March is Women’s Herstory Month, a time to celebrate the resilience, creativity, and impact of women, queer, and non-binary artists in the independent music space.
As a women-founded and run company, The MIC Music Group and The MIC Mag are dedicated to amplifying the voices of artists who are pushing boundaries and shaping the future of music.
We spoke with independent musicians about their journeys in an often male-dominated industry, the lessons they've learned, and the advice they wish they had received along the way. Their stories are a testament to the power of perseverance, authenticity, and the importance of carving out space for underrepresented voices in music.
joy burklund
Band Name: joy burklund & her band
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them?
We internalize a lot of oppression and it manifests in self-doubt and self-censorship. That really sucks cuz it's like you're doing the enemies' work for them! There's lots of work to do interpersonally, in community, and beyond, but first, you have to kill the oppressor in your own mind and heart.
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? I'm really grateful to have many strong women mentors in my life. But truly, my music journey would be nothing like what it is today without my dear friend and producer Kimi Klauser. One of the many things she does is host fantastic house parties and shows. I ended up playing a set at a show she hosted just as I was starting to perform my music live a few years ago. Afterward, she took me for coffee and listened to me describe my whole vision for an emotional, dramatic album of snapshots from my queer, poly love story, stylistically ranging from folk to punk. By the time our cups were drained, she agreed to produce "Songbouquet." The fact that a well-established, insanely talented trans-woman producer believed in my vision enough to commit to it like she did gave me the confidence that would fuel me through that whole recording process.
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals?
I already see so many femme, queer, and trans-focused spaces here in Philly. I love what Taylor Kelly is doing with Iris Showcase, for example. What would be wonderful is seeing more of that happening outside our metropolis bubble.
Is there a piece of advice you wish someone had shared with you when you were just starting out in music that could help aspiring girls entering the industry today? All the things they tell you you have to do to promote yourself, to get streams, to grow reach- you can take or leave it, a la carte. There's actually no rules. Build a relationship with your music practice where your creativity and sanity are protected. Keep closely tuned to your guiding sound. It's too easy for it to get drowned out in the cacophony of the media market.
"The greatest and most giving resource you can ever have making art is friendships. Put energy into your friendships, and make new friends. Show up to friends' shows, and help them out with their weird projects. You'll never regret that time spent." - joy burklund
Kate Griffin
Band Name: Above the Moon
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them? I’ve been in a ton of bands, always the only woman. The bands I played in before Above the Moon were already formed, I was an add-on and as such, I never really felt like part of the band, always felt replaceable- even as the lead singer! I felt like I maybe wasn’t as skilled a musician or was embarrassed to share ideas, and often felt like an intruder on “guy time” at rehearsals and after shows. Above the Moon started over Craigslist, so from the start it was an even playing field, and even though I was still the only woman, something about that made it easier for me to share ideas and voice my opinions. These guys are all wonderful, good people, so I’ve never been made to feel uncomfortable or that I’m the odd woman out. I think that’s also due to the fact that we became a band in our late 20s and 30s- we were grown-ups, and because I learned from my previous bands about how I wanted to contribute to a music project. I was much more confident and able to be myself.
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? Do you have a moment when you felt uplifted in the indie community by another woman? KT Tunstall is one of my biggest inspirations. She’s a career musician, singer-songwriter from Scotland. She’s had a few big hits, but I wouldn’t say she’s a household name. She is constantly writing, releasing music, and touring. I’ve seen her about 5-6 times in all different situations: plugged in with a full band, solo acoustic, part of a duo with just herself and a drummer, as a headliner, as an opener. She collaborates with tons of musicians, and just wrote the score for a musical, too. She inspires me because she doesn’t have an ego, she’s a hard worker. She’s proof that you don’t need to be a household name to be successful.
One time I felt uplifted in the independent music community was years ago, pre-pandemic, Above the Moon played a show at a small bar called The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ. After our set a college-aged girl approached me and said something to the effect of, “I wish I could do what you just did!” And I said, “You can! We need more women up there!” A few years later, she formed a band and we even played a few shows together. I’d like to think that our interaction had something to do with her playing music, but more than that, I was so inspired by her, that she stated what she wanted, and then did it! That’s not easy and it was very cool to see first hand.
