Propeller Group’s Post

🎶 The music industry is making significant strides toward #genderequality, as evidenced by a recent study conducted by USC Annenberg with the support of Spotify. The study shows that #progress has been made in the music industry, but women #producers and #songwriters still face challenges. 🎉 Let's celebrate the #progress made so far and keep #amplifying diversity in the music world. By promoting the voices of underrepresented groups, we can make the music industry more #inclusive for everyone. 👉 Dig deeper into the findings here: https://lnkd.in/dQvdyffd

"Twenty years after the tidal wave of misogyny faced by The (then Dixie) Chicks and the progress suggested by their 2016 performance with Beyoncé at the Country Music Awards, Morris’s damning indictment of Nashville’s culture begs the question as to whether a woman, LGBTQ+ singer or artist of color can succeed in country music, especially if they speak out and go against prevailing political norms. Country music isn’t known as a good ol’ boys’ club for nothing. Gender issues are “historic to the genre”, says Dr Jada Watson, an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa. “There are women who preceded Maren like Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn who often wrote songs about more progressive ideals of what it means to be a woman.” The problem is that country music’s once broad church seems to be closing its doors to progressive voices. Nowhere is this more evident than on the airwaves. If you turn on a country radio station right now, chances are that you’ll hear a (white) man singing. As Keith Hill, one of the most powerful country radio executives, said in 2015: “If you want to make ratings in country radio, take females out.” While Hill’s comments sparked a national conversation about how to tackle the format’s gender issues, there’s been no meaningful change. In 2022, female country artists received just 11% of all airplay. The situation is even more dire for women of colour and LGBTQ+ artists who earned less than 1% of all airplay last year.... "So as long as white women are made to compete for scraps, most won’t be looking for opportunities to create space for LGBTQ+ artists or women of colour,” said Dr. Watson.... Country radio is notorious for punishing artists who speak out against the genre’s conservative roots and institutional structures.... Even in the face of mounting criticism of its diversity problem, mainstream country music has seemingly doubled down with many of its most successful acts falling under the “bro country” category. The first half of 2023 saw country music consumption increase 20.3% year-on-year, thanks in large part to the cross-over success of a historic trio of number one hits from Morgan Wallen, Jason Aldean and Oliver Anthony. All three men’s music has been championed by country radio, but more importantly, their success, artistry and lyrics have to varying degrees played into country’s conservative fanbase and been weaponized by the Republican.... “There’s [some] really dangerous, violent gatekeeping going on … that allows the industry to maintain white supremacy, but also emboldens fans to act,” said Dr. Watson.... It’s no coincidence that this push to position country music as conservative, white and Christian has coincided with the rising power of the Republican Tea Party and Trumpism. “Who gets to count as country music is both gendered and raced,” says Dr Watson." https://lnkd.in/gbuBmRzG

There are real challenges around misogyny in music. Last month our government (sighs but not surprised) rejected the findings of a report about this https://lnkd.in/e9nq22Js Ill be on panel discussing this at a Gender in Music Conference this month led by the The F List for Music My focus will be the misogyny queer women face. When I set up Out & Wild Festival I was focused on supporting the audience but it soon became clear artists value the space because they just don’t get the representation they should. Especially at Prides. Last year one of the biggest Prides in the UK had less than 20% of acts identify as queer women or non-binary. And 26 acts (over 50%) were drag queens with just 2 drag kings. And when women do appear it tends to be the acts that gay men loved growing up, most of whom are not queer women. I speak to acts who never get asked to perform at Prides, despite being massively talented. Many also say they find Prides or events play heavily to stereotypes and are feel over sexualised. Making them not the best spaces to perform at. I was involved in setting up the Women’s Stage at Pride in London when we suggested moving it from the back of a van (literally) to Leicester Square we had to fight a lot of criticism to make it happen. There are over 200 Prides across the UK. They should be for the whole community. If you are a brand that sponsors Prides I have two questions for you. Because unless you challenge you are supporting the problem. 1️⃣ Are you checking the gender balance on the board or committee. Because we all know how important representation is here. 2️⃣ Are you asking them how they ensure a fair representation of their community on stages. The good Prides do focus on this and track it. Out & Wild will be working with the F-List and others to measure representation this year. And we will report on it. Because this needs to change. #womeninmusic #pride #genderrepresentation

Wouldn’t it be great if women in music saw the change women in football have? Women in music are underrepresented, underpaid and undevalued. A YouGov survey in 2022 found that just 13% of headliners at festivals were women. And some festivals like Glastonbury (yes really) had no female headliners. We are told it’s a pipeline issue (sound familiar…) At Out & Wild Festival 90% of our acts are female or nb. We are proud to work with Vick Bain from the The F List for Music to challenge male bias in music. As she says ‘There’s still a lot of sexism, and that can be overt or covert, and a lot of stereotyping, which is restrictive to women. Women in music education will be encouraged to go into music teaching, rather than performing’ There is a lot that the world of music can learn from football. Women will no longer just accept a bias status quo. #womeninmusic #womenonstages #genderequality

