National Album Day takes place on 16th October and this year's theme is 'Celebrating Women in Music'. To commemorate the huge contribution women have made to music we asked record shops across the country to share the women that have influenced them and their favourite album by a female artist. Check out their recommendations (and reminiscences) below, head to your local indie to get your hands on the records – or pick up a Record Token and give someone special the chance to discover more incredible albums made by women.
Spinning Discs
Issy recommends Melodrama by Lorde.
"The women in music that have most influenced me are the legends that are Debbie Harry, Kate Bush, Ellie Rowsell from Wolf Alice (because she's a great lyricist and so super cool) and Little Simz (because I love everything about her and she's one of the best live artists out there).
My favourite album by a female artist is Melodrama by Lorde (Lorde and I are the same age, so I feel like I've related to every single one of her albums so far – Melodrama is a future classic). Here's a picture of me holding up my copy!"
Visit Spinning Discs in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
The Forge, Tonyrefail Music
They recommend True Colours by Cyndi Lauper and Lady Sings the Blues by Billie Holiday.
"The women in music that have most influenced us are Cyndi Lauper, Billie Holliday, Debbie Harry, Grace Slick, Patti Smith and Stevie Nicks."
Visit Tonyrefail Music in Glamorgan, Wales.
Red House Records
They recommend Hounds of Love by Kate Bush.
"The women in music that have most influenced me are Joni Mitchell (an incredible song writer and musician), Grace Jones – amazing music, image and stage persona, PJ Harvey for grunge and attitude in abundance and Kate Bush who is a visionary artist and uniquely influential.
My ultimate favourite album by a female artist is Hounds of Love by Kate Bush – utterly brilliant from start to finish and definitely in my Desert Island top three."
Visit Red House Records in Swindon, Wiltshire.
Reflex
They recommend Kitchen Sink by Nadine Shah.
"The woman in music that has influenced me the most is Nadine Shah. I've watched her grow over the years as an artist and a person from a fledgling into an eagle on her own terms as a Northern lass in this industry against all the odds and then some and she continues to do so – inspirational."
Visit Reflex in Newcastle, Tyne and Wear.
Roan Records
They recommend Tapestry by Carol King.
"Joan as Policewoman (Joan Wasser) has influenced me the most as her live performances are always so intimate and she always connects and engages with the audience.
My top album is Tapestry by Carole King. Every song is perfect and well crafted (it's unusual not to have a least one weak track on an album)."
Visit Roan Records in Teddington, Middlesex.
The Record Cafe
They recommend Hejira by Joni Mitchell.
"The artist that has influenced me the most is Joni Mitchell. As a Canadian living in the UK, her music always reminds me of home. It seemed to be playing all the time growing up. She’s more than a musician though, her visual art influenced me the most, so much so, that I went to art college.
My favourite album is Hejira by Joni Mitchell. It’s just a great album!!"
Visit The Record Cafe in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
Fish Records
They recommend May Your Kindness Remain by Courtney Marie Andrews.
"The person that has most influenced us is Kyshona because of how she uses her voice and music to uplift, empower and amplify those who have been silenced and forgotten.
Our favourite album by a female artist is May Your Kindness Remain by Courtney Marie Andrews. This album exemplifies her captivating vocals and incredible song-writing and storytelling capabilities. We also saw her perform the title track from this album at the Ryman Auditorium in 2018 and it's one of the most powerful live performances we have ever seen."
Visit Fish Records in Stone, Staffordshire.
Intense Records
They recommend Diane Charlemagne’s vocals on Timeless by Goldie.
"We're most influenced by Kemistry and Storm. The two women found inspiration in the emerging breakbeat sound of Fabio and Grooverider at the legendary club night 'Rage'. It’s also around that time that Kemi met Goldie, she introduced him to drum & bass. Both embracing different styles and being a black and white duo definitely intrigued people. It wasn’t easy at all as women but the fact they were a duo was a change. They always supported each other and worked very hard with passion, without looking for social rewards.
Diane Charlemagne never wrote her own album but my favourite song she sang on was 'Inner City Life' by Goldie, a pioneering track that helped change the face of drum & bass in the 90s and part of the seminal Timeless album."
Visit Intense Records in Chelmsford, Essex.
David's Music
They recommend Stoosh by Skunk Anansie (fronted by Skin).
"The female artist that has influenced me the most is Skin.
As a favourite album I've picked Skunk Anansie's Stoosh. Fronted by the icon that is Skin (intelligent, black, queer, British, badass, the list goes on and on.) This album was released at the exact right time for me, at the formative age of 10, it deliberately stood apart from the Brit-pop scene, with a different attitude and a different sound. Skin's striking appearance and even more compelling vocals got me straight away – an incredible blend of fury and vulnerability. Skunk Anansie taught me the importance of being an individual, that sometimes it's cool to scream and shout because the world is a mess, but it's also just as alright to be quiet and vulnerable and get your point across that way. 25 years after its release, I still go back to it regularly, the content as relevant now as it ever has been."
Visit David's Music in Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire.
Badlands
They recommend Journey in Satchidananda by Alice Coltrane.
