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Entertainment November 27, 2016
When you think of modern female rock icons you think of the likes of Gwen Stefani, Karen O, Haley Williams and Debbie Harry. What connects these women – besides their strong vocals and unique fashion – are their roles as the leaders of all-male rock bands.
Rock is commonly considered a space for men. Women in rock are often characterized as the girlfriend, the wife or the groupie. They’re the ones that inspire songs not write or play them. In addition, they are not considered on the same level musically as their male counterparts.
As the lead singer of Los Angeles-based indie rock group Night Talks, Soraya Sebghati leads a band of four men that includes Jacob Butler, Josh Artega and Cris Arteaga. “People often underestimate the amount of musical knowledge that front women possess—whether it’s about the music of the band or the equipment,” Sebghati says. “This leads to sound guys asking the guys in the band questions that should be directed to me instead. Now I try to address those things before they even think to ask anyone else. People are also usually surprised that my voice comes out of ‘such a small girl.'”
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Sebghati also discussed her treatment as the girlfriend rather than the musician. She says, “There have been quite a few instances during which we’ll arrive for load-in and people who work at the venue in some capacity ask me if I’m there because I’m the girlfriend of a band member.” According to the singer-songwriter, this kind of gendered expectations pushes woman off the stage.
“I feel really lucky that within the band we all treat each other as equals,” Sebghati says about her band members. “They’re a great support system for me and are quick to back me up when difficulties relating to my being a girl arise from external sources.”
Haley Williams has frequently spoken out about the sexism she has experienced in her 10 years as the front woman of Paramore. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Williams describes her reaction to one man’s sexist comments. “I realized that I’m the one with the microphone,” she says. “I’ve got power here. I don’t have to be quiet. Sometimes there’s strength in letting your actions speak for you, but in this moment I was like, ‘I don’t have to take this.'” The man was thrown out of the show soon after.
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While rock & roll is often considered rebellious and nontraditional, the experiences of these women show that sexism within the genre has not come to an end. However, women from past decades like Stevie Nicks, Janis Joplin, Cyndi Lauper and Joan Jett and modern-day stars like Brittany Howard, Haley Williams and Gwen Stefani prove they can hold their own.
These female rockers are not only rocking but paving the way for young women of every shape and color. “I feel that my place in the music industry comes with the big responsibility of helping to open the door for other women of color to not only exist but also excel in spaces that we often aren’t expected to,” Sebghati says. “I want young girls who don’t fit the typical Eurocentric mold to look to me and see it as proof that they can succeed here too.”
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