7 Female EDM Artists On International Women’s Month

Because the dance music trade shifts to change into extra inclusive, extra ladies are showing on lineups than ever earlier than—however there’s nonetheless extra work to be completed. In celebration of Worldwide Girls’s Month, we talked to seven feminine artists on which ladies within the dance music trade have empowered them, how they’re utilizing their area to uplift different feminine artists, essentially the most influential ladies of their lives and extra.

Lisa Kocay: What does Worldwide Girls’s Month imply to you?

HoneyLuv: “To me, Worldwide Girls’s Month means displaying further love, appreciation and help to all of the unhealthy b***hes who’re out right here setting the bar excessive for themselves and engaging in their targets. I attempt to do that day by day of each month, however I undoubtedly up my sport in March.”

GG Magree: “I’m lady, hear me roar. Girls’s Historical past Month is a reminder of how bada** we’re. It’s empowering to look again and see what number of ladies fought for what they believed in and by no means bent for anybody or something.”

Josie Martin of Candyland: “Girls’s Historical past Month is considerably like Black Historical past Month for me. On one hand, I’m prideful and hopeful, and, on the opposite, it is a reminder of how far more work there’s to be completed. So it’s robust. I hope it’s instructional for folks if something.”

Kah-Lo: “It means celebrating the strides ladies in music have made to this point. We’ve come a good distance from barely having ladies within the room to having extra ladies as producers and engineers. It’s unbelievable to see, and it’s price mentioning and uplifting others within the music trade.”

OBLVYN: “For a very long time, we’ve had only a few feminine function fashions within the music trade, particularly digital music. I feel Girls’s Historical past Month is a superb alternative to place ahead the names of ladies in notably male-dominated industries and to unfold consciousness of their successes to affect a youthful technology of aspiring females.”

Skyler Madison: “This month is all about recognizing and supporting ladies throughout all industries, however, much more so, I feel it’s a possibility to acknowledge the methods we will nonetheless enhance equality for ladies throughout the board.”

Whipped Cream: “It truly means a lot to me as a result of I feel that the primary message by what I am doing with my music is de facto to assist different ladies get into making music themselves. This month, I actually like all the blogs which have been, like yearly that this occurs, pushing the narrative of simply pushing out extra ladies.

“There’s lots of pointless issues that include simply merely being [a woman]. So I feel ladies’s month is essential as a result of I feel it brings gentle to all the wonderful ladies in music…. I really feel like issues usually are not as truthful for ladies in music as an entire.”

Kocay: Which different ladies within the area have supported/empowered you? Are you able to clarify how they did so?

HoneyLuv: “My greatest good friend, Amanda Kay, has performed a pivotal function in supporting me on this area. She is a full-time curve mannequin who’s always on the transfer however nonetheless at all times round to offer me recommendation on trend, ensure I’m creating significant content material and train me new methods to assist form my profession, notably from a advertising and marketing standpoint. I’ve additionally had the privilege of assembly ladies like Kaleena Zanders, Lauren Kashuk and Tadia Taylor, who’re all dominating the dance music scene in their very own distinctive methods whereas cohesively pushing the envelope for the betterment of society. Having the ability to know, belief, lean on and be taught from these ladies empowers me to be the most effective, most genuine, least apologetic model of myself on this trade and past.”

GG Magree: “Mija, Royal and the Serpent, Rezz, Vampa, Zia, Degree UP…for me it is all about neighborhood. All of us ship one another unreleased music, give suggestions and help the hell out of one another.”

Kah-Lo: “I wouldn’t have lots of the information I’ve at the moment with out the information and help of LP Giobbi, Sophie of SOFI TUKKER and Kelli-Leigh. They’ve been so useful and supportive in serving to me navigate my method by the typically murky waters of the trade and are at all times there for me when I’ve 1,000,000 questions. LP and Sophie helped me quite a bit by my first US tour opening for SOFI TUKKER and thru the weirdness lots of musicians went by throughout lockdown. Kelli-Leigh is a singer-songwriter and a distinguished dance vocalist/a part of the Featured Artist Coalition, so she understands first hand how difficult it may be to transition from being primarily often called a featured artist to being acknowledged as a solo act. It’s nice having the ability to change suggestions and encourage one another whereas we navigate an analogous journey.”

