the song. The way the song suddenly stops at the end when you’re expecting it to go on is a great ending to a wonderful song.
I personally find the style of this song very reminiscent of the Riot Grrrl bands of the ’90s and early 2000s.
Oh Tell Me! is available on Apple Music, Spotify, iTunes and through Shazam.
This song is Worst Nightmare and it is by indie rock trio MayQueen who hail from New York City.
Band members are Natasha Recoder (who also founded the band.), Ari Bowe and Lucy Horgan and by trade they are a neuroscience researcher, a EMT and a visual artist.
Worst Nightmare began as a poem written by Marjolyn Megaloudis, a friend of the band. Natasha Recoder used the poem as an inspirational tool for her songwriting. She wrote and recorded each instrument herself as well as extending out the original poem.
As COVID restrictions eased the other band members were able to re-record their respective parts to come up with the final version of the song.
Worst Nightmare has an amazing sound. The fact that it has chilled sounding verses that go straight into a fast chorus is incredible in itself. Also when you first hear this song you’re not expecting it to speed up in the chorus, you’re just expecting a really laid back tune and then you’re hit with this fast rocky chorus which is a great surprise. MayQueen say their influences are 70’s and 80’s music, Blondie, David Bowie and the Velvet Underground and you can really hear those influences in this song.
MayQueen are currently based in New York City. They manage to practice and compose together multiple times a week even with COVID restrictions. Natasha Recoder’s apartment is their unofficial practice space. She says much to the chagrin of her neighbours but I think it would be fantastic to have a band like MayQueen practice next door to me!
Worst Nightmare is available on Spotify and Apple Music and there’s an EP coming out soon, so watch this space!
This is Otherwordly, the new single from UK band She Made Me Do it.
She Made Me Do It consists of Shaheena Dax on keyboard, bass and vocals. Will Crewdson on keyboard guitar and vocals and according tho the notes on their website they are joined live by drummer Joe Holweger.
This song has a definite ’80’s New Wave sound along with deep lyrics about a relationship falling apart. Dax’s vocals are unique unlike anything I have heard before and Crewdson’s guitar solo definitely should be up there as one of the best guitar solos of all time.
When I first heard this song it blew me away. To me the sound and vocals of this song are just perfect. If you are a New Wave fan or even an ’80s alternative/indie fan then this song is definitely for you.
The single Otherwordly is out on Apple Music and Spotify from Feb 19th and the E.P of the same name is out on Apple Music and Spotify from March 5th.
Being a female in the music world isn’t just about making great music and trailblazing while you’re at it. It can also be about looking good while you’re creating your music. So we are going to look at seven modern female singers who are also fashion forward. Now I would just like to point out that this is a music blog, not a fashion/lifestyle/beauty blog so while I will tell you what brands they wear I am not going to mention a) how to copy their look and b) stockists. That stuff you’re going to have to research yourselves. If you can even afford most of the brands they wear well more power to you!
LANA DEL REY
With her look of retro 50s and 60s glam, Ms Del Rey is very fashion forward. She graced the cover of U.K Vogue and the brand Mulberry has released a Del Rey bag in her honour. Ms Del Rey is also starring in a series of images for the Gucci fragrance, Guilty.
LADY GAGA
At this year’s Oscars Lady Gaga looked stunning in her Alexander McQueen dress and Tiffany diamonds. A far cry from when she was wearing dresses made out of meat. But don’t worry friends Ms Gaga hasn’t gone totally conservative yet. Just check out some of the dresses she wore to several ‘A Star Is Born’ premieres as well as the awesome leather trench coat ensemble she wore to a London pub. Lady Gaga will always have her own unique style and we will always love her for it!
RIHANNA
The singer Rihanna is a very high-end fashionista and has a chic style with her own individual touches. Some of the designer brands she wears are Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Calvin Klein, Givenchy, Balenciaga, Versace, Alexander McQueen and Dolce & Gabbana.
MADONNA
From rocking the punk look in the ‘80s to fashionista today. Madonna’s style has evolved in the 30 something years she’s been around. From her punk look when she started in the early ‘80s she went to diamonds being a girl’s best friend in the ‘Material Girl’ years to her signature John Paul Gaultiere pointy bra of the early ‘90s while also channelling her inner Marilyn Monroe during that time. And she went to grungy goth during the ‘Ray of Light’ era to grungy cowgirl in the ‘Music’ years. But whatever the year, Madonna’s style just keeps evolving and some of the brands she wears are Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Gucci, Givenchy and Ralph Lauren.