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? Include them! And make it a priority. It took me years to realize that for every single bill I’ve ever played, I look up the other bands and take note of the women, queer and non-binary individuals in them. Way too many times I’ve thought, “I’m the only woman on this bill.” It’s definitely gotten better, but I’d love to get to a place where the number of cisgender men is equal to that of women, queer and non-binary individuals without it being some kind of themed show like “female-fronted band night!”
Is there a piece of advice you wish someone had shared with you when you were just starting out in music that could help aspiring girls entering the industry today? There have been many times, especially when I was younger, where I considered playing up the fact that I’m a woman- dressing more femme and doing my makeup for a show. I never did, and I likely won’t, because that’s not who I am. But I wish someone had told me then that I didn’t need to consider it. I love that some women love doing that, but I never did, and I spent a lot of time wondering if we’d get more shows, more fans, more followed if I did. No one should have to think like that.
"Don’t be afraid to play with someone more skilled than you. This goes for all things- music, sports, writing. You’ll learn a ton, even from a negative experience, and there always will be someone better than you." - Kate Griffin
Rhonette Smith
Artist Name: Rhonette Smith
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? One of my good friends who used to go by the moniker BrittneyOnFire was a huge support for me while I was with my former band Centennials. She really believed in our music and was always willing to put us on a show. She always encouraged me to keep playing music and I'll always appreciate her for that.
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? I think the answer will always be the same: visibility. As a kid, I can't say more about how incredible it was for me to see someone like Fefe Dobson playing rock music. Seeing someone who looked like me actually being successful as a musician made me feel like maybe I could do it too. There are so many women, queer, and enby musicians out there who deserve to have their stories shared with the world. The more they are able to get a platform, the more people will be willing to share their own stories.
Is there a piece of advice you wish someone had shared with you when you were just starting out in music that could help aspiring girls entering the industry today? Honestly, I wish I hadn't waited so long to give myself permission to do whatever I wanted. Back then, I know I would have benefited from someone telling me, "Hey, no one is going to tell you that it's okay to be fully yourself. So don't wait for permission, just go and do the thing!" Sometimes, you have to carve a space out for yourself and that can feel really vulnerable and threatening. But creating that space also gives you a sense of security that no one else can take away from you. It's not dependent on the approval of anyone except yourself.
"Give things a shot and start doing things [you've] never considered before, like finding a producer. I was terrified of not being able to find people who I would want to work with, but somehow I actually started to find them. Having people in your corner to help lift you up is so important and valuable." - Rhonette Smith
biz barclay.
Artist Name: biz barclay.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them? There’s such an emphasis on youth in pop music especially for women, and there’s this unspoken rule that if you’re not famous by 22 then you’re too old to be dancing around and singing about your love life, and the only option is pivoting to more mellow acoustic folk music. It definitely took me a minute to get past that and require my brain around age and maturity in music. I used to get really stressed out thinking my time was up when I was like 25 which is absurd looking back.
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? Do you have a moment when you felt uplifted in the indie community by another woman? As a teenager, I really looked up to the British singer/songwriter Dodie who built her audience and career on YouTube. Not only is her music fantastic but she was always just figuring it out with her friends and making it work, which was really inspiring. However, the woman who has uplifted me the most is my best friend Kira from the band Humilitarian. She brought me into the fold of the DIY scene and really showed me the ropes in terms of booking shows and releasing music. But she is also just an incredible friend who once drove an hour and a half outside of the city to a college campus on Halloween just to see me play to a crowd of 1. That's the kind of friend and supporter we should all be striving to be, I think.
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? I think we need to make the process of making music more financially accessible. It’s difficult because everyone needs to make a living, but if we’re able to lower a lot of those startup costs for things like production, distribution, PR, touring etc, then more artists will have the opportunity to get their music to the people who will fall in love with it.
Is there a piece of advice you wish someone had shared with you when you were just starting out in music that could help aspiring girls entering the industry today? There is no expiration date on talent and good music doesn’t get old.
