5 minute read
SHAUNA
DIGGING DEEPER SHAUNA
EQUALITY IN DANCE MUSIC...
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I’m Shauna, a DJ/producer from Leeds and part of the DJ collective SISU. Back in June me and Kahreign released ‘Underdog’ as part of Rhythm Lab Records’ ‘giRLs’ project, which aims to facilitate collaborations between female and gender nonconforming artists who have never met, creating a space for them to network and develop the skills necessary to get their foot in the door of the music industry. A door that is often locked to them (the whole EP, which also features collabs between Sutty and Migixhi and NIIX and Martha Pryer is out now).
Women, and other minorities, such as a people of colour and the LGBT+ community, are underdogs within the dance music scene. Despite being pioneered by the black, queer community, the genre is dominated by cis, straight, white men. A recent survey by Female:Pressure found that at international dance music festivals between 2017-2019 only 20% of the DJs on the line-ups identified as women.
However, it would be wrong to say that there is an absence of women in dance music. In fact, there are many actively involved within the scene as DJs and producers. If we are to achieve true equality the emphasis needs to shift from simply counting the number of female DJs on line-ups, as focusing on a lack implies that simply increasing the number of women behind the decks would improve the situation. Unfortunately, the behaviour of (male) gatekeepers within the scene does not always change because the numbers have. There may be more female DJs than there was 30 years ago, but it does not necessarily follow that their experiences are reflective of equality having been achieved. Instead, the issue is with the scene itself. A microcosm of society at large, sexism and misogyny are deeply rooted in dance music, from the way in which female vocalists are rarely credited, to the lack of opportunities afforded to
As clubs closed their doors over lockdown, promoters had the chance to take a step back, consider the state of the industry and re-evaluate their priorities. However, many promoters did not use this time to reflect, and as we returned to the dance floor the lack of diversity behind the decks was glaringly obvious.
True equality needs to amount to more than tokenistic boxchecking. Do not book women because you want to ‘look good’ or to meet some kind of diversity quota. Women should be booked purely for their talent, as male DJs are, not because you have some box to tick.
One excuse I often hear is that promoters ‘can’t find’ female DJs, non-binary DJs, or DJs of colour. It is more likely that they cannot be bothered. Databases such as B.A.D (FKA Black Artist Database), the recently launched Non-Binary artist database, and numerous other resources mean there are no excuses for lack of diversity within line-ups. When we (finally) do get booked, women and other minorities are often expected to play for free or very little, often told that we should be grateful for the exposure. Unfortunately, exposure does not pay the bills. Here, promoters’ calls for equality need to go beyond face-value. It is easy to book women but if you are paying them less than you would pay a male DJ for the same slot, then you are only contributing to the problem. Promoters need to operate a fair and transparent pay policy, in which we are paid the same as our male counterparts
This is something I care deeply about, so much so that my PhD is based around the subject, exploring the lived experiences of female DJs and how these experiences may impact their wellbeing. I hope that one day I won’t have to write about this anymore, but until then I will keep fighting for greater equality in dance music.
Shauna will be a guest speaker, panellist and DJ at the I Can See Queerly Now event.
The giRLs EP is available to stream/download now.
Words by Shauna Stapleton Photography by Andrew Benge
5 QUESTIONS WINGS OF DESIRE
WHO ARE YOU?
We are Wings of Desire, a spiritual industrial sophisti-indie band from London via the West Country. Our names are Chloe Little and James Taylor and we are a couple who create art and music together.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
We make music that delves into the depths of the human experience. We also create all of our own artwork, visuals and are now in the process of developing our independent label WMD Recordings.
WHY DO YOU DO IT?
It’s something we both knew was inherently part of our being, and no other outlet could really satisfy that urge for creative freedom. Music has always been an urge we cannot shake, and even though the world provides many safe career options we have chosen a life of sleepless nights, uncertainty and creative freedom.
WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW?
We have just released our 2nd EP Amun-Ra which has been very satisfying to put into the ether and watch it grow and take shape in people’s consciousness. Along with releasing new music we have our first headline show on 27th September at The Sebright Arms in London, this will be the first time we get to debut some new songs and invite our fans into the world we’ve been creating over the past year.
WHAT'S THE HOT TOPIC?
for new acts like ourselves there have not been the opportunities to get out there and play in front of some homosapiens . Watching festivals being given the green light this summer feels like there is hope for new artists just around the corner. And for us it means we can shape shift into something tangible, we can’t wait to share that experience with people.
Come see us at our first headline show on 27th September at The Sebright Arms.
You can follow us on @ wingsofdesir3 on social platforms and visit our website www. wingsofdesire.co where you will find lots of videos and artwork to get lost in.
COME PLAY WITH SHE DREW THE GUN
