15 Original Lilith Fair Artists That You May Not Know Are Still Making Great Music

Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, and Katy Perry may be selling out arenas today, but when Sarah McLachlan launched the all-female Lilith Fair tour in the late 90’s, no concert promoter would dare put two female artists on the same bill. Sarah just announced on The Tonight Show that she's releasing a new album in 2014. Here are 15 other Lilith Fair artists that are still making great music today.

1. Sheryl Crow

With 9 Grammy's and over 50 million albums sold worldwide, Sheryl Crow certainly has a back catalog of hits – like 1996's "If It Makes You Happy". She's gone on record stating that "it's a country song masquerading as a rock song", so it's not really surprising that in recent years she's transitioned to the country format, like on "Easy", from her 2013 album Feels Like Home. Later this year, Sheryl will join Rascal Flatts on their Rewind Tour across North America.

Then:

Download "If It Makes You Happy" on iTunes.

Now:

Download "Easy" on iTunes.

2. Jewel

It's hard to believe that the acoustic-folk sound of Jewel's 1995 album Pieces of You resonated with over 12 million people, but thanks to a couple of re-recordings for pop radio (like the inescapable "You Were Meant For Me"), the Alaskan-born singer-songwriter became primed for mainstream success. Like Sheryl, in recent years she's found her sound now best fits within the country format, like on "Ten", from her 2010 release Sweet and Wild. In 2013, Jewel released a greatest hits album (which includes an amazing re-recording of "Foolish Games" with Kelly Clarkson) and her second holiday album.

Then:

Download "You Were Meant For Me" on iTunes.

Now:

Download "Ten" on iTunes.

3. Paula Cole

Alanis Morissette was worried about being permanently associated with a TV show, so she turned down the producers of Dawson's Creek when they wanted to use "Hand In My Pocket" as its theme song. Enter Paula Cole. While Ms. Cole is not a one hit wonder (her first single "Where Have All The Cowboys Gone" was a top 10 hit), most people remember her for "I Don't Want To Wait" - the hit theme from, surprise - Dawson's Creek. The same people are subsequently upset when they find out her song has been replaced on the DVD/Netflix versions of the Creek, teaching music supervisors everywhere the importance of securing song placements for all future forms of media. Paula has released several albums since, and her latest release – 2013's Raven - was funded via the popular crowdfunding site Kickstarter. You can catch Paula on tour in the U.S. in March.

Then:

Download "I Don't Want To Wait" on iTunes.

Now:

Download "Strong Beautiful Woman" on iTunes.

4. Joan Osborne

Even if you've forgotten the name Joan Osborne, it's impossible to forget her breakout single "One Of Us" (better known as "What If God Was One Of Us?"). The 1995 Eric Bazilian-penned tune became a top 10 hit worldwide and was nominated for three Grammy awards. While Joan left the mainstream scene shortly after breaking big, she remains a celebrated independent artist and versatile vocalist across many genres, including pop, soul, R&B, blues and country. Her last release - Bring It On Home - was a collection of blues and R&B covers, and her upcoming album - Love and Hate - is available for pre-order on PledgeMusic now.

Then:

Download "One Of Us" on iTunes.

Now:

Download "Shake Your Hips" on iTunes.

5. The Cardigans

It feels criminal to select "Lovefool" as the signature Cardigans song (especially when later singles "My Favorite Game", "Erase and Rewind", and "You're The Storm" are considerably superior), but it was the first song to establish this Swedish band stateside and remains their biggest hit to date. While the band is technically still together (and have long distanced themselves from "Lovefool"), lead vocalist and lyricist Nina Persson has just released her debut solo single "Animal Heart". An album of the same title will be released February 11.

Then:

Download "Lovefool" on iTunes.

Now (Nina Persson):

Download "Animal Heart" on iTunes.

6. Lisa Loeb

Lisa Loeb was the first independent artist to ever have a #1 single on The Billboard Hot 100; a title she held for 19 years until this years big Grammy winner - Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - topped the charts with "Thrift Shop". The unforgettable "Stay (I Missed You)" remained at #1 for 3 weeks, helping Lisa land a deal with Geffen. Her major-label debut Tails was released in 1995. Several albums and label changes later, Lisa recently released her ninth studio album No Fairy Tale, which includes the nostalgic track "The 90's", inspired by the success of "Stay". She also has her own line of eyewear, has released two successful children's music albums, and established The Camp Lisa Foundation.

Then:

Download "Stay (I Missed You)" on iTunes.

Now:

Download "The 90's" on iTunes.

7. Shawn Colvin

Although Shawn Colvin is best known for her single "Sunny Came Home" (which won Record and Song of the Year at the 1998 Grammy Awards), to this day she remains a celebrated songwriter, touring regularly in North America and Europe. One of the few artists to headline Lilith Fair all three years of its initial run, she released her eighth studio album All Fall Down in 2012. You can catch Shawn on her upcoming tour with Steve Earle in March.

Then:

Download "Sunny Came Home" on iTunes.

Now:

Download "All Fall Down" on iTunes.

8. Holly McNarland

Most Canadians will remember Holly McNarland from Big Shiny Tunes 2 - a compilation album by MuchMusic that remains the third best selling album ever in Canada. Her hit "Numb" was a mainstay on the popular music channel in 1997, and helped Holly win a Juno Award (Canada's Grammy) in 1998. Though her debut album Stuff never got the U.S. push it deserved, Holly's powerhouse vocals garnered her a loyal live fanbase wherever she played. In recent years she's happily settled down with her family in Toronto, but she still remains passionate about music - releasing the underrated Run Body Run in 2012.