"You can(and absolutely SHOULD) say “no” as often as possible. You know your music and artistry better than anyone and if you don’t like the look or sound of something you have every right to say something. Don’t be afraid to be pushy when it comes to making sure that what you’re pouring your heart into is something that you are going to be proud to share. If you don’t love the final product you won’t love listening to it and promoting it later so learn to say no and find people who understand your vision!" - biz barclay.
Kathleen Elle
Artist Name: Kathleen Elle
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them? I feel like one of the main challenges that women face in the industry is the lack of other women in the space. When I enter recording studios, or other writers' rounds, or publishing houses, the majority of the time it’s a room full of men. We need more women in those rooms helping to create an environment where other women are comfortable in those rooms.
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? The music industry can help support these groups by encouraging them to share their stories through their music. How many people have you heard tell an artist “you saved my life,” “you helped me come out,” “you gave me the strength to keep going.” A huge part of making music is relating to others through shared stories, and all of those stories matter.
"There is no need to be less emotional in your music. No one can write like you or what you’re experiencing and your voice matters." - Kathleen Elle
Katie Miller
Band Name: Kate Dressed Up
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them? When I was working heavily in live sound, there wasn't a single gig that somebody didn't comment on my being a woman. I've found the best way to overcome this is to just ignore it and strive to be the best at what you do. Women shouldn't have to do more than men to get the same amount of respect but here we are. I'm tired.
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? Do you have a moment when you felt uplifted in the indie community by another woman? I'm inspired by all the women I meet in the music industry, honestly. There are big names that I've always looked up to like Celine Dion, Ani DiFranco, and countless others I'm blanking on while filling out this Google form. The most significant instance of another woman lifting me up in the music industry was the first Gurlzilla in 2016. That event started as the brainchild of my great friend and now-bandmate Rebecca Emont. That event gave me a foundation as both an artist and promoter that ended up being invaluable to the Kate Dressed Up journey that came after. I'm not sure if I would have adopted the same artistic and moral values that I did had we not met. Or, it would have taken me longer to get there on my own, at the very least.
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? Listen to them, mostly. It's simple but I think a huge barrier is people's willingness to listen.
Is there a piece of advice you wish someone had shared with you when you were just starting out in music that could help aspiring girls entering the industry today? Other women are your allies! You are their ally!
Read more about Kate Dressed Up here, and watch Katie On The MIC here! Follow Kate Dressed Up here, and check out their music here!
"Go out there and do music." - Katie Miller
Tessa Dalton
Artist Name: Tessa Dalton
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them? I think as women, we all experience scenarios where the treatment we receive may not feel fair. However, I’ve always found strength and community with other women who are going through the same thing. We can’t always control how we’re perceived or treated, but we can choose the people we surround ourselves with. A strong support system gets you through anything.
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? I’m so inspired by Gracie Abrams, Lennon Stella, Lizzy McAlpine, Devon Again, and so many other incredible girls in the industry. I met Gracie Abrams at her first show on her “This Is What It Feels Like Tour” and she was so genuine and kind and made my little sister and I feel so loved. I want to be that kind of person, whether as a musician, or just in every day life.
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? I think maintaining peace and common ground amongst everyone helps facilitate more empathetic, productive conversation.
Is there a piece of advice you wish someone had shared with you when you were just starting out in music that could help aspiring girls entering the industry today? Know the answer to important questions before you’re asked so you won’t freeze or be taken advantage of. Know your worth, boundaries, etc. The wrong people will take advantage of uncertainty.
"The most important lesson I’ve learned in my experiences with music is if I just give 30 seconds of bravery and confidence (even when I feel unprepared or scared), that’ll get you farther than anything. Men do it all the time!" - Tessa Dalton
Charlotte
Artist Name: Charlotte Chipembere
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them? Men hitting on me and asking me to work with them in the same breath or DM. Stop. Blocked. I get really upset when I feel like I'm being sought after for something sexual rather than my talent. It also really sucks when they're actually good at what they do or have some clout because you know it could help get you further along, but I know it's not worth it. I always say no or don't respond, what's right won't make me uncomfortable. Don't need them, my time will come.
