Here are five female fronted bands I saw at SXSW in 2013!
The Coathangers are from Atlanta, Georgia and are signed to Suicide Squeeze records. They play Punk rock and people were moshing around me; so I made my drawing fast and loose. I think they had four members at this show but there are only three permanent members. I don’t know who I drew several times, they all have dark hair and wild haircuts. I saw them once in Brooklyn too.
Thao is one of my favorite musicians/songwriters. This show was delightful. I was shocked when I heard an instrumental version of one of her songs advertising Ford trucks.
Look at this promotional photo and tell me I didn’t absolutely nail that bass player.
I was going to leave after Thao was finished playing, but was oddly intrigued by the instrumentation that was getting onstage, banjo? clarinet? hmmm. I stayed and I’m glad i did. I was blown away by this ensemble from Madison, Wisconsin. They went on tour with Dr. Dog and with Deer Tick. Their album is great, and they made a complete album long music video, which is a great introduction to them and shows the house they all live in and the messes they make. Check them out online and don’t confuse them for Fleet Foxes or Foxygen.
Charan Po Rantan play balkan circus klezmer polka, from JAPAN! They dressed in adorable costumes and danced around the stage. I saw them as a three-piece with a drummer, but on their record, and at some shows in Japan, they are joined by a full band and horn section. This is very fun, energetic music, and maybe not what you’d expect from a pair of young Japanese sisters. On Youtube, you can find videos of them singing American hit song covers. This site is in Japanese, but you can read a little more about them here.
Isaac and the Awkward Situations 