Eclectopia Blog

Going over EclecTopia’s playlists, I realized how much music was by women artists. A decade or two ago, this might not have been the case. 

In the dark ages, the female singer, the typical front person in a band, was usually dismissed by musicians as being, well, just the singer. Innovators in the 70’s and 80’s, like Joni Mitchell and Kate Bush, proved that women were a musical force to be taken seriously and it is now de rigueur for women not only to write, but play and produce their own albums. Here’s just a small selection of such artists.

Jesca Hoop was Tom Waits' nanny. Knowing Waits helped launch her career, but her album, Kismet, reveals creativity with an enviable musical maturity. Love and Love Again sounds like something out of the Edith Piaf catalogue. How does a thirty-something do that? Hoop states that on this album she wanted her "inexperience to show,"  but I find no evidence of such.

Imogen Heap bursts with creativity. A bold explorer by nature, she uses every sort of instrument and sound, including her voice as percussion, to make music that defines eclectic. Her performance on YouTube of Just for Now is exciting and innovative. Ellipse is her latest and it's clear that no matter how diverse the sound sources, she can deliver a cogent collection of songs.

Butterfly Boucher (pronounced bough-chur) laid down all the tracks at her home studio, performing on all the instruments herself, before taking her ScaryFragile album into the studio. When she sings on Gun For a Tongue, “Love it and leave it, and know when you're done, Watch out for this girl, she's got a gun for a tongue,” you know this is one artist not to be taken lightly.

Phoenix Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix 

Yes, you’ve probably heard their single, 1901, used as part of a car commercial, and this album is full of catchy pop-rock songs, but also some really creative textures and digital sounds. The band exudes enthusiasm and full-tilt fun with great hooks and arrangements.

Dala Everyone is Someone 

Do harmonies come any sweeter than this? I seriously doubt it. It would be easy then for Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine’s songwriting to lose focus, becoming entranced with the sublime blend of their voices, but tracks like Younger and Lonely Girl proves that these ladies can write as well as sing.

Chaise Lounge The Early Years 

This jazz lounge combo certainly has quite a lot going for it: A solid engine room (rhythm section), great soloists and a singer who captivates. Without this solid musicianship, covers of Talking Head’s Burning Down the House would feel empty. Originals like Bom and Ipso Facto bring back a retro cool. A perfect album for a cocktail party or attentive listening.

Bitter:Sweet  Drama 

What is it about retro that I like so much? This band makes me think of James Bond soundtracks, Fellini films and Euro dance clubs. This is smart and sophisticated music that’s shaken, not stirred.

The Weepies Hideaway 

The Weepies just might be the best folk rock writers and performers on the planet. It doesn’t get any better than this.

Kékélé Congo Life 

When I hear this group, I want to get up and dance. This is a supergroup whose harmonies are sweet and the rhythms are hot.

Mocean Worker Cinco de Mowo!

Mocean Worker, aka Adam Dorn, makes music from sampling classic jazz albums and a myriad of other sources, but this isn’t mere mash-up. This is meticulously crafted art with dance floor credibility.

CéU CéU 

This debut album by Brazilian goddess Ceu (pronounced say-ou) mixes old and new sounds of Brazil with fine results. This album and its companion Remixed EPmake for smooth listening.

Novalima Coba Coba / Coba Coba Remixed 

Afro-Peruvian musicians/DJs Novalima may take many influences and fuse them, but they never forget the power of the groove. Like so many albums today, there is an eponymous remixed album that is equally hot. This is a dance party waiting to happen.

The Submarines Honeysuckle Remixes 

John Dragonetti and Blake Hazard’s music is a little hard to pin down stylistically, but what does it matter when the end result is catchy, quirky rock pop songs? Trying to get these songs out your head is impossible.