March 8: women in the music industry
The latest collection launch, Interludio, coincides with March 8 , working women's day. During this interlude, we have been inspired by the very concept of the word: pause or rest; short musical piece between two great works. AND
This inspiration and this coincidence has led us to merge the late motive of the campaign with the figure of the woman.
A powerful and necessary mix.
March with " m" for Women and Music
An interlude can be a moment of reflection, internal debate and retrospection. And that is precisely what we intend with this content. A stop along the way to analyze behaviors and rules of this world in which we live.
There are thinkers, disseminators and communicators who do it a thousand times better than us, that is why our goal is to share and use our channels to give them visibility and voice. Contribute our grain of sand to highlight the deep and rooted inequality of women that remains latent in our society.
Aretha Franklyn. Photo via Pinterest.
Throughout this month, we will talk to you about associations and projects; We will open a debate on issues that still affect many women and we will be lucky enough to interview different professionals in the music industry to delve into their work and support equality in an already complicated sector.
We will have Xiana Fumega , production manager of the Ochoymedio promoter in Madrid; Cintia Lund singer and songwriter; INNMIR , producer and DJ and Wilma Lorenzo , journalist and music photographer. You will be able to read the interviews very soon as we will be publishing them throughout the month of March.
Machismo in the music industry
You don't have to look hard to find inequality in a sector like music: sexist lyrics, sexualization, glass ceiling in many positions of power, paternalism, festival posters with few or no female references,... and a long etcetera.
Just as, on the contrary, we are happy that it is not difficult to find women with authority and power or feminist projects in the sector. Changes and improvements of a path that began a long time ago and that does reap fruits.
Photo via MIM Association.
One of these projects is the MIM association (Women in the Music Industry) , which faces these inequalities throughout the year. Founded in 2016, its final objective (according to what they themselves say on their website) is its dissolution when “men and women have the same treatment, the same salaries, the same opportunities, and the same possibilities.”
Recently, news broke that pointed out many of the problems that exist in the industry through a study by the Carlos III University and the MIM association. “Almost 70% of women in the music industry in Spain earn less than the average salary of men” read the headline. A fact that reveals battles that are yet to be fought.
“What are you, the singer?…”
A question that comes from imposed roles that have nothing to do with a varied and multidisciplinary reality. Women hold technical and communication positions, play instruments, compose, produce and UNDERSTAND music. And although it may seem untrue, we must remember it.
This phrase, which women in the sector know very well, is extracted from the amateur documentary: “The missing ones” , produced by the musical and activist collective, Mafalda. In it, different women appear who tell their experience working in this industry. Essential so that we can give voice to the true protagonists and we leave you here:
Music is culture
Music is not just entertainment, as Virginia Díaz, music journalist and host of the TVE program Cachitos, would say in this interview . It is culture and with a capital letter. And part of that culture is made up of thousands of artists who fight to make a place for themselves in the scene and who often have to demonstrate their talent and their worth more.
☕️ @VirginiaDiazR3 defends music as a culture, as a molt more than entertainment.
— Cafè d'idees (@cafedidees_rtve) February 17, 2021
Gonzalo Bello believed that it is "the evil of our times": it happens to all aspects of life and we do not know how to value things. @GemmaNierga @RTVECatalunya @radio4_rne pic.twitter.com/WJR4m6h1VK
From the Superbowl performances, where women have to put on impossible choruses and an incredible show, to Dua Lupa who recently denounced the machismo she has suffered in the industry. Even episodes that touch us more closely, such as Sara Socas, a rapper in cockfights who with her music and lyrics defends her position tooth and nail, being a true reference for many girls.
References such as Marisol, Lola Flores, Rosalía, María José Llergo or Zahara who recently released Merichane , a song where she denounces all types of industry practices from her peculiar and characteristic pop. And more: Amaia, Rozalen, Mónica Naranjo or Gata Cattana , who with her lyrics stirred consciences and who a few days ago celebrated the anniversary of her sudden death. We recommend this last interview he gave to Vogue .
Mural tribute to Gata Cattana in Madrid.
We said goodbye with a phrase from her.
“All the time for you. “I never felt alone because we were together.”
