Feminism in Music Industry
Alix Dobkin 1975, photo by Liza Cowan
Many female musicians are put in a sensitive spot on how to really stand up and be counted as a feminist without letting your gender overshadow your music. Or to be getting attention for the wrong reasons. But here are some examples of women in the music industry who talks openly about their importance on feminism visibility in the face of massive male dominated business.
Patti Smith, Kathleen Hanna and Kim Gordon kickstarted the debate about inequality via the punk and riot grrrl scenes. Iconoclasts continue to influence plenty of fourth wave feminist voices pushing for authenticity when it comes to a woman’s role as an equal, rather than a minority. They found their your own authentic voice to spark empowering women in the music industry, some did the opposite, some used their feminism and their social media voice while blatantly sidestepping their musical talent. Let me give you examples:
Halsey and Sky Ferriera both used Twitter to spoke up about creepy articles that focus far too much on the superficial, specially their sexuality and sex appeal, which generated great visibility gave the pushing tap on their musical careers.
Amber Coffman of Dirty Projectors triggered several women to come forward with claims via social media, when she tweeted Heathcliff Berru, founder of Life or Death PR Management, groped the buttocks at a bar in New york in 2013. She sparked outrage and resulted in more women stepping up with further allegations.
The #womeninmusic hashtag escalated when Pitchfork’s senior editor Jessica Hopper, author of “The First Collection of Criticism by Living Female Rock Critic”, put out a call on Twitter for people who had been subjected to misogyny in the industry to share their experiences. She has a clear feminist agenda and made her career out of that.
In the music industry we are talking about the largest boy’s clubs, dance and EDM scene with women making up just 11% of artists at electronic festivals and 18% of EDM labels including women on their rosters. As a result, a number of grassroots initiatives started by female identifying Djs such as the collective Salt + Sass from Berlin, hosts a series of conversations with women who work in all aspects of the music industry today. Providing access, education and support to all stages of their careers.
I think this “quiet” feminism always existed on the background of the raging feminists gangs, and are now coming on to the horizon because we’ve finally learned that the key is discussion. Not only conversations regarding female representation in dance music but how to communicate to the outer bubble of misogynist environment. They’ve realized that together, discussing and debating, we can get a little closer to persuading and actually entice deeper understanding on what we mean about feminism. I’ve gathered some of my favorites examples of women who’ve united amongst themselves, to take up the space in the music industry.
Photos by The sartorialist
Apeiron Crew
Copenhagen’s Apeiron crew, four chicks who came together because they knew there was a void in Copenhagen’s techno music to be filled. Over the years they’ve claimed their space on Danish dance floors, with great musical creativity and mixing chops.
Girlschool and Sad Grrrls Club
Girlschool, is LA based music and art collective that aims to celebrate and connect female identified artists, leaders and voices. Girlschool’s first festival, called Bulbrook to discuss the LA music scene, the empowerment that comes with working with other women. And proceeds benefited Rock n’Roll Camp for Girls LA, Field Day Weekend event with a killer live-up including Kim and The Created, and Nina and Louise from Veruca Salt.
Sad grrrls club, a DIY label collective of non-male Australian musicians which aims to promote gender equality in the local music scene by carefully curating a wholly inclusive line-up.
SIREN
London-based SIREN is comprised of slew of Djs, producers promoters, music journalists, A&E scouts, radio show producers and live performers, the group’s inclusive club nights, warehouse parties, zines, and a slogan: “no bullshit, just dancing”.
Born n Bread
South London Born n Bread collective as well as being the brains behind a globally stocked zine spanning fashion, photography and art, determined to have their voices heard via a monthly radio show on NTS, DJ nights and DIY zine.
Laura Marling and Discwoman
Singer/songwriter Laura Marling has been busy with a new podcast series titled “Reversal of The Muse”. It acts as a cathartic medium for other female musicians to discuss their role in the industry.
Discwoman, New York-based, collective and booking agency that showcases women-identified and genderqueer DJs and producers. Until now they’ve organized events in over fifteen cities, working with more that 150 DJs and producers to date.
“Centering women allows us to make dope parties whilst being conscious of the reality of the fucking world” they say.
Things are definitely changing for the better in the music industry, but progress has to go beyond simply calling out sexism. Attitudes need to shift from within. Inclusivity has to be an open discussion, and thanks to plenty of outspoken women things are shifting gears.