6 Female Artists Making Waves In The Alt Music Scene!

Written by Ashley Parham. Published: March 07 2024

 

The alternative music scene is
booming. Between social media’s ability to promote artists and the
nostalgic revival of various subgenres of rock and metal, there’s a
wide variety of alternative artists finding success. Today, we want
to highlight the women in particular. Women have had to fight for
their place within alternative music, but they’re absolutely
slaying the scene. Here are 5 of our favorite modern female artists
in alternative music that should be on your radar!

 

1. Scene Queen

Scene
Queen
has released two EPs and several singles. Her EPs,Bimbocore and Bimbocore Vol. 2, were both
released in 2022 and gained traction online. Scene Queen embraces
hyper-femininity and writes music that is meant to empower women.
She creates unapologetically feminist metalcore music and aims to
make women more comfortable in the metal scene. Historically,
female artists have been overlooked in the alternative scene, and
female fans have faced misogyny. Scene Queen is making it clear
that even the girliest girls have a place in the scene, and she is
carving a path for other feminine alternative artists to be their
truest selves. She is a powerful voice in the scene, not only
because of her impressive vocals but also because of her bold
lyrics. Her 2023 single “18+” calls out predatory behavior within
the heavy metal music scene and speaks truths that many people have
avoided acknowledging. Her first full length album is set to
release this Spring, and she has a new single called “Finger” out
now!

 

 

 

2. Honey Revenge

Honey
Revenge
is a female-fronted band from Los Angeles that
consists of vocalist Devin Papadol and guitaristDonovan Lloyd. The pop-rock band leans into both
aspects of their genre. Their debut album, Retrovision,
was released in 2023 and has brighter sonic aspects but also uses
the type of guitar riffs and drum beats you’d expect from a rock
album. They have a fun and energetic sound, but their lyrics have
emotional depth. Their music is reminiscent of the pop-rock music
from the 2010s, but it definitely has a current vibe. Their music
and aesthetic is nostalgic without feeling tired. If you want to
dance, jump, and maybe even cry a bit to process your emotions,
this is the band to listen to. Honey Revenge has previously toured
with Loveless, and they just completed a tour withMeet Me @ The Altar. Album #2 is in the works, and
it’s sure to capture our attention like everything we’ve heard so
far. They have a unique spark, and it’ll be exciting to see what
they do next!

 

 

 

3. K. Flay

K.
Flay
began making music as a response to the misogynistic
music she was hearing on the radio, and she has since released 5
full albums. In 2018, her song “Blood in the Cut” was nominated for
the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song and her album Every Where
Is Some Where
was nominated for Best Engineered Album,
Non-Classical. In 2022, she went deaf in her right ear. After this
sudden change in circumstances, she wrote and released her 2023
album MONO. The alternative rock album is filled with raw
emotion. Her ability to adapt and persist is impressive and
inspiring. As an artist, she is the real deal. Her discography
ventures into various genres with clear rock and hip-hop
influences. Her writing is honest; it deals with mental health,
physical health, and relationships in a way that unlocks deep
emotions. Her songs “High Enough” and “Giver” were featured in the
CW show “Riverdale”, and she has collaborated with rock icons likeTom Morello (Rage Against The
Machine
), Mike Shinoda (Linkin
Park
), Travis Barker(blink-182), and Grandson.
Earlier this year, she released a single called “Carsick”, and she
is currently on tour in support of MONO.

 

 

 

4. UPSAHL

UPSAHL released her debut album, Lady
Jesus
, in 2021, which explores her anger and emotions after
experiencing a messy breakup. Her music is passionate and relatable
to her Gen-Z peers. In 2022, she released her single “Monica
Lewinsky”, in which she, in addition to the title subject,
name-drops Lindsay Lohan, Britney
Spears
, and Miley Cyrus. UPSAHL used the
song to thank these women for what they went through as public
figures in the ’90s and 2000s. Pop culture is notorious for putting
down women and capitalizing on their low moments, but UPSAHL has
used her music to uplift them. We’re always here for women
uplifting women, both past and present, and it’s especially great
to see from a young woman rising in the alternative scene. She has
gained recognition touring with Yungblud,Fletcher, and Melanie Martinez.
Plus, in 2021, Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park featured her on his
single “Happy Endings”. She is a talented songwriter who is in
touch with her emotions and sentiments widely shared by
20-somethings. Her success is only just beginning.

 

 

 

5. Millionaires

Millionaires is a scene group which formed in
2007, rising to prominence via Myspace and becoming a defining part
of the early era of alternative expression on social media. Their
explicit lyrics drew some criticism but were ultimately embraced
within the scene. Their hit “Alcohol” was even featured in the
third series of the U.K. teen drama, “Skins”. The group released
their debut album Tonight in 2013 but became less active
as the 2010s progressed. However, the 2020s have seen a revival of
emo culture, of which scene is a subculture, and in 2023,
Millionaires returned with new members. Founding memberMelissa Marie returned to the stage at So What?!
Music Festival in Dallas, Texas in June of 2023. She brought along
a new lineup consisting of herself, singer Anissa
Zermeno
, and Emo Nite DJ Meredith
Hurley
. The return of Millionaires is nostalgic for
everyone that lived for the era of 2000s electro-pop, and it’s
exciting for the younger crowd looking to embrace this re-emerging
genre. They will be releasing a new single called “MAKE A MiLLi” on
March 8.

 

 

 

6. Chappell
Roan

Chappell Roan is an openly queer alt-pop
artist from the midwest. In 2023, she released her emotionally
vulnerable debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest
Princess
in which uses a blend of bops and ballads to
detail her exploration of sexuality and self. She is quickly
becoming an icon in the queer community, and she is embracing it
fully. Her own journey of self-discovery has connected with a large
audience of people. She appeals to her fellow Gen-Zers who are
figuring themselves out, but she also injects a level of nostalgic
sound into her music. Her ventures between alt-pop and synth-pop
make her an innovative and unique artist of the modern era. She is
currently on tour with Olivia Rodrigo through the
end of the month, and she will be heading out on her own headlining
tour in May!

 

Women have
always been involved in the alternative music scene, and they
aren’t going away anytime soon. These artists are shining examples
of how women are thriving in the modern alternative scene. It can
be difficult to be a woman in a space that hasn’t always welcomed
femininity, but these artists are helping lead the way to make the
alternative scene more inclusive.

 

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