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? Do you have a moment when you felt uplifted in the indie community by another woman? My girl Amber Ais gets me like no one else. Having someone to talk about creative blocks with and hype each other up about unreleased stuff is really fun and special. I really value her opinion and am inspired by her drive. She told me setting a cutoff date for giving up on music (which I had mentally in my mind) was crazy and I was like you know what you're right. I thought it was logical, but it was emotional and out of fear, I'm glad she pointed that out. I needed that.
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? Give them more money.
Is there a piece of advice you wish someone had shared with you when you were just starting out in music that could help aspiring girls entering the industry today? My biggest advice to women in the industry is if something feels off trust your gut. It shouldn't be weird to bring a friend or to sus out a producer before meeting one on one. My dad walked me up to my first session and shook hands with the first producer I worked with in Nashville, and my mom used to sit in on sessions when I first started. There's a lot of just meeting up with people you met once at a round or something in the music industry and relying on trust, and I do feel like I have a good gauge of who I can trust, but safety first. Don't feel weird about protecting yourself.
"My biggest advice to women in the industry is if something feels off, trust your gut." - Charlotte Chipembere
Katie Masterson and Rebecca Emont
Band Name: Women In Sports
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them? Katie: Women are often viewed as obnoxious, dramatic, or unreliable when they are loud, present and intentionally placing themselves in a position of power. Combating that stigma both internally and externally can be quite hard. Rebecca: I’ve faced a lot of challenges as a woman in music. Self-doubt has been the biggest personal challenge that the men around me consistently reinforced. When I was younger and playing a lot of shows, I often didn’t feel safe in the male-dominated spaces I was in at shows, and felt like I had to prove myself as being tough or competent. Getting older helped me overcome these challenges! Now, I reflect on all of these experiences and think about how easy it would’ve been for me to give up music. Instead, I’ve been writing music and playing shows since I was in my early teens. That’s something I’m really proud of.
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? Do you have a moment when you felt uplifted in the indie community by another woman? Katie: I fully give my thanks to the women I am lucky enough to be in this band with for paving the way musically for me. Rebecca introduced me to many women in DIY music, including Katie Miller. Seeing the community female artists have built to support one another empowered me to find a place in it myself.
Rebecca: Many artists have paved the way for me musically: Hole, Tegan and Sara, Veruca Salt and so many other folks. Aside from artists that inspired me, the first serious band I was in was with another woman when we were both around 15. We played acoustic originals and she was the first person to empower me and make me feel confident as a songwriter. Her encouragement has followed me into the rest of my music career and I feel a lot of gratitude for her
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? Katie: I think allowing people to just be themselves, to present the art that they want, without asking them to fit into some sort of mold would be the most supportive move the music industry could make for all artists, but specifically for women, queer and non-binary individuals who are often forced to costume their art, instead of sharing it as is.
Rebecca: Putting more representation on bigger bills. Put more diverse groups in front of people who are at events seeing well-known acts. Music and media often celebrate diversity, counter-culture, and opposing perspectives, but all too often it feels inauthentic if it’s through popular media. We need to see more women, queer, and non-binary musicians expressing themselves on stages that are affordable and accessible.
Is there a piece of advice you wish someone had shared with you when you were just starting out in music that could help aspiring girls entering the industry today? Katie: You are never too old or too young to make music! Not every song you write or learn to play has to be hit, it just needs to make you feel good.
Rebecca: You can play an instrument just as well as anyone! Don’t limit yourself to what “girls” are supposed to do musically - do what feels good for you whether that’s playing guitar, drums, singing, or writing songs.
Follow Women in Sports here!
" It’s easy to compare yourself to everyone around you - especially if they seem to be more successful. Oftentimes other independent artists I’ve talked to are experiencing the same exact feelings of inadequacy or self-doubt. It’s really easy to feel like you’re alone in what you’re experiencing, and I think the cure to that feeling is going to shows, meeting people, and building community." - Rebecca Emont
Samantha Jorgensen
Artist Name: Samantha Jessalyn
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them? When it comes to being a nonbinary person in the industry, times are rough because not everyone understands what it means to be nonbinary and feminine presenting. I often battle being misgendered and having to cement that I am a nonbinary individual. It's like constantly coming out. Women and nonbinary people are so important to music. They create beautiful, meaningful art. I feel like a huge challenge that comes with not being a male is producing. Men make up most of the winners for Producer of the Year at the Grammys, leaving women and nonbinary individuals lost on the radar. My production isn't the best, but it has often not been taken seriously because I'm not a male. I've had numerous male producers come to me saying they've "fixed" my work. It's super frustrating. Female and nonbinary producers should be taken more seriously and gain more recognition.
