#Balance for Better: International Women's Day

Originally published in BIMM's Womens Society Booklet

With the theme of International Women’s Day 2019 focusing on equality in the workplace,

#Balanceforbetter, I became intrigued to find out how this balance is found in Industries where there isn’t a set workplace as such. Focusing on the music Industry, an Industry that I am already part of, I’ve noticed the clear drive for more pressure to be put on equality. In particular, the call for festivals to not only have 50/50 gender line-up splits, but also have 50/50 splits for the staff working these events. While this change shines positive light on unbalanced festival line-ups, so many festivals have admitted to struggling to achieve this, even with Glastonbury Boss Emily Eavis confessing to the Mirror that they are ‘a little way off.’

Looking closer to home, I wanted to find out how this equality has been found in more local situations. Focusing on The Brighton Music Industry, I set out to shine light on upcoming female talent within the Industry, who were willing to share their thoughts on the acceptance in the Brighton music scene and how the local industry could strive for #BalanceforBetter.

Annie Lee- Country Musician and Manager at Play Hard Promotions

Hi Annie, for how long have you been part of the Music scene?

I moved to Brighton almost four years ago and have been attending local gigs at venues like Green Door Store, The Hope and Ruin and Prince Albert ever since I moved to Brighton. I started doing a lot of Music Industry related jobs 2 years ago, like managing bands, promoting and organising gigs and volunteering for events like the Great Escape Festival. Now I also perform and gig around Brighton with my original music and have a lot more gigs coming up within the next few months.

What is being a female performer like in Brighton?

I think Brighton is a very accepting place and I am all about female empowerment. A lot of the songs I write are about that as it is something I am very passionate about. It is great to see so many female performers and bands in Brighton and I think it is really inspiring. I feel blessed to be able to perform and be respected as a woman in this city.

With Many festival line-ups calling for 50/50 line-ups this year, do you think this will be a catalyst for change for the rest of the industry?

I think that it is great that festivals are doing this and allowing women to have equal opportunities to perform. I think it is a very positive change not only within the music industry but for Women's Rights in general. I think that it will be quite a big change for the industry and recently I have come across a lot of articles about this topic on sites like Music Business Worldwide. I think it is important to make the music industry as well as every industry an equal place for everyone, to allow everyone equal opportunities.

Do you feel as though the balance of gender in the music industry has not been taken as seriously as it has in other sectors?

I believe that sometimes this topic is something that people often overlook or dismiss in general, however I think the music industry is ahead of other industries in this regard. I hope that people will continue to acknowledge the balance of gender in the music industry and other industries. It is important to work towards this change that way we can inspire young girls who want to join any industry to show them that women are equal, they need role models to show them that they can do it and that being a woman is so empowering.

Evangeline Eastwood- Front women of Brighton based Soul/Rock band

For How long have you been part of the Brighton Music Scene?

I moved to Brighton about four years ago and have been part of the music scene consistently for about two and half years. I have been performing solo and full band gigs around Brighton, in various venues and pubs of all sizes and have experienced/ worked with professionals within most areas of the industry.

Has there ever been a time where you have felt that you have not been equally represented as an artist because of your gender?

Personally I don't recall being treated unfairly or have felt unequally represented because of my gender, at least not as far as I'm aware. I have however witnessed my female musician friends not been 'taken seriously' or/and not treated equally by male workers in the industry, through snide comments or remarks.

How do you think that the Brighton scene can be more supportive of women in creative industries?

By allowing more regular female-fronted and women empowerment type gigs and events as well as offering more opportunities to women within different areas of the music industry, which I have already started to see more and more throughout Brighton.

Tulula- Fly Sonata

For How long have you been a musician?

I’ve been a musician for over 8 years and have been on the Brighton circuit for 1 or 2 years. Its such as thriving and versatile music scene so I have no intention of leaving soon.

Do you think that being part of an industry dominated by men has personally brought you challenges?

Personally I haven’t faced any extreme challenges being a female artist, but the occasional moment where someone like a sound guy will talk to you like you don’t have a clue, a bit like mechanics sometimes do. Or direct the information towards the male musicians in the band, but I’m quick to own my space within most situations, especially when it comes to my own creativity.

What do you think Brighton can do in which support more equality within the music scene?

Brighton is doing great in regards to supporting female and transgender artists. There are so many Female fronted bands spanning all genres from Punk to Rap so it’s awesome to see and many of these in headline slots to. One thing I would say is that Brighton has so many events that celebrate just females or Transartists alone to showcase their creativity and bring people together and I’d love to see this expanded further afield.

To support equal opportunities within the local music scene, check out the fantastic work of BitchCraft and FemFriday on Facebook as well as supporting balanced line-ups across venues in Brighton.

#interviews