Independent Music

Women in Music | Slaying The Patriarchy, One beat at a time.

By Akriti Niti Guha
October 25, 2017

The Problem

The past few weeks have been quite daunting and disturbing considering the recent allegations of sexual harassment against Khodu Irani, the owner of a popular local bar in Pune called High Spirits, on Twitter along with the millions of women coming out with their stories of sexual harassment and casual sexism through the #MeToo campaign across the globe.

Especially in the music industry - there’s a constant pressure to look, act, talk and present yourself in a certain way. I’ve met far too many women not being able to say what they feel due to fear of the backlash a statement can make and how that can potentially ruin a career and not to mention your precious self-esteem. Systemic misogyny has always been an open secret. This is the part that enrages me. It’s a different thing when we have conflicting opinions on certain issues with the opposite sex but when you try to silence us or talk down to us is when we’ll come at you the hardest and thankfully, now the online floodgates have opened and the chorus is deafening. We are at a time when we’re paving the way for the future and unfortunately, that comes with the heavy burden of generations before us. Nature is order and order is the system, so going against the system takes some serious nipples. A balls substitute that I prefer to use AND is gender neutral. You’re welcome. Let’s face it kweens, growing up in this male-dominated, patriarchal system it’s ‘acceptable’ for people from all stratas of society to look down on women who are independent, fierce and opinionated. I think it’s inculcated into us at a rather early age that ‘good girls’ don’t stay out late at night, hang with guys and god forbid they’re intoxicated and/or embracing their sexuality let alone taking up non-traditional career paths in music and of course the biggest challenge as a professional AND a woman is the never-ending mansplaining and sexist digs that are thrown your way. But like most revolutions, it comes from this deep desire to fight against all odds and these women in the Independent music scene have done just that. Tarana Marwah | ‘Komorebi’ is an electronica outfit from New Delhi, spearheaded by Tarana Marwah who started this project independently in February 2015. ‘Soliloquy’ is the latest album launched by the band and she is known for her magical visuals and unique soundscapes. She’s collaborated with some brilliant musicians like Mohini Dey, Sohrab Nicholson, and Warren Mendonsa as well and recently topped Itunes charts. Aashna Kamboj | ‘Oryza’ is a solo project of Aashna Oryza Kamboj, a budding musician from a small town in Haryana. She started producing music in 2014 and breaks the commercially accepted norms of dance music, to take people on a dark and melodic journey of beautiful synth work, ethereal backdrops, and brooding bass-lines, all on top of a pronounced foot-shuffling house and techno beat. Gowri Jayakumar | ‘Run Pussy Run’ was formed in 2014 by Gowri Jayakumar and the band has composed several songs through its various avatars and RPR skitters around the edges of lyrical jazz, funk, and satire. With an undisturbed commitment to storytelling, their compositions weave through rhythmic and harmonic drifting.

Loudest spoke to the three amazing women with very different styles and experiences and these are their stories of slaying the patriarchy, what’s their driving force and how music is not just a coping mechanism but it is, in fact, Life.

Loudest: How did you begin your journey as a musician/DJ/composer and what was your family's reaction to choosing a non-traditional career path?

Tarana: My family pushed me into this career. I think they wanted to live vicariously through my life, since my father was also a musician. I used to play concerts at a very young age - my first was a performance of "Fur Elise" at Tom Lee auditorium in Vancouver, Canada when I was 7. Aashna: A couple of years into my Indian Classical Music training, I performed alongside Ustad Ghulam Ali for a classical event in my town but honestly I never had the passion for singing. I always wanted to create something I can call my own. Inspired by the artists my dad listened to, my love for video games, and deadmau5, I knew this is it! I worked as a designer post-college, but that never gave me the time to do music full time so, I quit my job and voila, a DJ! Fortunately, my family are very supportive of my choices but of course, they were skeptical with the profession in terms of how safe it is, whether or not I would have a steady income. Nevertheless, they have always been proud of my productions and are fascinated when I show them other good producers at work. I remember once I was watching some Ableton tutorials and my mum was very keen on knowing what it is! Gowri: I started learning guitar during my summer vacations when I was 15 and I thought this is something I could do all my life or so I imagined. I had to work 7 years as a journalist before I could convince my folks I cannot do this anymore, I only want to be a musician. They were against it in the beginning, but over time, they became more supportive. But I think a certain kind of inertia has crept into my way of being, so the same fire I had when I was 17 is totally gone.

