Mercury Prize Shortlist: Ladies Represent?

last.fm

I never wanted this site to be one never-ending screed on how women are underrepresented in various aspects of the music industry. It's too easy, too obvious, and frankly, a little too "Feminist Pop Culture Blogging: 101." However, sometimes it needs to be pointed out that women are underrepresented in various aspects of the music industry, even those that provide an environment that's generally thought of as "diverse." The Mercury Prize shortlist was announced recently. Four women were among the nominees: Adele, Katy B., Anna Calvi, and indie stalwart, P.J. Harvey.

The Mercury Prize has come under fire for its lack of diversity before -- and to their credit, among this year's twelve nominees, quite a number of musical styles are represented -- but in their nineteen-year history, only five female artists have won.

In reaction to the Mercury Prize's lack of female artists, Wears the Trousers has proposed their own Venus/No-Penis prize:

We’ve selected a dozen of our favourite female-fronted British albums released between July 1, 2010 and July 11, 2011. Unlike last year, we decided to include artists who are already nominated for this year’s Mercury Prize, so PJ Harvey, Anna Calvi and Katy B can breathe easy.

The winner, chosen by YOU, will be announced on September 6. It’s the same day as the Mercury Prize is awarded, but alas the Trousers piggybank won’t stretch to match their £20,000 prize. Instead we’ll donate a whopping fifty quid to a charity of the winner’s choice.