More Than Just Paramore: Why You Should Stop Comparing Female-Fronted Bands to Paramore
Nearly every time women in music begin to make waves within the industry, the ever-so-cliche response occurs: “They remind me of Paramore.” Whether it is a band or solo artist, the same comparison is usually given. As a journalist, I find this analogy to be especially lazy. Paramore was not the first female-fronted band to hit the alternative scene, so why do “fans” always compare every woman artist to Paramore? Some argue that Paramore is just the biggest name in the scene, making it the first name to come to mind. Could this be an attempt at a compliment or just a downright insult? Whether it is an ignorant form of endearment or cryptic misogyny, we as a culture need to retire the Paramore analogy as a whole.
Do not get me wrong, I am quite the Paramore fan, and as a journalist I am constantly comparing and contrasting artists within the industry. That being said, I still absolutely despise comparing any artist to Paramore. Even if the band in question fits a Paramore vibe, the ultimate overuse of the analogy brings negative connotations, whether intentional or not. Women have existed in alternative music long before the likes of Paramore and will continue to keep popping up, each artist with their own unique twist. I mean, are we really going to forget about the draw Joan Jett brings with her band the Blackhearts? Both in 2006 and 2018, bands and fans alike swarmed the Warped Tour stage to watch Joan Jett and the Blackhearts perform, a band who has been active and rocking out since 1981! The list broadens when it comes to the age of Paramore including but not limited to We Are The In Crowd, Straight Line Stitch, Hey Monday, Lights, and Tonight Alive. There is no shortage of fantastic women artists across the entire alternative umbrella from shoegaze to metalcore and everything in between; so why default to a dragged out dusty cliche?
Several frontwomen shared their experience on being compared relentlessly to Paramore. Some are utterly disgusted by the comparison while others do not particularly mind, yet prefer to be compared to someone more their sound. I reached out to some bands across the alternative scene and asked about their thoughts on the matter, as well as how they would personally describe themselves.
How would you best define your style of music?
Cindy Clark (Mediocore): I’d define my music as rock, post-grunge, or art rock.
Kailynn West (Tiny Stills): We’re a little indie pop, a little punk/emo. If Green Day and Taylor Swift had a baby, that might be us. We want to make you cry, but we still have some teeth.
Kayla Renelle (Voluntary Hazing): I sing in Voluntary Hazing, which is a 12-person ska and pop-punk band from San Jose, California. 7 out of 12 members play horns/saxophones, and that brass really shapes our sound and music.
Kalie Wolf (Rivals): I would say it’s mostly alt-pop rock with hints of heavy and light. We try to go all over the place in regards to genre.
Madelynn Elyse (Polaris Rose): I think of Polaris Rose as alt rock with a twist of California. We’re really inspired by living here in Los Angeles and it has really shaped the sound of the band.
“Hayley has been a role model for me since I was a little girl, and for that reason, being compared to Paramore is a huge compliment-- but I feel like it’s just not true.”
- Kayla Renelle (Voluntary Hazing)
When people make comments comparing your band/music to Paramore how does that make you feel as a band/artist?
Cindy: When people make comments comparing me to Paramore, I feel as if they are not listening at all in any way, shape, or form. I feel as if they are tying me to the only other alternative woman singer they can think of. I feel it’s extremely reductive.
Kailynn: I can’t speak for the band, but it makes me feel as if they don’t know a lot about Paramore or they don’t know a lot of music.
Kayla: We’ve been releasing music as a band for about 2 years now, and we’ve received the Paramore comparison a few times. Paramore has been one of my favorite bands since I was 9 years old when I heard “That’s What You Get,” and their music has been a HUGE influence on me. Hayley has been a role model for me since I was a little girl, and for that reason, being compared to Paramore is a huge compliment-- but I feel like it’s just not true. I’m not a powerhouse singer, and so much of our music is driven by horn parts. Sometimes we get compared to No Doubt, and I think that makes more sense based on the composition of our music and the tone of my voice. But even then, I sometimes think people compare women-fronted bands to other women-fronted bands, just because it’s a band fronted by a woman.
Kalie: I wouldn’t say we take offense to it or anything, Paramore is a wonderful band and they make awesome music that we all enjoy very much but, to say we sound like Paramore is sort of a laugh to us. Our influences range from Bring Me [the Horizon], to Architects, to Miley Cyrus, and everywhere in between. None of us really listen to the same music, we’re all over the place. It’s almost a little offensive that people’s comparison is a band we don’t sound like, so it’s always a chuckle when we get it.
