I can distinctly remember listening to (a)spera by Mirah one day two summers ago while driving back home after dropping my mom off at work. I don't remember exactly why I had done this since she works in the city and I work in the suburbs but it happened.
Driving down Elston during late morning with this album playing was oddly peaceful. I'm sure the fact that Elston has no CTA bus also contributed to the mood.
Anyways, that's what Mirah is, not even just this one album. They are very mellow and soothing, not something I would usually choose to put on a summer playlist. But if your car has A/C, I would recommend listening to them to reach maximum amounts of chill.
Mirah belong to K Records, an independent label hailing form Olympia, Washington. The list of artists who have worked with K Records is expanisve, including such acts like Kimya Dawson of Moldy Peaches fame, Talulah Gosh, Tiger Trap, Bikini Kill and more.
The label is opposed to corporate control over music and so strictly supports independent music and underground DIY culture. This documentary was made with the label as its subject.
While I watch that, you should definitely have a listen to Mirah.
Carissa's Wierd, a "sadcore" band from Seattle, are so weird in fact that they intentionally spelled the adjective wrong in their title. Very clever.
With the band's relevance and current popularity, it is hard to believe that they formed in 1995. I still listen to a band that began playing when I was 2!
A mix of shoegaze and sad, quiet and slow tunes comprise the band's discography, which spans 6 full length albums, 2 singles and 2 compilations with each Broken Rekids and Keep Recordings.
Jenn Ghetto, one of the band's vocalists, moved on to form the band 'S' and other vocalist Mat Brooke with Ben Bridwell went on to form the popular 'Band of Horses.'
This is a great band to fall asleep to after a long day or when you've had a trying day emotionally. I would know this from experience, of course.
Here is a perfect song that showcases Ghetto's delicate and soft vocals:
While grunge bands were receiving fame in the MTV culture of the 90s, the underground and less well-known shoegaze movement was occurring simultaneously.
This genre saw much more female involvement as bands like Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden and more were all comprised of male members and seemed to cater to men given their rough and aggressive sound.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate Nirvana and other all-male shoegaze bands just as much as I do bands with female members, but the importance of having female representation in bands of the 90s was crucial as it set the scene for current experimental musicians.
The first time I was introduced to the shoegaze, or shoegazing, genre was in the film Lost in Translation.
My Bloody Valentine's song 'Sometimes' was featured in a scene that follows Scarlett Johanssen's character as she rides a taxi through Tokyo after spending a night on the town with Bill Murray's character. (Great movie if you haven't seen it already!)
Since then, I have been hooked and captivated by the dreamy vocals and harsh noise associated with the genre and ask people I know for suggestions of all-female bands who produce this type of music. If you know of any, feel free to comment.
Current bands are still influenced by these groups from the 90s, such as Whirr, Grouper, Tamaryn, True Widow and more.
Some of the bands I will mention still even perform, having been functioning groups since the late 80s or with a break in between activity.
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My Bloody Valentine (1983-1997, active equally in 80s and 90s, Bilinda Butcher was key female member on split vocals and guitar)
Yo La Tengo (1984-present, active for all 10 years of the 90s, Georgia Hubley is sole female member on split vocals and drums, also designs cover art for albums)
Black Tambourine (1989-1992, Pam Berry is vocalist, one of earliest Slumberland record label groups)
Slowdive (1989-1995 & 2014-present, majority of years active were in 90s, female Rachel Goswell on split vocals, guitar and bass. Goswell later went on to join Mojave 3.)
Bleach (1989-1993, Salli Carson is vocalist)
Loveliescrushing (1991-present, primary vocalist is Melissa Arpin-Duimstra)
Mazzy Star (1988-1997, 2000, 2010-present, majority of years active in the 90s, Hope Sandoval is lead singer)
Luminous Orange (1992-present, from Japan, Rie Takeuchi is now sole member but group started out as all-female)
Malory (1995-present?, from Germany, Daniela Neuhaeuser is split vocalist and guitarist)