Today, the music industry is witnessing a significant shift as women continue to make their mark in various genres, from classical to pop. 🎶 The contributions of female musicians, producers, and executives are not only reshaping the industry but also inspiring young women to pursue careers in music. The resilience and creativity of these trailblazing women serve as a testament to the transformative power of diversity and inclusion in the music world. 🌟 As a recruiter, it's crucial to recognize and champion the talent and accomplishments of women in the music industry. By amplifying their voices and providing equal opportunities for career advancement, we can contribute to a more inclusive and dynamic music landscape. 🎤 It is imperative that we continue to support and empower female professionals in music, as their success paves the way for future generations and enriches the industry as a whole. 🎸 Let's celebrate the achievements of women in music and strive for greater diversity and inclusion in the industry. #WomenInMusic #DiversityandInclusion #EmpowerWomen 🎼

Extract-Half of women in music experience discrimination, report finds Misogyny, sexual discrimination and harassment are still everyday problems for female musicians in the UK, a damning new report has found. It says that one third of women in the music industry have been sexually harassed at work, with many reporting it as a barrier to their career. Women are also eight times more likely to face discrimination than men. The findings come from the first ever UK Musicians' Census, conducted by the Musicians' Union and Help Musicians. It surveyed more than 6,000 music industry professionals, of whom 2,526 identified as women. The report said women are paid less than men, and often experience shorter careers, despite being trained and educated to a higher level. More than a quarter of female musicians (27%) said they did not earn enough from music to sustain a career, compared to 20% of men. On average, women earn 10% less than their male counterparts, with an average annual income of £19,850 compared to £21,750 for men… "It's vital that the industry makes genuine commitments and takes decisive actions" to "prevent" the findings being repeated, said Nadia Khan, founder of the non-profit music development organisation Women in CTRL. "True progress can only be achieved when we address these systemic issues head-on and create a more equitable landscape for women in music." The new findings echo a report made by MPs on the Women and Equalities Committee in January. They described the music industry as a "boys' club" where sexual harassment and abuse are "endemic", and called for legislation to tackle the problem. The report, by a cross-party group of MPs, followed an inquiry into misogyny in the music industry, which began in June 2022. It heard evidence from people including the former BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Macmanus, known as Annie Mac, who said there was a "tidal wave" of revelations about sexual assault in the music industry waiting to be told… Jobs are often stereotyped by gender, too, the report said. Only 12% of studio engineers, 8% of rappers, and 24% of DJs are women. By contrast, women account for 59% of the roles in classical music. Naomi Pohl, general secretary of the Musicians' Union, said stories like these illustrated how women were still being "held back" in the music industry. "We have long advocated for better pay gap reporting, and hope the census findings will encourage the industry to take action, be more transparent and make change." https://lnkd.in/e9iv9MB6

Calling All Music Industry Champions and Organisations Supporting Women! The Females About Music collective started from me (Javina) and two fellow students. Creating a safe space for women to help each other in our musical careers. Whilst studying at the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) in Birmingham. It is our mission to empower women in music composition and disrupt gender inequality within the industry. Our Project: Not Just a One Hit Wonder Is a project idea which I came up with from being, in both professional fields, of the Music industry and advocacy for women. We want to utilise the talents of our female artists and production teams to create impactful music for campaigns, advertisements, short films, and social media initiatives. Do you stand against violence against women and girls (VAWG)? Are you an organisation committed to diversity and inclusion? If so, we want to collaborate! What We're Offering: * High-Quality, Original Music: Our collective boasts a diverse range of talented composers ready to bring your vision to life. * Sustainable Job Opportunities: We create long-term opportunities for female composers within the music industry. * Increased Visibility for Your Cause: Leverage the power of music to amplify your message and reach a wider audience. What We're Looking For: * The Opportunity to Pitch (April 1st - 25th): We'd love to present our music and discuss how it can elevate your upcoming campaigns. (Please note, there is no obligation to commit after the pitch) * Long-Term Collaboration: A chance to submit music for future projects on a regular basis. (Optional) * Performance Opportunities: We'd be thrilled to showcase our talent and raise awareness at your events. (Music, photography, presentations) (Optional) This project is part of a Master's module at ACM, fostering collaboration and preparing us to make a real impact in the industry. Ready to Champion Women in Music? Learn more about our project: Full Presentation: https://lnkd.in/e3CGmt3z Let's connect! javina.greene@icloud.com or alternatively jg1060@my.acm.ac.uk #NotJustAOneHitWonder #WomenInMusic #ACM #DiversityInMusic P.S. We are particularly interested in organisations working to combat violence against women and girls.

