Dumfries Music Conference (DMC) has recently announced an exciting programme of events for April, entitled ‘The Female Takeover’. The month-long project is led and facilitated by women who work in the music industry in Scotland, showcasing and highlighting their talent and bringing people together to appreciate the value of females in the industry. The programme of events features a musically orientated mix of film, discussion, live music, art and workshops – most of which take place at The Stove Network, 100 High Street.
Kirstin McEwan, Project Manager of The Female Takeover, commented: “Our aim is to educate, inspire, and empower women, while engaging people in an important conversation about supporting gender equality in music. Women currently account for just 30% of the music industry and earn on average 30% less than their male counterparts. Professions behind the scenes are made up of just 5% of women, while only 15% of labels are majority owned by women.
“Of the 600 most successful songs last year, only 2% of them were produced by women. We hope that these events will allow people to recognise the gender gap in the music industry and work towards levelling the playing field between men and women.”
Kicking off The Female Takeover month, local singer/songwriter Kate Kyle releases her debut EP ‘Where I’m Going’ with an evening of live music at The Stove Network on Friday 5th April. At only 17 years old, Kate has established herself as a bold, unique and brave new voice in the Scottish nu-folk scene. ‘Where I’m Going’ is her first solo EP, on which she is accompanied by her guitar and a collective of local musicians. Kate unveils what is set to become one of the freshest new music releases in Scotland by a young artist in 2019. Tickets can be purchased online for £3 and Kate’s EP will be available on the evening for £5.
On Thursday 18th April, DMC teams up with ‘Reel to Real Cinema’ for a screening of ‘A Life in Waves’ – a documentary film chronicling the ground-breaking career of pioneering electronic-music composer, Suzanne Ciani. Ciani is a five-time Grammy nominated composer and recording artist, whose sounds have been featured in countless commercials, video games and feature films. ‘A Life in Waves’ is a foreboding journey into Cianni’s mind, which delivers a uniquely feminine glimpse into the world of electronic music. The screening is not ticketed but a donation of £3 is welcomed.
A stellar panel of experts working in the music business in Scotland will provide key insight into one of the most fluctuating and diverse industries in the world at a panel event on Saturday 20th April. ‘The Music Industry: An Insider’s Guide’ will cover topics such as music publishing, recording, distribution, management, A&R and representation. A must for anyone wanting to break into the industry. Panellists include director of Scottish Women Inventing Music Hilary Brooks, Sharon Stephen and Yvonne McLellan from Lost Art Agency, Susan Montgomery and Kayleigh McLaughlin from 23rd Precinct Music and Rosie Watson from KINGDOM Management. Tickets are free but limited, please reserve on the DMC Eventbrite page.
Brave New Words hosts a special ‘Diva’ themed edition of its legendary monthly open mic night, welcoming words spoken, sung, signed, shot or silenced from writers, musicians, filmmakers and performers of all disciplines. Sign up on the night.
The Stove Café is also being made over into ‘The Riot Grrrl Studio’ between Monday 22nd and Saturday 27th April. The Female Takeover will pay homage to the iconic Riot Grrrl movement with a collection of Riot Grrrl memorabilia, feminist literature, a zine library and the chance to create your own Riot Grrrl Manifesto. Indulge in your rock star fantasy, browse the collection and help to build a new kind of studio in the heart of the High Street.
The Female Takeover will close with an extraordinary line-up of the finest local and national acts in association with The Enigma Sessions and The Plaza – Dumfries’ newest roving music venue, which will take over the Nithsdale Rowing Club. Featuring Glasgow-based rock ‘n’ roll and blues inspired soul and sass musician, Emme Woods; vegan, Riot Grrrl punk sister duo from the North of Scotland, Bratakus; bold, brazen and utterly mesmerising four-piece grunge/punk band hailing from Glasgow, CRYSTAL; and Dumfries born Ra, whose smooth vocals and lyrical prowess unite her varying genres of music in a catalogue said to echo the likes of Kate Bush and Debbie Harry. Tickets are £5 and can be purchased from the DMC Eventbrite page.
For more information, please visit the DMC website: www.dumfriesmusicconference.com
For tickets please visit the DMC Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/dumfries-music-conference-17925791281
