In the early days of LASS (Los Angeles Songwriters Showcase — no longer around), I was puzzled by the fact that only about 1/4 of the writer/artists who auditioned were women.
We thought, maybe it was just because women weren’t as aggressive as men about promoting themselves and subjecting themselves to the rejection process in getting their songs heard by the music industry. We didn’t doubt for a minute though that there were as many women as men who were being musically and lyrically creative.
Today, the Internet has provided options for women to network and they have created and joined organizations for women songwriter/performers that offer moral and business support from other women. This may have been what was missing ‘back in the day.’ Here are some examples:
Informative articles, especially for women in the music business …
Rockrgrl magazine – “Supporting a Woman’s Right to Rock.”
Publisher/editor is Carla DeSantis in Seattle.GoGirlsMusic, is an old hand at “Promoting Women in Music.” Madalyn Sklar started the organization in 1996 with a vision of bringing together independent women musicians from around the country. A welcome destination for women in music through networking and events.
Mamapalooza. “The Festival for Moms Who Rock!” I heard about this event on Nat’l Public Radio as they interviewed one of the bands on the air, “Housewives on Prozac” … so I HAD to look them up. Events are held in several U.S. cities.
Indiegrrl.com, “For Women in the Independent Music Industry.”
All genres of music. Indiegrrl was founded by Holly Figueroa in May of 1998 as a forum for information, networking, and conversation about independent music from a female perspective. They have about 1,300 members internationally.Women in Music National Network promotes the development, advancement and recognition of women in the music industry. Committed to helping you build a successful career in the music industry by providing you with services to take your career to the next level. Our world-wide exposure offers you a network to many contacts and resources.
Register now for Song and Word 3-day retreats for women writers and songwriters. Maggie Savage and Sharon Wootton generously share their glorious scenery and home (with hot tub and grand piano, but not in the same room!) on Shaw Island — in the San Juan Islands, off the Coast of Washington. UPCOMING EVENT: April 29, 30 – May 1st, 2005 — GOOSING YOUR SONG MUSE Songwriting Retreat. Registration: 10 women only (due to limited facilities). Presentations on the Craft and Business of Songwriting, Co-Writing Tools, Creativity Exercises, and much more in a relaxing Pacific Northwest setting.
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