Empowering the Next Generation of Women in Audio

Join Us

Sexual Harassment in the Industry Seminar

SoundGirls will be hosting Kim Warnick, the Executive Director of Calling All Crows, Kim has over a decade of sexual violence prevention and response experience, including a specialized focus on workplace sexual violence since 2016, and six years of music industry experience, she was uniquely situated to design and lead the #HereForTheMusic campaign to prevent sexual violence at concerts and festivals.

The seminar will cover:

Kim Warnick, the Executive Director of Calling All Crows, is a professional with program design, project management, event production, facilitation, and communications experience in corporate, start-up, and nonprofit organizations. With a decade of sexual violence prevention and response experience, including a specialized focus on workplace sexual violence since 2016, and 6 years of music industry experience, she was uniquely situated to design and lead the #HereForTheMusic campaign to prevent sexual violence at concerts and festivals. After 9 tours with 3 different artists, she has opted to get off the road and settle into Long Beach, CA, a westward migration from spending most of her life in NH and MA. She holds a BA in Sociology from Harvard University, where her studies focused on social movements, organizational culture, and conflict and peacebuilding, including an intensive study in Rwanda.

 

Sexual Harassment Seminar

SoundGirls will be hosting a seminar on sexual harassment with Kim Warnick.

 
 

Kim Warnick is a sexual violence prevention and response expert with program design, project management, and communications experience in corporate, start-up, and nonprofit organizations. She designed and leads the #HereForTheMusic campaign at Calling All Crows to prevent sexual harassment and violence in the live music industry. She has a specific interest in workplace sexual violence and helping companies to be proactive in creating safer working conditions for all employees

You should be able to feel comfortable in your place of work or learning. If you are being sexually harassed, you can report it to the authorities at your job or school, but what happens when you are a freelance contractor? Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of circumstances. The harasser can identify with any gender and have any relationship to the victim, including being a direct manager, indirect supervisor, coworker, teacher, peer, or colleague.

The seminar will cover:

 

Founder of Tom Tom Magazine – Mindy Abovitz

This month I had the pleasure of interviewing Mindy Abovitz, founder of the only magazine in the world dedicated to women in percussion. Tom Tom Magazine was founded in 2009 in response to gender disparity in the percussion world. Mindy is no stranger to the world of drumming as she has been drumming for over eleven years. She has been in multiple projects including ‘Taigaa !’, ‘Hot Box’, ‘More Teeth’, and ‘Chicas Vas’. I wanted to find out more about Mindy, and her magazine highlighting women percussionists.

What motivated you to create a magazine dedicated to women percussionists?

In 2009, I was googling the words “female drummer” and “girl drummer” and the search results were terrible. The result retrieved photos of women sexily standing next to drum sets and then articles titled: ‘Can Women Play the Drums?’. I wanted to show the world what I knew about women who drummed and depict us in the correct light.

I read that one of your goals is to increase the gender parity in percussionists by 50% in the next ten years. Have you seen an increase?

I believe there has been an increase that the industry has felt. I will know better in a decade from now what our impact has been.

How has your magazine contributed to the equality of women drummers since its start in 2009?

We have inundated the internet, print media, social media, and live events with true and inspiring depictions and role models of girls and women who drum. So, in that way, we have shown who we are and who other future females can be.


How was the climate for female percussionists then, and how has it changed now?

Prior to Tom Tom, existing drum magazines would have a women’s history month issue or feature one female drummer every once in a while. The representation of the average or aspiring female drummer was non-existent. Now, since dedicating an entire media company to female percussionists, we have a decent shot at being represented.

Who inspired you to become a drummer?

A few people inspired me. One of them was my friend Gina Marie (who is still drumming!). My main reason for thinking I could be a musician at all was the Riot Grrrl movement and the band Bikini Kill. Once I discovered them, nothing was going to stop me from playing any instrument.

What advice do you have for young girls who want to play drums?

My advice is to do it! And to call yourself a drummer as soon as you do! Don’t wait (five years, like I did) to call yourself a drummer.

