In the vibrant tapestry of rock music, Asian American and Pacific Islander women in rock have carved out their own unique space, challenging stereotypes and pushing boundaries in the music industry. From early pioneers who faced immense hurdles to contemporary stars who continue to break new ground, these women have left an indelible mark on rock music. Let'’s delve into the journey of AAPI women in rock, highlighting both the challenges they’ve overcome and the contributions they’ve made to the genre.
Early AAPI Rock Music Pioneers
Norma Tanega, June Millington, Jean Millington – though these names might not be as instantly recognizable as some of the acts they inspired, rock music would not be the same without them.
Norma Tanega, an openly gay Filipino American singer-songwriter, achieved fame in the 1960s with her hit single Walkin' My Cat Named Dog. A notable figure in the Greenwich, New York folk scene at the time, Tanega was known for her clever but playful lyricism. She also wrote songs for her long-time girlfriend, Dusty Springfield. Her song, You’re Dead, written as a sarcastic statement about her struggles in the New York music scene, was made popular decades after its release when it became the theme song for the hit TV show What We Do in the Shadows. Her music has influenced numerous other acts, from indie acts like Yo La Tengo to Thee Oh Sees and They Might Be Giants to major players like Adele, Amy Winehouse, and KT Tunstall.
Sisters June and Jean Millington co-founded Fanny, the first all-female band to release an album on a major label. As some of the most important trailblazing female guitarists, they faced immense pressure. The band got signed to Reprise Records in 1969 before anyone at the label had heard them play, as an all-female band was considered a novelty act. Wanting to be taken as seriously as any other band, the group refused to wear ‘girl group’ style outfits and practiced constantly to battle assumptions that they couldn’t play their own instruments. The band went on to gain critical acclaim and influence numerous other acts, from David Bowie to the Go-Go’s and the Runaways.
Rising Stars in Contemporary Rock
In the contemporary music scene, AAPI women in rock continue to make waves and are progressively becoming more and more the face of modern indie rock.
Karen O, frontwoman of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, shook the New York City indie rock scene of the early 2000s with her electrifying stage presence and boundary-pushing performances. Beyond her four albums with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, she has contributed to the soundtracks for Where the Wild Things Are (2009) and Her (2013), and collaborated with the likes of Danger Mouse, Trent Reznor, and David Lynch. A mixed-race Korean American songwriter, she inspired a new generation of AAPI women in rock to enter the scene.
One of these women was Michelle Zauner, better known by her stage name Japanese Breakfast. Zauner’s blend of indie rock and dream pop with poetic lyrics exploring identity, grief, and longing, have captured the hearts of numerous fans. In 2021, she branched out into both video game soundtrack composition, for indie darling Sable, and the New York Times Best Seller List, with her critically acclaimed memoir Crying in H Mart. In 2022, she was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
A former tourmate of Zauner’s, multi-instrumentalist Mitski has been called the best young songwriter in the United States. Known for her gut-wrenching lyrics and genre-defying sound, Mitski studied music composition at SUNY Purchase and wrote her debut album Lush (2013) during her time there. Her 2018 disco-inspired song about loneliness, Nobody, gained new relevance during the COVID-19 pandemic. More recently, her album The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We (2023) featured her first mainstream breakthrough, My Love Mine All Mine. Mitski has won over the hearts of fans worldwide, including Barack Obama.
Intersectionality and Representation
The experiences of Asian American and Pacific Islander women in rock are shaped by intersecting factors of race, gender, and cultural identity. In an industry that often marginalizes minority voices, these women face unique challenges in navigating both their identities and their careers. From microaggressions to outright discrimination, the barriers they encounter are deeply rooted in systemic inequalities. The importance of diversity and intersectionality is a crucial topic, much like understanding how the LGBTQ+ community has impacted the music industry. The experiences of these women are diverse, with some artists reflecting on their heritage in their music and others focusing on entirely different lyrical themes.
Representation in the media plays a crucial role in breaking down these barriers and amplifying the voices of AAPI women in rock. Mitski and Michelle Zauner have acknowledged that Karen O’s work with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs inspired them to get into the music industry, showing them that Asian American women could find success in the white-male-dominated world of rock music. The 2010s saw more and more AAPI women impacting the music industry across genres from Olivia Rodrigo dominating the Top 40 to Yvette Young’s mind-melting prog rock and Yaeji’s house-influenced hip-hop. It’s exciting to think what future artists are taking note and inspiration from the awesome AAPI women dominating the industry today. By showcasing diverse narratives and perspectives, the media can challenge stereotypes and expand the boundaries of what it means to be a rock musician. It's not merely about visibility; it's about fostering a more inclusive and equitable music industry that embraces the richness of AAPI experiences and paves the way for future generations of musicians.
AAPI Women in Rock: Breaking New Ground One Song at a Time
Despite the obstacles they face, AAPI women in rock continue to defy expectations and push the boundaries of the genre. From early pioneers who blazed a trail for future generations to contemporary stars who are redefining what it means to rock, these women have left an indelible mark on the music landscape. As we celebrate their contributions, let us also recognize the importance of supporting and amplifying AAPI voices in rock music. Only by breaking down barriers and embracing diversity can we truly honor and continue the legacy of these trailblazing artists. School of Rock is proud to celebrate female artists of all backgrounds and inspire the next generation through our unique music programs.
About the Author: Miranda Shakes is the Music Director at School of Rock San Ramon. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Anthropology with minors in both Music and Asian studies from Lewis & Clark College and her Master's in Education at San Francisco State University with an emphasis in Equity and Social Justice Eduation. During her undergraduate studies, she also took extensive classes in electronic music production and studied ethnomusicology abroad at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. A San Ramon native, she has taught first grade at an international school in Guangzhou, China, and has performed locally, throughout the Pacific Northwest, and abroad in China during her youth.