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? All of my favorite artists are women. I'm just so inspired by all of the lovely female talent that the world has to offer, as well as nonbinary artists as well. Visibility is so important, and the band Boygenius is made up of 3 queer women. They stand for queer joy and love, and uplifting women. The way all of the members talk about queer joy is so important to me and they have definitely paved the way for women and queer individuals in the industry. Chappell Roan is another great example of representation and giving a voice to women and queer individuals.
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? I think the industry should just give space for us to do our thing. It can feel male dominated at times, but the industry is slowly growing more in favor of women, queer, and non-binary individuals. Most of the popular artists this year are women, and it's beautiful to see.
Is there a piece of advice you wish someone had shared with you when you were just starting out in music that could help aspiring girls entering the industry today? I think it's important to remember that you don't have to have the most high-end equipment to share your songs with the world. I've been looked down upon on the past for recording my first album on my IPhone, but you have to start somewhere. People are always going to have opinions, but it's what you do with the noise of it all that matters. Remaining true to what you believe in and creating music for yourself and not anybody else is so vital.
"I've learned that you won't always get positive feedback and that is okay! Maintaining balance between what social media has to say and what you believe your opinions to be on your projects is important. Letting negative feedback hit you too hard will take a toll on your mental headspace. As you grow as an artist, you're only going to receive MORE feedback, and not everyone will have something nice to say, so it's important to know when to silence it all and listen to your gut." - Samantha Jorgensen
Christine Bochicchio
Band Name: Lavender Disaster
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them? There have been times when I've felt unsafe leaving gigs late at night. I've played at a lot of bars in unfamiliar places and have gotten "off" vibes from men watching me perform. Once someone fronting as some label exec approached me as if he was going to offer me some huge deal, just to inappropriately spam message me on social media afterward. I've seen how people will try to take advantage and learned to have my guards up.
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? Do you have a moment when you felt uplifted in the indie community by another woman? Hayley Williams of Paramore has always been a big influence for me. From a young age, watching her dominate the stage in a genre made up of mostly male-fronted bands, was so inspiring and allowed me to see myself in that role.
When I left my home town to study music at Berklee, that was the first time I had been exposed to so many independent female artists who were in the same position as me--navigating this industry as creatives with visions for our own projects. There was always so much love and support among my fellow female vocalists/writers. We would go to each other's basement shows and be in tears watching each other perform; so inspired by one another, and so proud to share this journey together.
Is there a piece of advice you wish someone had shared with you when you were just starting out in music that could help aspiring girls entering the industry today? Following your passion is what you were put on this earth to do. It's not selfish, and it's not stupid. Acting on your passions and sharing your gifts with others is how you can be of the most service the world. Keep working, don't give up, and trust that everything will unfold as it's meant to. The universe will reward you for doing what you feel called to do.
"Don't be afraid to speak your truth & follow your instincts. Don't settle creatively-- if your arrangements aren't sounding the way you envisioned because the musicians aren't following your lead and are deciding for themselves what your music should sound like, find different people to work with. Don't change your style to fit into a demographic-- authenticity is what people respond to the most." - Christine Bochicchio
Kiersten
Band Name: Kiersten Blue
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them? As a woman in music, one of the biggest challenges has been standing out in an industry that’s flooded with incredible talent. There’s so much competition, and it can be overwhelming trying to carve out a unique space for yourself. Finding your voice and getting noticed requires staying true to who you are, but it’s not always easy—especially with the pressure to keep up with trends and constantly promote yourself. Overcoming this means continuously refining your craft and staying authentic, while also finding creative ways to connect with your audience. I think this is something I’m still working through—it's tough to be truly yourself online when everything feels curated, and balancing that with consistency can sometimes feel like a delicate line to walk. But I believe that sticking to your authentic self, no matter the noise, is key to standing out.