What do you think about the Future is Female movement?

I love it. A lot of my very good friends are heavily involved in spreading the message. Females need a heavy dose of recognition, attention, support, and listening to if we are going to have any semblance of an egalitarian society. Supporting the Future is Female movement is simply saying, I support women and girls.

What is next for you and Tom Tom Magazine?

More of the same! Working on growing our company, increasing the integrity of our storytelling, and promoting more underserved folks.

You can read or subscribe to Tom Tom Magazine
The Future is Female and, in the drumming world, women are breaking their own glass ceilings by supporting each other – and now they have a voice

 

N.Y. – SoundGirls Presents Hearing Health with Musicians Hearing Solutions

Join SoundGirls for an evening learning about hearing health, live sound, noise induced loss and how to prevent it.  Learn about IEMS and ear plugs and how to use them properly. Dr. Julie Glick and Dr. Elvera Bader of Musicians Hearing Solutions will have demos of different IEMS available; Shure, Sennheiser, Ultimate Ears, JH Audio, Sensaphonics and Noble Audio. Plus we will have plenty of time to meet and network with other SoundGirls members. SoundGirls Executive Director Karrie Keyes will be on hand to meet members.

JULIE GLICK, Au.D., F-AAA

Dr. Glick was first introduced to custom in-ear monitors and musicians earplugs nineteen years ago when she started her career in a private practice in Beverly Hills, California. Her passion for music and commitment to the field of audiology led her to recognize that the optimization of the live performances of musicians and hearing conservation was a niche she wanted to be involved in from the very beginning. Over the past nineteen years, Julie has spent invaluable time with monitor / sound engineers and has been backstage and in rehearsal studios with musicians of all genres.  She has also worked as an audiologist for two years at Sensaphonics Hearing Conservation in Chicago. Through all of these experiences, she has gained great insight and appreciation for all the technical details that go into live musical performances and how important hearing and hearing conservation is to not only musicians but to the fans as well. Dr. Glick’s knowledge and technical expertise of sound, hearing and hearing conservation make her a valuable asset to the music community.

Dr. Glick received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Hearing Science from The Ohio State University, Master of Science in Communicative Disorders from California State University, Northridge and Doctor of Audiology from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, School of Audiology. Dr. Glick is a licensed Audiologist and Hearing Instrument Dispenser in the state of New York and a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology.

ELVERA BADER, Au.D., F-AAA

Dr. Elvera Bader’s professional experience in audiology at the leading practices in New York City combined with her background in dance and love for music made her a perfect fit as part of the team at Musicians Hearing Solutions™.  Elvera’s background includes extensive audiological evaluations, hearing conservation, tinnitus treatment and rehabilitation.  

Elvera received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from City University of Brooklyn College, where she graduated magna cum laude and was elected into the Phi Beta Kappa Society. She went on to complete her Doctorate of Audiology through the City University of New York Graduate Center and co-authored a study titled “College Music Faculty Views about Hearing Protection and Hearing Conservation Training”.

Dr. Bader is a licensed Audiologist and Hearing Instrument Dispenser in the state of New York and is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology. She is also a licensed Audiologist in the state of New Jersey.

She Rocks Awards Tickets Available to Members

sra17-logoThe Women’s International Music Network, She Rocks Awards and Laura Whitmore have graciously donated silver tickets to SoundGirls.Org.  These tickets are available to SoundGirls.Org members and available on a first come first serve basis. We ask that members who are able to purchase tickets do so, it is a great event and organization.

Please request your ticket by emailing us at soundgirls@soundgirls.org.

Check out all the Women being honored at the She Rocks Awards 2017

You can read interviews with the Honorees on Front and Center, every week leading up to the event.

She Rocks Awards  – at the NAMM Show

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2017

7:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.

Anaheim Hilton Hotel, Anaheim, CA

777 W Convention Way, Anaheim, CA 92802

Career Development – Resources for Resumes and Social Media

A polished resume (and LinkedIn profile!) can be almost as valuable to you now as they are when you’re in the middle of a job search. Keep your resume updated—always. We have compiled a list of articles to get you started.