Then:

Download "Numb" on iTunes.

Now:

Download "After I'm Gone" on iTunes.

9. Melanie Doane

Like Holly, Melanie Doane's acclaimed Adam's Rib album never received a proper release stateside. However, the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist enjoyed two years on the Lilith Fair bill and considerable success in Canada, including multiple top 40 singles and a Juno Award. She's since maintained an independent career, touring primarily in Canada and having song placements in popular TV shows, while also establishing a ukulele music program for kids in Toronto. Her latest release The Emerald City includes her tongue-in-cheek song "The Stupider I Am".

Then:

Download "Adam's Rib" on iTunes.

Now:

Download "The Stupider I Am" on iTunes.

10. Aimee Mann

Aimee Mann has been recording and releasing music for almost 30 years. She fronted the New Wave band Til Tueday in the 80s, released two major label solo albums in the 90s (one of which included "That's Just What You Are" - as featured in Melrose Place), and became one of the first independent artists to have success selling music exclusively online (2000's Bachelor No. 2 sold 25,000 copies through her website before being picked up for distribution). Oh, she also was nominated for an Oscar for her work on the Magnolia soundtrack in 1999. No big deal. Despite these successes, 2012's Charmer contains arguably some of her best work, including the melodic "Labrador". She'll also release an album with Ted Leo as The Both on April 15.

Then:

Download "That's Just What You Are" on iTunes.

Now:

Download "Labrador" on iTunes.

11. Sixpence None The Richer

If you were alive in the 90's, it's hard to forget Sixpence None The Richer's breakthrough single "Kiss Me". The song reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was featured in just about every romantic comedy movie trailer and teen drama show around. Though the Christian-rock band has changed line-ups through the years, it still remains fronted by singer Leigh Nash, who also released several solo albums during the band's hiatus from 2004-2008. The band reunited in 2008 and has released 2 albums since, including their most recent - Lost In Translation - in 2012.

Then:

Download "Kiss Me" on iTunes.

Now:

Download "Sooner Than Later" on iTunes.

12. Monica

Monica had a string of hit singles in the 90s, including her #1 smash "The Boy Is Mine" (with Brandy), "The First Night", and the ballad "Angel of Mine". These successes lead to a headlining spot at Lilith Fair in 1999. Like many of her contemporaries from that era (Beyoncé excluded), she's struggled to maintain the same level of success through recent years. However, she remains an acclaimed R&B vocalist and continues to release new music and tour for a loyal legion of fans. Her latest release - 2012's New Life - includes the single "Until It's Gone".

Then:

Download "Angel of Mine" on iTunes.

Now:

Download "Until It's Gone" on iTunes.

13. Chantal Kreviazuk

When Canadian-songstress Chantal Kreviazuk's debut album Under These Rocks and Stones was released in 1997, it likely suffered from post-Jagged Little Pill syndrome. Like many other female artists poised for U.S. success at the time, Kreviazuk's label didn't seem to know how to market this classically trained pianist and gifted songwriter. Though the album never broke through stateside, it went double platinum in Canada where Chantal has since released several successful albums. She's also become a sought after songwriter in the LA songwriting community, having penned hits for Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani, Avril Lavigne and Pitbull. "Invincible" was featured on her latest release Plain Jane, and Chantal is currently working on a new studio album with Jim Eliot (Ellie Goulding, Kylie Minogue, Drake).

Then:

Download "Surrounded" on iTunes.

Now:

Download "Invincible" on iTunes.

14. Fiona Apple

When Fiona Apple's video for "Criminal" was released in 1997, some TV stations included messages warning viewers about its "racy" content prior to playing it. This seems almost unbelievable in a post-Britney and Christina world where music videos can now only be found on YouTube. Needless to say, at the time it was controversial, as was Apple's MTV Awards acceptance speech for her Best New Artist win in 1997, when she declared: "This world is bulls**t, and you shouldn't model your life about what we think is cool, and what we're wearing and what we're saying." To her credit, she's still right. Since her exile from the mainstream, Fiona has continued to tour and release albums to a loyal live following. Her latest - The Idler Wheel... - was released in 2012.

Then:

Download "Criminal" on iTunes.

Now:

Download "Every Single Night" on iTunes.

15. Dixie Chicks

When the Dixie Chicks headlined Lilith Fair in 1999, they were considered the darling stars of the country music industry and were enjoying the success of their diamond selling debut Wide Open Spaces. Four years later, an on-stage remark about President George Bush lead to country radio banning their songs, public CD burnings, and even a death threat. The band channeled the experience into 2007's acclaimed Taking The Long Way, winning 5 Grammy Awards including Album of The Year. Since their big win, Emily and Martie have released two albums under the side project Court Yard Hounds, and Natalie released her first solo album. The Chicks are yet to record new music as a group, but they are adamant they haven't broken up - playing the successful Long Time Gone tour throughout Canada in 2013.

Then:

Download "Wide Open Spaces" on iTunes.

Now (Court Yard Hounds):

Download "Sunshine" on iTunes.

Now (Natalie Maines):

Download "Without You" on iTunes.

Note: All of the above artists appeared at some point on the initial three year leg of Lilith Fair between 1997 and 1999. Some of the artists also appeared on the 2010 revival tour.