Girls to the Front: Celebrating Independent Women, Queer, and Non-Binary Artists this Women’s History Month
- Stefani M.C. Janelli
- 21 hours ago
- 21 min read
March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the profound impact women, queer, and non-binary artists have in the independent music space.
As a women-founded and run company, The MIC Music Group and The MIC Mag are dedicated to amplifying the voices of artists who are pushing boundaries and shaping the future of music.
We spoke with independent women and queer musicians about their journeys in an often male-dominated industry, the lessons they've learned, and the advice they wish they had received along the way.
Their stories are a testament to the power of community, and the importance of carving out space for underrepresented voices in music.
Hannah
Artist Name: FRUITBAT
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? I’ve always felt inspired by women who were unafraid to take creative risks and experiment with their music - especially women in male-dominated genres. Some examples that come to mind are Kat Bjelland, PJ Harvey, Kim Gordon, Amy Winehouse, Björk, SOPHIE, the list goes on.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them? In general, I’m frustrated by the way the industry treats aging women (or even just women who don’t fit societal beauty standards). I truly think the only way to overcome the pressure of being beautiful and making it young is to completely divorce yourself from these expectations.
How do you handle moments of self-doubt or creative blocks? I’ve learned that it’s better to put something out that isn’t perfect rather than hold yourself back because of indecision. Someone will listen and understand where you come from.
What role do you think women are playing in reshaping the future of the music industry? Women and queer people are finally saying enough is enough. We’re sick of predatory bullshit, and the way that people are now holding each other accountable for these types of behaviors, especially by powerful players, is cool!
"Don’t be embarrassed to put yourself out there (especially while performing). If you hold back, you won’t actually reach your audience emotionally." - FRUITBAT
Renee Maskin
Artist Name: Renee Maskin
Is there a piece of advice you wish someone had shared with you when you were just starting out in music that could help aspiring girls entering the industry today? Learn the craft, be curious about different types of music, and practice like crazy. I managed to do this anyway, but it would have been nice to have heard someone say it out loud.
What role do you think women are playing in reshaping the future of the music industry?
I see more women doing major things in music than ever. Look at Big Thief, for instance. Or Phoebe Bridgers. It's so awesome to see brilliant women songwriters getting their fair share of the spotlight. I also see way more women engineers, women running sound, and women managing bands. It's great!
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? You know, that's such a broad question because it's such a huge and multi-faceted industry. I think individually, doing what you can locally to support people and give them safe, creative spaces to express themselves is a great start. The more people who show up to support that, the more the industry at large pays attention.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them? When I was younger, it was harder, honestly. The people running the sound wouldn't take me seriously. The people running the door thought I was the girlfriend and not the guitar player. Bandmates would try to demote me to being a booking agent as opposed to a main creative contributor and songwriter. In general, though, its gotten better over the years. But challenges are a part of life, and some industry folks are quicker to catch up than others. I think just knowing yourself and your worth, believing in your work, and not letting detractors shake your confidence is good advice for anyone facing adversity, whether it's in music or anything else.
"Do as much as you can for yourself independently. The more you can do yourself, the more you can keep creative control for yourself. That's not to say don't accept help or shop for labels or management or pay for studio time as opposed to doing it all at home, but doing the legwork on your own does teach you the ropes, so you'll have more knowledge of the industry." - Renee Maskin
Roe O'Brien
Artist Name: Roe Knows Best
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? Do you have a story about a time you were uplifted in the independent music community by another woman that you would like to share? When I think about the women in music who have inspired me, I always tend to harken back to Kathleen Hanna & Bikini Kill as the foundation. There's also a UK punk band called Dream Nails that has a song called, "Take Up Space", which I think about a lot as well, as a sort of encouraging mantra and reminder to enter a room with confidence and own it; to drop any fear or reservations at the door; to openly be myself and not minimize myself out of assumed preconceived notions or the comfort of others, which is something I've surely wrestled with as a woman in music.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them? Overcoming these challenges and experiences has taken years. I would arguably say I'm still overcoming them in some respects. They never fully leave you. With either micro or macro-aggressions (passive or otherwise), all leave a stain or emotional scar that you either cauterize or heal and move on, and learn from it to inform your experience next time. I think also openly talking about or sharing experiences with others also helps that healing process, and of course, meeting, performing with, and collaborating with other women & queer folx is great too. I'm grateful that in recent years the culture seems to have slowly shifted (and I think still is shifting) in a positive direction, focusing on inclusivity. It's nearly impossible to make a living from this industry anymore, so if you're going to show up, show up because you love it, and be respectful and nice to others. Gatekeeping and prejudice are so passe.