Loudest: Icelandic experimental musician Björk in an interview with Pitchfork said, "Everything that a guy says once, you have to say five times." Would you agree that in order to make your opinion heard you really need to stick to your guns?

Tarana: Yes perhaps at a time. However, I feel optimistic. I think in today's day and age people are learning to take women more seriously. Aashna: Well, there are certain gender stereotypes at work like a DJ requiring to ‘look a certain way’ irrespective of how her music is and in turn not being taken seriously since it is, in fact, a male-dominated industry but both men and women have to struggle to get the money out from these stingy organizers who will throw money on random shit but when it comes to paying the artists then suddenly they don’t have a ‘budget’. So, as a beginner, my struggle has been more about making my mark in the industry as a music producer as opposed to being a DJ and less about the gender struggle. Gowri: Yes, only with some, but that's many. And if you're lucky, you can cut through their ego and their mortifying insecurity. If sometimes they're intelligent, they may even agree with you.

Loudest: In the age of the Internet and faceless trolls, have you had to deal with the disgusting and horrible sexist threats and jabs thrown at you online.? Doesn’t that get to you or would you just rather not pay attention to the haters?

Tarana: I think it's best not to pay any heed to the negativity that exists online since one can imagine where it comes from. A coward with an agenda behind a computer screen who gets the slightest rush of power by putting others down doesn't deserve my time. If it gets violent then perhaps there we can draw a line. Aashna: Yes, as a matter of fact, I have come across really sleazy messages in my inbox saying that I am getting ahead by ‘wrongdoings’ (you know what they’re trying to imply here) and that being a woman is the only reason I am given any attention. Mostly happens when I have a good gig coming up. I think I was naive before and used to get upset but now I have learned to ignore them. Thanks to some really close friends who have always supported me, and never let my guard down. Haters are everywhere, so fuck 'em! Gowri: I haven't faced it much but I find it all amusing because if I started taking them seriously, I'd be wasting, even more time and energy on useless things than I already do, I can't afford it. But sometimes, they do say really vexing things and you can imagine the pleasure they derive out of being sub-human with digital anonymity, and that scares me.

Loudest: Do you feel that there is a need for women to look out for and support each other within the industry?

Tarana: Yes absolutely. It is important for us to not backbite, or let our insecurities and competitive nature get the better of us. Aashna: Oh heck, yes. There should absolutely be no place for jealousy. Everyone is unique. Healthy competition is always welcome but don't let it overpower you. I have come across women demeaning other women, slut-shaming and body-shaming them, all in consequence of one basic reason - they are successful. Ladies! If someone is doing better than you are, it means they are doing something right. Learn from them and support them. Gowri: I feel there is a need to do the right thing. Women cannot be hypocritical in this journey either. The fight is for equality, equal opportunity, and respect. So it is important to look out for each other regardless of gender.

Loudest: Canadian singer Grimes recently posted on Tumblr saying “I’m tired of men who aren’t professional or even accomplished musicians continually offering to ‘help me out’ (without being asked), as if I did this by accident and I’m gonna flounder without them." How do you feel and respond to the constant mansplaining you have to deal with?

Tarana: It's absolutely true that there are men who have looked down on me and continue to do so today, for being a young female producer. However, I never let it get the better of me and let my art speak for itself. Mediocrity is commonplace and small-time fame is short lived. Aashna: Well, it is annoying but I stay calm. Happens so often that I get unsolicited advice as if I’m some damsel in distress, which is not true. I know what I am doing, I know what I signed up for and I will keep learning and making better music. Gowri: It doesn't happen that frequently in a professional regard with me. Most times, I feel like an alien and totally socially inept when it comes to networking, seeking out opportunities etc. I am impatient when someone starts giving me advice, because I think I am most critical of myself as it is. So anything anyone says, just irks me because I've probably already said it to myself.