Josie Martin of Candyland: “For sure the 2 ladies within the trade that utterly modified the sport for me had been Yasmine and Jahan Yousaf of Krewella. They took an opportunity on Candyland again within the day and introduced me on tour with them. That first tour modified my profession and my life. I feel seeing how the trade and even followers handled them as ladies opened my eyes to these realities as properly. They taught me quite a bit with out even understanding it—I’ve a lot respect for these two.”

OBLVYN: “I’m blessed to be mates with so many unbelievable feminine artists who’re all working their a**es off to have profitable careers in music. It’s actually motivating to see and makes me need to work even more durable. We assist one another out in no matter method we will whether or not it’s giving recommendation, sharing expertise or reminding one another about grant deadlines. Celebrating our successes is vital to make all of the arduous work really feel price it.”

Skyler Madison: “Discovering feminine help within the EDM area hasn’t been the simplest for me, exterior of vocalists. I feel it’s principally attributable to the truth that I selected a non-traditional lane of changing into a hybrid future bass and lure producer. It’s much less frequent to dive into these genres in comparison with home or dubstep. When my first EP got here out, Krewella was the primary feminine act to publicly help and rinse out my music dwell of their units. For them to be the primary, and considerably solely, females to point out me that love is one thing I’ll always remember—particularly as a result of they’ve been one of many OG’s who’ve paved the best way for ladies in bass music and I’ve at all times been a fan. It felt like a full-circle second having folks I seemed as much as help me again. It was so surreal and I’m extraordinarily grateful.”

Whipped Cream: “TOKiMONSTA, Alison Wonderland [are] actually, truly an awesome instance. Once I first began, I did not know another feminine producers, not to mention even male producers the place I used to be from. So after I began, having some issues come up simply just because I used to be a girl, I felt very alone. It wasn’t till extra lately within the final couple years that I’ve truly began to fulfill wonderful ladies which have actually confronted the very same issues that I confronted. Alison Wonderland is a very nice good friend to me. Regardless of the scenario is, it is very nice to know I am not alone in it. The identical issues that occurred to me occurred to her, and she or he’s a very nice function mannequin and good friend to me. I feel normally, even the ladies on the up-and-coming, there’s so many extra ladies making music proper now than there have been 10 years in the past—I am speaking like digital manufacturing clever. I really feel just like the area is feeling much more welcoming, if that is sensible, as a result of there’s folks like Alison who’re there to speak to you and you are not feeling so alone. I actually need to be that particular person for different ladies as properly.”

Kocay: How are you holding your area and utilizing your platform to uplift different feminine artists?

HoneyLuv: “I am holding my area by being me. I don’t attempt to be, act like or resemble anybody else. I don’t dim my gentle simply because some folks mistakenly consider we will’t all shine. I’m a proud Black lady who is aware of her price and instructions respect. I’m blessed to have the ability to use my attain on social media to advertise feminine illustration within the dance music trade. I solely hope that being weak about who I’m and my story will encourage ladies, particularly ones who seem like me, to chase their desires and never permit something or anybody to discourage them. I do know that’s not straightforward, particularly in a subject like mine. Rising up, I hardly ever noticed ladies of colour up on these phases, which made it arduous for me to check it for myself. So if I can assist open doorways for that to alter simply by being proof that it may be completed, I really feel like I’ll have fulfilled my function. My DMs are at all times open for these looking for recommendation, needing motivation or just hoping for a supportive chat.”

GG Magree: “I am a weirdo, I’m damaged, I’ve obtained ADHD, I’m dyslexic and I am so happy with it. Be your self and be distinctive—do not ever let anybody put you in a field. I feel it’s so straightforward for folks to match themselves to others, particularly on-line. I need to be that reminder and protected area for folks to be unapologetically themselves.”

Josie Martin of Candyland: “Now that I’m stepping again into this scene, it’s one thing that I need to focus. I undoubtedly need to have the ability to use no matter useful resource that I’ve to assist ladies within the scene nonetheless I can. Not simply ladies, however different folks of colour or different LGBTQ+ artists. That might be very particular to me.”

Kah-Lo: “I like being a girl, and I like supporting ladies—particularly ladies in dance music. As typically as I can, I share their music on my platforms to place extra folks on to their music.”

OBLVYN: “Seeing one other lady doing the identical factor is simply so cool to me. I perceive the additional obstacles in making an attempt to make it as a feminine, so it’s extra impactful to me after I uncover an awesome feminine artist or see one attain one other milestone. I’m extra inclined to convey up her title in a room of trade folks when the chance comes up or share her music on social media. I additionally love to assist a sister out at any time when there’s an opportunity to recommend a author, artist for a characteristic or to move alongside a model partnership deal when it comes up. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t use this opportunity to convey up a couple of names, so if you happen to’re studying this ensure to take a look at Tianda, RIELL, Laur Elle, Talltale and JESSIA.”

