Feminism, Pop-Culture | Posted by Maren H on 02/23/2010

Taylor Swift: Not A Feminist’s Dream

Taylor Swift

Inspired by AutoStraddle’s article.

Now, let me begin by saying I don’t hate Taylor. She plays her own instruments, writes her own song (a fact that at times is painfully obvious) and if she learned how to sing live, she would be a perfectly mediocre musician. She’s perfectly lovely, never rude to anyone (ever) and I also support any woman who follows her heart and manages the difficult task of succeeding in the music business.

However; the fact that she won album of the year at the Grammy’s this year, an honour that had previously been bestowed upon the likes of Ray Charles, U2, Norah Jones, Bob Dylan, JOHN FREAKING LENNON, Michael Jackson, Alanis Morissette, the list goes on, and the fact…

More >

Articles | Posted by Rose Cora Perry on 01/26/2010

The Oxymoron of Being BOTH a Female Musician & a Feminist

AKA: Do I Really Have to Put a Paper Bag Over My Head Just to Get You to Listen to What I Have to Say, Rather than Stare at My Ass?

Rose Cora Perry

I remember a few years back, I received the biggest insult of my life to date, in regards to my career as a professional musician. Some random dude (for no reason and without any provocation on my end) decided to send me a message which said (mind you, in fewer words and with worst grammar) that the only reason as to why I’ve had any success as an artist is because and I quote, “I’m a hot chick”. Not only was I offended because said individual essentially was…

More >

Awareness, Feminism, Pop-Culture | Posted by Robin S on 07/17/2009

The Music Industry and It’s Best Friend, Sexism

Despite my passion for music, I doubt I could ever succeed in the music business. My reasons for this are very simple: I am overweight, I don’t wear makeup and I don’t keep up with current trends, and I wouldn’t change these things if I was told that I needed to in order to be marketable.

market me!

Sexism in the music industry can be seen in a lot of ways—lyrics that objectify women, women being seen as sluts if they sing about being promiscuous while men are seen as “just doing what guys do”, female musicians being held to higher standards of male musicians, etc. Amanda Palmer, for instance, is an artist who has faced the beast we call sexism with…

More >