"My musical tastes are embodied by the meeting of different voices and artistic sensitivities. The confessional poetry of Sylvia Plath, the creative sense of Patti Smith, and the comforting vocals of Joni Mitchell. The radical photos of Diane Arbus, Grace Slick's uniqueness, and Nina Simone's bravery. Angela Davis' revolutionary soul, the vibrant voice of Billie Holiday, and the alternative vision of Kim Gordon. The epic strength of Artemisia Gentileschi's paintings, Fiona Apple's wild symphonies, and Angel Olsen's solid melodies.
The album I've gone with is Journey in Satchidananda by Alice Coltrane. This album is an experience. It's a fluid transition through different feelings, a cosmic revolution that takes you to an alternative dimension and makes you touch your inner spirit. Coltrane's intensity leads you to a safe space where there's no anger but simply worship. I would recommend it to anyone who needs a transformative experience."
Visit Badlands in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
Heathen Chemistry Records
They recommend Back to the Drive by Suzi Quatro, On by Echo Belly, Parallel Lines by Blondie and Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette.
"The team at Heathen Chemistry are most influenced by Suzi Quatro, Sonya Madan, Deborah Harry, Lulu, Grace Slick, Dusty Springfield, Doris Day, Blossom Dearie, Beverley Ann, Chris Clark, Diana Ross and Martha Reeves – the list goes on! Don't forget our mums without whom nothing would be possible.
Their favourite albums by female artists are Back to the Drive by Suzi Quatro, On by Echo Belly, Parallel Lines by Blondie and Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette."
Visit Heathen Chemistry Records in Fareham, Hampshire.
Banquet
They recommend Julie Ruin by Julie Ruin.
"One of the women in the music industry that have influenced us is Pippa Wragg-Smith, who co-runs Exeter Cavern. An absolute inspiration and a criminally under-recognised woman in music, who's been unfussily making a gigantic difference to bands and her community for decades (as well as being an excellent human, and wise friend). We'd never have started putting on live events in Kingston if not for her (such as Lucy Rose in the photo), and my life would have taken a totally different route without her – I still think "what would Pippa do?" whenever faced with a tricky situation.
Sharon Reuben, Head of Artist Liaison, Festival Republic is also a woman who massively influences us. I've never properly met Sharon, but she became my hero from the first time I saw her through the hatch of the guestlist portakabin at Reading Festival. In a very male world, she had real power – unflappable, firm, in control of seemingly a million things at once and always ready with a solution even when the person she was dealing with had patently been an idiot. Everything I aspire to be in a work context. Legend."
Visit Banquet in Kingston, Surrey.
Slide Record Shop
They recommend Sometimes I Might Be Introvert by Little Simz.
"Patti Smith has had a huge influence on me. She is such a creative force and a beautiful writer who has always done things on her terms.
It’s impossible to choose one favourite album by a female artist so I’m going with Sometimes I Might Be Introvert by Little Simz as my current favourite album by anyone. A towering achievement that is deeply personal while capturing the state of the nation. And the beats are just so good it's ridiculous."
Visit Slide Record Shop in Bedford, Bedfordshire.
Plus, check out these recommendations!
Music in the Green: Who Knows Where the Time Goes by Judy Collins
Low Port Music: True Blue by Madonna
Convoy Records: Germ Free Adolescents by X-Ray Spex
Diverse Vinyl: Nightclubbing by Grace Jones and Rid of Me by P J Harvey
Sound Records: The Hissing of Summer Lawns by Joni Mitchell
Sharpe Music: 'Tll I Can Make It On My Own by Tammy Wynette
Carnival Records: Beach Party by the Marine Girls
Creekside Vinyl: Crown Electric by Kathryn Williams
Released: Boots by Nancy Sinatra
Casbah: Lark by Linda Lewis and Blue by Joni Mitchell
Hey Joe: Overpowered by Roisin Murphy
Fives Records: Lion Heart by Kate Bush
Choons: Forbidden Fruit by Nina Simone
Ignite Record Store: Sing Sing Death House by The Distillers
Peckham Soul: Blacks & Blues by Bobbi Humphrey
Jumbo: Angel Tears In Sunlight and Trans-Millennia Consort by Pauline Anna Strom
Applestump Records: Dummy by Portishead
Frank Harvey: Miss Anthropocene by Grimes
Grind and Groove: Fast Car by Tracy Chapman
Love Music: You Gotta Sin to Be Saved by Maria McKee
Book Stop Tavistock: Lungs by Florence and the Machine
Black Star Records: any album from Celeste, Treyana Taylor, Little Simz, Griff, Arlo Parks, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Lana Del Ray, Taylor Swift and Maisie Peters.
Record Tokens
Record Tokens are the perfect gift for any occasion. From birthdays to Christmas, they're a special treat for life-long music lovers as well as a wonderful gift for those yet to experience buying their first vinyl record.
Our gift cards are available to redeem in independent record stores across the UK with a huge selection of vinyl records and CDs to choose from. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience the unique culture of the UK’s independent record stores and discover the records needed to complete any music lover’s collection.
Find your nearest stockist today!