Skyler Madison: “I’m at all times looking for rising new feminine expertise within the scene. Whether or not it’s reposting, rinsing out their music or participating on social media to remain related, I’m at all times making an attempt my greatest to maintain up with different feminine artist friends in any method I can. In the end, I’m making an attempt to construct my very own lane so I can create a brand new, extra supportive area for like-minded feminine creatives to attach with one another on each degree.”

Whipped Cream: “I really feel prefer it was very fascinating as a result of proper earlier than COVID, I performed one of the crucial bass-driven festivals on the earth, Misplaced Lands. I used to be one of many solely ladies to play their essential stage. I assumed it was completely essential that I’d convey extra ladies onto that stage after I performed, so I introduced on fellow ladies artists, VAMPA and Jinx. It felt actually good to shut out. And I waited until the tip of my set, so the stage was packed, to convey these ladies out and actually showcase the vitality.”

Kocay: What’s the state of digital music for feminine producers at the moment?

HoneyLuv: “The state of digital music for feminine producers at the moment is bettering however nonetheless wants lots of work. I actually really feel like we now have made some actual noise and are lastly being heard, however the reality is that girls are nonetheless being missed in lots of markets in dance. And no, it’s not ‘sufficient’ to characteristic one or two ladies on these labels or lineups. There are lots of us out right here who’re proficient past measure who aren’t being given the identical alternatives as males. That should change.”

GG Magree: “We’re on fireplace. It’s wonderful to see so many proficient ladies crushing it and reminding younger ladies to observe their desires and do what they love.”

Josie Martin of Candyland: “I feel it’s essentially the most thrilling time for feminine producers but, just because persons are truly beginning to care. Ten years in the past articles like this didn’t exist, and I used to be the one feminine on many of the lineups I’d play. There’s an entire new wave of beast feminine producers on the market with one thing to show, they usually’re killing it dwell, too. I find it irresistible.”

OBLVYN: “There are actually nonetheless extra male producers than feminine and the vast majority of digital feminine artists are vocalists, however the variety of ladies who produce digital music is slowly rising. I feel the present technology of feminine producers which have gained notoriety confronted extra resistance and needed to work their a**es off to make it. We haven’t had sufficient examples for women to contemplate changing into a producer or DJ, and far of society has been conditioned to imagine it as an occupation for males. However now that increasingly ladies are arising, and with manufacturing expertise changing into extra accessible, I feel extra younger ladies will see a future in digital music to be inside attain.”

Skyler Madison: “It’s undoubtedly at an all-time excessive in comparison with the place it was only a few years in the past. I feel it’s dope to lastly see extra females getting larger alternatives and seeing extra ladies on lineups, excursions, labels and [collaborations]. It’s lastly getting to a degree the place you see greater than only one or two feminine artists on a competition lineup, so step by step we’re beginning to transfer in the correct route to the place it’s extra inclusive, and I can solely hope it goes up from right here.”

Whipped Cream: “I feel I am very excited to see what number of extra ladies are line-ups now. Once I would have a look at lots of digital festivals, for instance 5 years in the past, I would see possibly two ladies on a lineup. And now I am seeing the variety with much more ladies on the primary stage, on the techno stage and the dubstep stage—the variety may be very stunning to see…. I am excited for the way forward for ladies in dance music.”

Kocay: What do you assume the scene must do to change into extra inclusive to ladies?

HoneyLuv: “The vast majority of labels and festivals are run by males. Think about all of the untapped potential that creates. Girls traditionally present up and present out, so simply give us the chance so we will seize it. Scoot your chair over—we will all have a seat on the desk. Rent us. Promote us. Hearken to our concepts. We want illustration each on and off the stage.”

GG Magree: “Guide us since you love our music—not as a result of we’re feminine.”

Josie Martin of Candyland: “I’d like to see the area be extra inclusive to Black females and different ladies of colour. I’m undecided make that occur, apart from the folks answerable for reserving exhibits and curating these areas to really do it. However it might be an awesome begin to bettering the scene.”

Kah-Lo: “I feel it’s so simple as including extra ladies to lineups and extra entrance dealing with alternatives. The expertise is on the market however they’re always being handed up or being pressured to scramble for the little or no alternatives out there. There’s greater than sufficient room for everybody.”

