0 I'm okay, if your uke plays

Recently, my music taste has been leaning towards girl-centric bands; a brief foray into grrrl-rock with Bikini Kill and Babes In Toyland led me down the darker path of Hole and Jack Off Jill, straight back to the warm country house of my favourite, Amanda Palmer.

I love her. I love her music, I love her rebellious and open attitude and I love her husband (author Neil Gaiman). Her music is brilliantly open too; her song 'Oasis' has caused controversy nearly every time its hit the public eye, because it's a happy, upbeat, catchy song - about rape and abortion. Why not? As she says, people go through these things, and treating them as some miserable taboo does nothing to help. To me, she's a strong role model, and whenever I'm feeling down about myself I listen to her album.

My first proper female band obsession has to be Debbie Harry; I would listen to Ave Maria on repeat until one of my parents snapped and turned it off. Then I'd put on Heart Of Glass. She was unlike any of the women I was used to - she was edgy, still quite feminine, but not all the time. Most of my early teens was spent trying to be like her, and like all the other effortlessly cool girls who would hang around smoking and casual in town. It was difficult, though, because I wasn't comfortable, and it wasn't me.

This inner voice was reawakened by Florence + The Machine. Florence Welch is so incredibly stylish that when I accidentally bumped into her at a concert I just stared at her. I really hope she didn't think I was a stalker.

However, her figure is the direct opposite of mine - she's tall, thin, and a more masculine shape, whereas I am curvy, short, and busty. I was old enough to realise at this point, that I wouldn't be able to replicate her clothing choices. So I began thinking, I thought for several weeks, until the shoe finally dropped while listening to Amanda Palmer's post-label-dropping release, The Truth.

I spent so much time wanting to hang around cool people, wanting them to like me and let me share in their cool life, but I wasn't doing anything with my own life. Why can't I be cool too? There are so many brilliant people in the world, and the only thing stopping me becoming one is, well, me.

And that's why I like girl bands.

I've added some profiles from a few of my favourite, usually independent female recording artists; Amanda Palmer is, obviously, the same one as before. Jess Law is an old school friend of mine, and I cannot even begin to list her talents. Sophie Madeleine has a lovably delicate voice, accompanied by her uke.