These days, we’re inundated with overly-airbrushed female musicians supported only by their underwires and overproduction. While many lesser-known artists are slowly being recognized by larger audiences, we’d still like to see many more female musicians in the spotlight who have raw talent — with whatever instrument it may be. Here are 15 incredibly sexy female musicians — that don’t suck.
Jenny Lewis
Jenny Lewis is the primary vocalist of the indie rock band Rilo Kiley, and is one hot ginger. She’s since released two solo albums, and dabbles in indie folk, rock and alternative country. Her vocals ooze raw emotion, and her songwriting is tops, too. It doesn’t hurt that she wears cute little numbers up on stage, either.
Sara Bareilles
Singer-songwriter and noted pianist Sara Bareilles gained mainstream popularity in 2007 with her hit single, Love Song, and we haven’t been able to keep our eyes, or ears, off of her since. This sultry beauty dabbles in pop, pop rock, and soul. A nice plus that you’ll see a lot with the girls on this list — her voice is amazingly versatile and flawless live.
Amy Lee
Amy Lee not only catches the public eye for fronting the rock band Evanescence, but for her stunning looks as well. She often sports corsets and fishnets on stage, but she’s the classiest broad you’ll ever see wearing them. She’s a classically trained pianist, and can also play the harp, organ and guitar. Besides all that, her vocal range is unbelievable — without the help of Autotune.
Sarah Brightman
The word opera doesn’t conjure an alluring image to many in this day and age, but Sarah Brightman definitely changes that for all who experience her music. A British crossover soprano, Brightman is known best for her role as Christine Daae in the original The Phantom of the Opera, a part that was written for her voice. She has a staggering 160 Gold and Platinum awards in 34 countries and a three-octave voice of an angel — with looks to match.
Neko Case
Neko Case, singer-songwriter extraordinaire, is best known for her solo work and contributing work with Canadian indie rock group The New Pornographers. With looks to kill and a voice to match, she’s nabbed a Grammy nomination and remains a champion among women in rock music with a style distinctly her own.
Emilie Simon
Emilie Simon is a beautiful singer-songwriter from France. She brings electronic and experimental influences to the table — along with a light, whispy voice and sexy accompanying accent. Though her musical journey only started in 2003, she has since moved to New York City to take on the rest of the world and shows no sign of stopping any time soon.
KT Tunstall
KT Tunstall, a singer-songwriter and guitarist from Scotland, shot into the mainstream after her stellar performance on the British music television show Later… with Jools Holland. She’s since picked up a Grammy nomination and BRIT Award — along with an engagement ring. We know she’s spoken for, but we can still look.
Hayley Williams
An American singer and songwriter, Hayley Williams fronts the rock band Paramore — best known for singles Misery Business and Decode. The band truly shot into stardom when Decode was featured in Twilight, but Williams truly has a voice that carries it’s own. Hottness doesn’t hurt in the business either — she won Sexiest Female at the Shockwaves NME Awards 2009.
Cat Power
Chan Marshall, AKA Cat Power, is a singer-songwriter known for her amazing, breathy voice, minimalist style, and home-grown beauty. In 2007 she became the first female solo act to win the Shortlist Music Prize when her album, The Greatest, was voted album of the year.
Rachael Yamagata
Japanese-American beauty Rachael Yamagata is a singer-songwriter that has seen great success in her 32 years. Her music is considered blues rock and alternative — and it’s has been featured in shows like Nip/Tuck, Grey’s Anatomy, and How I Met Your Mother. Her looks are classic, and she has a twin, but to our disappointment we found out it’s a guy.
Feist
Leslie Feist, who performs under the name Feist, is a Canadian singer-songwriter known for her solo work, but is also a member of the indie rock group Broken Social Scene. She dabbles in anti-folk and baroque pop — and gained a reputation for putting out some catchy beats. We’d like this Grammy-nominated musician to get feisty with us.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift was thrust into the spotlight earlier this year when Kanye West interrupted her at the VMAs while she was accepting her award for Best Female Video. Her voice is solid and her songs are highly autobiographical — that night she became the first country singer to ever win a VMA, and solidified her place in our hearts — and pants.
Emily Haines
Emily Haines is best known for her role as vocalist for indie rock band Metric, but has maintained a strong solo career as Emily Haines & the Soft Skeleton. Compared to Metric, her solo work is more mellow and piano-based — which suits her haunting voice perfectly. Born in New Delhi, India and raised in Canada, this musician is worldly, talented, and hot.
Angel Deradoorian
Twenty-two year-old multi-instrumentalist Angel Deradoorian is best known as bass player/vocals for Brooklyn-based experimental rock band Dirty Projectors. This Armenian stunner released her promising solo debut this past May, and proved her musical proficiency — whether it be with vocals, on bass flute or guitar.
Ingrid Michaelson
