Being a woman in the world right now is complicated. It feels political to even exist, let alone as a young woman and having to contend with other people’s seemingly endless views on your body, career, lifestyle, appearance, education and dating prospects.
The music industry is a male dominated world; the treatment of female musicians has been well documented throughout modern history, so it’s incredibly refreshing to see a group of young women sticking up for themselves and writing and producing their own (fantastic) songs, all while looking like the Power Puff Girls. Enter, Trousdale.
Quinn D’Andrea, Georgia Greene and Lauren Jones make up the country pop trio, who have established themselves as talented songwriters with a bone-deep understanding of hooks and melody, along with astonishingly clear harmonies, both recorded and live.
Speaking of live, I went along to London’s Heaven nightclub on Thursday 5th February to finally witness this brightly coloured, platform-soled extravaganza for myself. Starting with Growing Pains, the first song from their 2025 namesake album, and armed with only a keyboard, a tambourine and an acoustic guitar, it became obvious that the total absence of a backing band, set props or special effects meant there was nowhere to hide should anyone hit the wrong note. Luckily, this didn’t happen – Trousdale proved their chops in the strongest way possible by having no safety net. Lonely Night, Over and Over and Want Me Back followed and the latter especially demonstrated the band’s knack for softer, more restrained vocal control in contrast to fully-fledged belting. Despite this, a piercing cover of Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain (also known to some of us as the Formula One theme tune) soared over the audience’s heads and directly through our chests at once, and the band tied up the set with fan favourite Thinking About You after successfully teaching a crash-course in three-part harmonies.
It was clear to see how much Trousdale love their UK fans and the support they (rightfully) receive from across the pond. More than anything, it’s heartening to see young women staring the state of the world squarely in the face and using it as fuel to power their creativity. With their unique combination of songwriting, production and vocal talent, mixed with a healthy dose of audacity, Trousdale are role models for other young women making their way in a world determined to stop them.