Here at KVRX, we are celebrating International Women's Day by celebrating international women, women from where it all began, and women who are breaking new ground today! We curated a playlist of women artists that we believe deserve extra recognition on this important day.
Marta Kubisova - Modlitba pro Martu
Suggested by: Alicja Zapalska
Kubisova's song "Modlitba pro Martu" (1968) became an important symbol of resistance for the Czech nation. When the song was released, the Czech people were enduring the invasion of Warsaw Pact troops. Marta's voice kept hope alive.
Shilpa Ray - Burning Bride
"Burning Bride" is a solemn memorial for the women who have fallen victim to the now-banned Hindu practice of Sati.
Selda Bagcan - Ince Ince Bir Kar Yagar
Suggested by: Harold Urteaga
Selda Bagcan is a Turkish singer who rose to fame for her renditions of traditional Turkish folk songs. Selda experimented with political Rock and Roll in the mid-70s into the 80s. After a coup d'état in 1980, Bagcan was persecuted by the Turkish government and imprisoned three times. This song is one of the many songs where she stood up for what she believed in.
Kedr Livanskiy - Ariadna (Ариадна)
Suggested by: Aaron Martinez
Kedr Livanskiy is a Russian pop/electronic artist. Her song Ariadna is an ethereal blend of sounds that tell about a woman who will save you from your troubles.
Ic3peak - Смерти Больше Нет (Death No More)
Recommended by: Eric Jenkins
Ic3peak's body of work is political, but "Смерти Больше Нет (Death No More)" stands out as the most. "I fill my eyes with kerosene, let it all burn, let it all burn. Whole Russia is watching me, let it all burn, let it all burn." In the music video, Ic3peak sets herself on fire in front of various Russian governmental buildings. Russia has a long history of silencing criticizers and have already arrested Icepeak for her music. We are grateful for all her work and her dedication towards her beliefs- she is truly inspiring.
Maria Peszek - Sorry Polsko
Recommended by: Alicja Zapalska
Maria Peszek is a Polish singer/songwriter and actress. In "Sorry Polsko," Peszek criticizes the ideas of nationalism and the belief that one should be ready to die for their country: "A living citizen is better than a dead hero."
Bikini Kill - Rebel Girl
Bikini Kill is one of the front-runners of riot grrrl music in the early 90s. They are most known for their empowering music and their belief that "if all girls started bands, the world would change."
Emily's Sassy Lime - Would-Be Saboteurs Take Heed
Emily's Sassy Lime was one of the first band in America that was comprised of all Asian-American women. Emily's Sassy Lime was founded by highschoolers Emily Ryan and sisters Amy and Wendy Yao.
Le Tigre - Hot Topic
Recommended by: Sam Stafford
Le Tigre is the follow-up project of riot grrrl legend Julie Ruin. Le Tigre is an important stepping stone from feminist music from the early '90s to feminist music to the '00s and beyond. In "Hot Topic," the members of Le Tigre literally shout out all the women artists who have inspired them.
Lucha Villa - Ya No Me Interesas
"Ya No Me Interesas" is a song sung by Lucha Villa, one of the first female mariachi singers to be respected in such a male-dominate field of music. Ya No Me Interesas is an upbeat number about a woman who is simply no longer interested in the man anymore. While it may not seem revolutionary on the surface, this is one of the few mariachi songs sung by a woman that isn't about her wanting to die after losing her man.
Alix Olson - Womyn Before
Recommended By: Skylar Epstein
"Women Before" is a spoken word song about the history of the feminist movement, as well Olson's own history of her own feminist movement.
Ah-Mer-Ah-Su - Exercise in Self Compassion
"Exercise in Self Compassion" is a spoken word song that is a phone call between Ah-Mer-Ah-Su, a black trans woman, and Davia Spain. In "Exercise in Self Compassion", Ah-Mer-Ah-Su tells us how they learned to love herself. Unfortunately, "Exercise in Self Compassion" is not available online, so here is another powerful song by her: "Perfect."
Shea Diamond - I Am Her
Shea Diamond is a black trans woman who is revolutionizing what today's pop music can be. In "I Am Her," Diamond tell us her past of being an outcast and how she is okay with her past as is not going to let that stop her: "It's obvious I'm proud of me."
Zemfira - Искала
Recommended By: Josie McRenyolds
Zemfira is a Russian rock star who has revolutionized and defined what Russian rock is. To put her role in music in context, she's been called the Russian Kurt Cobain.
Los Valentina - Señora 1
Los Valentina is a Chilean rock band fronted by Valentina Martínez. "Señora 1" tells the story of the realities of many Latinx women, being forced to stay at home and being completely uncomfortable in such an unsettling situation.
Maanam - Krakowski Spleen
Recommended by: Alicja Zapalska
Manaam is one of the rare female-fronted rock bands from the Cold War. I have fallen in love with Kora's poetic words and her smooth, deep voice. We are enterally grateful for keeping art alive in such a strange time.
Grechka - Взлетаешь
Grechka is a 19-year-old Russian singer. Взлетаешь is an upbeat song about not giving up and believing in yourself.
Elisapie - Arnaq
Elisapie Isaac is an Inuit artist from Salluit, who sings most of her songs in Inuktitut. "Arnaq," in line with the rest of the songs on The Ballad of the Runaway Girl, is a hymn for the women in her tribe: living, dead, and missing.