Anecdotal or statistical, Melissa Etheridge is all too aware of the inequality in the music industry. She wanted studio experience, but when she was told about the talented producer/songwriter/artist who was constantly harassed by the guys in the studio, Etheridge replied, “Yeah, I’ve seen it for 40 years too.” I agree, sadly.
Or when discussing the unfortunate but not surprising number of men outnumbering women in technical roles such as production and engineering (this was highlighted in a report earlier this year, We Are Moving The Needle’s Fix The Mix) is again very familiar to Mr. Etheridge. These stats.
Etheridge, like many women, including Grammy Award-winning engineer Emily Lazar and songwriter icon Lucinda Williams, is a day when all artists are judged solely on their ability and talent, and gender is not part of the equation. While Etheridge says he is looking forward to the future, Etheridge says that until the music industry makes significant strides in giving women an equal opportunity to learn and experience what it takes to put them in the same shoes as men, women will have the opportunity they need. We recognize that it is up to artists like her to provide training.
So she is very excited to work with an organization called Gritty In Pink to provide women with the training and jobs they need in all aspects of the music industry, from photography to production. I spoke to Etheridge about Gritty in Pink, how to improve the music industry, her upcoming projects, and more.
Steve Baltin: Tell us about Gritty in Pink, how you got involved, what you’re doing with them, and what you can do to fix a truly messed up music industry.
Melissa Ethridge: (Laughter) Right. My manager, her Deb Klein from Primary Wave is very positive and she herself, a female manager, knows all about that. And since we started working together about 10 years ago, I’ve always said to her, ‘Whenever we get the chance, we go to women and women of color and then we get off, but , the first choice is always that.” When space becomes available in my crew, etc., I try to find women first. And it’s not easy. You need someone with experience, and it’s hard for women to get experience. Because I have no experience. It’s like credit. So organizations like Gritty in Pink are putting together databases of women so they can research anything behind the scenes, not just guitarists. We had a photo contest and went looking for people to take pictures, engineers, production and everything else. Those in charge, people like me, and my management team have to make that a priority.Last video/album One Way, made a video for “As Cool As You Try”. And I said, “I want to be as close to the female staff as possible.” And I think there was only one guy who was a prop or something. But everyone else was female. And I have to tell you, it was the best run, the tightest ship, completed on time and on budget. Because they work extra hard because they have a lot to prove they can do this.
Baltin: I’ve talked to many women, from Lucinda Williams to Emily Lazar, and they said they can’t wait for the day when there is no need for gender discrimination. They are only recognized for their achievements, not as the first women to do so.
Etheridge: Wow, yes, that’s all. To prove yourself beyond your gender, say, “Look, I’m the best in this field. I’m the first in this field. I made this. Not just being the first woman.” No.” When I do something with my first lesbian, I’m like, “Okay, that’s nice, but you just like my music?” [laughter]. So I want to be positive and I want to be positive. And it’s cyclical. I don’t want to make a fuss about disconnecting it. We want it to be equal, but equal opportunity, or just equal. Ultimately, I think we should all be judged by our character and how well we do our jobs. But until the field feels more equal, it’s no longer “Well, she’s a girl. She doesn’t know rock’n’roll, she doesn’t know this or that.” That is the change of mind and consciousness. And the more women who can do that, the more opportunities there are. And that’s where we are now. And I hope that soon we will all be just human.
Baltin: Do you think Gritty In Pink and these organizations can help move that forward?
Etheridge: Yes. As I said earlier, we are now in a situation where it is important to give opportunities to people with unique talents and those who are about to go far so that they can be given the opportunity to jump out and go far. I think I’m in
Baltin: What has been the most rewarding part of working with and helping Gritty in Pink?
Etheridge: Well, the all-female video production crew was amazing. That was really, really fun.And what, this talent, this woman [Chelsea Lauren]who won the photo.I just picked the one I liked the most [laughter]. [She] It was great. So having that option and knowing, “Okay, I’m helping with this, she’s helping me, and I’m getting a quality product.” , is very exciting.
Baltin: Do you think you’ll feel better doing this? Because you’re looking at people who are still hungry, too.
Etheridge: Yes, it’s great to be surrounded by that energy. It’s just wonderful. It leads to creativity and inspiration. After 40 years, I started feeling a little less satisfied. You think, “Oh, I’m doing this, this is my job, this is what I’m doing, and I’m not some crazy, hungry Midwestern kid trying to make it.” ’ So it’s great to be around that energy.
Baltin: Alice Cooper once said to me, “Fame is the brand that enables good deeds.” And for you, as you say, you’re here now, unlike the Midwestern kids you played with hungry. [Bruce] Springsteen, you performed at the Grammy Awards. Talk about being in a place where you can give back now, and how, as you say, it affects creativity and pays off in a very different way.
Etheridge: Yeah, it’s pretty cool to actually coach some musicians. And I love to say, “Hey, stay hungry, but keep yourself.” , because they always think they know everything, but they don’t. What really reigns is the ability to move people. And to keep that magic alive, to understand that there is a certain understanding, you can do it, you can succeed, but still there is the magic of a song that reaches and moves someone. . And you don’t know why. Just do your best to make it happen. I love mentoring other artists and people in the industry and keeping that magic inside of them saying, “Hey, do what you love. That’s it. That’s what makes it to the top.”
Baltin: What would you tell your 20-year-old self about how to make a living in the music industry?
Etheridge: I would say don’t be fooled into blaming others. Don’t let the unfairness fool you. Stand in your desire to create, stand in your desire to move forward, imagine what it would be like, and go for it. Expect kindness and expect better things now. And when you need someone, look for places like Gritty In Pink that have highly professional, ready-to-work women.
Baltin: What’s next?
Etheridge: I’m getting ready to go on tour. A documentary is out. The book is coming It came out a lot.
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