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? Ultimately, it comes down to providing opportunities and making sure everyone's included at the table. And not just for artists and performers, but for production folx, booking folx, producers, mixers, engineers, etc. It's harder for women, queer, and non-binary folx to break into these fields because the industry has historically been so male-dominated. And maybe that means we have more work to do in breaking into some of these fields. Maybe that also means that cishet men need to take a more active role in making sure everyone's included at the table. I think paid internships (when possible) and active mentorships can certainly be a path forward and provide real-life applications and learning experiences. And if that doesn't work or manifest, do your best to teach yourself whatever you need to know and keep showing up 'til a door opens. Education and persistence are key!
Can you share a funny or memorable anecdote from your time in music? Last year, I played a solo set for William Paterson University's Braveathon, which, to the uninitiated, is an all-day livestream by their radio station & broadcasting department on both radio & YouTube. I show up for my set time, load-in, and am setting up when I realize...I've forgotten my capo at home. It's nowhere in my gig bag. My entire catalog is capo-based, and I started freaking out because I had about less than 10 minutes before I was supposed to go on. I quickly yelled to the room, "Does anyone have a capo?!" Thank God, one of the radio students answered back, "I think I have one!" and he ran to go get it. That guy saved my set. I was SO appreciative, and the set went off without a hitch! I was scared straight, though, and after the set was over, I bought extra capos. There will always be one in the car if I ever forget it at home again!
"Take up space! Let your nay-sayers be damned. You deserve to be in the room." - Roe O'Brien
Stef Leo & Patti Tenicela
Artist Name: Best Dressed Ghost
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? Do you have a story about a time you were uplifted in the independent music community by another woman that you would like to share?
Stef: It was so rare growing up seeing a woman in the scene. I went to any local show I could and always ended up being the merch girl or helping carry a cymbal bag in, but I was too scared to do something myself and almost never saw another girl on the stage. I saw Screaming Females in New Brunswick in the early 2000s, and it was the first time I saw a woman in real life, shredding the guitar and captivating the room.
Patti: So so so many women in music have inspired me! Hayley Williams, Kim Gordon, Kim Deal, Tina Weymouth, and Missy Dabice, to name a few. I constantly feel uplifted by other women in the independent music community who share our music or promote our shows or trade shows with us, or book our band.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them?
Stef: There are multiple things coming at us as women. As someone who's femme-presenting most of the time, it somehow feels like our duty to perform our music is second to making sure we're attractive. People think like, what's the point of being a woman in a band if you're going to dress like the guys in the band. We also come with a tag of "... for a girl." As if our talent is only so good, only goes as far as where the boys start, as if we'll never be able to be at the same level, but we get by with a pat on the head. I think I have overcome that feeling by just pretending it doesn't exist. I can do whatever I want to do, and that's that.
Patti: The constant challenge is feeling like I am only good "for a woman". It is intimidating to feel like I have to play twice as hard and be twice as good just to be taken seriously as a musician. We've gotten negative comments on our content in the past, but it is always focused on myself or Stef and never about the 'guys' in the band. Always having to prove ourselves can be daunting but I think we have just learned to really not give a fuck. Being a woman in a band shouldn't be seen as a gimmick, and I think we are overcoming that label by not letting that aspect define us.
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals?
Stef: Put us on bills! We try to have diverse line-ups and play with different kinds of people and bands, etc., but damn, sometimes we are truly the only women in sight, and forget about queer, non-binary, BIPOC women - you are truly in the boy's club most of the time. And then sometimes it feels like you're begging someone to add you to something so you can be the token queer woman. Just put us on the dang bills.
Patti: The music industry can support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals by making a significant effort to diversify their festival lineups and talent rosters. So many festivals this year have dozens of artists, but only a handful of those have members who are women, queer, or non-binary. The bands are out there, so it's just about including them more.
Would you like to share a piece of advice, words of wisdom, or a story about being an independent female artist? What do you think is the most important lesson you've learned from your experiences in music?
