As we noted in our 20 Hottest Men in Indie Music feature last month, it’s hard not to fall in love with a talented musician when they’re on stage giving you a memorable performance. Now it’s time to give the accomplished ladies their shine. From their extraordinary talents, to the way they own the stage, and their candid charm, their style and of course looks — there are so many things that make an artist “hot.” Let’s be honest, all these fierce ladies have got it going on in every way. Check out our selections for the 20 Hottest Women in Indie Music (and then some).
Alison Mosshart
She can croon like a kitten, and she can rock out with the best of them. Almost always clad in black with a leather jacket and some sort of funky button-up, Alison Mosshart, frontwoman of The Kills, is the baddest of bad bitches. And I do mean that with the ultimate respect. There’s nothing basic about this fierce indie rocker who’s been doin’ it since 1995. It’s no surprise Jack White asked her to be a part of The Dead Weather or why Queens Of The Stone Age just toured with her band The Kills. Most recently, Mosshart performed with the legendary Stooges guitarist, James Williamson. She has also teamed up with the iconic British post punk outfit, Gang Of Four.
Warpaint
All four of these badass gals can rock with the best of them. Theresa Wayman, Emily Kokal, Jenny Lee Lindberg, and Stella Mozgawa never fail to impress. They’ve perfected their live show and no two shows are the same, a true treat for fans who can’t get enough. Seeing them live is like engaging in a 21st century tribal chant, and what’s sexier than that?
Meg Myers
This Tennessee-transplant has been igniting LA with her broody and dark songs for the past few years. Combining skillful songwriting with an impressive vocal range, it certainly doesn’t hurt her case that she’s a mirror-image of a prime Alyssa Milano. The vibe you get from many of her songs is she’s that somewhat unhinged hot girl that you know you should stay away from — but can’t. Her debut full-length is due out sometime early 2015 and we are waiting anxiously — she’s going to blow up.
Jehnny Beth of Savages
I remeber catching Savages’ Los Angeles debut at The Echo back in 2013, and was mesmerized by how remarkable this band was in all their post-punk greatness. Front woman, Jehnny Beth sings with so much passion, it’s absolutely riveting and goosebump inducing. Not to mention, she’s totally cute. Looks like a young Winona Ryder.
Kelela
If her slow jams aren’t enough to get her on this list, the ease in which she displays the comfort she has within herself on stage surely is. The best is yet to come from this talented R&B singer, so keep your eyes peeled.
Lykke Li
This Swedish dream pop singer has perfected the art of the breakup album multiple times over. That said, she’s able to construct quite the hot track. She’s one of indie pop’s most consistently entertaining performers and there’s no doubt she’ll be looking fly during her return to the desert at Coachella this April.
Jenny Lewis
Jenny Lewis might just be the queen of indie folk rock. Since fronting Rilo Kiley more than a decade ago, she’s proven herself as a performer and as a songwriter. She’s so lovable as “just one of the guys,” and just seems like that lady you’d love to share a joint and shoot the breeze with. It’s insane to think that Hannah Neffler from Troop Beverly Hills has made it all the way to this spot. She’s just got chill vibes and her extensive jumpsuit and rainbow-colored suits collection puts her over the top.
Isabella Manfredi from The Preatures
Call her this era’s Chrissie Hynde. Simplistic in her stage attire, a white t-shirt and a black leather jacket with some tight jeans, Manfredi’s a throwback to gritty rock and roll. On stage, she’s a whirling dervish and her chemistry with her Preatures bandmates is a sight to behold.
HAIM
As one of my Jewish female friends put it, HAIM “made being a Jewish girl cool again.” They’re like a rock ‘n’ roll Wilson Phillips with the stage banter of Blink-182. Extremely talented, goofy, and full of that mentality that they give zero f*cks, they’ve seen a meteoric rise the past few years. We’ll even forgive them for forging a friendship with Taylor Swift.
Kimbra
I’ll never forget seeing Kimbra at Life is Beautiful last October, complete in a dress that would have made my five-year-old niece lose it. She’s got a unique style that blends a multitude of genres and she’s proven quickly she’s much more than “that girl who sings on that one Gotye hit.”
