Peanuts In My Pocket

I started a music project in 2017 focused on female recording artists. At the time, I realized they were underrepresented in my playlists; a missed opportunity and, frankly, a bit of an injustice. I spent a year discovering new musicians and learning about historical performers I had never encountered. I’ve repeated the process each year since.

Originally, I set out to create a top 10 list, but I couldn’t rank them. I love these artists and their music too much to force them into order. So instead, what follows is an unsorted collection of artists I admire, with two exceptions, my personal “best of the best.”

Best of the Best

• Sade – Good lord, her voice is sultry, unique, and timeless. She’s one of the few female artists I’ve listened to consistently for decades. Sade is my baseline old-school favorite.
  Favorite Song: Your Love is King
• Maggie Rogers – My current favorite, and for many of the same reasons I love Sade. Maggie Rogers’ voice is stunning, and when combined with the complexity of her music and her powerful lyrics, she’s my hands-down choice for today’s top artist. Her collaboration with Zach Bryan on Dawns is a great example, with her voice floating beautifully over his lyrics.
  Favorite Song: Don’t Forget Me

Old School

• Bikini Kill (Kathleen Hanna, Tobi Vail, Kathi Wilcox, Billy Karren) – My guilty pleasure band. I listen to Pussy Whipped at least once a month, and “Rebel Girl” is a permanent fixture in my top 50 playlist.
  Favorite Song: Rebel Girl (Live)
• The Pretenders (Chrissie Hynde) – If one artist from my youth still makes the grade, it’s Chrissie Hynde. I’ve always been a fan, and I still am. The Pretenders rock.
  Favorite Song: Brass in Pocket
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Karen O) – I somehow missed “Maps” when it first dropped, and I regret it. Karen O is incredible, and the band has been on my playlists ever since.
  Favorite Song: Heads Will Roll

New School

• The Linda Lindas (Bela Salazar, Eloise Wong, Lucia de la Garza, Mila de la Garza) – These young punk rockers feel like the reincarnation of Bikini Kill for a new generation. Their energy and love for punk rock fill my jaded old heart with joy.
  Favorite Song: All In My Head
• Olivia Dean – A British singer with a strikingly beautiful voice. I discovered her by accident while chasing a rabbit hole about Soccer Mommy, and now I’m hooked. She reminds me of Sade in some ways. I could listen to her all day.
  Favorite Song: What Am I Gonna Do on Sundays
• Billie Eilish – I dismissed her at first, assuming she was another fleeting pop act. Then one song stopped me in my tracks, literally. I pulled my car over just to listen. Since then, I’ve been a fan.
  Favorite Song: Happier Than Ever
• Amber Mark – A recent discovery for me. Her music isn’t exactly my usual style, but I’ve already added six of her songs to my playlists, which says a lot.
  Favorite Song: Sweet Serotonin
• MICHELLE (Sofie D’Angelo, Emma Lee, Layla Ku, Jamee Lockard) – My son Jon recommended this group when they first formed, and I’ve loved their harmonies ever since. Each member has a unique voice, and together, their sound is pure magic.
  Favorite Song: FYO
• Orla Gartland – Quirky, smooth, and full of bite, like sipping a fine scotch. My son Michael and his wife Ari introduced me to her, and I’ve been exploring her music ever since.
  Favorite Song: Did It to Myself
• Sidney Gish – I worry she may have stopped releasing music, but every song in her catalog is strong. It’s not just her voice, it’s the combination of her lyrics, style, and originality. I can’t get enough.
  Favorite Song: Imposter Syndrome (Live)

There are more, but I’ll stop here. The key is that discovering new female artists has brought me incredible joy. Along the way, I realized my male-dominated musical tastes were limiting me. Changing course has deepened and enriched my musical experience, and I couldn’t be happier with the result.