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? Do you have a moment when you felt uplifted in the indie community by another woman? My music has been deeply influenced by artists like Anna Nalivk, whose genre-blending and raw songwriting inspire my own sound. I also draw from Hope Sandoval's ethereal vocals and introspective style, as well as Alanis Morissette's bold, confessional approach to songwriting. These artists have shaped how I express vulnerability and experiment with different sounds in my own work. In the local community I feel like most of the female artist uplift each other, Asbury Park is a super supportive circle of people!
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? I think the music industry can do a lot more to support women, queer, and non-binary individuals by providing more resources and opportunities. This could include mentorship programs, visibility in the media, and more funding for independent artists. It's also important for the industry to create safe, inclusive spaces where diverse voices can thrive without facing discrimination or barriers.
Is there a piece of advice you wish someone had shared with you when you were just starting out in music that could help aspiring girls entering the industry today? When you're just starting out as an artist, it’s crucial to focus on writing and developing your personal brand. Taking the time to find your unique sound is so important because once you’ve honed your style, you'll have a clearer direction, which helps when it comes time to invest money into recording and marketing. Speaking of investment, opening an LLC as an indie artist has been super helpful—it provides structure, protects your personal assets, and makes it easier to manage finances and taxes. With all the costs involved in promoting your music once it’s out, having a solid foundation and understanding of your brand will make your efforts more effective and sustainable in the long run.
"My advice would be that the journey as an independent artist isn’t easy—you really have to have a passion for it to keep going. It’s not about the money; you might make some, but I guarantee it’ll all go back into your music one way or another. The most important lesson I’ve learned is that people are out there to help you; it’s not all dog-eat-dog competition. Networking is key—take every opportunity to perform and build your connections early on to get your reps in. As time goes on, though, start being more strategic about where you invest your time and energy. Ultimately, it’s about staying true to your craft, being persistent, and knowing that every step counts." - Kiersten
Bianca Jazmine
Artist Name: Bianca Jazmine
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them? While navigating being a new and young artist, I had a difficult time advocating for myself - especially in rooms with men who insisted they knew best. Setting boundaries and comfortably saying “no” were important main steps to overcoming this; but what really helped was learning to effectively communicate what I do want, and expressing positive feedback when I received it. This made me not just a better collaborator, but a more confident person too.
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? Stefaniah McGowan has been an incredible inspiration from the beginning of my journey. As an industry veteran, she guided me through some of my first professional interactions and has been an amazing mentor and friend over the years. I am so grateful for all the times her shining light became a mirror for me to recognize my own brightness.
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? The major issue is that the music industry, being an "industry", was built on the profitability (over humanity) of music. For as long as greed is the priority, it has never and will never exist to serve the communities mentioned. It can support us more by restructuring its entire set of values and motivations, rebuilding from the ground up, and having more of us in positions of power.
Is there a piece of advice you wish someone had shared with you when you were just starting out in music that could help aspiring girls entering the industry today? Trust your intuition! When the gut speaks, you listen.
"Above all else, be authentic. Especially in a highly-consumptive and competitive culture, it can seem the most strategic to contribute something you perceive as a demand or need from your target audience, advisors, etc.. However, offering something that’s truly unique to you is actually what the world needs – don’t force a fit. Be boldly yourself and feel the difference in how magnetic you are!" - Bianca Jazmine
Izzy
Band Name: Izzy Miz
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them? I think a big challenge I’ve faced as a femme in the music industry is, well, men being weird as fuck. I remember as a younger artist, sometimes male producers would claim they were interested in helping produce or work with me - and then they would end up hitting on me in uncomfortable ways. It just got tiring - like when I share my music and art with someone it’s vulnerable, and I’m there to create, not to be objectified! And after meeting Inez I was like, "Let me just learn some of this production stuff because I’m tired of these men!" I didn’t like the idea of being dependent on other people (specifically, men in the industry who had made me uncomfortable) to bring my visions to fruition. Today, I do collaborate with people and producers (of all genders). But learning production and mixing empowered me as an artist and young femme in such important ways.