GWEN STEFANI
From cropped tops, eastern inspiration and the Jean Harlow/Jayne Mansfield hairstyle of her No Doubt days. Ms Stefani has now become a fashionista queen who rocks her own designs. From 2004-2005 her L.A.M.B bags where very sought after and around the same time she was taking style inspiration from the unique look of the Harijuku district in Japan. And when she got married, everyone really coveted her John Galliano wedding dress and antique veil. Some of the brands she wears are Valentino, Chanel, Vivienne Westwood and Versace.
MILEY CYRUS
Ms Cyrus made the layered look fashionable by layering dresses over jeans and long sleeved tops. She was also right into jeans tucked into boots when that was the height of cool. Ms Cyrus is into a mix of unique designers as well as classic well known designers and doesn’t seem to wear the same designer twice!
TAYLOR SWIFT
Ms Swift takes fashion inspiration from the ‘50s to the ‘90s and goes for a timeless look. For her signature red lips the lipstick brands she wears are Nars, M.A.C, Covergirl and Lipstick Queen.
These women just show us that you can still have music cred as well as looking pretty!
I’ve decided to review the VH1 100 Greatest Women In Music List. I’m not commenting on all 100 because there are people on the list I’m not familiar with, don’t particularly care for or don’t know a lot of their music. (Plus there were a lot of R n’ B entries and I’m not a huge R n’ B fan!) So here is a look at some of the ladies on the list. Some I’ve mentioned have a lot of cred and some don’t!
AVRIL LAVIGNE
List Ranking: 84
In the early 2000s teenage girls were dressing like her than after 2006-7 she went into obscurity and even had a ‘Paul Is Dead’ style rumour going around. Apparently Ms Lavigne is about to make a comeback.
Key Track: I’m With You.
MEG WHITE
List Ranking: 83
The other half of the White Stripes Ms White is also another female drumming great.
Key Track: In The Cold Cold Night.
SPICE GIRLS
List Ranking: 81
Yes they were a group put together in the style of One Direction but on the same level they were women making a go of it and also strong, positive role models for young females everywhere.
Key Tracks: Spice Up Your Life and Viva Forever.
PJ HARVEY
List Ranking: 79
I think she can just be summed up in that she’s an indie music icon.
Key Tracks: Down By The Water and Good Fortune.
KIM GORDON
List Ranking: 78
The Sonic Youth bassist is the undisputed queen of cool.
Key Track: Kool Thing.
KIM DEAL
List Ranking: 75
Another indie pin-up chick makes the cut.
Key Tracks: Monkey Gone To Heaven and Here Comes Your Man-Pixies.
Cannonball-The Breeders
DIDO
List Ranking: 73
No Angel was one of the hottest albums of 2001.
Key Tracks: Hunter and Thank You.
COURTNEY LOVE
List Ranking: 69
The Hole front woman just keeps on popping up!
Key Tracks: Softer, Softest and Awful.
INDIGO GIRLS
List Ranking: 68
The Indigo Girls have debunked all myths and stereotypes by pointing out that just because that they are a music duo and they’re gay it does not mean they are a couple!
Key Tracks: Joking and Dear Mr President (collaboration with Pink)
M.I.A
List Ranking: 67
This Sri Lankan British chick sure has attitude.
Key Tracks: Bad Girls and Jimmy.
LIZ PHAIR
List Ranking: 65
Lots of indie chicks seemed to have made the list, which is awesome!
Key Track: Polyester Bride.
LEANN RIMES
List Ranking: 62
I’m mentioning Ms Rimes because apparently she’s the only singer who can do the song “Blue” as well as Patsy Cline.
Key Track: Can’t Fight The Moonlight.
SHIRLEY MANSON
List Ranking: 61
Can The Garbage lead singer get any cooler?
Key Tracks Vow and When I Grow Up.
FLORENCE WELCH
List Ranking: 60
“Shake It Out” is the go to song to get you out of that slump.
