Girls in Bands

Written by Molly McCarthy

Why is it that male bands continue to grace the covers of our music magazines? Why is the stereotypical ‘groupie’ a young, excitable, obsessive female? Why is it that in New Zealand, and indeed in the world music scene, males far outnumber females?

Even in today’s largely egalitarian society it seems that being a successful female musician is about being a paparazzi product, rather than the music or the skills of the musician. Media coverage is granted to pop sensations like Britney Spears who show their skin, rather than their skill. Yet the music industry is not void of talented female musicians – far from it. Singer-songwriters such as Feist and Cat Power are rapidly gaining international acclaim while artists such as Björk, Peaches and Karen O (of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) continue to display wild stage antics that far outshine the Jagger Swagger. Closer to home, Bic Runga continues to find success both in New Zealand and overseas and is one of the highest selling New Zealand artists of all time.

Many girls’ dreams of forming a band have sadly remained but dreams for reasons ranging from lack of talent, lack of instruments or indeed, lack of a name. Having been in numerous, yet sadly failed bands, I well understood the trials and tribulations associated with the often-uttered, optimistic statement, “Let’s start a band!” Even with my menagerie of instruments – two guitars, a saxophone, drums, a melodica, several kazoos and frog-shaped percussion, my bands unfortunately never made it past “the garage stage”. With these experiences under my belt, I set out to find some female musicians who were leading the way in the Auckland music scene. I was determined to prove that other girls could succeed where I had failed – and maybe lend me a few tips along the way. 

It’s fair to say that Gala Morris was immersed in music from a young age. “Both my parents are musicians (Rikki Morris and Debbie Harwood) so I sort of got into music… naturally. Just playing whatever I could that was at my parents’ house because they had a piano and a keyboard and a guitar. I picked it up and just got into it. My influences have been my mum and dad. And… nothing else really, just my parents.” It is unsurprising then, that Gala, at only 14, has already made her mark on the Auckland music scene. This year Gala played bass for her band Simon Says with friends from Takapuna Grammar and Rangitoto College. Simon Says then went on to come second place at the Rockquest North Shore regional finals – an incredible feat for someone so young. Perhaps Gala’s achievement will be an inspiration for more young females to take part in a male-dominated industry. “I just think that there have been more men in the industry – in a general sense - due to music being more available to them in the past. In the mid 20th century women were busy cooking, sewing and raising children and didn't really even consider picking up a guitar. But times are definitely changing.” And her advice for aspiring female musicians? “Just get out there and make yourself heard. That’s basically all you need to do. Even if you’re not very confident, just to be out there. Just, girl power!”

Madison Plummer is another young female musician making her mark on the Auckland music scene. After being inspired at a young age to take up the drums, Madison has since branched out into guitar and all things percussion. “I had a dream. I was seven and I was just the coolest cat and I was playing the drums and it was just the best feeling. Then I woke up and I was just like, ‘Mum can I have some drum lessons?’”
She is currently playing in two bands but also loves a bit of wholesome busking now and then. “Last year I was in my first serious band but that wasn’t really my type of music. But it really helped with being able to play in a band. So that was the way I went about it – just like oh I’ll just play in this band and get all right at playing in bands and then this year that sort of came to its own end. Now I’m in two bands. One’s called Fun With Meat. My dad thought of the name! Anyway – that’s me and three other guys. My other band is with a talented young man called Phil and we sort of have other members who come in but no one else really permanent.”
Madison hopes to continue making music in the future, “I’d really love to be in a band that does everything and that people like. And not one that people clap for when they’re playing and then bitch about behind their back. A band that people genuinely like - something entertaining. I’ll definitely keep playing music forever – unless blisters consume the rest of my body.”
With her strong views regarding girls in the music industry... “I hate to say it, but it’s so accepted that there’s just more male musicians than females which really sucks but it’s true. It’ll only correct itself once females defy that.” Madison leaves a firm hope for the future of female musicians everywhere,  “Don’t be put off by people who are arrogant. And don’t be scared off by music as just a big thing. I used to feel like music was just like this big exclusive thing and it’s not – anyone can make music. Some of the most beautiful music is really, really simple and so, you know… just do it.”

Like Gala, Emily Giles lived and breathed music from a young age – from the womb, in fact,  and is already an accomplished musician in the New Zealand folk scene. “My parents were a big part of the Auckland folk scene. Dad runs the Devonport folk club – it’s an amazing place – it’s a really atmospheric place and it’s got a really cool community. I was brought up playing the cello classically. About seven years ago I started jamming with all the musicians up there because everyone wanted a cello at the time. It was sort of my apprenticeship into folk music. It was very cool – a very easy way to do it too.”
Although a classically trained cellist, Emily now plays “staunch and funky” music for three Auckland bands and also regularly works as a session musician. “Being a cellist has influenced what I’ve done because lots of people want cello. So I’ve ended up doing session work, which is being hired to play on people’s CDs. People I’ve never met send me a CD and I figure out what I can do with it, make something up. So a lot of my work is listening to other people’s music and in the end, hoping they like what I’ve come up with.
Then there’s Forbidden Joe which is the folk group – sort of experimental folk. And then there is Reintarnation which is ‘new grass’ which is kind of jazzy blue grass. But very much blue grass orientated sort of instruments. We’ve got double bass, cello, mandolin and banjo. So no guitar, it’s a really nice sound. And then I’ve just started playing in Mothra. I’ve just joined them, so that’s a really interesting one. Totally different sound for me, playing with all guys which is cool.”
Emily’s experiences in the folk scene have given her some perspective on the roles of males and females in the folk scene. “I suppose at festivals and jamming situations men seem perhaps more likely to get up and perform than women are - but I wouldn’t say that’s necessarily a musical thing, I would say that’s more of a reflection of people in society.”
And Emily’s advice for girls wanting to jump on the band-wagon?
“Just start playing with people. That seems to be the best way. Especially in a small place like New Zealand, if you know people, if you’ve got contacts with people then anything can take off and snowball. It’s just about making connections with people and also learning how to play with people.”

And that was that. In one fell swoop my hopes in the future of female musicians and indeed, myself, had been restored. Music – albeit male-dominated – is not something to be afraid of, but embraced. Music is about creating something and connecting with other people. Anyone can take part - and, as Madison says, it is up to females to defy the current stereotypes. With Gala’s advice, “Just…girl power” firmly in mind, maybe I’ll dust off my kazoo…

Molly McCarthy