Let's hear it for the GIRL!

Teresa Haydon
Mar 8, 2019
3 min read

Happy International Women's Day to all you ferocious and rocking females. My personal pledge is to reach out to five ladies that I love and respect to tell them what I love and admire about them.

I am putting a musical spin on IWD and celebrating the importance of Canadian women in music. I just tweeted that I believe CanCon regulations should be updated to use a 50/50 gender mix in content. I would love and appreciate hearing 50 per cent of women's music on the radio each day.

Canadian women have had a huge impact on the music industry. So much so, that you don't even need to mention their last names - like Joni, Buffy, Celine, Shania, Tamia, Alanis, and k.d. But, let's take a minute to talk about some vibrant, sassy and rocking new lady voices that are shaping the Canadian music scene and who stand for inclusiveness, kindness and respect for all. So, here's T's Top 5 Canadian female singers to celebrate.

5. The Beaches

The all-female alternative band from Toronto rocks, wails and shreds - even Elton John agrees. Keep a close eye on this quartet, who opened for the Foos last July, as they as won't be Toronto's secret crush for much longer.

Take a listen to T-Shirt (also covered by Sir Elton during his latest tour). As grade 8 president of the Itty Bitty Titty Committee, I approve of this song.

You know you want more. Check out their cover of Loverboy's Turn Me Lose.

4. Hannah Georges

Anita and I had a pleasure of meeting Hannah after her opening set at Jackson Triggs a few years back. She was warm and welcoming and has one of the most beautiful and distinct voices in music. Recognizing her musical influences, Hannah is releasing a 4-song EP of covers from her fav women songwriters on International Women's Day this year.

Check out Enemies from here 2012 self-titled album.

3. Alvvays

I met Molly Rankin and Kerri MacLellan from Alvvays in a bathroom at the Casbah in Hamilton, and sadly, all I could think to say was I used to sell your parents' Rankin Family records in high school at Music World. Ugh. I should have said, thank you making for legit Canadian rock n roll with coolly singable refrains and a grimy, synth beat. Ben Gibbard, from Death Cab for Cutie called Alvvays' "Archie, Marry Me" his favourite song in 2015 and covered it at a solo show.

Here's Adult Diversion from their 2014 self-titled album.

2. July Talk

I was at the Buffalo show a few years back when an ignorant frat-boy shouted to singer Leah Faye "Show us your tits". I remember her stopping the song, calling him out from stage and having him kicked out. Read the story and see the video here. What happened next should be copied by bands all over the world. They decided to put up a simple poster on the doors and bathroom stalls at each show that says:

On a lighter note, always go see this band if you have the chance - always! Lead singers Leah Faye and Pete Dreimanis put on one of the most playful and spontaneous shows together. Hands down, they are the best duo I have seen on stage.

Here's an early track from 2012 that perfectly pulls together their beauty and the beast sound.

1. Metric

My personal pick for #1 is my girl crush - the endlessly hip Emily Haines of Canadian synth-rock group Metric. In addition to having the best abs and legs in music, she is a champion of children's music programs and active with Global Citizen, a program aimed a tackling the world's problems through social change. I just have to put on "Dead Disco" and I am transported into a confident and womanly groove.