Key Tracks: Cosmic Love and Shake It Out.
TORI AMOS
List Ranking: 54
Ms Amos also keeps on popping up.
Key Track: The Happy Worker.
NELLY FURTADO
List Ranking: 51
Giving Ms Furtado a mention because the duets she does in Portuguese with the Portuguese singer are really cool.
Key Tracks: Maneater and Fotografia.
AMY LEE
List Ranking: 49
The Evanescence lead singer is classically trained and it really shows in her amazing vocals.
Key Track: My Immortal (normal and band versions)
TAYLOR SWIFT
List Ranking: 43
Just thought I’d mention her because anyone the Kardashians have blacklisted has to be okay.
Key Track: Shake It Off
DIXIE CHICKS
List Ranking: 39
Natalie Maine’s appellation style vocals say it all.
Key Track: Travelling Soldier.
SALT N’ PEPA
List Ranking: 38
Another all female group who were a positive role model for young girls everywhere.
Key Track: Shoop.
CHER
List Ranking: 31
Nice to see that someone with a career spanning just over 50 years has made the cut.
Key Tracks: The Beat Goes On, Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves and If I Could Turn Back Time.
SADE
List Ranking: 30
Just thought I’d give her a mention because she is cool.
Key Track: Smooth Operator.
BJORK
List Ranking; 29
Bjork is going to be on a lot of lists for her amazing vocal range alone.
Key Track: Army Of Me.
K.D LANG
List Ranking: 28
Roy Orbison admired her talents so much that he left Ms Lang the rights to his song “Crying” in his will.
Key Track: Crying duet with Roy Orbison.
FERGIE
List Ranking: 27
The Black Eyed Peas singer is just a groovy chick.
Key Tracks: Mary Jane Shoes-Solo
Just Can’t Get Enough-Black Eyed Peas.
AMY WINEHOUSE
List Ranking: 26
Amy Winehouse is definitely a singer who was gone too soon.
Key Tracks: You Know I’m No Good, Back To Black and the Mark Ronson remix of Valerie.
SHERYL CROW
List Ranking: 25
Ms Crow was one of the biggest things of 1994-95
Key Tracks: Strong Enough and Can’t Cry Anymore.
ANNIE LENNOX
List Ranking: 22
The Eurythmics front woman is a cool chick with a killer voice.
Key Tracks: Sweet Dreams and Thorn In My Side-Eurythmics.
Walking On Broken Glass-Solo
Extra Key Track: Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves duet with Aretha Franklin.
ALANIS MORRISSETTE
List Ranking: 15
What happened to her?
Key Track: Hands Clean.
GWEN STEFANI
List Ranking: 13
In her 20 year career Ms Stefani went from the indie ‘90s look complete with the bhindi on the forehead to a fashionista with her own clothing lines.
Key Tracks: Don’t Speak and In My Head-No Doubt
Bubble Pop Electric and Rocket Ship-Solo
Extra Key Track: Let Me Blow Ya Mind duet with Eve.
Would TLC be still around and successful if one of their number hadn’t died?
Key Track: No Scrubs.
BRITNEY SPEARS
List Ranking: 11
Giving Britney a mention because of her wonderfully weird personal life.
Key Tracks: Oops I Did It Again, Toxic and Do Something.
PINK
List Ranking: 10
Pink is totally awesome in every way.
Key Tracks: Just Like A Pill, Save My Life, Sober and Funhouse.
CHRISTINA AGUILERA
List Ranking: 8
It was her 2006 album Back To Basics that showed us that Ms Aguilera has an amazing voice.
Key Tracks: Hurt and Genie In A Bottle.
LADY GAGA
List Ranking: 4
Lady Gaga showed us that it is very okay to be unusual.
Key Tracks: Just Dance, Alejandro, Americano, G.U.Y, Perfect Illusion, A Million Reasons and The Cure.
MADONNA
List Ranking: 1
We all know why Madonna is No 1. She was an ‘80s style icon, has had controversy follow her, has had a career spanning over 30 years and she’s still going strong! Queen of Pop we salute you!
Key Track: Who’s That Girl.