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? Do you have a moment when you felt uplifted in the indie community by another woman? Amy Winehouse, Fiona Apple, Nina Simone, BANKS, Ravyn Lenae, Dua Saleh…..and so many more! An impactful experience for me was meeting my incredibly talented friend and ex-roommate, Inez León, freshman year of college. She was the first woman I met who produced her own music - and I was like, wait…..I can do that? You mean I don’t have to rely on male producers? It seems obvious now, but as a young artist who hadn’t seen female or femme representation in the world of production, it was groundbreaking for me. She inspired me to teach myself production, and it is one of best things I have done for myself as an artist and a person.
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? Honestly, the first thing that comes to mind is “Let us BE”. Let us take up space, let us learn, let us make mistakes. And damn, even let us be mediocre like so many men in the industry are! What I’m getting at is that the bar is SO high for anyone who is not a cis man. There’s a high level of acceptance and space for female and femme vocalists and songwriters, but when it comes to anything beyond that - production, mixing, engineering, playing instruments - there is a serious lack of representation and acceptance. It leads to SO much imposter syndrome for women, femme, and non-binary folks who are doing anything other than singing.
Is there a piece of advice you wish someone had shared with you when you were just starting out in music that could help aspiring girls entering the industry today? Hmmm...I think I would have loved to receive a Google Doc with links to a bunch of bad ass femme musicians. Something that showed me that we’ve been here, and we’ve been doing this shit.
"Sexism, and all the isms, leak into every industry and every facet of life. The music industry is, of course, not exempt. Through my music, I liberate myself from ideas that no longer serve me - whether they relate to internal or external forces. That includes liberation from all the isms. That’s the power of music to me, and the most important lesson I’ve learned. That as much as I hope my music impacts others, it ultimately is something I do for me, because I need to. I make music to reflect the pain of living, the beauty of living, and ultimately, to stay alive myself." - Izzy Miz
Julia Aiello
Band Name: Water Street
What challenges have you faced as a woman in music? How did you overcome them? Being in a band with 6 people, it is definitely hard to assure that anyone's voice is heard. I fear that asserting myself as a leader of this band would result in me coming across as a bitch. I often hold back when expressing myself because I don't want it to come across the wrong way. But I remind myself that I am asserting my opinion because of the passion I have for our music, just like the rest of the band. I want to make sure that everyone in the group feels listened to and respected, and I think that's something that the 6 of us have gotten pretty good at over time. That's why our newest album Alone in a Crowded Place has so many different styles, it's because we have listened to each other and respected each other's opinions.
Who are some of the women in music who have inspired you or helped pave the way for you? Do you have a moment when you felt uplifted in the indie community by another woman? I've always loved Stevie Nicks. I think her voice is incredible. I adore Lady Gaga and all that she stands for. She stresses the importance of inclusivity and acceptance, and I find that very admirable. I also LOVE Lake Street Dive and Rachael Price. She's a huge inspiration for music I'd like to make moving forward. Hayley Williams from Paramore is another big one.
What do you think the music industry can do to support more women, queer, and non-binary individuals? Listen to them. This is a male-heavy industry, so it can be really hard for a woman to speak her mind. If she's made the decision to stand up and speak, she probably has a great idea. The same goes for non-binary and queer individuals. They aren't represented as heavily but make the art form incredibly dynamic. So, listen to the ladies, listen to those who are non-binary, and listen to queer individuals. These people are smart. They might have exactly what your music needs to be different, but powerful.
Is there a piece of advice you wish someone had shared with you when you were just starting out in music that could help aspiring girls entering the industry today? Fight for your music and fight for your opinions. Just because someone else has a different opinion doesn't mean their opinion is better. Music is subjective. Your ears, your brain, and your body like what they like. Someone else's brain will like something else. If you have a vision for your music, follow that vision, and don't let anyone else smother it. It's assumed that because I've only been doing this for three years, I don't know as much as other artists who have been at it for longer. That's total BS. I've been listening to music since the day I was born, and I know what sounds good and what doesn't. Other people's opinions can't get in the way of that.
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