I recently had the rather unpleasant realization that many of my past articles have been a bit...dare I say it? Man-centric. I don't want you all to think I have undue amounts of internalized misogyny or that the NYC scene is just some dick measuring competition so…I'm gonna highlight some bands from or based in NYC fronted by powerhouse women that will knock your fuckin' socks off. I am, of course, referring to the enthralling Anna Kunz of Torture and the Desert Spiders, McKenzie Lazzatta of Trophy Wife, Bec Lauder of Bec Lauder and The Noise, and Skorts (duh). All four of these acts are heavy hitters and they will leave any wimpy acoustic singer-songwriter that has the misfortune of sharing a bill with them in the dust. It's not that I don't like a little Joni/Joan-inspired number or two, I'm just tired of all the big indie- or rock-adjacent female artists being a wash of melancholic, self-reflective, folky bedroom pop to the tune of Clairo, Phoebe Bridgers, and Adrienne Lenker. (Disclaimer: I have so much respect for their work, I just crave something a little less unoffensive sometimes dammit. I’m ready to see some more fury on stage from women again.) Now kids, before you all come raging into my DMs about how Lenker is a generational talent (which I do think she is, in terms of songwriting), plzzz hear me out: In my lifetime, short though it may be, maybe the only big female-fronted rock number around (and definitely the only one out of NYC) was the Yeah Yeah Yeah's. This is not to discount the contributions of female pop icons of the early 00’s or alt acts like Grimes and Sky Ferreira, they just...aren't Karen O. All this to say, seeing acts like Torture and Trophy Wife just bleeding grit on stage has been such a relief. 

If you’ve been paying attention to the nyc music scene even a little, you’ll know we're supposedly living through a kind of “Meet Me in the Bathroom pt. 2” (™ to Sarah Feigan <3) or at least a resurgence of rock in New York. And, unfortunately, just like the early oughts, the boys are still hogging the spotlight. At the risk of sounding like a first-wave-girls-rule-boys-drool feminist, the women deserve more credit than what they’re getting billing-wise. There are bands everywhere you look and it's easy to get dragged along to yet another friend's boyfriend's third band's show where the front man is trying to be one of (or all) of the following:

1. Steven Tyler/ Robert Plant Sex God thingy,

2. Kurt Cobain/Eddie Vedder flannel-wearing sad boy,

3. Liam Gallager/Julian Casablancas scruffy with an "I'm too cool for you" attitude. 

Insufferable. I'm here to tell you there is another, poseur-free, way! (Leave the saving of rock 'n' roll to the men? I don't think so.) All of the following bands are fucking electric on stage and I'm tired of seeing them as supporting acts, so let's give them the attention they deserve. s

Starting off strong with one of the first bands I saw when I moved here: Bec Lauder. Bec fronts the all-girl outfit Bec Lauder and the Noise. She has this sultry, raspy alto voice that she uses to belt out anthemic rock numbers, and is managed by legendary former Strokes manager Ryan Gentles (aka Wizz Kid Managment, aka Weezer). Flashy outfits (which I could write a whole other essay on) and picture-perfect stage antics aside, there’s a sincere sense of fun and humor to her performances. 

It's wholly singular but feels like it might have come from another, more analog, era. Torture's just as ferocious in gigging as she is vocally. You can almost always find a Torture gig (solo or with the band) somewhere in the city. And you're always guaranteed a show. Back to my earlier point about wanting to see some headlining shows form these bands, Torture is performing on April 16th at Mercury Lounge AND every Tuesday at a seemingly endless residency at Baker Falls <3

Also a regular around the city, Trophy Wife's McKenzie Lazzatta, has a keening, acrobatic voice that plays so nicely over the bands distorted, sometimes squealing, guitar and heavier drum parts. This band is masterful at creating nuanced emotional states. Their sound is the whine of a slow heartbreak when you're furious at being hurt in the first place. It's brutal and tender all at once.

Visually and sonically, they revive that volatile era of the late 70s/early 80s where disco died and punk was born. They feel sort of like if Debbie Harry's persona was made into music. Although they only have 5 singles out, their live sets are full of new stuff and are about as close as you can get to experiencing a classic rock band without the stadium. They'll be performing 6/16 at Mercury Lounge with ISTA. Be there or be a fuckin loser...

Finally, Skorts is just a ton of fun. They have two(ish) front women ....... who can both belt like a mother fucker. The act is generally to the tune of Heart, but has some Sabbath-like riffs and an oh-so-danceable rhythm section. They even did a stint as a Heart cover band for Halloween last October. The band’s main front woman has a haunting lower range that gives their sound a duskier quality (in a Kate Bush, Pat Benetar witchy way) and keeps them out of hair metal/Abba territory. Visually and sonically, they revive that volatile era of the late 70s/early 80s where disco died and punk was born. They feel sort of like if Debbie Harry's persona was made into music. Although they only have 5 singles out, their live sets are full of new stuff and are about as close as you can get to experiencing a classic rock band without the stadium. They'll be performing 6/17 at Mercury Lounge with ISTA. Be there or be a fuckin loser...

Look. Whether you're one of my hometown friends, or I met you last week at some bar and took a picture of your star tattoo, you should pay attention to these bands. It feels like there is something getting ready to boil over and there's nothing more exciting than being in on the ground floor. Now, go forth! You little music snobs. Give 'em the good ol' "I listen to Everything" try. 

[OK, kids. You made it to the end. I just want to leave you with one last thing before you return to doom scrolling or stalking your ex-situationship. There are SO many amazing people out there making music in the city and if you want to hear about them you should subscribe to the darling Sara Feigin's Substack. She is a superstarbadass anddd I may have something in the works about her coming to you soon.] 

mmmwah