10 Independent Women-Fronted Groups You Should Listen To - March 2026
As a woman who grew up listening to various genres of music, especially rock and alternative, I found it hard to fully relate to what these male-dominated scenes represented and wrote about in their songs. Also, many of these bands, full of weird men, ended up facing multiple allegations of weird behavior (surprise, who would’ve thought that men writing about how much a girl was a bitch for not wanting to have sex with him was a freak!). However, since the 2020s began, there's been an influx of women-led bands in these spaces, specifically in the emo and hardcore genres. It has sparked conversations about representation in these genres within the industry, as audiences are mostly women, especially in DIY spaces. One of my main goals with Uncharted Music is to highlight artists and musicians who are often underrepresented in the industry and pop culture, or at least not properly recognized. Spotlighting women and fem-presenting people is very important to me, which is why I’m not only writing this blog about some of my favorite bands in the scene, but I will also be releasing an issue of the magazine featuring all fem-fronted bands and fem musicians. More info about that will be coming soon!
Anyways, let's get started with 10 women-fronted bands that I have been really loving the past few months!
(All art done by Sofia Lisena)
Febuary
If you haven’t heard of Febuary as an emo or screamo fan, then you must be living under a rock. Debuting in 2023 in the Las Vegas underground music scene and composed mostly of women, Febuary has made themselves one of the biggest names in the emo community around the country. Their self-titled debut album has become a staple for future generations, featuring bangers like “Bitches Love My White Belt,” “No Way…” and “Brand New Shoes.” They released their latest EP, Run Like A Girl, back in July, holding their place in the scene and proving that girls really do it better. Their sound is raw, unfiltered, and resilient, as the emotions pour out from their lyrical content and vocals from lead singers Rila Ogawa and Airon Gauf. Songs like “Run Like A Girl” and “Kill Yourself If You Have Tinder” exemplify their commentary on the complex world in which women operate and navigate. I genuinely love their sound, and it sounds even better live. Their performances are wild; the band really knows how to get the crowd energized, no matter where they are. If they come to a city near you, you need to see them. I cannot wait to see them again! Go find them on Instagram @febuaryemo
First Day Back
First Day Back is one of those bands that I’ll hold near and dear to my heart until the day I die. It’s that serious, and they are that good. The five-piece emo group from Santa Cruz has definitely been making an impact on the genre as well, reviving the 90s second-wave sound associated with bands like Cap’n Jazz, The Promise Ring, Mineral, and Braid. Their debut album, which was our Top Album of 2025, took the internet by storm with its fresh take on the genre, differentiating itself from the constant post-hardcore and screamo sounds in the scene. The use of violins and harmonica fills the soundscape, making it beautiful and textured. The lead singer, Maggie, takes control of the project, particularly during its most intense moments, particularly on songs like “Lines,” “Us,” and “Ten Mile Train Track.” I had the blessing to see them live in November, and they’re a MUST-SEE for anyone who likes this song. Their performances are so raw and will get you yelling along to the songs at the top of your lungs. You can find First Day Back on Instagram @firstdayback_ to keep up with their antics.
Eevie Echoes & The Locations
Eevie Echoes & The Locations is a very recent find of mine, as I was supposed to see her open for another band I love, but couldn’t go at the last minute. I delved into her recent 2024 debut album, The Cons of Being a Wallflower, and immediately fell in love. Eevie Echoes & The Locations is a punk, queercore band from Brooklyn that creates catchy and unapologetic songs about her personal experiences and political commentary on the state of the world. The band’s sound draws inspiration from a range of rock and alternative genres, specifically pop-punk, ska, emo, and garage. Eevie’s voice, both in the cleaner and rougher parts of songs, is perfect for these combinations of the genres she’s influenced by as she sings about the growing pains of being a trans woman. The album has many great gems, both rock anthems and acoustic ballads. My favorites have to be “Apathy” and “24 (The Growing Pains of Capitalism). Their latest single, “Dead Elders,” pays homage to elders in the LGBTQ+ community who have fought tirelessly to secure rights for their siblings amid recent threats to the community. Follow the band @eevieechoes to keep up with them!
Ursa
I first discovered Ursa at a Stone Circle Theater show hosted by Persephone Rises DIY (you can read about that show here) and immediately fell in love (even though their set was unfortunately cut short). I fell in love with them EVEN MORE as I went home and listened to their debut LP, God Loves Us All, Even You Sex Freaks. Genuinely one of my favorite releases of the year, and definitely would’ve been on the top projects of 2025 list if it had come out a tiny bit earlier. Ursa is a metalcore band from Rhode Island that debuted just last year. Their sound is super heavy, with roaring guitars and passionate vocals from lead singer Eva. There’s a ton of juicy breakdowns that will get you running to the pit when you see them live. A lot of the tracklist includes fun, satirical ad-libs, in which Eva speaks in an almost valley-girl voice. Songs you should definitely check out from them are “Better Off Together,” “Metrosexual Destruction,” and “ The Secret Life of Girls.” You should keep up with them @ursa.pvd, and see them when they come to your city! I know I’ve been dying to.
