FAC Insights: "Music Industry: It’s time to listen to womxn" by Women in CTRL
FAC Insights is a forum for us to showcase and share long form pieces looking at various parts of the music industry and the society that shapes it. There are no real boundaries beyond that and pieces take the form of videos, interviews, discussions, articles and more.
Nadia Khan
Founder - Women in CTRL
I’ve been working in the industry for over 19 years, and it’s been an incredible journey. I’ve had some amazing experiences, I’ve travelled the world, worked huge hit records and been part of some life-changing projects, and built my own successful businesses. But as a female working in a male dominated job and industry it’s not been an easy ride! I’ve been shouted at, threatened, sexually harassed, undermined, and at times felt really isolated as I struggled to deal with these experiences alone.
“I’ve been shouted at, threatened, sexually harassed, undermined’
Women in CTRL changed all that for me - I started to share my experiences with other women in the industry and found that we had a lot of similar stories and I wanted to provide a platform for womxn to be heard. I've been speaking to a lot of our 700 members over the last month and I wanted to share some of their experiences.
It’s time to listen to womxn, and hear their experiences and understand why these movements are needed. These stories are reflection of the current norm for womxn in the industry, and by listening we become aware of the problems that exist and where you can help.
Step in when you see something wrong, speak out and support womxn, listen to them with empathy and sincerity and ask how you can amplify their voices. Become a true ally for womxn in the industry.
Hannah Mursal
Touring Travel Agent, Owner - M.E. Travel
Working as a travel agent in touring comes with its highs and lows. As a female in a male dominated workplace, I’ve experienced my share of unethical situations.
Looking back on my career history, certain situations jump out for the wrong reasons. I remember being told to stop wearing vest tops and t-shirts because the crew were ‘distracted’; I was told I was being suggestive and that my clothes were ‘too clingy’. Meanwhile, the dancers were walking the corridors in thong bodysuits. I became self-conscious and started to wear baggy jumpers in 23 degree heat and was very conscious of how big my breasts looked in my clothes.
I largely avoided the crew, apart from small talk and necessary conversations. I was also told that I should not make friends with the crew, especially males, as it could look like I was showing favouritism and as a Travel Agent, I must be neutral. I was made to feel as though I was easily bought and shallow.
‘What’s wrong with you, are you on your period?’
I was prone to ‘what’s wrong with you, are you on your period’, when I was feeling down. Despite female crew, dancers and management on tour, I predominantly sat in a room full of men all day, every day. As one of the only females in the room, I would be encouraged to date male members of the team: ‘he’s single, you’re single, why don’t you go out on a date’. One minute I’m not allowed to make friends, the next I’m pushed into dating? I couldn’t win.
When you’re on tour, friends become family. I was taken under the wing of the production assistant who is a veteran in the industry. A rumour was started by a senior member of the tour that the production assistant had a ‘thing’ for me. This was mortifying for both of us and put a huge strain on our professional relationship. This was the last straw for me and I chose to leave, starting my own company.
I know my experiences are not rare; other female agents have shared similar sexist treatment within their own careers.
Olivia Lee
Legal & Business Affairs - Sony Music Entertainment
Being a woman in both the legal and music industry was always going to be challenging. One thing I didn’t expect were the issues that come from other women.
When I did my law degree, my cohort was 90% female. This was great to see; women taking up space in an industry that doesn’t always welcome them. My excitement started to fade when I realised that many of these women didn’t share the same feeling. In their eyes, there was only place for them in this male dominated world.
“Sadly, some think the best way of doing this is by tearing down others”
As women, we are more than aware that we should work that little bit harder to ‘prove’ that we have what it takes. Sadly, some think the best way of doing this is by tearing down others. Whilst studying, I started to notice that girls would purposely give false information as a ploy to sabotage other women’s’ grades. There was even a time where a so called ‘friend’ finessed me out of my essay plan, only to present it as her own work. Ultimately, a handful of these women saw no limits to making sure they were the only ones to succeed.
We know that it’s harder for women to get a seat at the table, and even if they do, it’s usually one dusty camping chair. The structure is set up so that women see each other as their main competition, so is this behavior so surprising?
I’m currently in a utopia where this culture doesn’t appear to exist. I work at Sony Music within a team that I have heard been referred to as the ‘female legal powerhouse’. Not only do the lawyers have impressive experience and expertise, they really want to help the other women climb.
I refuse to let my experience whilst studying dampen my desire to see other women succeed in the industry. And whilst my anecdotes show the negative side, there were of course women then and now that continue to support each other.
Namywa
Artist/Songwriter
I have had the privilege of working with many talented musicians over the last 5 years, 80% of the time, those musicians were men. Thinking about it, I've only ever had 1 female bass player, 1 female saxophonist, 1 female violinist, and the majority of my backing vocalists have all been women. It's shocking to say but I still have never had a studio session with a female producer.
I’ve lost count how many times a promoter has given my artist fee to a male in my band over me, thinking that they are the main point of contact for the gig, or as I have gone with my male MD to pick up the tour van for a gig, and the clerk is talking directly to him completely overlooking me and only notices me when he says who’s paying and I pull out my card.
“It's shocking to say but I still have never had a studio session with a female producer.”
True to my story though, the majority of musicians I have worked with, including individuals outside of my creative process who have opened doors for me, have been mostly men, lots of who still support me to this day. There are also women who have championed me but it's only more recently that I’m finding other women are becoming more prominent supporters. I love to see it, for me it's fully about being and giving the support you wish to receive.
I am an Aries: a natural leader and a strong-spirited woman. Moving forward, I am looking to collaborate with more pioneering women in the music business, more female musicians, and connect with female producers.
Sherona Knight
Artist/Songwriter
10 years ago I remember the day in September that I received my own contract with my name on it for a record that I performed, featured on and wrote. Within that contract there was no sign of a record sales royalty for me as an artist. My heart sank. This wasn’t the kind of deal I expected.
I reminisce on the producer telling me to be grateful as I’m not a household name. Within the male dominated arena I was in, I never attended a contract meeting even though the label requested it. I was told that our deals were the same, but then found out it I was being paid less than the other parties. I questioned this but was told that I should just to sign the deal.
‘‘Give her what she wants and never let her darken our doorstep again.’’
I remember how lost I felt when I knew nothing about the business after being in it for 10 years. I remember catching a forwarded email that said, “Give her what she wants and never let her darken our doorstep again.
There were some amazing men who helped me with the contract but also told me not to expect too much. If a fellow female artist who had her own successful deal hadn’t called to ask if everything was above board, I’m not sure I would’ve asked and got the percentage I deserved to get. What was once a deal without any record sales royalties, I eventually got my 6 percent royalty and kept my publishing.
Because of this my relationship with the producer was broken, but I realised that that was for the best. He and the label didn’t respect nor value my craft. I was used as a good voice to sell his product but no one allowed me to speak for myself, and protect my worth. People still love that vocal and remix it till this day, and never realise the true story behind it.
Join the growing Women in CTRL movement and be a part of change in the industry.
We are an inclusive organisation open to all genders, and we particularly welcome non binary, transgender, gender variant individuals as well as those from underrepresented groups in the industry.
We are also seeking out men in the industry to join the movement as allies to empower and amplify womxn’s voice in the industry.