 

 

Tips on Writing your Resume

The Importance of the Cover Letter

The Best First Impression

Five Ways to Make your Freelance Applications Work for You

Professional Social Media

Fake it Until You Make it – Or Not

Five Lessons from a Career in Sound (so far)

Notes on Your Resume

Resume Builder

ResumeBaking

Cover Letter Mistakes

Six Good Reasons to Always Keep Your Resume Updated 

A Top Recruiter on What Anyone Can See After 30 Seconds with Your Resume

Uptowork’s Online Resume Builder – Choose professional, elegant, creative, or modern resume templates. Uptowork’s resume maker offers 20 templates in 400 colors. You can easily adapt the designs to any resume format you choose: functional, reverse-chronological, or combination. SoundGirls Members receive access to their free platform using code SoundG53% at checkout

Cover Letter Examples

Annie Stoic – LD and Assistant Tour Manager for Joan Jett

Annie is currently the Lighting & Assistant Tour Manager for Joan Jett & the Blackhearts who just finished up touring with Heart and Cheap Trick. In addition to her Tour Managing position, she is the guitarist for her all-female band Jackknife Stiletto. 

 

Can you tell me about your experience as a musician and your current position?

I’ve been a guitarist for almost 10 years, been in a bunch of bands growing up on Staten Island, NY. I was able to play CBGB’s before it closed when I was in high school! Currently, I’m in an all-female rock n’ roll band: Jackknife Stiletto. I just started singing for the band as well, which is very new and different for me. We just went on tour in October and literally had four rehearsals with me singing for the first time. Jackknife Stiletto will be booking more tours, have recordings coming out early next year, and we are very excited about it!

How did you get into lighting?

anie-and-others-all-girl-lighting-team

All Woman Lighting Team

I’ve been working with lighting for about six years. I started at my college theatre: Five Towns College: Dix Hills Performing Arts Center. I really got into programming and learning the different lighting boards. My favorite board is the Grand MA. Most of my jobs after college have involved lighting whether it was on tour, at a venue, or at corporate events. I have a lot of fun learning the new gear and figuring things out, learning from everyone I meet.

How is managing a band different from playing in a band?

Honestly, I don’t think I can tell the difference at this point? Jackknife Stiletto really does everything on our own. But for our recent tour, it was a different experience being the ‘front person for the first time. When you’re sitting at the merch booth before the show but realize you need to be on vocal rest and need to go warm up in the van, then jump into ‘artist/musician’ mode and hit the stage to give it your all, then go back on the floor, unload your gear, hit the merch booth again and start asking for new friends to sign up on your mailing list. It’s all very crazy and hectic – I wouldn’t ask for anything different!

Can you tell us how you became asst. tour manager / LD for Joan Jett tour?

 


I started interning for Blackheart Records when I was in college, after a semester they sent me on Warped Tour and from there, I was hooked on touring! When I was ready to graduate they didn’t have a merch, production, or lighting person so I said I can fill that spot & learn quick – so they gave me a shot the week after I graduated and I’ve been working with them ever since.

Can you tell us how bands get together to go out on the road?

You really need to plan and budget out a tour. Make sure you really research how much gas, food, hotels, showers, etc. are going to cost – you also need to make sure you have money set aside in case something wrong happens (van breaking down). As for my band, we get out our map and play ‘pin-the-post-its’ to figure out where we want to go. Usually, we start out looking where we might have friends, family, and bands we know and start there first. There is also the case where another band might have a tour already booked and we can jump on their routing, both situations are always awesome. There are really great websites like IndieOnTheMove.com & MusicThinkTank.com that have great articles for up and coming bands to read & learn about what they should be prepared for.

What is the biggest myth about going on the road for up-and-coming bands?