OBLVYN: “There are such a lot of proficient ladies on the market able to be found. It’s unlucky that girls are confronted with extra private and social obstacles when pursuing a profession in music and too typically get stereotyped and sexualized within the course of. It may be fairly discouraging to push by and a few issues are simply arduous to alter, however I feel there may be methods to raise ladies regardless of all of the hurdles. A&R’s might pay further consideration to discovering feminine expertise, and it might be cool to see an even bigger label maintain a female-only contest now and again, which could assist to skip previous among the difficulties. I’ve seen promoters make an effort by throwing all-female exhibits, however I’d prefer to see blended lineups change into the norm, with much less discrepancy between genders. For each listeners and trade folks, I really feel like a shift in conduct towards seeing ladies within the digital scene can be vital. Giving credit score the place it’s due, being respectful and accepting, not at all times describing us as ‘feminine producers’ or because the ‘feminine model of’…. These are only a few ways in which I feel might make the scene extra inclusive to females.”

Skyler Madison: “I feel the actual change will occur when ladies get extra alternatives to take a seat on the desk behind the scenes. Like several trade, a feminine’s price within the EDM scene is judged on a lot extra than simply their expertise. There are such a lot of ladies who don’t get the alternatives they deserve due to materialistic causes that shouldn’t matter. For the scene to really be equal, there must be feminine empowered voices at each degree from behind the scenes in addition to on the forefront.”

Whipped Cream: “If I am feeling like I am getting handled unfairly, I am simply saying no. I am saying, no, I cannot do this competition or, no, I’m not going to do this anymore. The place earlier than I felt like, oh, I’ve to do that, I’ve to do this, I’ve to show myself. However then I began simply merely not getting handled pretty nonetheless, even [when] doing every thing everybody’s telling me to do. So now I am simply saying, no, and it is serving to quite a bit…. Girls simply have to do what they love and never care about what anybody else thinks, says or does. It’s not a intercourse factor right here. It is like a person can go and create no matter he needs, clothes how he [wants] and be positioned pretty, normally. So I simply assume that the primary factor is…despite the fact that issues are going to be unfair as a girl producer…[you] cannot let it eat at you. You selected to do what you do since you find it irresistible. Let your artwork and your work do the talking for you.”

Kocay: Which lady in your life has empowered you essentially the most?

HoneyLuv: “I come from an extended line of empowering ladies. Every one in every of us has realized from those that have come earlier than and created lives surrounded by fellow badasses. My grandmothers, my mom, my aunts and my shut feminine mates have all formed me into the lady I’m at the moment.”

GG Magree: “My mumma, my spouse (Vee Hudge), and my proper hand (Mija).”

Josie Martin of Candyland: “My mother, no query. It doesn’t matter what we had been going by rising up, she at all times made me really feel like I might take over the world. I by no means questioned that I couldn’t do one thing as a result of I used to be a girl, and that was due to her. Adopting me when she was 22, or elevating two children as a single mother, she was simply the most effective instance of a girl who obtained it completed no matter what life throws at you. I don’t assume I’d have tried to do music or something artistic for a dwelling if it wasn’t for her.”

Kah-Lo: “My sisters are always empowering and uplifting me.”

OBLVYN: “There are such a lot of ladies I’ve met through the years that make me really feel empowered—I can’t actually single one out. Each lady I’ve labored with in artwork has impressed me and inspired me to maintain chasing my targets.”

Skyler Madison: “I wish to assume that my grandmother has arms down been my greatest advocate in empowering me essentially the most in life in addition to with my music profession. If it wasn’t for all her help through the years, I’m undecided if I’d be the place I’m at the moment. I can indubitably say I can’t admire anybody extra in my life than I do her and I’m so grateful to have such a powerful and inspiring lady in my nook who’s at all times pushed and supported me to do and be the most effective I can in every thing.”

Whipped Cream: “I would say in all probability my greatest good friend, Laura. Look, I’ve an awesome mom—she’s empowered me. She’s taught me what love is. She’s taught me what being pure is and what caring about folks is and what love is as a mother-daughter’s scenario. She’s at all times instructed me to go after what I need and consider in, however I suppose the most important function mannequin that is empowered me might be my greatest good friend. Laura is a giant believer within the self. So what you consider, you may obtain. If it is obtained to be, it is as much as me. Do not let anybody inform you in any other case.”