Stef: We are extremely privileged to be a part of a community that prioritizes the arts - I know not everyone has a community like that. However, the most important thing to know is that you get out of your community what you put in. Go to local shows when you're not playing them, get to know other bands in your area, and use the time you are at shows to get to know people. Creativity spreads like wildfire, and in our experience, our shows, songs, and performances have only gotten better because of the influences, friends, and talented artists we have around us.
"Don't let anyone tell you what you are, and do not let anyone make you change your point of view. Something we've dealt with quite a bit is the slew of men musicians who have tried to tell us our songs should sound a certain way, or we need to do something a certain way because it's the way they've always done it. Do not listen to that shit. You have a unique POV, and that's valuable. Push yourself up to the front because no one is going to do it for you and stand your ground on your art." - Stef Leo
Kay Roman
Artist Name: Kay Roman
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? Do you have a story about a time you were uplifted in the independent music community by another woman that you would like to share? When I was around 16 or 17, I played my first show with a woman sound engineer. Not only was she noticeably kinder than other sound engineers at the venue, but she also went out of her way to let me know how much she loved my set and encouraged me to keep it up. When I ran into her again at a friend's show, she pointed me out to her friends, saying that she liked my set so much, even though I was young. That moment means so much to me because it would be so easy for her to just do her job, clock out, and go home, but she chose to be supportive of an inexperienced younger woman in the scene. That kindness and encouragement are still what inspire me today, and I hope to pass them on to the younger generation.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them?
When I was younger, it was just a very lonely space. There were very few girls in my age range playing in bands, and many of the guys were less than kind. I found myself in a lot of scenarios where the guys I would play with would view me as a piece of meat if anything at all. So many "photographers" and "producers" have used art as a way to try to hit on me and convince me I "owe them." Thankfully, with time and a reputation for being a prude bitch (kidding) I have found lasting collaborators and friendships in the scene of all genders and sexualities. It really seems like the music community is changing for the better, and I'm so thankful for the modern inclusivity. Hopefully, it only continues to grow and flourish.
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? We need to stop making women, queer, non-binary, and POC musicians tokens. I can only speak of my experience, but phrases like "girl band" need to go extinct like...yesterday! I still get told that I'm "good for a girl" or get offered opportunities just for my gender in a way that makes my skin crawl. My body and gender aren't a schtick! Treat us the same way you treat straight white cis guys, it's literally all there is to it.
How do you handle moments of self-doubt or creative blocks? Just remember it's not that serious! Just keep practicing, and the inspiration and skill will come.
"I love how women are demanding more respect in general. In the past few years, there has been a noticeable increase in not only women playing festivals and bigger tours, but also an increase in women doing great work behind the scenes. We also see more and more women speaking out about abuse from others in the industry and calling for a safer work environment. We're finding our voices together, and I'm excited for the future.” - Kay Roman
Naomi Jane
Artist Name: Naomi Jane
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? Do you have a story about a time you were uplifted in the independent music community by another woman that you would like to share? So many women in music have inspired and helped pave the way for me to be able to make music my career, starting with Joni Mitchell and Brandi Carlile, to Megan Moroney and Ella Langley. And honestly, I have been lucky enough to partner with one of the fiercest female songwriters and producers since I started my career, Kayla Diamond. She has supported me and honored my vision and voice, as a young artist, from day one. Not all producers do that. I think in part it's because she was a young artist too, and because she believes that we are the minority in this industry and will only rise together.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them?
The challenge I have faced as a young woman is being taken seriously. I feel every time I walk into a room, I always have to "over-prove" myself. I find that working with some male co-writers and producers can be challenging, and I have to make sure that I am heard and that my opinion carries weight.
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? I think the music industry could support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals by having them in real leadership positions. I also think improving pay equity and promotional opportunities for independent women, queer, and non-binary artists would enable more to make a career from their music, expanding the art form and sound.
Is there a piece of advice you wish someone had shared with you when you were just starting out in music that could help aspiring girls entering the industry today? The advice I wish I had or would give is, trust your instincts, trust yourself. Even when you are young, you know who you are as a person and as an artist—don't waste any time with people who try to convince you otherwise.