That you’ll come home broke with a pile of groupies in the van? Here’s the reality: Booking your own tour is A LOT of work! You don’t have to come home broke. There are plenty of ways to keep your expenses low on the road and as long as you’re working hard and hustling your merch – you should come out okay! Sometimes yes, you might loose money. We get one hotel a week (if that), sleep in the van at the truck stop & shower there (yes, they are actually nice showers!!). You can keep food expenses down by stopping at a Wal-Mart, bulking up & the usual Waffle House stop post-shows. Even if you play a show to five people in the middle of nowhere – it’s still an important show. As long as you’re killing your live performance, those people will buy your merch & tell their friends to come see you next time you are in town. Every show counts, every person in the room counts.

Do you feel that being a woman makes your job harder or easier….or has that not been an issue?

I don’t feel like it has made much of a difference to me. But there is the “oh you can’t lift that” aspect that some guys will say to you from time to time. Fortunately, I’ve had great experiences on the road and met some very cool people. There’s always some weirdo or jerk that will say or do certain things that might not like ‘chicks working in the industry, but I just ignore it and carry on with the job I need to do. Not everyone is going to like you whether you’re a male or female. Some people just aren’t cool!

What is the main reason a band tours?

I think touring is the best thing an up and coming band can do. You’re getting your music out directly to new people instead of just through a screen. There is nothing like being able to meet fans & new friends on the road and giving them sweaty hugs right after a set! And for your band itself, it’s a great way to see if your band even gets along on the road! Touring is rough: there’s little sleep, horrible food, loading and unloading gear, driving through the night. You’ll find out soon enough that some of your band members aren’t cut out for the ‘touring lifestyle.’

What are some of the biggest problems you have faced during the tour?

As an all-female band we do get the occasional ‘creepers’ on tour or as we like to call them, Stalkers! Some people always ask us ridiculous questions such as… “Isn’t that heavy?, Why do you carry your own gear? I’ve never seen a woman carry a half-stack and a bass drum down ten blocks.” And we know they aren’t trying to butter us up, you can see it in their face, the surprise that this is happening. We do everything on our own in this business, booking the tour, driving the van, loading gear, calling radio stations, websites, artwork, etc.. There are still people that come up to us and say that they’ve never seen an all-female band live.

On the upside, the van smells a lot better!

What advice do you have for women who want to work on the tech side of touring?  

Learn as much as you can and don’t stop learning! I’ve never taken a class in lighting or selling merch or how do run a meet & greet. Any part of the business you may like or even think you might like it – learn more about it! I love doing lighting but I still have so much to learn. I also love selling & managing merch, production, meet & greets, etc. I always try to work in any part of the music industry I can. The more you know about different areas, the more valuable you are. If you don’t have the experience, there are plenty of awesome people you meet at gigs that would be happy to let you pick their brains and let you shadow them. Oh and network, network, network!!

How has it been working with rock icon Joan Jett? 

It’s been very cool!! She’s inspiring as an artist & a woman. The whole Blackheart family is awesome, it’s a pleasure working and learning from everyone. I couldn’t thank them enough for taking a chance on me when I didn’t have much experience, but I’ve been learning as much as I can from them since day one. To be able to experience traveling around the world, meeting artists & people I never thought I would – it’s amazing!

Websites:
www.JackknifeStiletto.com
www.Crewicide.com

 

 

Molly Brickson Williams – Founder of Smart and Savvy Travel

IMG_1979Molly Brickson Williams has worked as production coordinator for Fort Minor – Linkin Park, All-American Rejects, Rage Against the Machine, Daughtry, Ricky Martin, and Pearl Jam. She has been a backstage coordinator for Britney Spears and worked as the Advance Crew Road Manager and VIP Coordinator for Black Eyed Peas. She has also tour managed Jordin Sparks and The Jacksons and was the B-Party road manager for Glee Live in Concert, Janet Jackson. (more…)

Finding the Rewards in Your Work

 

I often forget that my job is pretty unique. It’s just what I do, just like everyone else sometimes it is hard to get up and go to work. I find it especially hard right now in the dead of winter and in my quiet season.  But then every once in a while I am reminded my job is pretty awesome. (more…)

X