7 Awesome Male and Female Lead Singer Combos
There are two types of people in the world: people who like chocolate ice cream and people who like vanilla ice cream. But there is a third type of person that thinks outside the box and prefers a chocolate-vanilla-swirl because the combination of these two flavors creates something completely different and divine. The same principle applies to lead singers. Here are seven bands that chose to go with male and female lead vocalists, instead of settling for one flavor.
1. GIVERS
Hailing from Lafayette, Louisiana, this group had a ton of free time on their hands when their school closed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. It was during this time spontaneous improvised sets at local clubs turned into a fully fledged musical career. Tiffany Lamson’s soft gospel tones work beautifully with Taylor Guarisco’s raw, edgy vocals to create energetic summer jams in the name of hope and fun.
2. Fleetwood Mac
The recording of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” was not a comfortable experience. Things were tense seeing as John and Christine McVie were going through a divorce, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks’ were breaking up, and drummer Mick Fleetwood was going through his own marital issues. That being said, from tense beginnings came the most successful record the British-American rock group would release to date. It also happened to be the first Fleetwood Mac record to feature both male and female lead vocals.
3. Oskar and Julia
Meet Oskar & Julia, two friends that found love in making music together and became husband and wife. Reminiscent of the vocal styles you’ve heard from The Civil Wars, these Salt Lake newcomers layer intricate harmonies on meticulous guitar arrangements to create some beautiful folk melodies. Check out their brand new music video for "All or Nothing" here.
4. Band of Skulls
Coming off the resounding success of their debut album Baby Darling Doll Face Honey, British-alt-rockers Band of Skulls brought their hard rock style to their second release, Sweet Sour. Throughout the album’s 11-track run, lead singers Emma Richardson and Russell Marsden use playful vocal arrangements, often belting the same melodies simultaneously, to create a distinct, exhilerating sound.
5. Arcade Fire
It’s unfair to characterize Arcade Fire as having a male and a female lead singer given that their lineup is nine people and pretty much everyone sings at some point. That being said, there are certain songs where the different types of voices complement each other quite well. Take “Empty Room” for example, where huge walls of sound brush shoulders with the vocal talents of Will Butler and Régine Chassagne.
6. Silversun Pickups
Of all the bands on this list, there is no greater divergence in vocal styling than between Brian Aubert and Nikki Monninger of the Silversun Pickups. On one hand, Nikki’s deliberate and controlled style conveys a nearly robotic tone, while Brian’s voice is unconstrained and animated. The contrast is unforgettable and shines brightest on their six-minute hit, “Lazy Eye.”
7. The Hush Sound
This Chicago band was one of the first to arrive on Generation Y’s indie scene in the mid 2000’s. Their traditional instrumentation and catchy riffs led to their cult popularity in the wake of their first two album releases. They were also led by Bob Morris and Greta Salpeter, another example of two individuals with vastly different vocal styles. Listen to their sleeper hit “Echo” for an example of a song that surprises you with a sharp tonal shift that makes you smile every time.
