Returning to Nottingham after its first event in March, ‘Women in Music’ presents a new event taking place Wednesday 10th October, featuring a keynote interview plus panels with leading industry experts. The all-female event hopes to inspire the next generation of music industry professionals including TV directors, Magazine editors, promoters, managers, radio presenters and more. We caught up with Anwyn Williams of DHP to talk a bit more about the event and her views about the gender imbalance in the music industry.
Hi Anwyn. Would you like to tell us a bit about yourself, your career within the industry and your role within the event?
Hello! I’m Marketing Manager at DHP Family. I’m originally from Warwickshire but I moved to Nottingham in 2010 to study Media and Popular Culture at NTU. Two of my main passions are music and women’s rights, so it’s amazing to be working on this event. I’m part of the group who organise the ‘Women in Music’ events and I will be chairing the second panel of the evening at the event on Wednesday.
“It features some incredible and inspiring women who are experts in their fields”
Why should people attend the Women in Music event and what are you hoping they will take away from it?
It will be full of insightful information about working in the industry, which I am sure you will find interesting whatever gender you identify as. It features some incredible and inspiring women who are experts in their fields and will be able to tell us about their unique experiences. I hope that people who attend will leave feeling motivated to take on the challenge of working in the music industry, as well as tackling gender inequality wherever they see it.
“Music is something that the majority of people love, regardless of gender, race, sexuality, age, etc.”
Why do you think there are less women in the industry and how can we change that?
I don’t know why! Music is something that the majority of people love, regardless of gender, race, sexuality, age, etc. I think because it has historically been seen as a male dominated field of work, it can be off-putting for women. I think events like ours are important, not just to discuss issues that women face within the industry, but also to highlight how many amazing women there are working in the industry and making changes within it already; so we can inspire the next generation through what we’re doing.
What would you say to young women that are possibly put off following careers in the industry because of the gender imbalance?
I would sincerely encourage any young women who are interested in careers in music to attend our events and events like ours, get to networking events and research/meet the women that are coming through the ranks and leading in our industry. There are plenty of women doing fantastic work in the industry to get inspired by – you won’t be alone!
Having an all-female line up makes a nice change to events like these, but could this add to the problem by alienating men?
Speaking on my personal experience of our event at Rescue Rooms earlier this year, I would say probably not. We had a great male turnout and all the men in attendance were really supportive. In general, I get the impression that men in the music industry are quite aware that the issues of gender imbalance need to be addressed and want to support that cause as it will benefit the industry as a whole.
“It’s important for female artists to have control over their careers, so it’s their say on whether something is empowering or objectifying.”
Both genders face challenges in the industry, but why are all-female led events still important?
I think it is important to showcase the female talent out there so that young people of all genders can see what women can, and do, achieve. It’s inspiring and illuminating to see and be aware of that as early as possible.
The representation of women within the music industry (especially within pop-music) can be extremely objectifying, do you think this takes away from the actual music women are creating?
I think it depends on the message being put out there. For example, I don’t think women being empowered and in charge of their sexuality is negative, as that’s something that women have fought for, but I think it can depend on how much control the woman is being given over her work and image. It’s important for female artists to have control over their careers, so it’s their say on whether something is empowering or objectifying.
“If there’s something you’re passionate about, there are in-roads to working in that industry, just think about what skills you have that you can apply to that passion.”
To pursue something as a career, it’s good to have a direction before leaving school. How can we encourage girls of younger ages to think about jobs in music as a real possibility?
I hope younger people will see the achievements of women in the industry and recognise that it is a viable option for them. The great thing about trying to get a job in music is that you can cash in on your passion, and that applies to any industry really.
When I went to university to do my degree, I wasn’t necessarily aiming towards a job in music, but off the back of my studies I was able to get a job in marketing, and then I was able to get a job in the marketing team at DHP Family. If there’s something you’re passionate about, there are in-roads to working in that industry, just think about what skills you have that you can apply to that passion.
The proceeds for the event are donated to local charity ‘Equation’, could you tell us a bit about them?
Equation are an amazing local charity that work throughout Nottinghamshire to prevent domestic abuse and sexual violence. Their goal is for everyone to have equal, healthy relationships, free from domestic abuse, sexual violence and gender inequality. 1 in 4 women will be abused by a partner, ex or family member at some point in their lives and an average of 2 women per week lose their lives to domestic violence.
On November 25th, they’ll be holding a Pop-Up Charity Shop at Rescue Rooms which we are helping to programme some music for. It will be a chance to celebrate gender equality and spice up your winter wardrobe, with live music, a catwalk, hair and make-up stylists and loads of clothes stalls, so come along to help raise some more money for them!
Thanks for your time. Anything else you’d like our readers to know about the event?
Thanks for talking with me! We can’t wait for the event and are looking forward to seeing plenty of people there. If you want to stay up to date with us and our future events you can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @wimnotts.
‘Women in Music’ takes place on Wednesday the 10th of October from 6pm at the Rescue Rooms. Tickets are £3 for students (standard entry is £5) and available at www.alttickets.com.
Charlotte Evans
Featured image and article images courtesy of DHP Family. Image use licence here.
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