"The most important lesson I’ve learned is that your ‘no’ is more valuable than your ‘yes.’ Protect your time, your soul, your voice, and your peace like they’re part of your instrument, because they are.” - Naomi Jane
Amanda
Artist Name: Torppsbride
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? I'm only inspired by female musicians. Some of my favorite female artists who influence my music are DeathbyRomy and Ashnikko.
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? There should be a website, categorized by state, that lists every music venue with venue contacts that specifically hire female, queer, and nonbinary artists, and women can reach out to them to get booked more easily.
Would you like to share a piece of advice, words of wisdom, or a story about being an independent female artist? What do you think is the most important lesson you've learned from your experiences in music? When choosing a release date, as a local artist, you should always choose a Wednesday or Thursday release, that way you still get on the release radar playlist but you don't get lost in the sauce of all the big celebrity artists that are releasing on Fridays. Not really advice specific to women artists, but I feel like our hands aren't held as much when it comes to this stuff, and it's things you're not taught.
What role do you think women are playing in reshaping the future of the music industry?
I honestly think women are making the music industry safer for all artists. You hear some horror stories about abuse from large and local artists, and women aren't having it. We're calling it out and standing up to it, in the local scene, we're telling our friends, we're not working with abusers, and we're not letting them in the scene.
"A quote I live by is: ‘why not me?'” - Torppsbride
Belle Shea
Artist Name: Belle Shea
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? Do you have a story about a time you were uplifted in the independent music community by another woman that you would like to share? I'm hugely inspired by songwriters like Joni Mitchell, who paved the way for diaristic songwriting and alternate tunings to be taken seriously. I saw her live at the Hollywood Bowl recently, and she moved the entire crowd to joyful tears so many times over the course of the evening. It was just a magical thing to see a woman, and an older woman, command the stage like that - when she sang "will you take me as I am?" in California, you knew in your very bones that every single person's answer in the crowd was "absolutely yes." I'll never forget it. As for being uplifted in the indie music community, my friend Rachael Chau filmed an entire music video for my EP "Vetiver" in Prospect Park last summer for free, on her dad's old camcorder. She and another musician friend of mine, Laura Mock, walked around for hours with me in the rain, getting every shot, carrying a ton of gear, making me feel so comfortable being on camera, and just genuinely centering me as an artist over the course of the entire project. She also connected me with a great editor, Brianne Neira, to carry the project over the finish line. I can't thank them all enough!
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them?
I think it can be hard to be taken seriously as a girl with a guitar. There are so many men who will explain how to play your songs to you, who will talk or play over you, or who will sexualize you when you're just trying to play the gig. Even worse, sometimes the call is coming from inside the house - you judge yourself for not playing complicated enough chords or hold yourself back from trying out a solo during a jam. I'm still working to overcome that last one. Some of it is just practice, literally - I'm lucky to be someone who turns to my guitar as a coping mechanism whenever I feel sad or uncomfortable or just bored, so I feel very connected to the instrument. I think playing all the time, even in less-than-ideal scenarios or less-than-perfect performance, helps me build up my confidence as a musician overall. I also think it's critical to protect yourself, especially as a woman artist, by choosing only collaborators who uplift you.
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? Listen to us, pay us, and make a point to hire us.
How do you handle moments of self-doubt or creative blocks? Put on a song that you love, but you also think is kind of bad. It's so important to have these songs in your life and dance around to them. Every time I have a good time listening to a slightly bad song it reminds me that making something imperfect is still deeply meaningful.
"Women are the future of the music industry! We have so many fresh perspectives to offer, and I think that's the core of what drives music forwards: wanting to understand the world from another person's point of view and seeing how it lines up with your own." - Belle Shea
Kim Modica
Artist Name: Red Head Redemption
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? Do you have a story about a time you were uplifted in the independent music community by another woman that you would like to share? My mom was one of my biggest sources of inspiration. As soon as I was old enough to talk, she would play guitar and sing to me. She learned quickly that I had an aptitude for being able to remember lyrics and melodies, and she helped put me in talent showcases from the time I was five years old. She truly was my very best friend, and I have missed her every day since she passed in October of 2020. When it comes to the local music scene here in Asbury Park, support from other women is everywhere. From show bookers like Black Lipstick and Queer run bookers like MuseNMonsters, it's easy to look around and find yourself amongst some of the kindest people looking to elevate your art.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them?
