Women's Center talks pop music

The discussion brought complaints of women's image in the music industry.

By Lindsey Underwood

Published March 14, 2007

Janis Joplin, Joanna Newsom, Fiona Apple and Christina Aguilera were just a few of the names mentioned as favorite female artists at the Women in Music discussion at the Women's Center on Monday.

as a part of Women's History Month, the group discussed how the media and American culture impacts female artists. Many members of the group discussed their frustration with the prominence of sexually explicit lyrics about women within the music industry and the correlation with sexuality and success.

Sophomore Jessica Cooper, a student staff member at the Women's Center, said the music industry influences female artists and their images.

Many members of the group said they saw a problem with the way black women are portrayed in mainstream media.

The group discussed how stereotypes tend to inhibit black female artists from reaching their true potential. Members of the group said they were disgusted with the prominence of black females in sexually explicit music videos.

Most members of the group agreed that the mainstream music industry tends to influence artists into being sexual figures over time, rather than showcasing them for their talent.

"It's OK to objectify yourself," Cooper said. "But it's not OK for someone to objectify you."

Sophomore Jessica Parshall said money seemed more important than personal expression at times.

"I hate to see women use their bodies to sell their talent," Parshall said.

But the problem has a larger sphere than just in mainstream music.

Members agreed the mainstream music industry seems to favor women playing a more passive role in the process of producing the music because there are more male songwriters and producers than female. This process results in male-motivated music with a female front.

Members of the group complained about the lack of female musicians in bands and with women usually taking the role as the vocalist.

"Even in the school band, the percussion section is generally all male with maybe one girl," sophomore Jordan Parshall said.

Freshman Rebecca Prinster is the only female member in her band, Red Water Revival. Although she feels like an equal member of the band, she said people are generally surprised she is in a band.

She said the music community in Columbia is more supportive of female artists than in her hometown of St. Louis.

"In St. Louis, there is a big metal scene versus here where it's more alternative and indie," Prinster said. "They just think about music differently."

Prinster said people always complain that she looks bored, but nobody expects the other members to be overly enthusiastic. She said most people expect her to be dancing on stage, rather than focusing on playing bass.

The group agreed that the Columbia music scene is supportive of female musicians, playing host to artists like Tegan and Sara and Feist within the past year.

They also discussed how women are often forced to sing about shallow topics and called deviants when they speak out and use substance in their lyrics, as seen with artists such as the Dixie Chicks.