Despite some people’s impression that the music biz can a bit of a “Boy’s Club”, those of us in the industry know that’s not accurate, especially in modern times. There are amazing men and women who work together to make the glory happen!
Personally, I’d like to see a bit more awareness about the sheer volume of women in the industry, and in particular, the breadth and depth of what we do.
Why, right here in our own organisation, just under half of Music SA staff and Board positions are filled by talented women. There’s our Chair of the Board (Anne Wiberg), Secretary & Treasurer (Helen Page & Elizabeth Elliot, respectively), our General Manager (Lisa Bishop), new Industry Development Manager (Emma Coyle), Publicist (Koral Chandler), Accountant (Lynne Collins), Tutors (Kelly Breuer, Alice Fraser), Admin Assistant (Jordan Tito), and Digital Marketing Manager (yours truly).
And based with us at St Paul’s Creative Centre, we also have Becc Bates (Manager, Contemporary Music – Arts SA Music Development Office) and Karen Marsh (Senior Music Development Officer, Department of State Development), both of whom are major figures in growing and supporting the SA music industry. That’s just in one building in Adelaide. Here are a few more inspiring women who have high powered hands on roles across Australia’s music industry.
Pictured: Our Chair of the Board Anne Wiberg chats with
The Hon. Jay Weatherill, SA Premier. Becc Bates in the background too!
Of the local ladies mentioned above, about half a dozen of us are working musicians as well.
And here’s something that puzzles me a little bit…
Whenever I mention I work in music or am a musician, invariably I’ll be asked “Oh, are you a singer?” Well, yes. Yes I am. I love it!
Umm, and also… I’m a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. And a co-manager. And our overseas tour coordinator. And responsible for our digital presence. And employed by a non-profit music organisation.
If that sounds defensive, it’s honestly not intentional, nor my point. It’s just the bigger picture – and the reality for many DIY bands.
Let’s not misunderstand anything here – I don’t think it’s a bad thing to be singled out firstly as a singer! It’s a respected craft, and rightly so. The majority of my musical heroes are singers, and it’s my all time favourite thing to do in our band (along with songwriting). I adore talking about being a singer. (Hint: don’t get me started). And I’ve never personally felt that the question was meant to be taken as anything but nice and polite interest.
Yeah, I reckon I’d be OK with this scenario… Hello, Nashville!
Photo: Jen Pollack Bianco
BUT, I suppose I wish it wasn’t tacitly assumed that it’s always the main or only thing that women do in music.
Maybe a similar thing happens to guys – “I work in music”. “Oh, do you play guitar?”
Apparently this sort of perception starts young, too, and in an even more overgeneralized way. Several years ago I had a terrible time trying to find a present for my musician cousin’s baby girl. I wanted a onesie with a music motif, ANY music motif. IF I could find one, it was always blue. Hmm. I wasn’t specifically after something pink, but the message seemed to be “no guitars for girls”, and not even anything depicting music in a ‘neutral’ yellow or green!
There’s a really empowering campaign at the moment called #askhermore, which arose during the Hollywood awards season. It aims to encourage lazy journalists to ask the nominated actresses about more than their jewelry or couture. These leaders in their field were frustrated that they are rarely asked about their craft, their character development. etc. Instead, they got the red carpet ‘mani-cam‘.
The resulting memes and video grabs on this topic are testament to the pervasiveness of this phenomenon in the acting world, and are an illuminating read. Theirs is obviously a different context (and remember, I enjoy talking about singing), but I’d love to see this trend of raising awareness of women’s multi-faceted careers carry over into the music industry.
Let’s be absolutely clear. I’m NOT saying that asking a woman musician if she is a singer – or a man if they play guitar – is a sexist thing to do. Or wrong. Or insulting. IT’S NOT. My message is that this sort of question is just potentially oversimplified…
Next time a person mentions she or he is a musician or works in music, let’s hope we hear “Oh, and what do you do in music?” Then they can talk about their greatest passions. The resulting conversation should be inspiring.
Let’s #askusmore
– Dr. Elizabeth Reid
Music SA Digital Marketing Manager
Comments welcome below.
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