I think misogyny is inherent in every aspect of the world we live in, and that is especially true in music. You can see it reflected at times when a lineup doesn't have a single female artist in any of the bands for the night.
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? I think there needs to be more women and queer-centered music festivals, and more opportunities for women and queer-led bands to be signed to labels to elevate their voices. I think one of my favorite Asbury examples of a queer/women-led band is Emerson Woolf, who is absolutely dominating right now. The lyrics in her music reflect the political ecosphere flawlessly without sacrificing a unique sound that makes you want to keep coming back for more. I also think she does a good job continuing to elevate local artists around her by reaching back and giving them opportunities as well.
Is there a piece of advice you wish someone had shared with you when you were just starting out in music that could help aspiring girls entering the industry today? Life is too short to live for the happiness of what other people want for you. It feels scary and intimidating, but you have to believe in yourself, even if others try to dissuade you. Don't lose valuable young years to making other people happy while making yourself miserable. Chase that dream and don't give up on that feeling of hope.
"Kindness will forever and always be the best way to move through the world, and I don't say that lightly. It sounds cheesy, but it's the most core value that I hold in my heart, stemming from the way my Mom treated people my whole life." - Kim Modica
Juliana Frangella
Artist Name: Juliana Frangella
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? I love Liz Phair, Joan Jett, Fiona Apple, Taylor Swift, Kim Deal, and The Wilson Sisters. Too many to list.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them? It’s not easy advocating for yourself in a room of men. So often, shows are run completely by men, and I've had them defer to my father or brother, looking over my head completely. I may be five feet tall, but luckily, I am rather loud, and getting louder, so they don’t have much of a shot of keeping up with that nonsense. I've found that surrounding yourself with good company is the most important thing, and that includes men who get it and support you.
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? I think they need to embrace what people want, and people certainly do want to hear from these voices. Everyone wants to see themselves in the artists they love and the music they listen to. I think we are moving away from the age of modeling ourselves after what we are sold as cool, and instead, what’s already cool is starting to get noticed little by little without that upper motivation. Social media sucks for the most part, but it does allow people to share their music and their expression without other parties dictating to them, so that's got to be a positive.
Can you share a funny or memorable anecdote from your time in music? I always seem to be forgetting entire verses of my song when someone I have a crush on is in the audience. I was playing a show in NYC, and I decided to sing a song I had just written. Long story short, the guy it was about was in the audience singing along, and I forgot the second verse and had to repeat the first to cover it up.
"I think the most important lesson is that effort matters. If you put your soul into what you do, it does show. It might not go viral overnight, but slow and steady, putting in the work will lead to recognition and opportunity." - Juliana Frangella
Ailed Hernandez
Artist Name: Buff Chiq
Do you have a story you would like to share about a time you were uplifted in the music industry space by another woman? One of my favorite memories was performing at the Ladybug Music festival in Wilmington, Delaware with my old band Junkanoo back in 2018. This festival features a 100% female fronted line up, and at the time, I hadn’t played a show like it. Not only was it empowering, but the entire vibe of the festival, the support of the women in the other bands, and the women in the audience, was incredible. It was strengthened by the fact that I was performing with my best friend Areymá (Nicole Santana). The energy at that festival was something I will hold dear moving forward in my musical career.
Do you have any piece of advice, words of wisdom, a quote, or a story about being a woman in the music industry that you would like to share? “Write your life. No matter how young or old, even if you feel like you're not interesting enough, do it. Believe me, you are.“ from Brandi Carlile’s memoir “Broken Horses.”
Did you ever receive any great or powerful advice from another female in the music industry?
My voice instructor in college was a huge advocate for me and my musical education. She pushed me to truly put my voice out there and recognized the hard work I was putting into my craft. She taught me to advocate for myself not only as a woman, but as a professional musician. This advice has been key to feeling confident in putting my voice and message out there.
Any other stories, tips, or funny anecdotes you would like to mention? I started my current band Buff Chiq when I was going through a mental health crossroads. I was out of bands for several years at this point and had almost no creative outlet. I ended up writing so many songs/ideas based on the people in my life. I had just started going to therapy as well and finally found myself in a position where I felt like I could actually share my songs with my friends, and family. And it’s been the best decision.
Also, the name comes from a receipt I got at a chain restaurant that had a funny abbreviation for buffalo chicken wings.
Check out Buff Chiq here!
