On Saturday March 8 we celebrate women everywhere 🙌 and in the Kingston music scene? KPP Concerts has a killer punk-rock lineup of musicians playing a matinee show at the Broom Factory who happen to be female fronted. (web link)

We’re so stoked for this show we asked all 3 bands (The Anti-Queens, Forty Seven Teeth and Rogue Rising) some day-specific questions about what it’s like to be a woman in this industry, and discussing about how the thought of that question shouldn’t have to be a thing.

Here’s how it went:

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in rock music, and what message do you hope your music conveys to young women?

Valarie Knox (Anti-Queens): I was always creative and enjoyed music as a kid into my teens. After I was exposed to the concept of rebellion, mixed in with some mental health issues, it just made sense to learn guitar and join a band. So I did. You should too if that’s what you think is cool. I know I can speak for AQ on this, our underlying message to young women is “Look at us doing this rad shit! You can do rad shit too!”

Anna (Forty Seven Teeth): My Dad is a musician, so I grew up around that world. I always loved singing, so when I was 14 I decided to learn bass... Quickly realized it wasn't that easy to write songs by myself with just bass, so I switched to guitar. I met an old bandmate at camp when I was 15, and we decided to start a band. Pretty much had bands ever since. It's really core to my personhood now. It's my therapy, my art, my honest offering to the world. I just hope young women either find comfort in the words or enjoyment in the music. And I would LOVE it if it inspired young women to play music themselves.

Rowan Picard (Rogue Rising): l've always been drawn to music, but I think the pivotal moment for me was going to see a Battle of the Bands.
Seeing other kids my age and younger up on that stage was inspiring to me, it made my dream feel obtainable. I hope young women feel that way when they see me up on stage.

Q: What challenges have you faced as a woman in the rock music industry, and how have you overcome them?

Valarie Knox (Anti-Queens):I think this is the wrong question. The challenges women face in rock and punk have been the same since I was a teenager picking up a guitar, and long before—because it’s always been a male-dominated industry. Nobody says, ‘A male-fronted band is playing tonight’ because it’s the norm, and to be expected.
Things have improved, but real change won’t happen until we stop asking how women overcome these challenges and start asking how to remove them. Fans play a huge role in that—by expecting diverse lineups and calling out festivals and concerts that keep booking the same tired acts.

Q: Who are some of your biggest female musical influences, and how have they impacted your style?

Valarie Knox (Anti-Queens): Gwen Stefani for sure, vocally. I mastered her trill/vibrato many years ago, and use it entirely too much in my live performances (it’s SO FUN). And Brody Dalle. I was inspired by her image and style, and her band, The Distillers. She was the only punk front-woman I related to who was accessible to me at the time. She unknowingly provided a path for me to pursue being a woman in a punk band. Now I co-front and shred guitar in two amazing bands. I probably wouldn’t have gained confidence to really go for it without either of these women. I hope I get to tell them that one day.

Dee (Forty Seven Teeth): Bikini Kill! They really taught me to just start somewhere. Pick up a guitar, grab a mic and just start somewhere. And then Sleater Kinney taught me how to sing about my feelings. Had I not had these two bands, I’m pretty sure I would still be stuck in my bedroom wishing I had the guts to be in a band. Actually most of the Kill Rock Stars label in the 90s/00’s was female fronted. Maybe I’m still stuck in this world. Just a buncha girls playing and sharing music in a male dominant environment. It all gave me guts. I never wanted to be the next biggest thing. Just wanted to be something small with a loyal following.

Rowan Picard (Rogue Rising):I get inspiration from so many artists that it’s hard for me to pinpoint who and how I’ve been influenced. Growing up, I listened to a lot of pop and pop punk like Avril Lavigne, Gwen Stefani and The Spice Girls. Later on, I got into Amy Lee, Courtney Love and Lzzy Hale. When I’m writing songs I think I naturally gravitate towards combining catchy pop hooks with the aggression of punk - and it’s gotta have a rock guitar solo or two… or three. I love solos!

Q: What changes would you like to see in the music industry to better support female artists?

Valarie Knox (Anti-Queens): Less space for misogynist gatekeepers, more space for women. The industry needs to stop treating female artists as a novelty and start putting them in positions of real visibility—on festival lineups, in prime time slots, on major tours. Give them 40 minutes in front of a crowd, and they’ll prove why they belong there. After touring for years, we’ve seen it firsthand—audiences respond. The talent is there, the demand is there. The industry just needs to catch up.

Dee (Forty Seven Teeth): Most female artists are known for pop music and to become sex symbols. In the indie world, I’d like to think that female musicians are celebrated and seen as equals. I dunno? It’d be nice to see a day where this isn’t even a question. I wish that gender wasn’t a political issue.

Q: If you could collaborate with any female rock musician, past or present, who would it be?

Valarie Knox (Anti-Queens): As rad as it would be to collaborate with Joan Jett or No Doubt, I think I’d rather see AQ collab with a strong, aggressive, feminine, woman rapper or pop artist. Like how about Anti-Queens do a rock song with Sabrina Carpenter? Or Lauryn Hill? or Doja Cat? Fuck. Now THAT would be cool!

Jesse (Forty Seven Teeth): Yvette Young of Covet- she is insanely talented and playing music with her would probably make me a better musician.

Rowan Picard (Rogue Rising): Well I couldn’t resist writing a guitar solo for Avril’s Sk8r Boi, so it would be amazing to play it on stage with her. Working with Amy Lee or Courtney Love would also be cool. I’ve had great creative experiences with collabs, so I expect to do more of that in the future.

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring female rock musicians?

Valarie Knox (Anti-Queens): This industry is for everyone. Own that, trust it, and push forward. Don’t try to lead a band until you know how to respect all the members, including yourself. Do not, under any circumstances, let anyone hold you back (this goes for all young women who are thinking about following their true path in life). Always trust your gut, and practice, practice, practice!

Anna (Forty Seven Teeth): Be unapologetic. There's no right way of playing music, despite what gearheads or music nerds try to tell you. Tap into your inner creativity and let it out.

Rowan Picard (Rogue Rising): Learn everything you can about the industry. That’s the biggest thing for aspiring musicians. CMC (Canadian Musicians Cooperative) has a great program if you’re starting out, that teaches so much about the music business. The industry has changed a lot and musicians need to adapt by becoming as independent and resilient as we can. The more you learn to do on your own, the better. Whether it’s recording demos, filming videos, editing content, booking gigs, applying to festivals, managing finances, and navigating various music platforms, learn to DIY. The more knowledgeable and the less dependent you are, the more you’ll grow and thrive as an artist. Posted: Mar 3, 2025