Today, the music industry is witnessing a significant shift as women continue to make their mark in various genres, from classical to pop. 🎶 The contributions of female musicians, producers, and executives are not only reshaping the industry but also inspiring young women to pursue careers in music. The resilience and creativity of these trailblazing women serve as a testament to the transformative power of diversity and inclusion in the music world. 🌟 As a recruiter, it's crucial to recognize and champion the talent and accomplishments of women in the music industry. By amplifying their voices and providing equal opportunities for career advancement, we can contribute to a more inclusive and dynamic music landscape. 🎤 It is imperative that we continue to support and empower female professionals in music, as their success paves the way for future generations and enriches the industry as a whole. 🎸 Let's celebrate the achievements of women in music and strive for greater diversity and inclusion in the industry. #WomenInMusic #DiversityandInclusion #EmpowerWomen 🎼

I love Frances McDormand's powerful “Inclusion Rider” speech. Her call for equality in the film industry resonates deeply and can be applied to music as well. Women composers are vastly underrepresented in concert programming and recordings, a disparity we need to address. The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative provides crucial statistics on the prevalence and portrayal of female characters in film, and here are a few that stand out: ➡️ Of the top 100 films in 2023, only 44 featured a female lead or co-lead ➡️ Across 17 years, only 6% of film directors were women ➡️ Of the 100 top-grossing films, 47 didn’t feature a single Black woman or girl speaking on screen ➡️ Very few LGBTQ, Indigenous, disabled, or Middle Eastern females are represented in film These alarming stats have parallels in the music industry, where similar disparities exist. An inclusion rider for women musicians could look like this: Representation in Performances and Recordings: ♦️ A commitment to include a minimum percentage of works by women composers in concert programs and recordings. ♦️ Ensuring that women musicians are fairly represented in all ensembles and bands, both as soloists and members. Commissioning New Works: ♦️ Allocating a portion of the budget for commissioning new works specifically from women composers. ♦️ Supporting emerging women composers through mentorship and development programs. Educational and Outreach Programs: ♦️ Developing educational programs and workshops that focus on the contributions of women in music. ♦️ Partnering with schools and community organisations to promote music education and opportunities for young women. Workplace Equality: ♦️ Establishing policies that support a safe and inclusive work environment, free from harassment and discrimination. ♦️ Providing equal opportunities for career advancement and professional development for women musicians. Monitoring and Reporting: ♦️ Setting up mechanisms to regularly review and report on the progress of gender diversity and inclusion initiatives. ♦️ Ensuring transparency in the implementation of the inclusion rider and sharing outcomes with stakeholders. Many organisations are already taking these steps, but overall, we could be doing much better. At Mirabilis Collective, we are committed to addressing this disparity in the music industry. By commissioning and performing works by women composers, we aim to amplify their voices and ensure their contributions are recognised and celebrated. __________________ I'm privileged to be the Artistic Director of Mirabilis Collective. We bring together women musicians from multiple generations to create inspiring and innovative performances. Our concerts are unique musical experiences that celebrate female artists.

Sometimes Music Reflects Society, Sometimes It Leads It! Socially driven music can be a powerful way to raise awareness and effect change in diverse, troubling issues, including Democracy, Discrimination, Climate, Mental Health, Bullying, Substance Abuse, Anti-Semitism, Equality, Homelessness, Veterans, Suicide,Terrorism, Gun Control, Women’s Productive Rights, Food and Clean Water Insecurity, Cancer and other illnesses, Animal Rights Advocacy, Environmental Justice, Oceans, LGBTQ+ rights, etc. Each of these social impact initiatives comprises a large, passionate community which includes music fans who are energized when descriptive, compelling music speaks loudly (emotionally) to them. Visceral reaction to music with a purpose can also be harnessed to influence the zeitgeist, and can be particularly effective in persuading political collaborative action and circumventing the inaction of obstructionists to the progress that the majority of us desire. Music has always been a powerful tool for social change and has proven its ability to inspire action on important issues. Today more than ever, we need non-partisan socially poignant music that moves us viscerally and implores us to join in a call-to-action. Where is this music and how do we activate it? We implore musicians, fans, brands supportive of positive social causes, as well as political entities at all levels - starting with local campaigns - to return focus on socially poignant music (metaphorical, entertaining, thought-provoking) in addition to customary themes. Let's use this universal language of music as a strategy against divisiveness while fostering collaboration towards positive change: #Music4APurpose Please sign this petition if you believe in the power of music as an instrument for positive change and want to join our proactive consortium of music creators, fans, social impact causes and supportive brands. Local emerging songwriters and music artists are encouraged to Contact Socially Driven Music with their wishlists of established music peers and causes and local politicians with whom they'd like to collaborate on furthering issues important to them. We'll get to work connecting you and ensuring that your political representatives are hearing you when you let us know who they are! https://chng.it/t2Yvzpbk9f