Women finding a place in the music industry
Women are often over-sexualized
in many genres of music or marketed
to be something that is not
who they are or attainable for other
women.
According to Holly Kruse in Key Terms of Popular Music and Culture, “the increased visibility of women as rock musicians – in the past they have usually been restricted to a role of pop singer – has undoubtedly helped to account for increased interest in the relationship between gender and music.”
Four second-year Music Industry Arts female students, Jo Jo Worthington, Emma Elena Grace, Bailey Pelkman and Kira Longeuay, spoke about their roles as artists as well as contributing to the music scene at Fanshawe College and the city.
They all had a wealth of knowledge in different instruments.
Pelkman first learned piano, then picked up guitar, ukulele and flute. Grace said she didn’t play instruments at first but found guitar at 15.
Longeuay taught herself how to play guitar when she was 15 and also plays ukulele and bass.
Worthington – who can be seen performing on campus from time to time – says she plays the ukulele.
Before entering the Music Industry Arts program, each young woman mulled over a couple of options.
“I didn’t actually know of any other programs,” Pelkman said. “I know about OIART until coming to Fanshawe, but I knew MIA was a really well-rounded program.”
Longeuay wisely commented on her program, “You not only learn about the curriculum, you also learn a lot of life lessons working with other people, who you work well with, who you may not, taking those skills into the real world when I graduate, and I would like to get a job in engineering or producing as well as continuing with the song writing part of it.”
“A lot of graduates stay in London, so networking and getting noticed by the professors and you do your best work and impress them,” she continued. “They are active in the industry now, and they have so many connections – they can definitely help you get great jobs.”
When asked about being women in a male-dominated industry, Peckman stated that confidence in yourself and trusting your skills was imperative.
“I don’t think this just applies [to being a woman],” Pelkman said. “A picture came up about a female producer was working in a studio … and that’s something that you don’t really see. You mostly see males. The tech side of the industry is definitely male dominated, but it doesn’t mean males are better. So be confident and don’t be discouraged.”
Drugs and alcohol often play a role in music, but staying grounded can combat the negativity that goes with substance abuse. Longeuay had observations about that.
“When you go on tour, it’s not about drinking and doing drugs all night because you are just surrounded by it by your crew and your fans,” she said. “It’s readily available … it’s hard to say now, keep in mind it’s what you love to do – it’s your job. Your job isn’t to get wasted every night, your job is to put on a really great rock show or whatever.”
“You’re there to get the crowd going, not run off stage and throw up on someone.”
Finally, choices in music fluctuate with time and they all mentioned their favourite ones – some are prominent females in the industry.
Grace loves Hosier, Noah Gunderson, Dixie Chicks and Lights.
Pelkman enjoys Jason Mraz and Cobbie Clay.
Longeuay likes punk, pop, folk and the works of Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters. She also likes Dallas Green and Taylor Swift.
Worthington finished with St. Vincent, an artist she finds inspiring.
“She’s a female songwriter, an incredible guitar player and plays the best that I have ever seen. She’s so unique, and she’s very innovative in everything she does. She really inspires me to try to also be like that and try different things and be crazy like that.”
According to Holly Kruse in Key Terms of Popular Music and Culture, “the increased visibility of women as rock musicians – in the past they have usually been restricted to a role of pop singer – has undoubtedly helped to account for increased interest in the relationship between gender and music.”
Four second-year Music Industry Arts female students, Jo Jo Worthington, Emma Elena Grace, Bailey Pelkman and Kira Longeuay, spoke about their roles as artists as well as contributing to the music scene at Fanshawe College and the city.
They all had a wealth of knowledge in different instruments.
Pelkman first learned piano, then picked up guitar, ukulele and flute. Grace said she didn’t play instruments at first but found guitar at 15.
Longeuay taught herself how to play guitar when she was 15 and also plays ukulele and bass.
Worthington – who can be seen performing on campus from time to time – says she plays the ukulele.
Before entering the Music Industry Arts program, each young woman mulled over a couple of options.
“I didn’t actually know of any other programs,” Pelkman said. “I know about OIART until coming to Fanshawe, but I knew MIA was a really well-rounded program.”
Longeuay wisely commented on her program, “You not only learn about the curriculum, you also learn a lot of life lessons working with other people, who you work well with, who you may not, taking those skills into the real world when I graduate, and I would like to get a job in engineering or producing as well as continuing with the song writing part of it.”
“A lot of graduates stay in London, so networking and getting noticed by the professors and you do your best work and impress them,” she continued. “They are active in the industry now, and they have so many connections – they can definitely help you get great jobs.”
When asked about being women in a male-dominated industry, Peckman stated that confidence in yourself and trusting your skills was imperative.
“I don’t think this just applies [to being a woman],” Pelkman said. “A picture came up about a female producer was working in a studio … and that’s something that you don’t really see. You mostly see males. The tech side of the industry is definitely male dominated, but it doesn’t mean males are better. So be confident and don’t be discouraged.”
Drugs and alcohol often play a role in music, but staying grounded can combat the negativity that goes with substance abuse. Longeuay had observations about that.
“When you go on tour, it’s not about drinking and doing drugs all night because you are just surrounded by it by your crew and your fans,” she said. “It’s readily available … it’s hard to say now, keep in mind it’s what you love to do – it’s your job. Your job isn’t to get wasted every night, your job is to put on a really great rock show or whatever.”
“You’re there to get the crowd going, not run off stage and throw up on someone.”
Finally, choices in music fluctuate with time and they all mentioned their favourite ones – some are prominent females in the industry.
Grace loves Hosier, Noah Gunderson, Dixie Chicks and Lights.
Pelkman enjoys Jason Mraz and Cobbie Clay.
Longeuay likes punk, pop, folk and the works of Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters. She also likes Dallas Green and Taylor Swift.
Worthington finished with St. Vincent, an artist she finds inspiring.
“She’s a female songwriter, an incredible guitar player and plays the best that I have ever seen. She’s so unique, and she’s very innovative in everything she does. She really inspires me to try to also be like that and try different things and be crazy like that.”
