(Reversal Of The Muse)

Laura recorded this podcast just after ’Nothing’s Real' was released, and Shura explains she made a conscious effort to construct her album cohesively, with the aspiration to create records in the way she consumes them: listening in their entirety from start to finish. However, Laura and Shura share the same difficulty when they’re in the midst of making records and travelling, as they find themselves detached from listening to other music which inspires them. As Marika joins the conversation, the trio discuss how Marika’s early presentation in the media emphasises a problem many female musicians encounter: journalists can focus on everything but the great music they produce.

Jonathan starts by talking about his experience of working with women in the studio, and if there’s a difference in the male approach. After working with Jonathan, Karen and Laura share how they trust and admire his sensitivity to the creative process, and together wonder if women will become more integrated into the mechanical world of the studio - perhaps it’s already happening. Karen also recalls the struggles she’s faced, especially at the genesis of her music career, through feeling objectified by men in the industry as if she’s a commodity. She highlights the importance of having the right team of people around an artist, whether that be men or women

In this episode, Laura and Marika recall their early experiences of being on tour, and how they adapted to the dynamic of male-dominated tour buses. Like Laura, Marika would be intrigued to record in a studio run by women, as it’d be interesting to see whether an artist would feel less pressure to perform and be more inclined to share ideas. Laura and Marika also discuss the contradiction of many female artists today, by the way they're sexualised by the media but also presented as strong and independent.

Laura is now a repeat customer of Pamela’s, and together they chat about how they've experienced misconceptions and pre-judgement in other guitar shops, as women are often assumed to be beginner guitarists or looking on behalf of a man. Laura and Pamela also think about the process of women learning from other women, and if there’s a difference in the way that women teach. Fanny’s welcomes and inspires both extroverts and introverts, as Pamela and Laura believe it’s important to encourage all female guitarists and nurture their musical talent and expression.

Laura and Olga are both well accustomed to the long working hours of the studio. Together they discuss whether women are able to meet the demands of working in a studio and still have children, or if the two are mutually exclusive which has consequently lead to the male dominated environment. Laura also notes that women scientifically hear differently to men, which sparks the question: Have we been creating records for the male ear, as most of our studio mixers are male? Olga and Laura consider if we're missing a feminine part to everything behind music and the way it’s created.

Amanda is now the CEO of her own record label, Outsiders and we’ll hear Laura and Amanda discuss the clear absence of female executives in record labels today. Amanda recalls her experiences of being the anomaly in a heavily masculine environment, and also her realisation of how differently women are treated in the work place when they reach executive level. Amanda and Laura consider how the role of the record label has evolved over the decade, and share their frustrations about today's pressure to write manufactured hits at the expense of creativity and quality.

In today’s episode Catherine and Laura discuss the intensity of being in the masculine structure of a studio, and how its all-consuming environment is balanced with maintaining a personal life away from work. Through her wealth of experience in the studio, Catherine reflects on how she applies her own femininity and emotions, in order to benefit the creative process of the artist. Laura and Catherine find affiliation through their similar encounters of gender stereotypes in music, which have only spurred them to exceed people’s expectations.