Don’t Tell Iris
Don’t Tell Iris is an alternative rock band from Boston that debuted with their first single, “Don’t Tell Iris,” last year. As their Spotify bio states, Don’t Tell Iris formed when “its members found the following journal entry typewritten on a piece of very old paper.” The entry ends with “Don’t Tell Iris.” I think this story entirely encapsulates the band’s sound and vibe. Their sound feels like an old New England Victorian home that might be haunted (I know that sounds crazy, but trust me, I’m right). With only four songs out, they immediately draw you in as a fan. Lead singer Olive Martinez seduces listeners with her outstanding voice on each track, sounding smooth yet bold and charged with intense emotions. They have great tracks to rock out to, particularly “Spider Lily” and “Necklace” (which was featured in our Top Singles of 2025 list). I suggest following them, because I can see them becoming the next big band in alternative rock. You can find them on Instagram @donttelliris!
trichor
New Jersey-based shoegaze band, trichor is definitely a hidden gem. I first saw them at the first Trash Bridge show I went to back in 2024. They were, in fact, my first real introduction to shoegaze. They have a soft but gritty sound to their music. They have most of their songs and demos on Soundcloud, but last year officially released their song “Pretend” and “Porcelain,” and it has gone 3x platinum in my room. “Pretend” is haunting, softer, and more of a lullaby, while their most recent single, “Porcelain,” is a bit heavier and grungier, with lead singer Madison's vocals getting a bit more screamy towards the end of the track. Both songs are captivating and will be on repeat in your daily rotation. They’re fantastic live too, they bring a lot of energy and even more life to their songs (I have also been dying to see them live again because I haven’t since the first time I saw them). I’m so excited to see what they do next! You can keep up with them as well, @trichor_.
Comply
Comply has become a staple in the NYHC scene in the past year. Now, with their recent EP release, they’ve cemented their status in the scene and could become one of the staples for future generations to get into the genre. Built To Bleed is a 12-minute, 3-track masterpiece of hardcore from New York. Super heavy, almost groovy guitars and breakdowns for the avid mosh-pit enthusiast to get down and dirty. The lead singer, Brooke, comes in with some of the sickest vocals from a hardcore band that I’ve heard recently. You can truly feel the raw power and pain from her as she sings of true betrayal. You can especially feel this when you go see them live. The first time I saw them at a Stone Circle Theater show hosted by Persephone Rises DIY (you can read about that show here), I was truly blown away. They bring such intensity to any venue they play at and get the crowd going wild. You should catch their next show at the Stone Circle Theater this Friday! Keep an eye out for them @comply.band.
In Jest
In Jest is a Philly metalcore band that is probably the heaviest band I found last year. I discovered them at a Stone Circle Theater show hosted by Persephone Rises DIY (you can read about that show here), and was AMAZED! The lead singer, Caroline, had a captivating stage presence that commanded the crowd, who went hard for every song. Her vocals are genuinely insane; the deep grittiness of them is so insane that I cannot even comprehend how she does that. Their most recent release, an EP named VIOLENT SELF REFLECTION, truly shows them growing into their sound as a band. Songs reflect on betrayal, guilt, shame, and pain that truly hit the listener deeply. Collaborating with other great artists like Bryan Whipple of Esophogus and another woman-fronted staple, Slamwich, this EP will be on repeat for me for the next couple of months, and will be for you if you're an active hardcore listener. Check out In Jest @injest215 and catch their next show at the Stone Circle Theater with Comply this Friday!
Dutchmasters
Dutchmasters was recommended to me by lead singer Gabe of the New York emo band inlimerance, and I’m so glad I listened to him because it is something I haven’t heard before. Based in New York as well, Dutchmasters is a one-person “screamtronica” project, as she put it in her Instagram bio. She just released her debut album, untitled, at the beginning of this year, and I was blown away within the first listen. It’s taking the recent experiments in emo and electronic music (think projects like Your Arms Are My Cocoon), but adding a mix of lo-fi and hyper-pop-influenced sounds. They can create a masterpiece of a calming atmosphere, with the most heartbreaking screams over the instrumental you’ve ever heard. This is definitely something you need to check out if you’re into emo or experimental music, or both! You can keep up with them @dtchmstrs!
drowned.
drowned. is a bi-coastal, electronic pop duo that debuted about a month ago. They recently released an EP, signal loss, consisting of four danceable tracks. It feels like a hyper-pop and house-crossover, perfect for a party. The tracks are catchy, fun, and sometimes even headbangers, like “HELLRAISERS.” The synths are poppy, the beats are fast-paced, keeping the listener attentive and moving. Both Zorri and Roman are featured vocally on tracks; Zorri provides a soft voice with autotuned effects, creating an atmosphere of a futuristic scene. I think my favorite song on here is “f**k say sorry.” This song makes me feel like I’m stunting out in the city on a Friday night in a fur coat. I’m excited to see what this brand-new duo does next. Keep up with them @drownedddddddd!
As always, hope you found something you love, and more spotlights on women/fem-fronted bands to come very soon! :)
