Female voices debunk stereotypes in music and discuss gender
By: Star Child
March celebrates Women’s History Month, a time where we look at the accomplishes of women in the fields of literature, politics, sociology, and so fourth, but I feel that we overlook musicians, particularly in rock music, who have shaped and paved a way for more females to come into the scene. It seems we brush over this. In this piece we hear from females in rock, punk, and hip hop music, as well as a music professor, book author, and riot grrrl enthusiast about the struggles women face, stereotypes, gender equality, and feminism, which sheds light on the importance of understanding and learning about Women’s History Month.
A little history & Women’s History Month
Since the origins of rock n’ roll, female musicians have made some headway. Men first started playing blues and jazz music, with females really focused on singing in groups, as opposed to playing instruments. But as time went by, more females started playing rock music and were picking up instruments. It’s interesting how far we’ve come in rock music and although we often don’t hear about many women rockers, there certainly are many, you just have to be proactive about seeking out the bands because they’re not in the forefront of the media and many are unsigned, d.i.y. spirited bands like Screaming Females, Shiragirl, and Throwing Muses who we talk to later.
Seton Hall University adjunct music professor, guitarist and vocalist Carol Hamersma says:
“I think it’s really important that the women who playing, are given a little exposure because it’s all about role models for young girls and women. You get the idea, ‘oh this is something I can do’ because at first women were seen primarily as vocalists, then pianists, keyboardists. Those were early acceptable role models for women. But now you see women really trying everything.”
Shira of the punk/hip hop group, Shiragirl thinks Women’s History Month is a great idea.
“I think anything helps as far as awareness and visibility,” she said. “You hear a lot more about Black History Month then you do about Women’s History Month. It’s not very well publicized or talked about it seems. I think it’s a great time to bring up awareness for charity causes, like women’s cancer. I don’t have anything against it. A lot of people might say, ‘oh, well, why do we need a month, is every other month men’s month?,’ but it never hurts to have a platform to discuss things.”
Lead singer/guitarist Kristia Moya of Exit She Calls thinks it’s unfair that Women’s History Month is not mentioned a lot. She said that when she was in high school “it wasn’t really brought up a lot and I think it should be, because it’s supposed to remind me of the accomplishments that women have made in the past and present, which helps make it possible for us to do the same for our future generation.”
Guitarist and vocalist Kristin Hersh of Throwing Muses and 50 Foot Wave has a similar reaction.
“I certainly do get angry and bitter historically,” she said. “I would love for things to be different already and perfect for women now. I would love for us all to be considered humans and not our gender.”
“I am often compared to Patti Smith and Sylvia Plath, which is crazy to me. I think it’s very sexist. I have nothing to do with either of those people, taken as people, but because they’re my gender they group us together, as if that’s really all you need in order to be compared to someone is to have a gender in common. I can appreciate it if we need a month to start focusing on historical problems; say, ‘ok this is what needs change ultimately’.”
Part II on the band name confusion coming tonight at 5:30pm.
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