In the music world, one major issue lies in the disproportionate booking of femme artists. Though, the problem is much more complicated than booking; sexism is rampant throughout the industry and artists are beginning to speak out about it. At the end of last year, the avant-garde pop revolutionary, Björk, wrote an open letter to music industry sexism. This struggle isn’t exclusive to the past, as it damn well should be. The battle for women’s rights is still very much raging today. This archaic mistreatment can be pretty depressing. Nevertheless, it is important to balance this negative dialogue with a commanding hopefulness and optimism by shining a light on the achievements and talent of female artists.
Treefort Music Festival has always been set apart from the typical. It’s independent focus has bypassed much of the controversy, inequality and general lameness of other major festivals nationwide. It brings together a shmorgishborg of passionate artists, making for a strong community. In my opinion, Treefort is a forward thinking festival to be proud of. There are so many talented women in the massive lineup of this year’s festival. In an attempt to combat the absurdity of sexism with purposeful inclusivity, here is a spotlight of some of those fantastic artists.
Below is a list of our top 5 women artists that will help make this another memorable year of Treefort.
Rituals of Mine
THURSDAY 9:00pm @ El Korah Shrine
FRIDAY 3:00pm @ Woodland Empire
THURSDAY 4:00pm @ Radio Boise
SATURDAY 6:00pm @ Modern Hotel
These women own the stage with influences from hip-hop and electronic dance. Lead singer, Terra Lopez, will stun you in a matter of minutes. She recently had an exhibit in San Francisco entitled This is What it Feels Like. Patrons would walk through dark hallways and experience being catcalled, bringing attention to the common verbal abuse women experience. With plenty of off-schedule performances, you have no excuse to miss Rituals of Mine.
Y La Bamba
SATURDAY NIGHT 12:00am @ Neurolux
The voice behind the Treefort veterans, Y La Bamba, is Luz Elena Mendoza. She taps into her Mexican American heritage for some truly uplifting folk.
Xenia Rubinos
FRIDAY 11:00pm @ Linen Building
“Xenia’s powerhouse vocals are at the center of her music which grows from a wide range of influences from R&B to Hip-Hop to Caribbean rhythms and jazz all delivered with a soulful punk aura.”
The Seshen
SATURDAY 10:30pm @ The Reef
SUNDAY 2:00pm @ Mainstage
“The Seshen is a San Francisco Bay Area-based seven-piece led by singer/lyricist Lalin St. Juste and bassist/producer Akiyoshi Ehara. Their forward-thinking sound combines synthesizers, drum machines, live percussion, and entrancing harmonies to create an unmistakable fusion of R&B, synth-pop, and electronic music.”
Sassy Black
FRIDAY 9:00pm @ Linen Building
“This Goddess of “electronic psychedelic soul” & “hologram funk” explores the concepts of sound through deep compositions. With roots in classical & jazz, her voice is often compared to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Erykah Badu & Georgia Anne Muldrow.”
MORE ARTISTS BY DATE:
WEDNESDAY 3/22
Everyone is Dirty – 8:00pm @ Neurolux
THURSDAY 3/23
Cult Bride – 6:00pm @ El Korah Shrine
Bijouxx [LOCAL] – 6:35pm @ Boise Contemporary Theater
The Foxxtones [LOCAL] – 7:00pm @ Pengilly’s
Death Valley Girls – 8:00pm @ Linen Building
Weezy Ford – 10:00pm @ Pengilly’s
Good Dining [LOCAL] 10:00pm @ The District
Madisun Proof [LOCAL] – 10:30pm @ Spacebar
Dressy Bessy – 10:30pm @ The Olympic
Chastity Belt – 11:00pm @ Linen Building
The Coathangers – 12:00am @ Linen Building
FRIDAY 3/24
Cavegreen – 5:00pm @ Modern Hotel
Luci Kolada [LOCAL] – 6:00pm @ BAAMP
Shady Elders – 6:30pm @ Neurolux
Ana Lete [LOCAL] 7:00pm @ The District
New Shack – 7:00pm @ Linen Building
Grouper – 7:30pm @ Boise Contemporary Theater
Mercy Brown – 8:30pm @ The Shredder
Weaves – 9:00pm @ El Korah Shrine
Wild Powwers – 9:30pm @ The Shredder
Sun Blood Stories [LOCAL] – 10:00pm @ Linen Building
Genders – 10:10pm @ El Korah Shrine
The Still Tide – 10:30pm @ Pengilly’s
Marshall Poole – 11:00pm @ The Olympic
Pure Ivy [LOCAL] – 11:00pm @ The District
a.k.a. Belle [LOCAL] – 11:35pm @ Pengilly’s
Alanna Royale – 12:00am @ The Olympic
Maszer – 12:40am @ The Shredder
SATURDAY 3/25
Know Reaction [LOCAL] – 1:30pm @ BAAMP
Kathleen Williams [LOCAL] – 4:30pm @ BAAMP
Lily Lorenz [LOCAL] – 5:00pm @ The District
Thistledown [LOCAL] – 5:00pm @ Basque Center
My Body – 6:00pm @ Neurolux
Anna Tivel – 6:00pm @ Basque Center
Lizzo – 7:00pm @ Mainstage
The Lower 48 – 7:00pm @ El Korah Shrine
Tele Novella – 8:00pm @ El Korah Shrine
Emily Afton – 8:00pm @ The District
Belle Game – 9:00pm @ El Korah Shrine
There is No Mountain – 9:00pm @ The District
Emma Ruth Rundle – 9:10pm @ Mardi Gras
Shana Falana – 9:30pm @ BAAMP
Windoe – 10:00pm @ The District
Alvvways – 11:30pm @ El Korah Shrine
Thunderpussy – 11:30pm @ Hannah’s
Great Grandpa – 11:30pm @ BAAMP
Thick Business – 12:00am @ Linen Building
SUNDAY 3/26
Kate Tempest – 5:30pm @ Mainstage
Reptaliens – 5:30pm @ BAAMP
Raven and the Writing Desk – 8:30pm @ Neurolux
Angel Olson – 8:30pm @ Mainstage
BOYTOY – 11:00pm @ The Olympic
Psychic Twin – 11:00pm @ El Korah Shrine