FKA Twigs
The wizardry in which FKA Twigs manages to perform a live set is mystifying. She’s got a sixth sense for feeling the vibe of her performance and there’s no amount of training that can help one replicate what she’s able to pull off on stage. And you wanna talk about hot? Just peep the cover of that issue of V.
Sharon Van Etten
What’s hotter than baring one’s soul for the world to hear? New York’s Van Etten has been melting souls for years, and her sense of humor in between those moments of pure heartbreak show you there’s so much more to her. She’s going to be around a long, long time, and her music has proven she’s going to age like a fine wine.
Sarah Barthel of Phantogram
There’s something about the way Barthel moves on stage. Her head-bob in biting, spitting verses to “Fall In Love” will have you doing just that with the gal who has hooked Shaun White. Her unique raspy voice is sexy as hell too. At Life is Beautiful, my friend who was previously unfamiliar with Phantogram became an instant fan of the band — but even more so Barthel. “She’s just feelin’ it, dude! I love it!” he said. We all love it.
Teri Gender Bender
Teresa Suarez, perhaps better known as Teri Gender Bender of Le Butcherettes, is one of the most enigmatic young musicians to hit the rock scene in quite awhile. Perhaps this is why she’s been sometimes referred to as the “Latina Bjork”. The Denver-born but Guadalajara-raised beauty, is a passionate and manic goddess on stage with her band Le Butcherettes. That same passion is delivered with her other band Bosnian Rainbows, minus the possessed-like tendencies. She is quite the sight to see live.
Deap Vally
These fiery Los Angeles-based women are the epitome of rock ‘n’ roll. From their funky fashion, wild manes and rippin’ music, if you’ve ever seen these babes take the stage, you know their blood runs with rock ‘n’ roll. They are a beautiful sight to be seen on stage, and not just because of their good looks, but because they are incredible live.
Dee Dee Dum Dum
Known as the sexy frontwoman of the Dum Dum Girls, Dee Dee Penny (aka Kristin Welchez) will enchant you with her music or her great looks. Like a siren, she calls to those with her indie dream pop and once you fix your eyes on her, it’s over. You’re hooked. This once L.A. girl has it all: style, sex appeal and a voice that just makes you all warm and fuzzy.
Angel Olsen
This indie folk artist has a very vintage-sounding style, and when she’s performing on her own, you can hear a pin drop. She’s perfected the art of awkward but cute between-song banter as she pummels your soul with heartbreaking jams one after another. The way she breathed new life into an old Jackie DeShannon song during her El Rey performance last year while she looked fantastic in a black dress was mesmerizing.
Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent)
Annie Clark aka St. Vincent got a well-deserved GRAMMY this month for her kick-ass self-titled album. The way she approaches her music and her performances should have her as a must-see anytime she stops in a town within driving distance of where you’re at. There’s a reason the remaining members of Nirvana chose her a few years ago to front the band for “Lithium” at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. She’s the future of alt-rock and damn if it doesn’t make one feel like a million bucks.
Katy Goodman of La Sera
With nasty guitar licks and those siren-like vocals, Katy Goodman of La Sera is a sure L.A. favorite. Not only is her voice sweet, it can turn spicy when she throws down those punk vibes. Goodman is a sight to see on stage as well, with her tall voluptuous presence and that strawberry blonde hair, fans easily fall in love with her.
Kate Nash
If you would have told me that the teenager who put out Made of Bricks all those years ago would turn into a full-fledged punk rock princess, I don’t know if I would have believed you. But newly-minted Los Angeles resident Nash has transformed herself into a serious kick-ass rock star, and she never fails to arm herself with ladies who can slay on stage just as much. Pretty much a highlight of my 2014 was Kate Nash telling me at FYF Fest that I was cool enough to be in her “Girl Gang.” If you’re unfamiliar, Nash has used her status only for the best intentions and champions feminist and other causes that everyone should become acquainted with.
Words: Mark E. Ortega & Sandra Burciaga
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