A new female fronted pop-punk band from Australia called Tonight Alive are beginning to make serious waves in America, and it’s time we took notice. The five-piece outfit released their new album, What Are You So Scared Of? on Feb 14 to critical praise, and are following it up with a Spring tour alongside Go Radio, before heading out on this summer’s Warped Tour.
Check out the band’s video for “Breaking & Entering” below:
We caught up with Tonight Alive frontwoman Jenna McDougall to trace back her musical influences, which ranges from pop queens to guitar shredders and flowmaster rappers. It’s a fascinating look inside the mind of one of the big-breaking voices for music in 2012.
Check out Jenna’s 5 Favorite Female Artists below!
1. Gwen Stefani
I think the first time I was made aware of No Doubt was upon the release of either ‘Hella Good’ or ‘Hey Baby’. I own both singles and am assuming they were some of the first cd’s I ever bought. I joined the band wagon a little later in their career but it was only some years later that as my love for music and passion for performing grew that I truly learnt to appreciate Gwen Stefani. Firstly, because she absolutely reeks of attitude and as a young, aspiring teenage musician there’s nothing more appealing than rebellion! Gwen was the epitome of ‘cool’ and in my opinion couldn’t do anything wrong. I find everything about her perfectly tasteful and I really admire her live show. It’s one thing to be aggressive and full of energy but to be not only a ‘girl’ on tour, she’s a woman, and has been through all of the grit of being in a band and that’s something that really stands out to me.
These videos are the perfect example of why Gwen Stefani could say anything and I would believe her.
2. Missy Higgins
Missy Higgins: no one has ever inspired me more. Australian, down to earth, honest, modest, driven and gorgeous. I don’t think it gets much better than that! I fell in love with Missy Higgins in 2004 upon the release of her debut album ‘The Sound of White’. I had been teaching myself to play guitar over the past year when I first heard of her; I think it was originally the single ‘Scar’ that caught my attention. ‘Less is more’ is something my Dad taught me and something Missy Higgins later re-enforced. No matter how thought provoking I found her music, everything always seemed simpler just having listened to it; perhaps it was the feeling of being able to relate to someone. Her lyrics not only captivate me, but constantly inspire me; they have a certain purity about them that takes me away to a completely different state of mind; yet somehow it’s only now 8 years later that I am coming to understand and relate to her lyrics now more than ever. I can say truthfully that I love every song from ‘The Sound Of White’ and the second album ‘On a Clear Night’ (with the exception of ‘Casualty’ from the debut) but a few personal favourite include ‘Nightminds’, ‘The Sound of White’, ‘All for Believing’, ‘This is How it Goes’, ‘Any day Now’, ‘Warm Whispers’, ‘Sugar Cane’, ‘Peachy’ and especially ‘They Weren’t There’. ‘The Special Two’ was never really a favourite of mine but one particular lyric from the song spoke to me and still does:
‘I remember someone old once said to me; that lies will lock you up with truth the only key. But I was comfortable and warm inside my shell, I couldn’t see this place could soon become my hell. So is it better to tell and hurt or lie to save their face? Well I guess the answer is don’t do it in the first place.’
Suze DeMarchi fronted Australian rock band ‘Baby Animals’ formed in ’89. I’m not sure if it was my Dad or my guitar teacher that introduced me to them but I do remember learning their whole first album on electric guitar in 2006; 17 years later than the release of their debut single ‘Early Warning’ a personal favourite of mine. To me there’s nothing more attractive than a woman that doesn’t have to ‘try’. Suze didn’t necessarily have a feminine image, but the way she dressed (in suit shirts and pants) said she didn’t feel the need to impress anyone, and that was attractive in itself. Suze to me is a woman in control, independent; at least that’s what she let off. And as for guys that say girls can’t rock an electric guitar, watch this video and bite your tongue.
4. Avril Lavigne
Avril’s first two albums had a lot to do with my early attraction to pop punk music. You wouldn’t exactly call her a veteran of the genre but before I’d even entered my teen years, her debut album ‘Let Go’ had began moulding my future. Everything down to the way Avril dressed took over me and like Gwen Stefani, her edge and attitude inspired me from a young age. I was always fascinated by the idea of not giving a shit about what other people thought or had to say; coming to actually live out that ideal is another story but Avril’s songs were some of the first (like Missy Higgins’) that I learnt to play and both artists were a big part of why I started song writing.
To be honest everything I see and hear from her these days genuinely pisses me off but ‘I’m With You’ and ‘Losing Grip’ are still two of my favourite songs
5. Yolandi Visser
Original, unique and 100% memorable. Yolandi Visser co-fronts South African hip hop/rap group Die Antwoord. I don’t feel that she’s ever inspired or influenced me but I cannot deny my admiration for such a bold character in what can be such a dull industry. There are a lot of talented acts about at the moment but how many can you really say are doing something new? She’s rude and dirty an I like it.
This video isn’t exactly a good example of why i find her so fascinating as an artist but this short film made me like her so much more.
Pick up Tonight Alive’s What Are You So Scared Of? on iTunes now, keep up with their official site for more info, and don’t forget to add them on Facebook!
