California Sound Control
presents...
L.A. WOMAN : SONG BOOK 1
10 best indie female artists:
1. Libbie Schrader
"War On Science"
Schrader's decadent piano rock groove rolls in and out of dramatic percussion loops with lyrics that are confessional and observant, "I'm in disguise just to soothe you", boosted by punches of genuine emotion and thick, bass-y vocals.
(Comparable to Fiona Apple, Paula Cole, Natalie Merchant)
2. Shannon Hurley
"Garden Path"
This imaginative folk-pop song is layered with electric and acoustic guitar sounds that build from a slow rock twang to pulsing distorted tremolos, thick bass and drums, and lush powerful vocals soaring on colorful currents of lyrical imagery like, "The sun is on fire... I'm watching it burn."
(Comparable to Blondie, Leona Naess, Aimee Mann)
3. The Aurora's
"Waiting"
This plucky guitar rock song has a California garage band meets 70s pop feel thanks to Lisa Raye's persistently sunny repetition of "I get so tired of waiting", chiming electric and acoustic guitars, and a bright rolling piano riff with drums and bass keeping it in the pocket.
(Comparable to The Cardigans, The Go Gos, The Bangles)
4. Allison Sattinger
"This Aint Living"
Slow jazzy piano interlaced with long thoughtful guitar riffs and heartfelt bluesy vocals lift Sattinger's words into a potential anthem for the over-worked dreamer, "Workin nine to five, tappin keys that play no melody because I gotta eat to stay alive".
(Comparable to Alicia Keyes, Norah Jones, Sarah McLachlan)
5. Darcy Fray
"Murder in Bombay"
This energetic punk rock tune starts with the alarm that might go off during a prison escape and moves right into crunchy low end guitars that play against Fray's cool dry vocal style, illuminating brittle lyrics like "I'll wash you right out of my sheets like you just weren't here...", and a loud high end riff backed by solid bass and drums.
(Comparable to Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth, Lucious Jackson, Garbage)
6. Rachel Robinson
"My Dog and Me"
This charming acoustic love song provides the musical high equivalent to the one you might get watching your favorite romantic comedy, with a soaring gospel organ sound that swirls around defiantly chipper guitar, rock vocals, and bitter-sweet lyrics like, "We'll stay right by your front door... We'll wait until the end of time."
(Comparable to Carly Simon, Alana Davis, Shawn Colvin)
7. Beth Thornley
"Arrogance"
Thornley's sweet, high vocals ride in and out of slick harmony overdubs to deliver her playful tough-girl attitude, "You'd have to admit your melody could have been stronger all along", with a rocking electric and acoustic guitar-bass mix and happily driving drum beat.
(Comparable to Sheryl Crowe, Michelle Branch, Cindy Lauper)
8. Che Zuro
"Tied Your Baby Down"
This country guitar rock tune chugs along at full steam from beginning to end over a shaker and snare drum shuffle, punctuated by Zurro's low, plowing, and increasingly poignant repetition of "tied your baby down".
(Comparable to Chrissie Hynde, Concrete Blonde, Melissa Ethridge)
9. Leigh Silver
"Everything"
Bouncing pop-metal guitar and rock steady bass and drums cruise along Silver's sexy-sweet vocals, power pout delivery, and youthfully exuberant lyrics like, "Are you real, cause I feel that you're everything".
(Comparable to Veruca Salt, Belly, Gwen Stefani)
10. 7 Violet Way
"I Should've Known"
Cinematic in tone, this sensual slice of goth-rock starts with plucked guitar and Joan Uemera's low haunting vocals unfolding with ethereal keyboard sounds to create a pulp noir feel that peaks with dynamic sound design and ends with a lone hard flourish of strings.
(Comparable to Evanescence, Tori Amos, Dido)