Loudest: Any person, musician or even community which gave you the strength to deal with life in general and as a woman in the independent music scene?

Tarana: I really look up to Sanaya Ardeshir (Sandunes). Aashna: My mother, she has been a constant morale booster. Deadmau5 aka Joel Zimmerman. he has always been such a huge role model for me. He also taught me that popularity is overrated. The less popular you are, the more time you have to work on your own shit rather than doing everything else to fit in everyone else's shoes. And of course, he’s got the best studio out there. I want that for myself. My managers, colleagues & friends have been so sweet and helpful throughout, couldn't be where I am today without their support. I know for a fact they won't let me give up. Gowri: Most of the musicians that I have performed with have reinstated my faith in what I do. And anyone who comes for my gig, I feel happy sharing my story with them.

Loudest: What advice can you give girls or women who are just starting out in their local music scenes, or who want to start a band or produce music but don’t feel like they can?

Tarana: It's a choice you're making and you steer the wheel, without a doubt. As a producer and composer below 25 myself I know I have the capability to move mountains with my work under the moniker Komorebi, and I urge all younger women to do the same. Aashna: A very cliché thing to say but good things take time. Patience is hard but necessary and the industry indeed has some misogynistic mofos. Take everyone's advice with a curious mind, listen and learn, but do not lose your identity. Everyone is different. If something happened one way for someone, doesn't imply the same will happen for you. Gowri: My advice to anyone would be to keep it real. After some time, as a musician you end up diluting a lot of what you do, to score the next gig. It is all good, but it is really important that you do your thing. If it is making people dance, do it, if it is telling your story with three chords, do it. Because when you make music, it is that moment that matters. Learn the vocabulary and grammar so you have the choice and technical know-how to express how you want. Enjoy it. There are many times in life that I hate what I do, and I have been lazy. Sometimes I think I try too hard, but the moments which make me happiest are ones where I am just doing, not thinking or planning. Making music makes me happy, whether I share it with others or not. I hope I continue to get blessed in this regard. The universe has been kind to me, and I am grateful I have the chance to do what I love. Check out their music on : [gallery special_type="0" size="medium" link="none" ids="2213,2214,2215"] Komorebi | https://www.facebook.com/music.komorebi/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_N_lQBcXNCGbkiZWDnr24g Oryza | https://www.facebook.com/Oryzamusic/ https://www.acast.com/euphonic-frequencies/euphonic-frequenices-episode-20-ft-guestmix-by-oryza Run Pussy Run | https://www.facebook.com/rprcollective/ http://www.soundcloud.com/runpussyrun

Tags Slider Independent Music

Women in Music | Slaying The Patriarchy, One beat at a time.

The Problem

Loudest spoke to the three amazing women with very different styles and experiences and these are their stories of slaying the patriarchy, what’s their driving force and how music is not just a coping mechanism but it is, in fact, Life.

Loudest: How did you begin your journey as a musician/DJ/composer and what was your family's reaction to choosing a non-traditional career path?

Loudest: Icelandic experimental musician Björk in an interview with Pitchfork said, "Everything that a guy says once, you have to say five times." Would you agree that in order to make your opinion heard you really need to stick to your guns?

Loudest: In the age of the Internet and faceless trolls, have you had to deal with the disgusting and horrible sexist threats and jabs thrown at you online.? Doesn’t that get to you or would you just rather not pay attention to the haters?

Loudest: Do you feel that there is a need for women to look out for and support each other within the industry?

Loudest: Any person, musician or even community which gave you the strength to deal with life in general and as a woman in the independent music scene?

Loudest: What advice can you give girls or women who are just starting out in their local music scenes, or who want to start a band or produce music but don’t feel like they can?

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