EP.56: Being Assertive in Music Tech Spaces

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Ask some women how they feel in music studios, music tech classes or dealing with live sound technicians and many will say they’ve had to work hard to feel confident. Many others will say that asserting their needs, opinions and boundaries in these spaces is still an ongoing struggle. And this can significantly influence not just how women creatively contribute and collaborate in these settings, but if they even enter them in the first place. The result? Less women recording music, learning to record music and even performing music.   

So, in this week’s episode, Isobel asks why these still often male-dominated spaces can feel so difficult for women to assert  their needs, boundaries and opinions. What can we do to maintain a sense of integrity and authenticity as women collaborating with music tech in ways that feel respectful and equal? And does a narrative that women should keep the peace, rather than rock the boat, contribute to a lack of assertiveness in recording and production spaces?

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{05:03} Do music tech spaces make women feel less confident and assertive?
{13:29} The effects of this on women’s music careers
{15:45} Why might women find it hard to be assertive in recording studios?
{16:54} What is assertiveness?
{18:26} How can we cultivate more assertiveness as women in music tech spaces?
{21:05} When aggression is necessary
{22:25} Why it’s not all your responsibility
{23:14} What to do if assertiveness is not received or respected?
{25:10} Recognising how your own internalised misogyny might be keeping you small
{26:57} The missing piece in the puzzle
{30:18} Episode Summary

Girls Twiddling Knobs listeners get 10% off iZotope's award-winning audio plugins and a 30 day free trial of their incredible Music Production Suite 4.1. Just use the code GIRLSPOD10 here >>

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It’s Not Just Björk: Women Are Tired of Not Getting Credit for Their Own Music article in Slate >>
Does being assertive backfire for women in the workplace? Half the Sky article >>
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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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