5 Homegrown Artists Dismantling The Boys Club That Alternative Music So Often Is

While women dominate pop music charts, rock and hardcore subcultures have been, and continue to be, boys' clubs. Many people assume that this is because of a lack of interest, that this music and these spaces simply don’t appeal to women. After all, how could a woman’s delicate ears possibly handle all that screaming and those aggressive guitars? Our soft, feminine eardrums would explode! 

The societal expectation that women should be meek and docile denies us the joys of free self-expression. This feels especially true in South Asian cultures, where we overemphasise the importance of abiding by social norms. And even when we do demonstrate a love for hardcore music, we’re deemed posers for donning Metallica shirts and thick eyeliner. The excitement of a heavy bass that leaves your entire body thrumming, the catharsis of a good scream, and the unadulterated joy of headbanging in sync with a crowd are universal, genderless experiences. It’s the belief that femme presenting individuals don’t belong in a mosh pit that keeps these subcultures male-dominated, not a lack of interest. 

However, there’s no need to fret; a new generation of musicians is here to reshape this narrative. Here are 5 South Asian women and non-binary rock and metal artists forging a new path forward:

Based in Philadelphia, Kulfigirls is a rock band that folds Carnatic musical elements into their music. Their lead vocalist and Saraswati veena player, Abi Natesh, embeds their music with her South Indian heritage, crossing the bounderies of genre to create an entirely original sound. With a mix of distorted guitars, high-tempo drums, and epic veena solos, Kulfigirls proves that the best art is born when you’re unapologetically yourself. 

Follow Kulfigirls here.

Follow Abi here. 

Led by frontwoman Pranati Khanna, Peekay is one of India’s most exciting rising hardcore bands. Originally from Hyderabad and now based in LA, Peekay’s nu-metal sound takes us right back to the 90s and 2000s, bringing back the edge we’ve been missing. Pranati tells Homegrown, “I’ve been listening to metal since I was 14 when I discovered Slipknot and Korn and, eventually, nu-metal was my jam. Linkin Park, Mudvayne, Limp Bizkit, you name it.” She found her start in Hyderabad’s local metal scene as a photographer and graphic designer, recalling, “I’d be a tiny person with a bike helmet in the mosh pit and my camera.” 

After years of working in the metal scene and singing pop-rock music, Pranati fully pursued her own passion for the genre. She taught herself how to scream by practising in her car, and started writing heavier music with her bandmate, Eddy. Today, Peekay has transitioned from pop and R&B to push boundaries and create something that resembles the bands Pranati grew up loving.

Follow Peekay here.

Born in South Africa to Sri Lankan Tamil parents, Ecca Vandal is an Australian singer, songwriter, and rapper, making waves with her punk meets hip-hop sound. After dropping her single, 'Cruising To Self Soothe', Ecca Vandal joined Limp Bizkit on a tour across Europe, solidifying her as a punk icon in the making. Her voice is somehow equal parts sweet and aggressive, raw and full of energy. At risk of sounding like a fangirl, Ecca Vandal can only be described as a supernova, the exact kind of groundbreaking rockstar we’ve all been patiently waiting for. 

Follow Ecca Vandal here.

Pinkshift is an American band consisting of three college friends turned new-gen pop-punk stars. Their lead singer, Ashrita, is a charismatic ball of fire with bright, feisty vocals that bring every Pinkshift song to life. What is perhaps most exciting about Ashrita, however, is how unabashedly they use their voice for social causes. From Palestine advocacy to environmental activism, Pinkshift is unapologetic in their message. 

Follow Pinkshift here.

Follow Ashrita here.

Hailing from Shilong, Chali is the frontwoman of Evenflow, a blues band whose music drips with soul. Emerging from the American Deep South in the late 19th century, the blues set the foundation for what would eventually become rock and roll. Chali tells Homegrown that, “Growing up, my father exposed me to all kinds of genres — blues, rock, heavy metal, pop, jazz.” It wasn’t until her first life performance in 2015, where she was asked to sing Janis Joplin's 'Me & Bobby McGee' and Etta James' 'I'd Rather Go Blind', that she found her passion for the blues.

For Chali, joining Evenflow transformed her life and perspective as a musician. “They opened my eyes to the nuances of the blues, showing me its soul, and its countless expressions. Beyond just the technical aspects of music, they taught me invaluable lessons about collaboration, stage presence, and the sheer joy of creating the music together,” she says. 

Follow Evenflow here.

Follow Chali here.

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