It’s International Women’s Day! Yee-haw! We at The Rodeo always love to see strong women, trans and non-binary artists taking the industry by a storm. We write about the music they make quite a lot, though, so today we wanted to promote the kick-ass work being done by organisations behind the scenes striving to make that happen.
While having representation on stage, behind mixing desks and up lighting rigs does wonders to promote inclusivity, there’s so much to be said for the unsung heroes promoting the resources and platforms to make those dreams come true – the people committed to fighting gender inequality and raising fierce, talented, confident women in music.
So thank you, to these organisations and the many more we could have written about. Here’s to strong women: may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.
Brighter Sound
These lovely Manchester lot are a music charity that develops the music creators, leaders and industry professionals of the future, with a particular focus on supporting those who are historically and currently underrepresented.
Their creative projects, residencies, training and events help people with everything from artistic and career development, to building communities and personal confidence. Brighter Sound has been working to support women and people from marginalised genders since 2013, and most recently put together a Both Sides Now initiative that includes artistic development, education resources and a programme of leadership development for industry professionals.
Riot Garden
Here to kick up a fuss, Riot Garden is a cracking collective based in Manchester that aims to create an inclusive, chaotic and kind scene that welcomes people of all shapes, backgrounds, ethnicities and quirks.
The collective focuses on organising gigs, protests, events andsafe spaces for women/POC/LGBTQ+ people, with a general aim of promoting a cracking time without the worry of being sexually assaulted, racially abused or judged for being who you are. Bravo.
She Said So
She Said So is a global community of women, gender minorities and allies in the music industry. Their mission is to “connect and empower underrepresented communities towards a more equitable music industry for all, one woman or gender minority at a time.”
With a strong awareness of intersectionality in their work, the community organises live events, runs mentorship programmes and works with industry events as just a few examples of how they break down stereotypes and raise awareness. Their community continues to grow, and with it we see an incredible network and ethos thrive – the future is most certainly bright for these warriors.
Saffron
Angry stat for you: women, trans and non-binary people currently account for less than 5% (FIVE!) of the music tech industry. Fortunately, Bristol-based organisation Saffron is here to put that to rights. By providing a safe space for these communities to learn, connect and thrive, they have one simple goal in mind: “We want to inhabit traditionally male-dominated music tech spaces and become visible role models for others.”
Founded in 2015, the organisation provides a range of online workshops and tools which promote accessible training in music production, sound engineering and DJing, as well as running their own artist development programme and record label. In just seven years, Saffron has established itself as one of the leading tech development platforms for women and non-binary people, both in the UK and internationally. We – and I cannot emphasise this enough – love to see it.
Amplify Her Voice
Empowering women; promoting equality – such is the mantra of online platform Amplify Your Voice. Dedicated to advancing the careers of women in music through educational, networking, and creative opportunities, the organisation has built an impressive community of over 20,000 followers since 2019 – proof that their fight for equality is most certainly not a battle fought solo.
Amplify Her Voice does just what it says on the tin: they give a voice to women who are otherwise hushed in a male-saturated industry. Whether it’s by interviewing women-identifying music professionals and artists, hosting networking events or flagging internship opportunities, this is most definitely a platform worth shouting about.