Maddie: We definitely get compared to Paramore and other female-fronted bands quite a lot… and it doesn’t bother us! We have a lot of respect for Paramore. I think the comparison happens whenever people hear a female rock singer like myself. I wouldn’t say though that we sound exactly like Paramore. I like to think we do our own thing in a similar genre.
In your opinion, does being compared to Paramore affect/impact how you are perceived in the industry? If so, how?
Cindy: Most shows I’m invited to play are female-themed lineups, the bands not even sounding remotely similar. I feel that I’m playing in a completely different field than the men. Sometimes people act as if being a relatively attractive female has made my path easier. The reality is it has made it immensely harder to be taken seriously in rock.
Kailynn: The concept that there isn’t enough room in the genre for more than one popular “female fronted” artist is a sexist and tired construct created by a narrow-minded, male-dominated industry. Luckily that is slowly changing. Unfortunately, when it’s reflected back by fans, it’s hard to blame them. Some of them don’t know yet why they think all women in rock sound like Hayley Williams and it’s interviews like these that add a much needed perspective to the conversation. People can say it, but it’s wrong, and they’re not doing anyone any favors. Hayley Williams is a goddess who is probably tired of carrying the weight of all women on their shoulders, as we all end up doing, so give us all a break.
Kayla: While I think the comparison to Paramore is a bit inaccurate for my band, I’ll take it. They’re an incredible band that helped shape the emo/pop-punk scene, and they continue to have an impact on both alternative and pop music. If someone says “Hey Voluntary Hazing kind of reminds me of Paramore,” I think that helps us in getting new listeners-- those new listeners might be surprised when they hear us because our music isn’t very similar, but hopefully they like what they hear regardless and stick around.
Kalie: I would say yes and no, some people hear us and connect us to Paramore because they don’t really know anyone else or just don’t care to really think of anything more creative than that. I mean bands like As Everything Unfolds get compared to Paramore? LIKE HOW! I can’t say it negatively affects the band per say but [this] can also put people in that mindset and some tune out because they see the same regurgitated compassion and don’t wanna check a band out because of that.
Maddie: I wouldn’t say it affects how we’re perceived in the industry… but it does affect how people discover our music. We have one track in particular - “American Dreams” - which gets associated with Paramore quite a lot. Algorithmically, I think we get put in front of Paramore fans often and that’s certainly not a bad thing because they seem to enjoy it!
“The concept that there isn’t enough room in the genre for more than one popular ‘female fronted’ artist is a sexist and tired construct created by a narrow-minded, male-dominated industry.”
- Kailynn West (Tiny Stills)
Any advice for the next generation of rockers looking to make their start in a male-dominated industry?
Cindy: Fight. If you want to play rock you’re going to have to learn that men are going to outright try and degrade you. But you don’t have to accept it. You can fight back. Keep going.
Kailynn: They're gonna say you're too young, and then they're gonna make you think you're too old.
They're gonna say you don't know anything, then they're gonna make you feel like you never will know enough.
They're gonna sexualize everything you do, then they're gonna make you feel dirty when it's your idea.
Don't work with assholes, they don’t deserve your hard-earned money, and make the music you want to hear.
Kayla: No matter what you do, people are going to critique you and act like they’re superior to you. They aren’t. Don’t let them take away what you love.
Kalie: Just keep doing you and don’t listen to what others say. Remember that at the end of the day, the music YOU make is for YOU and others liking it is just a nice little cherry top. Make what you love and others will follow <3
Maddie: It is definitely a male-dominated industry, but there are a lot of amazing women out there doing incredible things! Stay strong and collaborate with good people. Also, actions speak louder than words. And remember to stay true to yourself and encourage other women to be strong with you!
While some bands dislike the comparison more than others, the general consensus remains the same. As amazing and talented as Paramore is, the powerhouse pop-punk trio can not be the end all be all of analogies. As more women start to push their way to the front of the scene we need to realize laziness and ignorance will simply not do. Analogies should be focused more on sound comparison than who is fronting the band.
Listen to Mediocore
Listen to Tiny Stills
Listen to Voluntary Hazing
Listen to Rivals
Listen to Polaris Rose