With a title like 100 Greatest Women In Music you would think that there would be people on the list from the ‘50s to now. That wasn’t the case. Aside from Cher, Madonna and Kylie Minogue everyone else on the list was pretty much from the ‘90s and early 2000s. It would’ve been a much more interesting list if they had included more people from the ‘50s to the ‘80s. If you want to check out the full list go to http://www.vh1.com/news/1238/the-100-greatest-women-in-music/
I have to use this photo because I was sitting too far away for any of my photos and videos of the show to be any good!
I hadn’t heard a lot of positive things about Cat Power’s performances. So when I found out that she was playing at the Zoo Twilights series, I thought it would be a good opportunity to see her live. And I was right. It was a great show.
The support act Julia Jacklin (who replaced Jen Cloher) was really good and her style was very fitting for what we were about to see.
And then Cat Power herself came out. Most of the stuff she sang I was unfamiliar with, but as lot of it still blew me away I’m hoping I’ve got these songs in my extensive Cat Power collection. The moral of the story is don’t skip over songs on your iPod to get to your favourites. You never know what’s passing you by.
The highlight of the evening was her rendition of Nick Cave’s “Into My Arms”. She also funked up the song “Hate” from “The Greatest” album. It was interesting but I would’ve preferred it if she stuck to the original guitar and vocal version.
It is well known that Cat Power doesn’t like stage lights on her. And because of that once it got dark, it was very hard to see the stage. And that was the only negative thing about the evening.
So all in all, it was a great night. A five star performance plus lots of bubbly what more could you want? And I’m definitely going to listen to more of her music rather than skip to my favourite songs!
Most blues fans know of Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters to name a few. But who were their female contemporaries? Here is a look at some amazing female blues musicians.
Bessie Smith (1894-1937) was nicknamed ‘Empress of the Blues’. She was active through the 20’s and 30’s and was the most popular blues singer during that time. Her hits included “Baby Won’t You Please Come Home” and “St Louis Blues”. Bessie Smith was also a main influence on Janis Joplin.
Mamie Smith (1891-1946) was dubbed ‘The Queen of the Blues’. In 1920 Ms Smith entered blues history as the first African-American artist to make vocal blues recordings. The song she is most known for is a song called “Crazy Blues”. Thanks to Mamie Smith’s influence, female blues artists became in demand.
Ma Rainey (1882 or 1886-1939) was born Gertrude Pridgett and was titled ‘The Mother of The Blues’. She was one of the earliest African-American professional blues singers. Ma Rainey was also one of the first generation of blues singers to record. She recorded eight songs for Paramount Records in Chicago and quickly became a blues legend. She recorded the song “See See Rider Blues” in 1924 and has also recorded with Louis Armstrong.
Lizzie Douglas (1897-1973) better known by her stage name Memphis Minnie was a blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. Her recording career lasted from the 1920s right through to the 1950s and has recorded roughly around 200 songs through her long career. Some of Ms Douglas’s best-known songs are “Bumble Bee”, “Nothing In Rambling” and “Me And My Chauffeur Blues”.
Ida Cox (1896-1967) was dubbed ‘The Uncrowned Queen of the Blues’. She was known as being a great performer and is considered one of the greatest singers of the classic female blues period. Ms Cox’s best-known song is “Coffin Blues”.
We met the Godmother of Rock n’ Roll Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915-1973) when we looked at female guitarists. Now here are a couple of more quick facts about Ms Tharpe. Her 1944 recording “Strange Things Happening Every Day” is seen as a forerunner to rock n’ roll and she was Johnny Cash’s favourite singer!
Now last but not least. Billie Holliday! I know she is basically considered a jazz singer but she was considered a blues singer too. Ms Holliday was born Eleanora Fagan in 1915. She had a career that spanned nearly thirty years. Ms Holliday had mainstream success with the record companies Columbia and Decca. Her most popular song is “God Bless The Child” but she is also well known for her version of the song “Strange Fruit”. Billie Holliday died in 1959 from complications due to substance abuse.
So check out these lady blues singers. They’re all pretty cool in their own unique ways!
For the last blog for the year I’m going to finish off by sharing some of my faveriote Xmas songs sung by women of course. A preview of the blog next year are going to be female blues musicians, a couple of profiles on prominent female musicians, a review of a documentary on women in music and a review of the Cat Power concert at the Melbourne Zoo Twilights series!
Women In Stereo 